Onek diner Icchhey – to translate this song for Venkie.. Finally did it last weekend!
And he watched “BelaSheshe” where this tune is played on Esraj. After the movie he listened to the song again, this time it was by Sanam!
Oh the wicked charm of Rabindrasangeet!
Journaling an unique experience of being Home quarantined due to travel.
If you are in a hurry go to 24-Mar-2020!
24-Mar-2020 This is probably the MOST MEMORABLE day of my quarantine period. I get a call from our Apartments Gate that the police is here and they want me to come to the gate.
If you want to live this period with me, read on.
5-March-2020. I’m in dilemma whether to go to Dubai for a long pending visit or should I not. Since Nov 2019 i didn’t visit the team, was avoiding visiting during Dec-Jan vacation time. Though I was in touch online, badly needed a first hand feeler of what’s happening in that market.
But the Coronavirus was raging in China and had made its entry in Europe and USA. Checked with the team and few other friends in Dubai, the consensus was it was business as usual there, so my meetings won’t get cancelled.
But all other signals were suggesting it will be risky.
The karmayogi in me decided to take the risk. By this time the information about the virus was hazy and mixed. Some newsbits from this time.
07-Mar-2020. I start for Dubai. Bag packed with handwash soap, Clorox wipes, 2 masks. There was no sanitiser to be found. The International Airport was deserted. Shops were asking purchasers to dip the credit card in the card machine themselves, they all wore masks.
I wore glasses throughout because I’m a chronic eye-toucher. Once boarded i wiped the armrests and front seat-back with Clorox wipes. All 4 seats next to me was empty, flight was less than half full.
Upon reaching Dubai, it was all as usual. Every meeting of mine happened, in fact with more precision than any other trip! It was as if this universe wanted to win over the parasite with committed rigour of professionalism.
Super satisfied with a trip packed with valuable takeaways for the product, i embarked on the return trip. Just in 5 days the Coronavirus situation had worsened, Italy entered lockdown this week.
I boarded return flight, knew there will be screening upon arrival at bangalore airport with long lines. So i de-boarded last to ensure i won’t be sandwiched in a long line. Since I landed at 2:30am, I was in no hurry to reach home.
13-March-2020 2:30AM. I landed with sanitisers in the pouch that usually has chocolates. Upon landing I was happy with the thorough screening by airport personnel even at that hour. Our temperature was checked, and we were asked to fill a self declaration form where we confirmed if we had any symptoms and we provided our home address, phone number, email ID. At immigration desk they made entry of all this information. We were asked multiple times if we visited any place other than Dubai. My answer obviously was No. They didn’t say anything about self quarantine. We took our baggage and left.
Venkie had insisted he picks me up instead of my taking public transport, which was good towards self isolation also. We had decided I will self quarantine for few days, weren’t sure how many days. Since I was absolutely well and at airport no quarantine was advised, I was thinking of getting back to work after 3-4 days of quarantine. Upon getting back home I went straight into shower and washed all my clothes, aired my luggage. My biggest worry was my mother in law who is in the high risk group.
14-Mar-2020 A lot of information was coming in on what apartment communities were doing to be safe against the virus. Our apartments hadn’t started on doing anything. The Association was in a flux w change of guard, that could have been the reason. On this day while walking Sufi in the evening on terrace, i saw 2 members of association on the terrace. Coudn’t avoid talking to them, stood at more than 12ft distance. We discussed and decided to form a COVID Safety team and roll out necessary safeguards. Accordingly created a whatsapp group and the association promptly got washbasin installed at the gate, lift sanitisation schedule was started, along with few other measures rolled out to Residents over next few days.
