Y do Friends get Married ?

No no ..its not the pain of letting go a Friend to a full commitment mode but the pain of attending one :)

In span of 4 months , 2 of my very close friends got married...that's of course a very good news but thats not what provoked me to write all this...I attended both the marriages at different geographical locations and in different seasons.Deepak Sareen, My Infy batchmate, room mate and a very close friend got married in Feb. Weather in Bangalore was pleasant and I had no idea that Delhi must be chilling....I reached there with one sleeveless sweater and was pretty sure that even that was unnecessary. Punjabi shaadi starts somewhere in the evening at around 7-8 pm, I was waiting with the other baaratis for the Groom to arrive. IST justifies itself when mentioned as Indian Stretchable Time...the Groom arrived in a car and was helped by relatives to get to the Mare(Ghodi). The moment band waalas see the Groom on the Mare , they start playing all the songs with all the instruments possible. The baraatis including me start dancing to these tunes...after sometime even when we want to stop ...it seems we are forced to continue dancing till will reach the Bride's place. After some rituals from Bride's side at the entrance we all are allowed inside. Now the moment we(baraatis) are in the marriage lawn it doesn't matter to us what happens to Bride and Groom. You'll find everyone at chaat and drinks stalls. Aunties in their dazzlings sarees try every item on the stalls and start comparing it to some other party they attended. Uncles don't complain they all seem satisfied with the drinks, soda and cola. I had chaats and followed everyone to the dinner stalls. Everyone finished their dinner and started leaving...I patiently waited for the marriage to start. The mercury started dipping and I started having coffee every 1 minutes. Finally the marriage started and it was gr8 experience watching a Bengali Gal (Anu) wedding apna Punjabi Munda..There were 2 pandits from both side to make sure things are being followed their way :) The negotiations between both families about the ritual were going on and the marriage proceeded. I was shivering there in cold and If I could have I would have quickly pronounced them Husband and Wife to end my trauma. The marriage ended at 3-4 am in the morning. I thought I would catch cold or fever and people at office would have no doubt that I am not keeping well. I was on a sick leave for 2 days to attend marriage and god had its way to justify things :)

I shifted to Pune to join Amdocs and meanwhile heard the news that Yogesh, my collegemate and my very close friend was getting married in May. This time of the year Mercury is soaring high, it makes sure that the mortals are confined to their homes. Marriage venue was a viallage close to Nashik and 250 kms from Pune. I took the volvo in the afternoon to Nashik. The AC didn't help much but I was breathing at least. I reached Nashik at 9:30 pm after 7 hours of bus journey. Got to know that the place is still 45 kms far and I had to take a share Omni for that. 11 people in an Omni Van in such a weather is a punishment. There was a family whose children were sitting partially on my lap...India mein hume bada adjust karte hai :) After sweating all the way I reached the village. At 11:30 I reached the marriage hall starving only to know that the food is finished and the nearby shops are closed. Even after that we were made to dance in front of Bride's house....the scene was too good there...chairs were properly arranged outside her home and all the elders sat there and were waiting for the dance to begin. Embarrassment at its peak but nobody knew me there so no problem ...I danced with others. Next day at 11:30 am we had the marriage....I mean why ppl choose such a time...Hot summer day and 12:00 am ..what a combination...Even here we had the Bandwaalas and they started playing the songs...this time the guy was singing also :) I believe the occasion doesn't matter to these bands as in both the marriages they played patriotic and festivals songs :). Yogi planted himself on the Mare and we started dancing again..this time under hot sun ...sometimes "Friendship" takes a toll on u. Anyways the marriage was quickly over in 1 1/2 hr and everyone was leaving. I had the volvo reservation in the night but all my friends wanted to escape earlier. I had to change my plan and in that heat, we took a normal bus for Pune. Oh godd! it was like travelling in a oven ...to top it up with whipped cream there was jam in the Ghat region and the bus got stuck for 2 additional hours. I reached Pune at 11:30 pm ...and yes I was glad to reach back.

