Race it is ! No rat race, let's run for a cause !

And finally realised the "Bucket List dream " which was penned in diary a year ago and scripted in mind since 2 years.

Registering, participating, preparing, getting mentored and finishing with unmatched thrill !! This all happened and even after 9 days, the 21 km stretch , still remains etched in memory like it happened yesterday...

For a change I realised that chasing worthy target involved not a RAT RACE at all and everyone on the road inspired every each one to help him /her finish her own race. Some ran the entire 21 km stretch, the others managed their milestones and some made spirited attempts. Eventually, all were winners.

At my age it goal was to finish it irrespective of time. Timing for a moment was not the matter, time you remained on the road with relentless mind mattered. So , unlike other younger and stronger feet which finished the distance in comfortably less than 2 hours , mine took two hours fifteen mins ! Not bad, considering that there was energy that much still there when there is enough chasing that happens daily to meet EMI and sales targets !
Actually, on a day it happened quite smoothly and first half distance literally ran slower than usual and saving, accumulating myself for the later miles which are more demanding.Stuck to what I had read, listened to the runners who had been there and done it and executed those experiences. More proteins and bananas were recommended , hence must have gobbled 30 odd boiled eggs and more if not less number of bananas in days leading to the event.. Also, read somewhere that staple diet for runners in PASTA, hence had it few times prior to race day. Most importantly on the recommendation of a doctor, changed and bought specific Nike's air cushioned shoes and practised with them. Fortnight ago, had developed soreness in toes because of shoes which were tight and had scared me with the possibility of missing the race. With the timely and gracious help of a doctor recovered in time.Over the last few months had exercised some control on diets and invariably had little meals in the evenings instead of dinners.
Most importantly confidence booster was a day in gym when on treadmill, determinedly had run 20 kms non stop. And that Oct 10, run in the gym gave me ultra high and prepared for a real day. Over the last 7 months or so was managing 20/25 kms a week with some rest days thrown in.

So on a race day, woke up and 4.45 and post ablution and shaving and gobbling boiled eggs and bananas, headed for a shuttle which plied for runners and took us all the way to Vinay Marg from where it all began. Had put on micro-cheap on a shoe and were in clothes which were used and washed. As usual runners from allover world literally flocked the place. One could see the americans, africans without whom you can't imagine the athletics world, the Chinese, Koreans, and of course Indians from as afar as Hyderababd and Banagalore. Many Mumbaikars too were there for this event.

As mentioned earlier, had focused on going slowly for the first ten kms and hence hardly was exhausted. All along the path there were 13 water stations and 6 energy drink supplying outlets. Till 5 kms ran without any fuel and then had water breaks some 5 times. Race covered some of the finest roads of New Delhi and we cruised through Nehru Park, African Avenue, Satya Marg, Akbar Road, Jan Path, Raj Path, ManSingh road etc.It turned back from Hotel Le Meridian which was 10.5 kms landmark.
More or less it was flattish track except Safdarjung Flyover which tested you at the beginning and end of the race at around 17 kms which where some either walked, gave up or persisted and later completed non-stop. Glad that I managed to last on that climb up. In fact towards 18 kms it was becoming daunting, little soreness was beginning to surface in the right foot. Thankfully, miraculously it vanished and an old man running with better rhythm than me inspired by saying , hey, it's just another 20 odd mins and we would be through ! Ya..! That kind of spirit of pushing each other when it matters most separated this race than other runs we run in our personal and professional lives.
It taught lot and certainly I promised to return for more runs and better my timing next time. For achieving this target you get paid priceless rewards of mass human spirit on show,importance of togetherness for a cause,ability to endure the odds and challenge your self physically and mentally...
Finishers medal they provided was just a good memorabilia that added glory to the glorious memories of a race where no rat races but only humans participate !

In a cafe by the sea on a liquid evening !