16-March-2020 A new travel advisory came that expanded compulsory self quarantine of 14 days, for people arriving from/via Dubai as well. So my decision was clear, continue the quarantine till 27-Mar-2020. Since the time i got back from airport I hadn’t gone outside my flat, except to the terrace twice a day – once early morning for meditation second to walk Sufi. Since hardly anyone went to terrace, there was no chance of getting close to anyone, also soaking some sun was important to ensure my immunity is strong. My sister visited and I didn’t open door for her – she had 2 elderly parents-in-law at home. I had informed the president of our association about my travel related quarantine and a doctor in our COVID safety team. The private person I am, didn’t want to discuss with anyone else, also some of the WhatsApp conversations in our apartments were like this – “those morons who traveled” and “let the entire family of the traveled person quarantine, and keep the garbage inside for all 14 days” etc.. It was clear there was very little empathy or support, more of draconian rules as long as they are imposed on others.
By this time, airports were placing the quarantine stamp on the left hand of international arrivals. And there were multiple news of people who escaped quarantine and involved in huge gatherings, later diagnosing COVID positive. So there was a general anguish against travelers.
17-Mar-2020 I received a recorded call from ministry of health checking if I have developed any symptoms. I was SUPER PROUD! My country was following through rigorously, not just a namesake screening of travellers! The tone and content was respectful, caring and reassuring. That call came again next day, and then every day I started looking forward to that recorded call like one would wait for family’s routine call to see if all was well!
Here is the call I recorded to share here.
22-Mar-2020. Sunday. This was Junta Curfew day. Everyone is expected to be confined to their homes 7AM to 9PM. And at 5PM come at the balconies/windows, clap their hands, bang vessels etc. – make nose to show gratitude towards health workers and other frontline workers.
23-Mar-2020 A police constable called to confirm my address. I was a bit unsettled, confused what this was about. Knew it was about the travel but why police! Decided not to share with family lest they freak out. Running a biz in India police is nothing new to me, but in personal context it seems an infringement.
24-Mar-2020 This is probably the MOST MEMORABLE day of my quarantine period. I get a call from our Apartments Gate that the police is here and they want me to come to the gate. Told them I am observing quarantine, haven’t gone to the gate at all, I will not go now as well. Request them to come outside my flat. We have a grilled door on our flat main entry to keep Sufi entertained against the Delivery guys 😉
So this police constable comes accompanied by 2 other people and our security supervisor with who I share a great rapport. This Mr. Chandru seemed very apologetic, man was very confused.
They inform me that I should be in home quarantine (duh) and ask me to sign some form.. I was a bit shaken with home folks scuttling around for pen – the constable had offered his pen but I insisted we use ours. After signing, they went ahead with stamping my left hand, I ensured the end date for quarantine was correct. One of them started taking pictures to which i strongly objected. They said they need to take proof of their work, told them take pic of my hand but pls not face.
After they left, first thing what do I do? I rub sanitiser on my hands.. And get this baffling surprise – the stamp ink completely washes off! Even before I could take a pic of it for keeps!
I also catch my opposite house neighbour scrambling at his window to see what’s going on!
That nosiness takes a whole new dimension on this very day – municipality publicises all the House addresses where quarantined people are there. My apartments folks get super panicky after finding 2 apartments in our community listed in it. Of course yours truly is one of the 2 🙂 What ensued was a barrage of questions aimed at me and family. As such the days were troubling – observing myself for every little cough or sneeze, waking early morning to mediate and yoga so immunity remains strong, putting the team on remote working drumbeat, figuring out the biz continuity plan, wondering how to engage the kiddo who was stopped from playing outside or meeting friends days back. On top of all this sudden aggressive vigilantism of neighbours got disturbing. Of course after that feeling wore off, I let the humour of the situation take over.
However, I was strictly asked by Association not to to go the terrace also for the remaining quarantine period. I abided, though gingerly. (this reminds me, I drank ginger tea twice a day every day during this period. One of the best pick-me-ups!)
After this it became eventful for everyone. Because on that very day 24-mar-2020, Modiji announced nationwide lock down. Everyone should stay confined to home. Honestly, I still cannot fathom the total impact of such lockdown on such a large and diverse country like ours..