All this pain for Marriage...I tell you Marriage is such an event which affects a lot of ppl in different ways. Anyways ..I wish both my friends a happy life ahead....meanwhile I know what to do...:) stay away from it for the Greater Good :)

Had a Taste of Pune's Night Life

Friday in Office seems hard to pass by specially after 5 days in Office but this day was meant to be different or I should say... Special. At 8:00 pm in the Newton room (The CLARO Team's Den) , the 4 of us decided to hit the pub and continue on our plan to get High.

Vivek babu asked me to ride his Hunk and I cheerfully agreed...nothing like hitting the road on Friday evening :) . Rahul and Nitin followed us and we were on our way to F C Road. Vivek came up with a technological breakthrough and handed over his Navigator phone to Nitin and asked him to follow the instructions. Now we sped off towards our destination with Vivek being my navigator...roads started to get complicated. We traveled around 15-17 kms and took several wrong turns and traffic lights before we reached the "Apache Pub" (I didn't mind riding the bike though). There are 2 Apache pubs on F C Road but Vivek asked us to land up in the 2nd one coz of only couple entry in the 1st one. The moment we parked our bikes there we had our eyes lit up :)

Apache pub is not that spacious but cozy enough to be with friends. Inside the pub the crowd was decent enough...grp of gals...couples and of course majority ...ppl like us...lukhe.:). The crowd out there seemed to be regular members of Apache as they were expecting every song being played and they did sing along aloud :). As per Vivek's request we ordered "Go To Hell" pitcher with snacks. At first we thought we are drinking "Roohafaza" bcoz of the taste and color but later realized its far better than that. The content of the drink are Gin, Vodka, Whisky, Rum, Beer, Fanta, Cola and Sprite. After having the first pitcher we thought to throw in some light on CRM so I called up Nandan. Nandan quickly agreed and sped to the pub within 20 mins. We guys started the 2nd round and by that time even we were up to the pitch of English music bands ...most of the numbers being of Linkin Park...no1 band in places like these... however Nitin wanted to hear some bollywood numbers like Kajare but to our disappointment it was not to be. Anyways we head banged and ordered 3 more pitchers. The clock stroke 12:30 am and we were presented the bill.

We got out of the pub and cool breeze welcomed us all. We all were drunk so no question of who can be a trusted rider...I took the chance and as usual loved riding bike after getting alocholuted :) .We hit the road and suddenly decided to have coffee somewhere. CCD was the first choice of all but we couldn't find any near by. After wandering 2-3 kms for coffee shop, we decided to hit the Pune station....CumSome the Pune station cafeteria remains open 24 X 7. We all reached there and of course there was college crowd get together ...sipping coffee having cakes and taking snaps...we had cold coffee topped with those gals around :) After sipping the not so cold Cold coffee we left the place.. Thanks to railways Mamta and Laalu...or whomsoever we got our coffee..

Nandan took his way back and rest of us sped off towards Magarpatta...at 1:30 am in Iris magarpatta... in the lawns...we laid down and started chit chat...Life is made of moments like these and sure my Pune Chapter begins on this Note ...

signing off..cheers

Paying Road tax in Pune

Writing this blog just to help out others who want to pay the 2 wheeler road tax in Pune. I didn't vouch for any agent so had tough time today at the RTO (Near Sangam bridge) ...the main RTO in Pune. My vehicle, Pulsar 150 cc, is Karnataka registered and I wanted to pay only the Road tax i.e my vehicle number will still be Karnataka's.

Now to start with the documents required:

1) RC Book

2) Driving License

3) Active vehicle insurance

4) Original invoice...this is used to compute the Road tax amount

5) PUC slip

6) 1 plain paper

7) Local proof...not compulsory

In case of "change of registration" u need to have NOC of vehicle previous registration. It takes some days before u r handed over the new number.

Procedure:

Get the xerox copy of all the above mentioned documents (if u haven't, there's a xerox shop in the RTO compound) and collect a FT document from a store(its free of cost) just outside the main RTO building. There will dozens of agents asking u to fill the form on ur behalf...just ignore them..the form is very simple to fill...just copy the details from ur RC book.(The form is in English).

