If you could go back, who would you want to meet?

 

This was my second book by a Japanese author (after Ikagai) , and I have to say, there is a very different kind of connection these authors make with the reader.

As the tag line suggests, what happens when you get a chance to go to the past. But going back has some rules.  The book could have been in any era, the characters were a mix of generations and skillfully described.

The chapters were not supposed to be speed read instead, read, thought and digested.

The scenarios were 'different'  and were supposed to be felt instead of just read.

I couldn't give this book one genre, it was a subtle mix of genres and after finishing it,  I just closed it, looked out the window and wanted to just think about it for sometimes.

I need to read more Japanese authors...for sure.

Mystic Write-up

 'A walk in nature, walks the soul back home.'

Mystic Megapolis Township provides you the experience of that walk in nature.

Mystic Megapolis is a combination of elegance and luxury, situated near the hills of Hinjewadi. The Township has been developed by Pegasus Properties Pvt. Ltd.

It currently comprises of Towers A, B,C, D and E which are completed and occupied by residents. Mystic CHS was formed in the year 2021 by electing residents from these towers as committee members who look after various societal norms. 

Major areas covered by various committee members are:

1. Waste Segregation 

2. Housekeeping

3. Covid Care 

4. Access control system

5. Cultural Activities done in Mystic

The residents of the society follow the waste segregation rule which leads to collection of wet waste and dry waste in separate bags. There is an OWC machine within the society premises which is effectively utilised by the Housekeeping staff for converting wet waste to compost. This resultant residual is stored in plastic drums so it becomes compost.

After three to four weeks, the compost is finally utilized in gardening activities.

In current covid times, the society has been providing a lot of support to resident families. Any resident that contracts covid is contacted by the facility manager, inquired if they require emergency assistance and also provided help in purchasing of medicines. The residents have created WhatsApp groups where they provide meal assistance to the infected families so that in these trying times, they don't have to worry about getting a proper diet. For the safety of non - infected residents, extra sanitation is done by HouseKeeping on the floors of Covid patients in order to limit the spread of infection. Along with all this, the Housekeeping staff is provided PPE kit to wear when they need to collect trash from Covid infected households, as safety of every individual is paramount.

For better security purposes, the society has implemented an Access Card control system in all buildings. All residents possess either an access card or  have the Secure app installed on their mobile phones which unlocks the key pad and grants them access inside the building. In case of Visitors, the ADDA App is used to request for the residents permission before the guard allows them inside. Door to door marketing of products is strictly not allowed.

Every year, various cultural activities are organized by the Mystic Committee bringing the residents together to celebrate their joys. Although due to Covid, large gatherings had to be avoided, some events were also organized virtually thus bringing cheer to the mundane lives. Recently, 26th January flag hoisting was done with a limited crowd but streamed online thus providing all residents the patriotic fervour they were missing. The maintanence staff of the society which has been working onsite even in covid times, was finally given a day off along with a smile and a box of sweets.

Mystic Megapolis Township will soon have more towers, and the spirit of  the community shall continue to grow.  Living in Mystic is an experience of how nature and luxury can exist side by side, complementing each other in the best possible ways.

Netflix Series: Kaala Pani

Honestly, the trailers and online reviews don't do justice to the undercurrents of this series. Though it is set in the future 4-5 years ( possibly to avoid political cases etc); it is extremely relevant.

Exquisite writing, great direction and what a screenplay; absolutely no cgi, and no pricey sets.

There are no stars in this series; there are only artists. The governor, the doctor, the scientist , the businessman, the taxi driver,  the tribal , the nurse, they are all so excellently cast.

As the series starts, in the first episode you think you have it all figured out; but actually they are all jigsaw pieces, which are just waiting to come together. Ironically when they come together they create more chaos rather than when they were away.

The mysterious part is things we miss while watching the series, the characters do as well which just brings to fore- how less we pay 'Attention' to things around us.

We humans are selfish and grey.

Nature is equal for all.