28-Mar-2020. I started going to the terrace. Newspaper stopped coming, I REALLY miss economic times. InShorts is like a gossip magazine. Will try to dive deeper in Flipboard. Loving the free Amar Chitra Katha access. A bit guilty I’m not spending enough time with the kid at home.. Will hopefully see my sis’ baby in the next block very soon – after more than a month of missing her!
29-Mar-2020. I went to the nearby store for picking up essentials. If ever there was a “living through a movie” time, this definitely is it. Deserted streets, shuttered shops, half empty shelves of grocery stores.. What a pretence of a good and secure life that we built! How fragile it is in reality!
To everyone who’s reached here – Live the everyday, keep up the good cheer amidst this gloom doom mood, and let’s keep the realisation mode on! Oh yeah, if someone is quarantined next door, try to be supportive first, followed by respectfully inquisitive. Love! San.
Today we went for Toot’s bday lunch. Amu was next to me and for the first time really played with me.
She fed me cucumber. It was as if Ma was feeding me. The wonder in her eyes see food disappear in my mouth was so enjoyable. And then feeding papad as well as eating herself. That loving simplicity of a baby!
We took off on 24 Dec. Bangalore to Delhi by train – Blr Nizamuddin Rajdhani.
The train reached 4 hours late. We missed the connecting Shatabdi Delhi to Ludhiana where our Zoom car was waiting.
So we took taxi from Delhi to Ludhiana. On the way we stopped at one of the Langars near fatehgarh gurudwara. There was a special celebration going on in honour of the sacrifice of young sons of Guru Gobind Singh. This happens every year at this time. My curiosity on Sikhism started. More on this
https://www.learnreligions.com/sirhind-martyrdom-mata-gujri-younger-sahibzade-2992738
From Ludhiana we picked up the zoom car Mahindra XUV 500 and headed to Amritsar. On the way I read up on Sikhism, the 5 K, the fight against Mughals (starting from Jehangir) to preserve the religion, and the amazing Golden Temple. Was super excited about seeing the heart of Punjab for the first time!
The vaahan
We Stopped at this Haveli restaurant on the way. It was sarson da saag, makke di roti and gud season.
The grand entrance of Amritsar city.
After checking into our hotel we braved the temperature of 4C and headed out to Golden temple at 10pm.
It was hard to walk barefoot on the chilled granite floors, the jute daris on the path was a saviour. We saw lot of volunteers propped up in blankets waiting to serve the gurudwara/kitchen in a few hours.
But then what a breathtaking scene this wonderful Golden Temple is!!
My punjabbi kudi 
The enthu kiddo cold didn’t bother him
We got back to hotel (it was an oyo and really nothing good there other than hot water), slept.
5am we hopped into the car for Himachal Pradesh – Dalhousie 🚀
On the way we stopped at lovely places for breakfast. V picked up mild fever that was a bummer. We kept getting around warm chulhas.
Fed puri and aaloo to the kiddos. They loved the food everywhere.
Reached Dalhousie and stayed in the Blue Magnets hotel. That was a nice place. Best of all there was hot water kettle.
Our goal this day was to hunt for snow. This trip itself was called snow searchers.
Go get some snow!
Since we reached late and got the room allotted late it was 2:30 when we started for Khajjiar lake.
Luckily on the way itself we found snow. What an excitement to spot the first hint of snow and then so much of it to throw at each other! ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
There it is! 
This was an awesome drive. However what we see here is much less thrilling that the driving my subbu Anna was doing 🙈
Then we found Khajjiar lake! A frozen lake with some sliding to do. But majorly to take in the scenery.
Oh the joy of the boy – saw snow for the first time in life 🎉🎉
We got back to Blue Magnets hotel and went straight to buy thermals! We had realised our enjoyment could be much life if we had the right warmth. The jackets were just not cutting it. Needed something close to skin! Each of us got a pair of thermals.
We enjoyed the breakfast in the hotel, soaked in some warm sun and big good bye to the hotel.
Now I will show off some me pics from this day.
This is how happy you feel in thermals! it!
Thanks to whoever invented it!
