A view from my window

It's raining joy in Sharjah..The opposite building is my office. good day to all:)

Clicks with friends

It was a pleasure meeting Lawyer-Journalist blog friends, Sanands, in Delhi. It was a wonderful get-together. The hero of the evening was junior Sanand, Aditya.

Met journalist friend Sudha in Chennai after years.

Dinner with BB Nayak (7-times Guinness winner) family in Navi Mumbai.

Will try to post more pictures ASAP.

Facebook magic



With Kumar- A meeting after 28 yrs

I worked with Free Press Journal, Mumbai, in 1983, for a year (Started career). Kumar was my senior there. In one year, I moved to the TOI (17 years) and then to the Gulf. Kumar also moved to the Gulf. We lost touch for 28 years. Recently, our paths crossed virtually when we got in touch over FB. He invited us for dinner to Dubai. The Kumar family’s hospitality was admirable. He has three lovely daughters and a cheerful wife (Masha Allah). What a feel-good factor to get back in touch with good old (I mean young) friends.

My friend is your friend-1

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with a dear friend, and that too after years. Saisuresh Sivaswamy is a popular name in journalistic circles and he is now Editorial Director of Rediff.com. Hard working, humble, great sense of humour…hey, he has many plus points buddy. Sai is on a visit to Dubai from Mumbai and we had Kerala-style lunch yesterday. Awesome pal Viju Jacob was also with us. We enjoyed the lunch but we missed you guys and gals. Where the heck were you all?

Photo-speak

 It was great meeting a group of new friends at Deira City Centre, Dubai this week. We were there as part of a blog/website discussion. The participants included nationals from Bosnia and Pakistan. Let the photo speak.

Photo-speak





These are some of the recent clicks on the same great-grand father donated mobile.

Just for a click

Dear blog friend Mridula asked what I am doing with the new mobile. Just clicked 2,3 photos at the Dubai Mall last week when I went there with friend Fareed. Here goes.

At Dubai Mall near Burj Khalifa

Water fountain show in progress

A week with family

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi

 Apologies for staying off for a week. Family back in Chennai and I can now cook more stories as well as food. We had been to the Global Village and the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi thanks to best friend Dr Jana, who took us in his car. Daughter wore the traditional Islamic dress, as visitors are encouraged to do so while entering the mosque.  
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the UAE. The mosque’s design has been inspired by Mughal and Moorish architecture.There are four minarets and 57 domes. The domes are decorated with white Bianco marble from Pietrasanta, Italy and the interior decoration is made of white marble from Laas, Italy.
Heard this joke: “When I cry you never ask me why,” cried Mulla Nasrudin’s wife. “Sorry darling," said Nasrudin, "that question already cost me an awful lot of money."
NB: That outdated Mobile I was having conked off. I can see Mridula laughing there. Boss, now I have a Nokia E52. 

 

Famous blogger Subu shows off his purchase at Global Village, Dubai.

Young-hearted old friend

I caught up with my old friend (hey, not age-wise) at Pune recently. I had mentioned to you about Adi Aibara (Left corner). He lives alone in a deserted area in Pune, along with a dog called Blair. The other pet he had, Bush, is unfortunately no more. Even fetching a can of water is a challenge, but my friend prefers to stay in the same place, away from the hustle-bustle of the city.
“You are still looking young, buddy,” I told him,
“I wish I could say that to you as well,” he joked.
When there were bomb blasts in Mumbai years ago, I and Adi were just 10 buildings away from Mumbai stock exchange. Hearing the sound, I asked the editor of a magazine with whom we were talking, “is it some blast or what?” When we reached the road, we realised that it indeed was a blast at the stock exchange.
Oooff.

Monkey trick

I keep talking about longtime buddies. Freny was my colleague in my previous newspaper a decade ago. When it comes to good friends, out of sight never means out of mind. I caught up with Freny in Mumbai last week.
We used to organise picnics on Jan.26 when our newspaper was closed. Once we decided to travel by local train. Most of us gathered at Mumbai VT while Freny wanted to join us at Thane. When the train reached Thane, I saw her standing at a distance.
I could make strange whistle sounds to grab the attention of friends in crowded areas. So I went off…Trrrrrrrrr…and Freny turned and screamed “Monkeyyy.” The way she came rushing to catch the train still flashes in my mind.
She is now a wellknown freelance journalist.
We recollected the fun days at work. We hardly see such amity among colleagues these days, or am I getting cynical?
We were all equally underpaid those days and so there was no jealousy. The pay disparities among staff and the rat race stink now.
Shucks, am I getting old?
OK, a joke shared by Agnelo: A lunatic climbed a tree and refused to come down. All efforts failed when another madcap arrived and warned the guy, if you don’t get down, I will cut the tree with this shaving blade. The trick worked. Moral: You need a madman to handle a madman.
Hey, I told a joke, why you no laughing?

Guy with a golden heart

Just saw this decade-old Mumbai photo in my album and remembered a great buddy. I thought should introduce him to you.
Adi Aibara was my colleague in Times, Mumbai. We used to call him Gandhi. I learnt the meaning of humility from him.
He has now settled in a Pune village. He had two dogs, named Bush and Blair. He is now left with just Blair.
This guy has an amazing sense of humour. If a beautiful woman passes by and I mention “that pretty lady is eying you,” he will laugh and blush so much, his face will actually turn red. During one of our picnics he joined the reverse run race with “teens” like me. He fell on the way. Thankfully, he was not hurt.
We are proud of his niece Firuza Aibara. This girl of Mumbai has written several books related to computers.