After u have copied the details on the FT form from ur RC book, just write an application on the plain paper to the Regional officer RTO (Mr. Nikam) asking him to approve ur case to file road tax. Take the completed FT form and application to Mr. Nikam's office (enter RTO main building and take the 1st right...u'll see his office and name). He will sign on the form saying "Accept Tax". After this is done rush to the lady at the extreme corner on left..this lady will look at the invoice and compute the road tax amount on the FT form. Next, rush to another lady, Mrs Korse, this lady will have a short look at the form and just sign it and will ask u to join the queue to pay the road tax (The amount will be the one computed by the lady earlier). This is the place I got messed up big time...got in the wrong queue...the one mentioned by the Mrs Korse was wrong...I wasted around 2 hrs in the wrong line.Lines are not that big but you have agents in the line with 1o cases at a time...and some back door entries...but can't help but wait :(

Get into the line for window 23...this is the one accepting road tax for outside vehicles. After some wait and patience u'll finally get ur receipt indicating that ur vehicle has paid the Maharashtra road tax :)

The help window won't be of much help so please don't waste much time there. If you face any troublesome issue at the Office ...Mr. Nikam is the best person to contact..he sure helps :)

All the best and after this task is completed ...rip away ur bike in Pune's streets.

Subbu saar's love :)

Some people do create impressions and make them stay forever!

Villain he calls himself,

Yes, he is the villain, who stole many a girls heart,

And made all our girls never look at us even once,

Yes, he is the villain, who danced for just a song,

But made all our hours of dances seemed like nothing..

‘Not Gay’ he calls himself,

Yes, he is not, but he is one biggest admirers of,

Avinash, Anna and Praveen, but not Sumayya Chandu or Paloma :D

Yes, he is not, but he chose to ignore the super gorgeous Simran,

And chose to say, “hamaare profession mein, yeh sab common hai”

He says, he can’t dance,

Yes, he can’t dance, but he learns Aman’s choreo

Which makes even sumi and Chandu shudder, just in a matter of half a day!

Yes, he can’t dance, and of course he cant dance,

Did you see how “bad” he danced for Ek Pal Ka Jeena?

Dude!! You are one super talented, energetic, and down to earth, and what not a guy! You are quickly becoming a fabulous dancer!!!

To tell you insider secrets, even last year, you had so much of points in auditions…. Just as we said, about your dance it was the only thing, which we were having doubts on… J but now, I must say, we wouldn’t even think twice!! We were kinda feeling, we don’t have roles this year to justify your abilities… and then we had to settle by making you the official villain!!!

Then we were thinking, the next year, may be we could do justice to you!!! But alas! Good things don’t stay for ever they say!! Knowing you for the past couple of years, I hadn’t had an iota of idea that you would turn up like a goat in a huge bear’s clothing!! You rock dude!

Wish you a great time ahead! For sure, the Infy, Parichay and of course, we - your friends will miss you really!! Come back soon, we got to do many shows together!! Bangalore for sure, needs you !

Lotsa love,

Subbs J

Aasta La Vista Parichay!

Whenever Anaa met me these days, he always used to ask “Kab jaa raha hai ?”….and here I am marking today as my last day in Infy

As my friends refer me ( even I believe that I am), a big time nautanki (dramabaaz), I was always inclined to drama and dance but watching u guys perform I never ever managed the guts to even go for audition. Even then I was a part of Parichay ..walking the ramp with almost no expressions at all but still feeling proud to be associated with the elite Parichay group.

I remember my first stint with the Dance group of Parichay (Subbu, Anna, Praveen, Sikha, Rahul and others), I was practicing for Fashion Show in Bldg 32 MC Hall and you guys were auditioning for “Karz the Musical”…Laks came up to me asked me to go for the audition inside for some role…I started my part where the lady stabs a knife at my back…I suddenly stand up and say my dialogues with full style…after I was done Rahul told me “saar u have knife stabbed in ur back …u just can’t stand with ease and talk” …if this wasn’t enough I was made to dance to some impromptu music which started with “Bahor phool barsao” and I thought dude just get the hell out of here and walk the ramp . I thought this is it…forget about it…

Parichay 2009 ….audition season was back and I couldn’t stop myself this time also…this time it was Hero and Heroine

I went with full confidence for audition and the moment I saw the same bunch of judges in the auditorium I was prepared for Laughter challenge II. I was done with acting and again steps in my nemesis “I had to dance”. I requested them not to play “Bahor phool barsao” and they agreed to play Aaahun aahun…I did some crazy stuff there and was convinced that I did better than last time

Next day, even a bigger audition was on the cards for the selected few…yes I passed the 1^st stage. I auditioned for Romeo and Juliet and Saleem and Anarkalli with Shweta and Ishika...(Ya ya double role was on cards from that moment)…but again steps in the “decider” …ur killing dance moves…as it’s a musical drama..