No one takes panga with me cubs 🦁🦁🦁
And now some Subbu Anna pics who was looking local with the Himachali cap!
We stopped for lunch at a nice little roadside place. Daal, aaloo sabzi, kadhi, roti. The radish that came in complimentary salad was out of this world good! Chikki loved loved the kadhi.
When we reached McLeod Ganj it was dusk. On the way we found this quaint church. Entered it and got transformed to a different time and place. Like in Hollywood movies.
Discovered it is St. John in the wilderness. A church built in 1852. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_in_the_Wilderness_Church_(Dharamshala)
Now the question was what else to see in McLeod Ganj. And that’s when I discovered Dalai Lama lives here!! (Yes I did zero research about this trip before starting. It was all organised by Venkie the great and I was the wide eyed traveller who only looked up a place once there).
So the plan was made we will visit Namgayal Monastery the next morning. Where Dalai Lama lives.
We checked in to the hotel. It was diner time so went to the downtown area near church and ate in a Tibetan restaurant The Clay Oven. Loved their thukpa, tingmo, butter tea.
This tingmo photo is not mine. I was too busy eating didn’t click. Thanks to this pin for the pic. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/184366178468225104/
Early morning we wake up. And what do we see. This view from our hotel!!
The Dhauladhar ranges!
Sun hasn’t risen yet. So we line up to watch sun rise next to these ranges!
The beauty when it rises! 
Perfect lighting for selfie!
Lovely capture of father kiddo!
After having our fill of Dhauladhar and the God Flame we check out of this lovely hotel.
The snowcrest Inn. A modest hotel with a grand view!
Now we set off to Namgyal monastery. It’s so close to our last night dinner place!
Upon entering we are hit with the reality of Tibet. The struggle for freedom. Protesting using self immolation. Depressing yet boldly honest.
The previous night in hotel we looked up quite a bit on Dalai Lama, Tibet and China. But none of it gave us the impact this entrance to monastery did.
After going in were greeted by the quiet and pieceful Buddha, Avalokiteswara, kaala.
After soaking in the simple peaceful and humble living setup of the monastery we got some souvenirs and went looking for breakfast.
Found this Kora Kitchen right in the monastery. I was super pumped seeing monks eating there. Ate roti, aloo sabzi, a Bhutanese cheese potato soup (kewa datshi), cheese omelette (cheese here was awesome), butter tea. Loved the food and unique ambience. Specially Sharing the place with the monks in maroon!
Done with monastery we started our journey down the mountain, back to Ludhiana where our zoom car was to be returned.
On the way we stopped at this lovely little place for tea. This was a place I could totally retire!! A radio fitted outside playing mann chaahe geet, a chair in the sun, watching cars whizz by while monkeys play around.. pickles drying in then neighbouring house.. flags with Buddhist mantras fluttering in the cool wind.. himaalay ki godi mein..
“Ya dil suno duniya waalon ya mujhko abhi chup rehne do..” hemant mukherjee.
Then we reached Ludhiana, rath yatra was going on so has to wade through some thick traffic to reach “Pradhan’s Chicken” a place S Anna wanted us to experience. Had some yummy food there, returned our car and got to the station. Waiting for the shatabdi to Delhi.
We boarded the Delhi Blr flight. After 5 hours of delay in the flight taking off due to dense fog. It was so so cold in the airport gate (2C) we got packed into the flight itself for 4 hours so it was easier to keep the temperature regulated. Had a good sleep. Later got to know this was the coldest day in 119 years!
View of our flight from the airport bus
Reached Bangalore by lunch time.
And back home! Reunited with Sufi who was having a helluva time at Hotel for Dogs. End of a v memorable trip!
Notes:
Next time for such low temperature trip
1. Carry thermals. Ear muffs. Woollen hat. Muffler. Jackets as usual.
2. Carry an electric kettle. Just in case the hotel doesn’t have or doesn’t work. You would need hot water.
Today I went to speed walk around the lake. Had half hour on hand.
