Sunday, 15 December 2013

Hum Chloromint Kyun Khaate Hain?



This not so pertinent question stuck with me for a full 10 minutes.

The title of this blog is partially misleading, but not totally irrelevant.

The year was 2007. The final term of the final year of our engineering course was drawing to a close. As part of tradition a class photo of the outgoing batch is takenfor the year book. All of us were required to be dressed in formal attire and gather around the lobby for the class photo.

The whole outgoing batch (EXTC, Comps & IT) had gathered for their respective class photo. There was a lot of commotion and some class photos had to be taken again. Bored waiting for my class' turn, I decided to go get a mint (Yes … Chloromint) from the canteen in the adjacent building.

As it happened, I found someone to chit chat in the canteen and totally lost track of the ongoing outside. My friends too forgot that I was missing from the assembly. The class photo was done (see below). 

And I wasn't in it.




Damn. How can this be? I was sad at first, almost cried. (No glycerin)


But then I went into HULK mode (more so NAUTANKI mode), destroying everything in my path.


But a big thank you to my friends, they organized the entire class for an informal re-shoot within minutes. This time I was very much in the photo. So what if it wasn't printed in the year book, it has been etched in memory forever. 

SFIT Batch '07, you guys rock!!



Sunday, 4 August 2013

My experiences with 2-wheelers

I learnt to ride the bicycle when I was about 8-9 years old. In a couple of years I graduated to the BMX styled bicycle. Sooner than I realized I was doing power skids, racing friends, handsfree riding and in general being bonkers.

"Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window".

It was one such incident when I was not supposed to be out on road but had sneaked out of the building compound. My dad saw me in the neighborhood and I raced like hell to reach the building compund going scarily fast on the wrong side of the road. The purpose I narrate this short incident is this was the reason my dad gave me when he put off buying a bike and bought a geared scooter instead - "tu bau rough chalave che" (You ride very rash … and a scooter will keep your speed in check).

I lost that argument and sulked for weeks when the scooter arrived. In fact I remember I didn't even touch it for the first few weeks. Gradually I had to concede that I have to make do with it. The scooter in question was a one off offering from Honda, being the only geared scooter offered by them in India. The Honda Eterno came home on 9th July, 2004. Slowly and steadily it made a place for itself in my heart. The creamy Honda motor was too good to be ignored. Its 150cc engine produced only 8 bhp and due to the non-aerodynamic nature of scooters, I was skeptical that it would be very slow. But soon I realized I could leave 100cc bikes in the dust and even 125cc bikes to didn’t seem like a distant dream. I soon learnt to pull wheelies and race 150 cc bikes on short stretches upto 60 kmph.

"Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and lived."

If you have ever ridden a 2 wheeler (motorized or non-motorized) and never fell off it, then IMHO you haven't yet learnt to ride.

I have had my share of crashes. First was due to a daydreaming cyclist riding across the road without bothering to look behind. Honk-Brake-Skid-Slide-And_Back_Up_Again. Injuries … Meh!!.

The next one was a bit scary, happened in 2009. I was riding on the highway, coming back from work with a friend riding pillion. It was around 9 PM at night near Malad. There was a patch of oil which was not very visible. I rode into it only to realize I was losing traction. In a split second we were tilting and about to hit the ground. For a brief period, everything blacked out (this is the body's natural mechanism to save us from the trauma).When I opened my eyes I realized my friend had got off and I was dragging with the scooter for some 20-30 feet before I let go off it. The scooter went some 30 feet further before it stopped. Got up. But this time instead of Meh!! kind of response I was shaken up. No physical injuries, only a mental  block.


Ditched the scooter for a couple of months before I regained the confidence to ride again. But I was still to conquer my demons. The story can be found here .

First 2-wheeler excursion


I was still reeling from the effects of the previous accident and had taken to riding only on smaller familiar routes. My friend "Ojo" prodded me into an excursion ride. I sought permission from my father as he had his inhibitions. But being  a rider himself (Honda Cub, Royal Enfield) he understood the joys of open road riding. With some pointers and sanctification I got the go ahead.

It would be four friends (Ojo, Golu, Vishy and me) and three 2 wheelers. Simple plan: Mumbai-Alibaug-Murud-Janjira-Alibaug-Mumbai. Ojo hails from Alibaug so was the definite leader for the trip. We zeroed in on the 23/24 July 2010 weekend. Golu and I (starting from Borivali) would travel the previous night to Ojo's place in Panvel. We would leave next morning by 6 AM and Vishy (Dombivli) would join us.

The night leg of the journey from Borivali to Panvel, I rode pretty cautiously (with Golu as pillion), covering a distance of 70 km in 2 hours.

Gang* [* - Apologies : our state of mind doesn't necessarily reflect in our expressions ;) ]:


The next morning there were heavy rains. We suited up in overalls and set out for Alibaug. Initially I faced some problems, as the accelerator would just go dead. After a while I realized the engine had not heated up well. Stoped and started again this time waited for a fairly reasonable time.