Sportive spirit

I was sipping coffee when the phone went alive.
“Is it Raameesshhh?”
“Yep, who’s this?” I asked.
“Arreee yaarr. Nausheeerrvaan here.”
“Whattt? Naushi? Monkey, where are you calling from?” I was shouting with excitement.
“Dubai.”
“Vallah. Tomorrow lunch at Sharjah City Centre,” I told him.
And we met.
Why all this exhilaration?
It’s just coz this guy was my colleague more than a decade ago. He was with the sports department of The Times of India, Mumbai. To catch up with a good friend after a decade is a great feeling. And we connected with a couple of other common friends here.
Naushi keeps travelling to Greece. He loves junk food. He prefers to remain single. To cap it all, he has a wonderful sense of humour. After all, he is a sports journalist and had come to the region to cover the Bahrain Formula 1 event.

Ups and downs of life

When things go upside down, better stand erect and face the situation. Wow, what a famous quote by Global Madrasi. OK, what do you do, when things are monotonous and humdrum? Just stand upside down.
Hehe, this is what I did in Jumairah beach, Dubai, this Saturday.
I was with Mr Subbu and Mr Rafiq. We could see the world’s highest manmade structure Burj Khalifa from the beach (Not in photo).
Why don’t we do something different? asked Mr Subbu.
“You want me to stand upside down or what?” I asked him.
“I am sure you won’t dare with people around watching,” challenged Mr Subbu.
“I want to be a sport. Challenge accepted,” I replied.
“Try, I will shoot (hey, with a camera, boss),” he said.
The result is for you to see. Not bad, hehe?

This post may not click

This Saturday visited a night market near Dubai creek. Clicked a few photos with my mobile and naturally the picture quality is poor. I have to repeat the quality is poor. Who knows one of my wonderful blogger friends may think of a brilliant idea of gifting a new mobile. Hey, where are you running away? At least, see the photos.


Ahmed is an "Arabic tea" seller from Syria. Tamarind is used for the tea.


A carpet is being weaved and sold at the same spot.

"
Well, this's a floating restaurant.

African connection

Had been to Global Village, Dubai on Saturday with Mr Subramanian. Nothing much exciting. Hence settled for a pose with two African brothers. BTW, Mr S had to pay AED10 ($1 is AED3.67) to the artistes for the pose.

Photo-Speak

Thought photos can speak better than words. Lost my card reader and bought a new one only yesterday. You know how lazy I am. Hence the delay in posting my India visit snaps. Sorry if you are bored.

All in the family - Dubai

Amar, Akbar, Antony - or- Faiyaz, RR and Dominic at Bandra park

(Taking a break- Chennai-Mumbai car ride)

Just a click: Mumbai-Pune route

A surprise visit by blog friend Pankaj
Guinness holder Nayak, Philosopher Faiyaz and blog friend Nikki

Joy ride in Borivli park fun train

'Vada-pav’ philosopher

I am blessed with some excellent friends and promised to introduce them whenever possible. You have to know this interesting man.
Faiyaz Hardwarewala is his name, but he should have actually been christened Softwarewala, going by his soft nature.
FH is in media relations and has worked with leading companies in Dubai. His recent stint was with a famous publication. He has roamed around the luxurious spots of Dubai as a journalist.
Is he rich?
Well, that’s the story all about. Simple living is his philosophy.
FH prefers to work in Dubai for a few years, chuck his job, return to Mumbai, pick up a bicycle, take railway season ticket, spend time in libraries, have "vada-pav" and such other simple food, talk philosophy with friends, especially Ayn Rand brand. Once the bank balance starts pinching, he starts looking out for a job again. BTW, vada-pav is a snack (bread and potato mix, hey, whoever knows what it is don’t laugh at my explanation) sold in roadside outlets and restaurants in Mumbai and is inexpensive.
“I want to live my life the way I like. Take it or leave it,” he argues.
As a true buddy, I am worried about him, but secretly I admire and envy his guts.

Hi, meet Sam

I promised to introduce some good friends so we all stay connected. Here goes Samuel Jacob, call him Sam or Sambo. Some talk more, work less (like me..I can see Vinisha clapping – (but hey, I bluff sometimes, don’t take me seriously) and some do it the other way round.
Sam belongs to the latter category. Talk to him continuously for five minutes and all he does is smile back and nod his head like a vertical clock pendulum.
This guy was an asset for The Times of India desk in the 90s in Mumbai. He was so computer savvy that he was grabbed by the Internet edition for launch. He moved to Yahoo! Bengalooru.
And the hardcore journalist decided he had better things to do in life. He is now focusing on environment and agriculture and is working on a project to protect lakes in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve buffer
zone of Tamil Nadu.
The photos show Vagai Kulam. The children are part of a Green Brigade. They help in monitoring the birds. The other pictures are of birds resting on trees in the lake. The trees are scheduled to be cut soon and Sam and his team are trying to stop that and get the place declared a sanctuary so the birds can continue to come here.
Good wishes, Sambo.

Happier the ‘we’

"We” is a much stronger word than “I.” My friends are your friends and your friends are mine. So, I thought I should introduce some great friends, with their permission. Slowly and steadily, let’s expand this list. The list is not in order so, no hard feelings. This one for Gallery section.
BB Nayak is a simple man from Orissa settled in Navi Mumbai. His achievement? Seven Guinness world records. The latest is 30 one fisted cartwheels in a minute in New Bombay. The feat is covered in You Tube. Long ago, I covered his major feat for TOI and that is when we became friends...Now hold your breath..it was called Groin Conditioning..where two concrete slabs are placed against his vital organ and another guy breaks the slabs with a hammer. We gave the headline, don’t laugh, “Balls of Steel” in the TOI supplement for this story. Another report I wrote about him was titled “Bruce Lee of Mumbai.”
Babhi (BB’s wife) is a worried lady and not without reason. When BB plays with his life, she could only pray.
Well, hats off to this achiever who’s made it to the top despite lack of support from the government.