So many birds in the marshy area Of the lake.
After walking for less than my planned time, I just stood and drank in the beauty of the scene. For few minutes, sacrificing the goal of today.
Some may call it distraction. I call it living.
I can speed walk through life going after a planned goal. Or allow life to happen and pause and live it.
The goal would still be there, parameters will have to be rearranged.
1. When you don’t need Support. At all.
Example: Google Search.
2. When you are ready to run redundants.
Example: Your free Yahoo Email Account. If something screws up real bad, you just forward all your emails to your Free Gmail Account or your Paid Work EMail Account, and move on
3. When You are the only User for the Software.
Example: All free Apps you download on your phone.
4. When it is just for fun.
Example: All free Apps you download on your Child’s iPad.
5. When you are trying to find out if The Software is worth buying.
Example: Every Freemium Software.
If you are going for Free Software for any other Purpose, think twice.
PS: Social Media is not Software.
..kho jaata hai jaane kaun..
“when were you made to feel like an outsider… in which city… with who…”
an exercise that was part of the “Neighbourhoods of Tomorrow” workshop.. I have so many experiences in that regard..
And one experience just today morning that shook me up from my illusion of belonging.. in my own chosen family..
There were few clothes waiting for me to be categorised and placed in my wardrobe.. they were being moved between the bed and the ironing board just as temp places. My MIL (tamil) was uncomfortable with this.. Expects everything to be prim and proper.
Very unusual of her, she said “don’t mind my saying this but all bengalis seem shoddy with keeping their room/clothes arranged.. i have seen this in your relatives place…”
I felt bad.. (again this is very very unusual of her) But I can’t quite pin-point the bad..
The confused mix of emotions I have – is so hard for me to describe.. Should I feel offended.. I don’t identify myself as a bengali.. Should I join in chiding bengalis, I don’t identify myself as a not-bengali to that extent either.. What do I identify myself as..
Then the thought that maybe if my parents were alive I would have reason to feel bad, that maybe my parents are being insulted..
Maybe I feel all of it and none of it..
Is this what is called an Identity Crisis.. Not quite a crisis for me.. Doesn’t directly impact me..
This Identity is such a painfully confusing thing..
It can make you an insider or an outsider..
We become insiders with someone when we have something in common.. Building that commonality is building relationships..
But then the uncommonality surely will surface.. What they call diversity.. At that point how can one not feel outsider.. Or be comfortable with the feeling of being outsider..
Lekin jab hum mil jaate hain.. kho jaata hai jaane kaun…
Kaun kho jaata hai… ?
Ego? Identity?
Today while working out, rendition of the Tagore classic poem “Dui Pakhi” came up on my playlist. This rendition was from Rhythms of Tagore album by Bikram Ghosh and Shovansundar Bosu. There’s the beautiful interjection of “sajan more ghar aa..sajanwa..” at the point of desperation..
This popular poem has of course been translated earlier, but I want to do my own.
So here is the translation – for my Tamil family, and Non-Bangali friends. I will not attempt to rhyme.
Two Birds.
The CageBird was in its Cage made of Gold
the ForestBird was in the Wilderness..
One day somehow the two met
One wonders what was in the mind of the Divine..
The ForestBird says dear CageBird, let’s go together to the Forest!
the CageBird answers ForestBird come let’s live in the privacy of the Cage..
The ForestBird says No! I will not be caught in Chains
the CageBird says Alas! How will I venture out in the Forest!
The ForestBird sings sitting outside the Cage, all those songs of the Wild
the CageBird recites the words taught to it; each bird’s expression different
The ForestBird says CageBird dear, sing some songs of the Wild
the CageBird says ForestBird, learn some songs of the Cage
The ForestBird says No! I want not the songs taught
The CageBird says Alas! how do I sing songs of the Wild..
The ForestBird says the Sky is deep blue, and it has no bounds..
the CageBird says the Cage is organised, and covered from all sides
The ForestBird says in midst of the Clouds you can leave all what is yours
the CageBird says in this quiet comfortable corner, keep yourself anchored..