Aha, the joy in becoming a part of a nature's beautifully hidden surprise is something different. At the end of the quite usual day, I returned to Bandra early and thought of catching a cuppa coffee at ever exciting CCD that is situated at carter road. No sooner I parked the car, some rain drops started and by the time I crossed the road, they turned into monstrous rainfall. Mellowing sky with orange tinge looked lovely and it perched nicely on the flattish white coloured.sea. You had pedestrians walking and chatting of all ages. And as usual this cafe with all Youngy crowd, buzzing with buddy talks and what not !

And in a moment just that bolt from the blue changed it all. Suddenly, you witnessed skyline that became black because of thunderous rainfall, you helplessly saw the sea water covered with blackness of the night and swaying trees came to standstill, mutely submitting to the fury of rain gods. Some people and jauggers specially some of them still braved this pouring and that's quite a sight. Caught unaware by this bashing people after a brief halt, carried on with drenched clothes and vehicles never ceased to ply the roads. Mumbai , they say doesn't stop forget about sleeping.
This cafe has dazzling crowd and mostly today are youngsters loose living on fathers' money and some hardly any who would be professionals or work going class.
I can see now one old man and another old lady and couple of pros here and there.

Lightening with thunderous roaring continues and people notwithstanding ferocious rain spell continue to walk in to catch up with friends, others to laze around, some to gaze and some to de stress themselves at this place.
Being here now and scribbling this in this setting, for a moment I became oblivious of business, economy, issues around. Probably reached a zero thought zone in a cloud bursting rain spell by the sea side.

Picked my title from a soothing Holy Near song where she thinks poignantly about her lover and sings " In a restaurant by the sea on a liquid afternoon ....!
Having said this, cool breeze is flowing now and sky is becoming clear and it's still raining but it's much gentle and worth taking a shower in and refreshing your body, mind and soul...)

You just need to want something and feel for it

Had given of hopes of a decent house in a classy Bandra suburb. Either came across costly and good houses or the ones which were affordable were in filthy localities. Had made the mindset for moving to other lesser known suburbs in terms of living standards and lifestyle standards.
And all of a sudden , out of nowhere got a call from an agent with whom I had seen 7 houses , that there is something in store on Andrews Road which is sort of guest house accommodation. And happier I became when heard that it would just cost 15k.
Good room, better apartment, even better landlady, opp Bandra Gymakhana, off Carter Road. It's amazing deal !
Enjoying now after a hard day's work a bowl of salad at a nice place " Moccha" which is just 25 meters away on the street I stay. Great Boney M title " By the river of Babylon " is making atmosphere even lighter.
Overall, a good day finished with a visit to this lively place.

Remembering Ernest Hemingway

This legendary writer got introduced to me rather luckily. In a lunch recess when I was studying in junior college, I found a copy of "Farewell to Arms " in the house of a friend and his mother who was a professor had brought it from her library.

Title attracted me but more was drawn to it because book was being read by a very educated woman and hence I thought it must be good one. My love with English was making me pounce on anything that came to notice.

This book left profound effect on me and characters of Frederick, ambulance driver with shades of grey and Catharine, pristine and caring British nurse and their romance caught the imagination and I was spellbound by the plot that unfolds in Italy's war. Poignant end, background of war, the rain- soaked country, fragile humans and other characters like Rinaldi and Priest also remained itched for a long time. Partly autobiographical this book made me Hemingway fan.

Then I got hold of " For Whom the Bell Tolls" , an account of Spanish civil war and the struggle for Republic and against Fascists. It's some paragraphs depicting discussions of Pablo, hero Roberto, Maria and Pablo's wife Pilar who has a towering presence in a group in Spanish mountains engage you
and evolves intense story which again brings forth famous Hemingway code of " grace under pressure "! Tragic end after heroic attempt and reiterating the fact that Hemingway mentioned once " There is glory in failures too ".

Wanting to know more of him , I got the finest short story ever written and that's " The Old Man and the Sea " changed and inspired my thinking. A story written with conviction that only a writer who experiences and writes can bring. The old man, his relationship with the sea and the past in which he lives and draws inspiration from , the boy, the description of his feeling for the fish and the reason for his killing him and the cathartic analysis of self in the end is something which keeps us drawing to this book time and again.