We think the world is Survival of the fittest, but it's not.

And most importantly, when solving a problem, everything goes haywire, as no one is paying attention to the solution. As Mona Singh says in this series, 'The simplest solution is the correct one.' 

If you like good writing, go for this. But you should have the stomach to digest what is shown. The series is in no way gross, but it's definitely not an 'all-is-well' one.

Special mention for Amey Wagh ( Google him) . The best actor of the lot, making each scene go beyond the writing. He did the same in Asur and now here.

Mona Singh had less screen time but whatever she did was amazing.

Ashutosh Gowarikar was good. Sukant Goel is EXCELLENT!

I give this series 4/5 stars as

I cannot watch it again for sure, but it is so thought provoking that I can't stop thinking about the last 10 minutes of the ending.

Independence Day Speech

My dear Friends,

'Freedom is nothing but a chance to do better'

Welcome to the celebration for the 77th Independence Day of India.

We celebrate Independence Day as the national festival of India. The Day is auspicious for us as it marks the anniversary of national independence from the British Empire on 15th august 1947.

On this day, we should also remember the lives that we sacrificed to gain this freedom. As they are the ones who struggled for our country. 

One of the main motives for celebrating Independence Day is to make the young generation aware of the sacrifices we have made to make this country a better place for them.

Gaining independence from Britishers was not easy. And it’s because of the struggles and hardships of our freedom fighters that we now live in a free country. On Independence Day we should remember the long battle that our freedom fighters fought and sacrifices that they have made.

The Youth of our country should not take this freedom for granted.

We have the power to change the nation. By means, someone rightly said that the future hinges on to the young generation. Hence it becomes our duty to serve the nation and make every possible effort to make our county better. Furthermore, on this day we should forget our differences and unite as one true nation should.

As, Where there is Unity, there is always Victory.

Thank you

Poem on Tree

I am your neighborhood tree,

Giving oxygen out for free,

Shading you from the sun,

Play below me for fun,

I also look colorful and cute

By growing flower and fruits,

I give you wood for fire,

Use for cooking or pyre,

My intentions are so pure,

Hoping you care for me sure,

For a better future to see,

Please protect and save me.

The New Year 2023 - Gratitude is the Feeling

 2022 came after Two years of Covid restrictions and this was the first year where life finally returned to 'normalcy'. Things that we earlier took for granted now felt like a luxury.

Going out, meeting people in person, eating out, travelling, smells of the garden and environment...the list is endless.

As much as we felt relieved to be out in the world again, I can't stop feeling thankful for having those that I love, safe and sound.  The reason is a lot of world perished in the last two years and as they say we all must 'hold on to the ones we love'; yet many didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

As the pandemic ended or got controlled, the economy started to fare bad and a lot of  people lost their jobs which is still ongoing.

So in this day and age, if you have a roof over your head, a steady income and your loved ones are hale and hearty, believe me you are a very 'Lucky Person'.

Hug those you meet, have a good laugh, and say a Prayer of Gratitude to God, He seems to be favouring you for sure.

Happy New Year!

Hyderabad Visit 2022

 Not good at Travelogues but seriously this was one of those vacations, where we hardly stayed in the house!🤩

Hyderabad visit to Samien-Meraj house, Zaara's surprise visit, lots of good food.🤗

Professor Meraj's Office in the university and the beautiful campus was the additional attraction.😍

Huge office with Video room and graphics lab next to it.👏

 Zaara and I did as much 'chichorapan' as possible 😉

After all we knew the 'Professor' 😎

List of things visited in 8 days is just Astonishing 😱

Hyd Special:

Seven Tombs

Maulana Azaad National Urdu University (MANUU)

Shilpa Raman

Science Museum

NTR Garden

Resturants:

Barbeque Nation

Shah Ghouse

Lavanthe

Kamath

Cafe Eclat

Shopping:

Inorbit Mall

ANB Mall

IKEA

Toystore -Twins

Jagdamba Pearls