The ForestBird says No! where is the space there to fly!
the CageBird says Alas! where in the clouds is there a roost to rest
So the two birds love each other..
but don’t get each other close
The two birds sit facing each other, through the gaps of the Cage
Each doesn’t understand the other, nor can it make itself understood..
Both in their lonely desperation beat their wings, beg the other to come close
The ForestBird says No! Who knows when the Cage may shut close!
The CageBird says Alas! I no longer have the strength to fly..
==========
Apologies to Kobiguru for this attempt, but I just had to.
This is the classic portrayal of opposite ideologies.. And every time you read you may find a parallel with what you may be going through in your life at that point.
The beauty I find now is the stubbornness of each side is portrayed without any judgment..
The interpretation I got from it this time, was related to a Collaboration lesson I am living through currently. The interpretation of not two love birds, but two Birds who live with their own choice, respect the other’s choice, and figure out a way of working together towards a common goal..
“You have to love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing back – no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold.. Nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive.” – Merce Cunningham
When I was in primary school I asked Ma for dance classes after school. Few of my friends were going and I was quite enthused watching them practice in the free hours in school. I too wanted to learn and enjoy that art.
But Ma said learn to Sing instead. Dance is of no long term enjoyment. She said you can break out singing any time, you can’t do so for dance. After you get married you will not be able to continue dancing. No good home would allow their daughter in law to go out for dance programs.
I didn’t quite buy into that but didn’t push this further. Like any other child I got distracted in other curious things in the unfolding universe.
But that “naacher poka” (dance bug) stayed somewhere in me. Through College days and also MNC job days I believed only ppl with long training in dance could dance. I would feel my body wanting to move to the beats of a song but I wouldn’t give in worrying about the hilarious scene it may create.
But then we moved to Mumbai in the ADDA journey.
Here we got introduced to the fact that everybody who wants to dance can dance! The 9 days of Garba/Dandiya in my apartment complex was probably the best eye-opener where every family member – child to grandpa would participate in the dance. Nothing complex – just coordination over simple beats.
I was so impressed by this coming together of a family over a dance, probably also one of the secret sauces of the gujarati family business successes, we created a new tradition in the ADDA Office – Garba around the cubicles – GATC. All 9 days of navratri, 10 minutes before lunch hour the entire team dances around the cubicles.. The team’s coming together as a family and celebrating our workplace. This has been continuing since last 3 years – with both Mumbai and Bangalore offices adopting the ritual.
Garba around the Cubicles in ADDA – 2015.
After relocating to Bangalore I discovered this little dance club in my own Apartment Complex. A group of dance loving super enthusiastic ladies, some of them are fantastic choreographers as well as teachers! They participate in the culturals as well as dance competitions around our neighborhood and luckily there was opening in that team! More luckily quite a few of them work so practice times are in the dead of the night :)) Now there’s no stopping me…!
Here are two dances I participated in.. Far cry from my pro peers but Oh I loved every beat.. Here’s to you Ma, I think you would have been proud how your daughter grabs on to every bit of life!
Bollywood dance at Oasis Breeze Onam Celebrations – 2016 (yours truly enters at 1:22)
Folk Dance for Nrutyotsav in Mahadevpura, Bangalore. 2017
Heard this song on Radio today morning while making coffee and assembling TRG’s lunch box. The lyrics were so full of pure and divine love, and about achieving the impossible with that love, it just stuck in my head..
Kaun kehte hain Bhagwan aate nahi
Tum Meera ke jaise bulaate nahi
Kaun kehte hain Bhagwan khaate nahi
Ber Shabri ke jaise khilaate nahi
Kaun kehte hain Bhagwan sote nahi
Ma Yashoda ke jaise Sulaate nahi
Kaun kehte hain Bhagwan naachte nahi
Gopiyon ki tarha tum nachaate nahi
Coincidentally all these go-getters are Women..;)
Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9FxkTR7Ew
SandWaves 