Moving steadily we reached Vadkhal Naka 50 km from Panvel, where we stopped for breakfast.



Yup!! Yours truly, Baboo.

Tanked up on Food and Fuel and continued further to Alibaug. We  reached Ojo's place and dumped our bags. The journey ahead was us riding on beautiful coastal roads lined with colourful fishing villages. In a short while  we started again southward to Korlai. 25 km from Alibaug lies the sleepy fishing town of Korlai. It has a lighthouse and a fort that was built by the Portuguese in 1521.



After a spending a short while there we moved further 35 km southwards to Murud-Janjira. Murud and Janjira are twin towns. There is a fort of Murud-Janjira which is in the middle of the sea and one has to take a ferry to the fort. The view of the fort from the town is breathtaking.



We reached the jetty but were told that due to high tide we would have to wait for a couple of hours before we could go to the fort. We didn't have the luxury of time so we proceeded to the Murud beach instead. We had lunch and chilled off before starting back 60 km to Alibaug.



We reached Alibaug and dead tired as we were cleaned up and lay lifeless till dinner time. We headed out for dinner at 8 PM (everything closes shut by 10 PM), roamed a bit and had dinner. We all were so tired that we bunked into the lovely beds Aunty had prepared for us and slept like babies. Next morning we  got up leisurely, had breakfast and went to the famed Alibaug beach for a stroll.

On the return leg of our journey, Ojo stayed back home and the rest of us started onwards to Mumbai. Golu and Vishy were taking turns on his Unicorn and within an two hours we were at Sanpada. We parted ways Vishy taking the Thane route and we the Sion route. Golu and I made one last stop at the Sanpada Bhagat Tarachand before hitting home at 4 PM.

No hiccups. No close calls. My total round trip ride was 400 km and the joy of the trip was beyond my heart's content.




Finally!! Inner Peace.

There haven't been any rides after that but watch this space.

UPDATE: I haven't done enough justice to the beauty of the Konkan region. The Konkan region is at its majestic best during the monsoon. You have beautiful greenery all around. The weather is to die for. Only spanner in the wheel is the State highways don't hold up against the rains, marring part of the experience. The other wonderful aspect was the ride along the coastal roads. No words can do justice to that.

Add to your bucket list: Travel on a coastal road till you hit a deserted beach and just revel and soak in the Sun, Sand and the Sea.

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Learnings from Sun Tzu's Art of War

I first heard about Art of War and Sun Tzu from Pop culture references.

I was wailing my time on a weekend when I decided to read it. Looked it up on Google Play store and got myself a copy.

Here is a summary of the learning's from the book:

1. All warfare is based on deception.
2. Use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.
3. Let the objective of war be victory and not lengthy campaigns.
4. If you know yourself and the enemy you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself and not the enemy for every victory in battle you will suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself you will succumb in every battle.
5. One may know how to conquer without being able to do it - a victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won.
6. Utilize right mix of energy. The combined energy of the fighting men becomes as if it were like a giant rolling stone, crushing all in its path.
7. Strengths and weaknesses. Like water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards, strike at what is weak and avoid what is strong.
8. Understand the temperament and conditioning of the enemy. Do not advance uphill against an enemy nor oppose him when he comes downhill.
9. Variation of tactics - a general who understands the advantages of variation makes his position unassailable.
10. Five faults that may lead to failure - recklessness, over solicitude, cowardice, hasty temper and delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame.
11. Armies on the march. Detailed observations give telltale signs of the state of one's own army and the enemy's army.
12. If you know yourself and the enemy, victory will not stand in doubt. However if you know the battle circumstances, you may make your victory complete.
13. Success in warfare is gained by accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
14. A ruler must be heedful and a general full of caution to maintain the country at peace and army intact.
15. Foreknowledge helps avert unfruitful events and achieve what ma y seem beyond ordinary.

Friday, 28 June 2013

My most memorable road trip …. yet !

Cars and to a lesser extent 2 wheelers constitute my second nature.

From an early age I have been very fond of cars, so much was the affinity for cars that my birthday cakes were all car shaped cakes.

I began driving as soon as I hit the legal age limit in 2003. But it was not until December 2009, that I undertook my first road trip in the most humblest of cars the Maruti 800. It was an awesome learning curve, driving on the NH17 in the dark of the night, with my Dad guiding me.

My first solo road trip (without parents/guides) with friends was to follow soon. It was New Year soon. This year our engineering buddy was spending the winter in Mumbai instead of US. I knew it was great time to go on a road trip with friends. We decided on Shirdi as I had been there a couple of times but never driven all the way. Hotel reservations were made.

We four friends Hemal, Kalpit, Ashish and me, decided to leave on 2nd  January after lunch, hoping to reach our destination right around dinner time. Plan was to get up and go for the Kakad aarti held at 4 am in the temple the following day.

