That Puneri feeling :-0

It was a grand Diwali for me and what made it so special was going back to my roots. Yes, I was in Pune and felt every bit Puneri, thanks to the following:
1. People don't wait for the signal to turn green, they just zoom even when there are 8 seconds to go!
2. Chitale Bandhu proudly announces that 'chakli' and 'anarase' are out of stock and will not be replensihed that day! This is the best Puneri feeling so far!
3. Seeing the light eyed owner of Chitale Bandhu behind the counter. Mind you, the main counter has women cashiers now! Ahem! Thats Progress dear Punekars!
4. Going gaga over chirote, Puran Poli, khava Poli, AND karanji.
5. My old house, my grandma's house and all the old friends and relatives houses. Some of the bungalows are still beautiful!
6. The narrow roads that once felt so normal on a 2 wheeler, now feel like the adjacent buildings will fall over me!
7. E square charging Rs 40 for Parking??? Even Rcity in Ghtakopar doesnt charge Rs 40 for parking!
8. Eating chicken sanwiches at Marz-o-rin at Rs 35, still dirt cheap and yummy!
9. Waiting for Kayani Bakery to open at 3.30 pm
10. All shops remain closed in the afternoon. They open only at 5 pm!
Viva Pune! I love you!

My daughter's Pearls of wisdom

Here are some valuable pearls of wisdome from my 8 year old:

First Pearl
Me: Dont test my patience's limit. It is coming to an end.
Mahua: But, its not my fault, it is your patience's fault!

Second Pearl
During her Maths revision:
If you can't borrow from the left hand side, borrow from the right!

 Third Pearl
Me: Why is your bum so round?
Mahua: Because it's not square!

2024

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'Mall' Culture

Have you ever realised that, there are too many malls and too few of us? Even in a city like Mumbai? You will be nodding your heads to this if you have ever visited a mall during the 'happy hours.' By 'happy hours 'I mean the day time, when you can see a few mall rats, a sole mother with her baby in a pram, and of course, the store employees. I wonder why there is no 'happy-hours discount' in all these malls which look like there is a epidemic in the city between opening time and evening. I ventured to this mall yesterday since I had to kill some time before picking up my son from daycare (its the trial period in daycare, before I start the usual grind of working 9 to 6!). Whats the best way to pass time than to watch a movie? And, mind you, I am strictly talking about Hollwood movies which last only 2 hours. So, I glide up the escalator(s) and walk to the box office (why do they call it that?) and ask for a ticket only to be informed that they need atleast 4 people to run the show! So, I say, "What should I do then? Its not my fault that inspite of the burgeoning population, only I decide to watch this movie!" "Please come five minutes before the show." Ok, now I have another hour to kill. I decide to satiate my desire to eat something sweet and walk to the Gelato counter. I ask for a taste of the new "sucrose free" chocolate variant. The girl behind the counter replies, "It is sucrose free." I ask myself, do I look so sweet that, I don't need a sucrose-free gelato or I dont fit the profile of the sucrose-free types? I ask the girl, "What should I do, I just want to taste it." She gives me a tiny bit to taste. After I finally decide which chocolate variant I would like, another question mauls my brain, "Medium, large, or family?" Yet again, I wonder, do I look like I can consume medium or family sized quantities of gelato? Why don't these mall counters start asking if a customer would like a small serving size? Why can't consumers like me, have the presence of mind, at these times, and ask for what I want? Finally, I have the medium size chocolate sorbetto and keep wondering why I did I have a desire for gelato or any sweet at all?! Time fast forwards to the movie intermission. Its so cold in the movie hall and thanks to that cold gelato that I am still cursing, I need a hot coffee. My need is not met beacuse, they have only tea at the snacks bar! This mauls my mind yet again! Why did I become the victim of the so called mall culture? Its clean and convenient, but bores a hole in your pocket. It tempts you and treats you but , also makes you feel like a fool sometime. Can I, please, maul at their brains sometime?