"The Sun Also Rises " also was a delightful read in mid twenties and got fascinated by Paris he describes and the pit falls of loose living expatriates in that magnificent place and journey to the Spain, the country which he( Hemingway ) had more love for than US and appears here more for the bull fights and chasing of a woman called Brett who he knows will never be his.

And recently read some short stories of his and was saddened by the tragic end of main character in " The Snows of Killmanjaro ".

Traveller in me became more awake by his astonishing description of Africa in his another remarkable book " Green Hills Of Africa " where the plot is about hunting. It's again partly based on his experiences of hunting in that country and he mesmerises you with African countryside, hills, forests, smell of wet lands and mountain trails , hynas, buffallows, streams, breeze from hills and hunting tales.

Sensitive person, sports buff, hunting lover, an idealist , a deserving Nobel Prize Winner , a writer who many tried to imitate, thousands in US and Cuba who tried to follow his way of life had a tragic end. His failing health and mental condition drove him to commit suicide in Idaho. He shot himself and world lost the genius who lived many lives successfully. An American way, some say !

When I visit Spain, Cuba, America and Africa, I don't know when it will happen, for sure is one thing that Hemingway's lithe and laconic descriptions are one reason for arousing interest about these places.

For now, an amateur person that I am will end by remembering his famous code.

" Courage is grace under pressure "

Days of odds and evens all around !

Days unfolded in a strange way in surroundings and as well in personal life ! Swine flu erupted and shockingly of all the cities Pune became the epicenter of this much dreaded imported disease. And slowly cases got reported in many states and so did many deaths occurred. Cities went empty and still all and especially hospitals and sufferers are grappling with issues related to this hazard.
In the political circle at this time BJP seems to do no good to itself and by sacking Mr. Jaswant Singh it has shown undemocratic functioning side of it's leadership. Jinnah and Sardar Patel are back in the news. Much maligned image of Jinnah, first through Mr. Advani and now with Mr. Jaswant's book seem to change for the time being. Gujarath govt has banned book without reading it for it supposedly has shown little respect to party's iconic hero Sardar Patel.
Hmm.. Does SardarPatel's image suffer because of book like this ? Is Jinnah more or less villain or guilty for partition of 5 cr people and death of 5 lakhs ? Some actions of national leaders will remain unanswered . And we need to move forward....
We are struck with draught in half of the districts and that is painful. Rains have been scanty and food prices are soaring and again downtrodden will bear the brunt.
Hmmm...
Have moved to Bombay for a new role in corporate office. Time will tell how this role shapes up. It's bold and challenging plunge I have taken after comfortable time in Alternate Channel. Cancelled going to Dubai and postponed holidays in Dharmashala. House hunting is a challenge in Bombay both cost wise and logistics wise.
Indeed, it's going to be time of getting even with odds and sailing smoothly. First 8 months have been quite fine , next 4 look daunting yet exciting. Hoping to get going !!

Bangalore Marathon. Run maadi run.

And this was one item on my bucket list for the year.. For 31 st May event reached the place a day in advance and hardly practised in the preceding week. However, confidence was there since had been running comfortably around 6 kms thrice a week last couple of months.
On the day of the marathons all roads to Kanteeveera Stadium were full of people of all ages, dominated by youngsters and in colourful attire. They had organised event very well and all races started on time.
In the global event as expected Ethiopians and Kenyans dominated the show and they set the track ablaze with super speed on flattish track on a comparatively hot day by Bangalore standards. Merga won it by a comfortable margin and continued his winning streak here as well. He had come here after 3 wins this year in major international runs at Boston, Houston and Delhi Half marathon....