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
Hemal has also written a blog about our roadtrip. You can find his version at :
/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */

Checklist items ticked off :-
  • Battery
  • Brake oil
  • Radiator coolant
  • Engine oil
  • Tyre pressure
  • Fuel
  • Couple of Gandhis, should I run into trouble.
  • Munchies for the road ahead

We began at 3 pm and I picked everyone up from their homes. We set sail and immediately were hit by traffic at the Dahisar check naka. 2 hours thereon we just managed to steer clear on the NH3. I have to say the NH3 and NH8 are best surfaces I have driven on, this side of the expressway.

We were inching toward our destination at steady pace of 80 kmph, stopped for tea and were moving along when I started to feel the car dragging. The speed was decreasing and the car literally began to die. Choking and stumbling until it came to a halt in spectacular fashion with white smoke emanating from the hood near Asangaon. We pushed the car off the road to a small dhabba.

Tensed I called my father and he advised to open the hood and let the car cool down. Meanwhile I also called my mechanic, who asked me the symptoms and magically knew the radiator fan had stopped working. He asked me to find a mechanic and callback for the temporary solution.

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
A radiator fan has a thermostat attached, whenever the radiator temperature increases beyond a cut-off, the fan runs to cool it down. In my case the issue was the thermostat had stopped functioning.
/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */

We let the car cool and then started moving slowly forward to find a mechanic. It was 7 pm on a Saturday and mechanic's were a rare commodity. I was mulling the option of going back home. Fortunately luck was on our side and we soon found a mechanic. The mechanic was directed and he clipped the radiator fan directly to my battery.

He said that this would work continuously and charged a mere 20 rupees. We set off once again and confidently I pushed hard. We touched Nashik at 9 pm and found peace in the Kamats restaurant. An hour later we started on the 90 km still  ahead of us. This is part of the Nashik-Pune state highway for some 30 km after which it is an internal road for the remaining 60 km.

It was dark and I had to drive carefully as there were no markers to indicate where the road runs off. This is also the time when most tour buses heading to Mumbai have started their return journey. It was a scary drive, judging the run-off areas on the road. I did managed to scare everyone including myself once when the left wheels were off the road and in the gravel. We did get some serious jolts which even woke up Kalpit.

We reached Shirdi at midnight, 3 hours behind schedule. We located the hotel and were in for a rude shock when we were given shabby rooms instead of deluxe rooms that I had booked. Kalpit was in no mood to sleep in the room assigned and he and the others went to the reception and fought to get our deluxe room. Well worth as we needed the 3 hours sleep to Kakad aarti.

We changed and slept soon after. It was around 3:30 am, that we managed to drag ourselves out of bed and got ready to go to the temple. We get there and began a 2 hour wait through the long queue. It turns out we were super late and got to see the Kakad aarti only on the installed tellies in the complex area. It was 6 am when we got Darshan and by 6:30 am we were back in our beds.

We were travelling back the same day (3rd January) and decided to leave after breakfast around 11am.

As Steve Slater (F1 commentator) always says - "the drama simply doesn't seem to end ..."
Surprises weren't done yet. The car simply wouldn't crank up. It turns out the battery had drained out powering the radiator fan.

We tried to find a battery shop where it could be recharged. Being a Sunday two things happened most repair shops were closed and even we managed to find one it turned out that there was load shedding and it would be a couple of hours before the light would return.

Trauma as one would guess. Luckily we managed to find an enterprising chap who was in to make a quick buck. He said "I'll jump start your car, you just prevent it from stalling. Ultimately it will get charged on running a 50-60 odd km".

So there it was, he cranked the car and we set off. This was the most nervous part of my journey as getting out of a crowded town and getting to Nashik without stalling the car. Dare it stall, we'd be stranded for God knows how long. Inching nervously, we reached Nashik, found a mechanic and got a reading on the battery. Our troubles were over, the battery was charged, enough to get us home.

Lunch was to follow and Kalpit instead on a place that he had heard, but roaming the streets of a unknown city proved to be futile and we didn't manage to find it. Time was ticking and I wanted majority of the journey to be completed in daylight. So we started on empty stomachs, cleared Nashik and found a rustic dhabba on the roadside. Kalpit was apprehensive about eating there, but it was a very good meal, as if blessed by God. Parathas , paneer subzi, dal tadka and jeera rice.

Its 4 pm and we have to cover 150 km, I step on the gas and we are doing three digit speeds. Return journey seemed fairly relaxed when the ever attentive Kalpit noticed the temperature rising. Drama again. After what it had been through, the radiator had developed a crack and was steadily leaking fluid. We waited for it to cool and poured water to replace the depleted coolant.

We began in half an hours time and were now moving at a fairly reduced speed. We reached home at around dinner time.


The journey had made us richer in our experience and we together braved some seriously scary situations to triumphantly complete our road trip and a sighed relief went - "All's well that ends well". Indeed.