bachpan ki deewali

Its Deepawali time friends…..we celebrate it as the biggest festival , once in a year.This festival of lights , always brings in nostalgic moments , for all of us , I believe . I believe all of us would like to once again recount our Bachpan ki deewali….and majority of us would also agree that our bachpan ki deewali was more festive than today…..countdown would begin about a month back..planning in our minds about the new clothes , sweeties , and ofcourse the crackers , to play with .My Grandfather would take the above responsibilities year after year and till his good health . We all brothers and sisters would tow him to the market and get all the things we wanted .
In retro , today the festival seeems to be justlike…you have to celebrate it anyway.Four days to go , the countdown nowhere seems to begin , the roadside shops , which sell all sorts of deewali items are no where to be seen,no crackers are heard,no special tayari , of the sort .Where has the mood gone away ? The festive day seems to be just another day of life , which has to pass by anyway…..

Online with Billu

Yesterday I was online with Billu (Indus Khaitan) , my longtime friend , talking to him after a long time ,as soon as he gave away his new phone no, there was no delay in calling him , leaving the online talk in the middle .We are talking after a long time and there was so much to talk and discuss.He was working in the Silicon Valley for the last ten years and recently moved to Banglore , working for the same company . Atleast Kishan , the third trio , and myself were the most happiest with this decision , as we were praying for his return to India . Billu's father , always called us , me , Kishan and Billu , the Bapu's three monkeys . I always remember the old days when we three , made our adda at Kishan's office and sat there for hours on the end . Jokingly , when Billu came to India a few times on vacation , I and Kishan always wanted the same addabazi but was not possible as he had to meet so many people and and was always short on time .
Billu , as in Banglore is now working on a Venture Capital Fund , to help new ideas grow and flourish in India .I Pray to God for his super success .I share his belief that there are no funds , easily available , for IDEAS , to grow in our country.

Mt first one

Today morning , I was just checking my gmail , after a long time , and found my dear friend Sandeep lodha online from Banglore ,online and started chatting with him , after the normal conversation , he suggessted me to post some blog/slogs over the net....I too was interested and he showed me the way and so I am off to my first blog.....Sandeep and his family were originally resident of our town Katrasgarh and now due to business obligations , all have shifted to different places , as he is now based in Banglore.Mostly we talk about the school days and the good times we all spent here.We are in the midst of Durgapuja celebrations , and despit being anormal town , Katrasgarh is famous for its Puja Pandals , huge Pratimas and the like .Sandeep and I also talked about our Puja days and I could feel from this distance , that how nostalgic he was.I decided to write about the current durga Puja scenario in my first blog , for all those , who have left Katrasgarh , for reasons vivid.

Nothing has changed except the size of Pandals , they keep on goinf bigger and wider .....the same enthusiasm continues for three days , and subdues days after the visarjan of the Pratimas.I can clearly hear from my house , the blarring of loudspeakers , the rush of people from adjoining areas , getting into the festive mood with all the finery they have bought with the colliery bonus received . The noteable Pujas being Nadi kinare Pandal , Keshalpur Pandal , Ranibazar Pandal (our favourite) , Railway Ground Pandal, Bengal Pada Puja , Malgodown Puja , all being conducted in most grand way possible .

My children Rishi and Radhika are very excited as usual for this year Pujas and they have made their own wishlists starting frong from bubble blowers and balloon shooting , which are only available at Pujas only.I look forword to a great Puja wish the same to all NRK - Non Resident Katrasgarh Citizens.......