Our open race for 10 kms got off the block at 8.10 and at least thousand of us we started. First there were many around you for a kilometer or so and hence it was difficult to get rhythm going. After two kilometers there were open spaces and you could run well. Up till 4.5 kms it was smooth run and then it was steep climb for about 2 kms and that heralded challenge for amateur runners like me. But we saw it off and were encouraged by spectators and co runners for going for that extra mile.
After about 6.5 kms was beginning to get tired and a water break with electral boosted confidence. Within few minutes was already within 2 kms of touching finishing line and that gave the second wind. Magnificent architectural structures of "Vidhan Saudha" and "High Court " and tree bordered road through Cubbon Park refreshed mind and made us forget pain in legs for a moment and all of a sudden we were just a km away from completing the Dream Run !!
In the last stretch , met Arvind who came from Chennai and last time he had taken 77 mins to complete the run. He was going to better his time by more than 15 mins and hence was visibly happy.
I for one was happier than ever for doing this feat in an hour's time. It was good run on a somewhat hot day. Personal desire coupled with on field inspiration of seeing fellow runners plays vital role. Breathing clearly and feeling exhilarated walked back to hotel room and scratched and item in my bucket list.
A temporary run ! It gave immense joy, challenged physical conditioning and what's more introduced in my life a good friend from US who I accidentally met at airport. Flight to Pune was delayed by 4 hours and mostly spent time in reading, chatting and recalling the Run.
Deccan Herald had a quote of Omprah about running. She says and I don't exactly remember something like this.. " Running is the only thing where your output is directly proportionate to your inputs " And thoroughly it's correct.
Some runners had scribbled another beautiful line " Run & Become !" True, run and realise is what I could conclude ! Run MAADI Run!

Mr. Ramchandra Guha's reply to a letter.

Dear Mr Nadgaudi,
Many thanks for your wonderfully warm and generous letter. It makes all those years of hard labour in the archives worthwhile!
with regards
R. Guha

Astounding and enlightening India after Gandhi.

Dear Mr. Ramchandra Guha,

At the outset thanks indeed for giving our generation a phenomenal historical account of India after Gandhi. This book has single handedly revived more interest in knowing the great country that is ours.

This happened to be the first book that I read on historical issues and the unfolding of various measures taken by respective governments and consequences of the same.

Trust me your book has reformed me and informed us more than anything that comes to mind.

When I went to vote on 23 rd in Pune this time I must confess that to an extent my decision was helped by the unbiased contents of your book.

It's simply mandatory reading for anyone who wants to know about Largest Democracy 's mystery. Yesterday night I finished reading the last chapter and remained awake till well past midnight and various events so engagingly expressed by you in the book did not let me sleep . Comprehensiveness, lucidity, impartiality of narrative in a unique style makes it a fine reading experience.

It's a book that many will read, re-read and ply for explaining to future generations of what this country has been because of what it had been through and how founders had exemplary vision.

You read some books. But few move you. And this one does that in a subtle way.

Mr. Guha you have touched and enlightened us with this amazingly written book.

Would love to meet you someday...)

Warm Regards Always,

First day of the blog writing !

Finally decided to pen something that I have been delaying for a long time . In a hotel lobby of Rama International of Aurangabad it's 8.30 now and last 2 days have been sort of hectic on the work front.
Though in Nashik took out time and visited old nashik where I had been in my mid teens and went to famous and holy Godavari river where "Ramkund " is and scores of devotees everyday offer their prayers. I had , in this river learned from my cousin some early strokes of swimming. Old Nashik and Panchavati in particular still has an old, ancient charm and temples galore. Roads are narrow and all kind of vehicles ply these tiny roads. There are plenty of eateries which specialise in local maharashtrian food.
Kala Ram Temple which is built around 230 years ago has ageless charm and we visited it. Late night we stayed in "Jupiter Hotel " which is on a sprawling area on Mumbai road. Hotel was not so good in terms of cleanliness.
Yesterday, we left for Aurangabad and on the way paid visit to another holy place of Shirdi. We had to bribe 200 per person in order to have a an early entry into the main hall from where you see the idol of the Shirdi Saint.
After reaching Aurangabad caught up with old pal in CCD and later had longish meeting with our team. Towards end of which I found head reeling and hence retired to bed at around ten thirty only to find that it was not possible for some colleagues wished to join for dinner they were having. Reluctantly, joined them for an hour and slept around twelve again.
Will have breakers now and will leave for Pune in half an hour..