After Kishan told us some spider man steps for dance audition which we had to perform immediately on Stage, I thought end of 2^nd stint with Parichay dance group. This time love was seriously in air and I got a re-audition call where Anoop and I were supposed to dance together on Subbu’s choreo. Tough it was like choosing between Sunny deol and Sunil shetty J…..So after tough negotiations and mind battle I was assigned the Official Villain of Parichay 2009 (Love is in air) …what tragedy

I loved my assignment as it involved Anna as my team lead….no Simran I am not Gay J. Anna was one dancer whom I always enjoyed watching from my first year of Parichay viewership in Bangalore. Playing villain was tough…first day itself Rahul brought a Hrithik fundoo video (titled Hritik best performance ever) and said this what I have in my mind….I thought dude leave it and walk the ramp. Gargi used to practice with team B and she never used to practice with us initially, one day I met her at FC1 and told that the choreo for “Ek pal” has started but its ok u’ll get it very easily and she quickly replied back saying “ya if u could do it then I think no problem” …man clear indication to leave the dance dream..

Time is the best teacher but it helps to have Vincy, Anna, Rahul, Gouthi …and whole team C as ur trainers. I somehow got the steps and Team C shifted gears to match their expectations. I used to go Team B practice for one ramp walk with Sim where Ritu made sure that I was doing everything on counts and correctly. Even Akbar had to frequently visit Team E for some walk practice, entry and exits. Parichay sure is big picture…there were posters created, photo shoots happening, publicity stunts….my god for a moment I thought I m some kinda starrr .

But u know what I later realized what the reason behind me feeling like starr…it’s the Parichay feeling…the people who make it happen…

Laks…My Project mate and one person whom I have known from beginning days that she is a Parichay dancer. Graceful and she makes her eyes speak for her whenever she dances. Yes I am Kallam

Subbu da…The cute, adorable, very senti guy who tells u what Passion is all about.

Anna…Born dancer, superb body language…and mere se bada nautanki..Eats a lot from other’s plate :p

Rahul…The director…the secret of his hairstyle is that he thinks too much and keeps pulling his hair at every thought…Aiyyo saar

Gouthi…The bronze medalist Jive dancer…too good a dancer but so down to earth that never seen a urge to lead a dance…aap mahaan ho sir

Vincy…Trainer of Team C boyz. Very fast learner and amazingly patient.

Praveen…The fashion guru, stylist and one of the most energetic dancers around. Unique is his style quotient.

Gargi…Meri bholi bhaali pyari simran…one sweet, helping and super fit gal. Does whatever she can for her friends. Makes sure that style follows her and of course guys

Shweta (Anar)…Fabulous talent….character mein itna jyada involved rehti hai ki normal kabhi baat hi nahi karti..

Avinash…Saar ur one of the biggest fan is leaving Infy. The energy in ur dance is unmatchable…awesome dancer

Aman…The classy act…full of style, smoothness and attitude.

Sayoop…Classical performer…ur latka zhatkas will make gals run for their money

Swhl saar… always behind the camera making sure that the subjects are captured beautifully

Chandu…Parichay’s Madhuri dixit with dance moves as gr8 as Mrs Nene if not better. Very warm and friendly gal.

Leela…One mischievous, jolly and the apt Romeo of Parichay grp. Makes sure that everyone has a smile on his/her face while talking to him.

Summi….One of the most photogenic gals around…agree to the tag given to her “The Chatter box”. She stands up to it.

JassssKiran…Very cheerful, talkative and man she dances with ease..effortless

Guys thanks a lot for showering me with ur love. I’ll miss u all very much…Keep in touch…

Sim …yes ur “Get Lost” is effective…

Rajj urff Akbar

(Official Villain Parichay 6.0)