Amar's Pensieve - A Dedicated Training Facilitation Venue

I first met Amar Chegu who is Amar to me, Organisational Development (OD) expert, Management Consultant, Thinker, Philosopher, Ideator and Facilitator among other parts, in the later part of 2007. He called me over the phone and asked me if I could help with the content on his website. He was a flourishing management consultant and the President of the Hyderabad Management Association then. Now, anyone who speaks to Amar cannot go away without being impressed by the presence and attention he brings to the moment, along with a highly charming, articulate and intelligent persona. It helps also that he has a constant sparkle in his eye, a ready smile and a welcoming and approachable nature. I was pretty impressed by his demeanour on the telephone itself, and said I would certainly like to look at the content he wanted me to develop for his website.

Amar outside his office in his new venture - 'Amar's Pensieve'

Out First Interactions
I met him at his home-office. Amar looks, sounds and is, the consummate professional .When I looked at his website content, I realised that it was far better than anything I could conceive or create. It was clear, sharp, transparent and well thought out. It brought out all facets of the person and his work - including his interests in reading, writing, work. I confessed as much and told him that I could not better what he already had. He appreciated the fact that I was plain enough to tell him so.

Amar ensconced in 'The Enterprise'

When he heard that my first book had just been published he bought (Amar had this wonderful quality all through - he always bought every single book of mine) 'The Men Within' and gave me fine feedback. As he was an established professional in the Organisational Development area, it mattered to me that he could see the management facet to the rather simplistic story of a cricket team trying to win an improbable tournament.

An aerial view of 'Amar's Pensieve'

Since then, Amar, I am happy and proud to say, is the single largest buyer of 'The Men Within', buying dozens and dozens of the book and gifting it to his friends and associates in that very giving nature of his. He likes something, he shares is whole heartedly. My estimate is that he must have bought over 300 copies over the years. I think I signed every single one of them because he is also thoughtful enough to get the copies signed for the person intended. It gave me much needed solace and happiness to see this management aspect of the book being appreciated in such an actionable way by a practitioner. People can praise you to the skies but when they buy your book, it shows their appreciation. This is the kind of an appreciation that a writer craves for.

A view of the Obstacle Route

The Public Speaking Route
That he was the single largest buyer of that book in itself would have been good enough for me to be grateful to Amar. But Amar did more. He is also the sole reason why I got into two allied revenue streams that I never dreamt of. Amar invited me one fine day in his capacity as the President of the Hyderabad Management Association. He said 'Hari, we would like you to give a talk on 'Leadership and Team Building through Cricket' at the HMA. The audience would include practicing professionals and academics and students. The venue - British Library.'

The central lawn and the offices around it

Public speaking?? No way!!

I tried every trick I knew to get out of that talk. The few public speeches I had given till then were the ones I had given at book launches of 'The Men Within' - stressful, sweat drenched fifteen minute efforts to a small and encouraging group of friends and family. But to stand up like an authority and speak of such subjects before a knowledgeable audience was a formidable task. But he would not take a no. Trapped, I prepared, as I advocated in the book. I wrote and rewrote my draft for some 10-15 times. I stood before the mirror and read it aloud until I knew which line was coming when - maybe 10-15 times again. The speech was to be a two hour affair. It went on for 3 hours and pretty well too. Thus was born a speaker, thanks to Amar. Ever since, I have given over 100 speeches perhaps including one at a TEDx event recently - which reminded  me of the HMA speech all over again. Amar, was pretty much the reason for me to get into the speaking circuit and for adding the 'motivational speaker' tag to my resume.

Solutions Camp - Conference Room that Houses 100

The Management Consulting and Organisational Development Route
Another career stream also came to me thanks to Amar - my first formal OD consulting assignment. The Centre for Organisational Development, then led by our good friend Dr. Madhavi was looking to establish a winning culture. Amar suggested my name and the unconventional route taken by the team in 'The Men Within'. I had done a couple of workshops based on 'The Men Within', mainly to cricketers, but this was new. With Amar's support and encouragement, I brought the same workshop to the corporate area and I think did a fairly decent job for a novice. Of course, now I can see so many things that could have been done differently but then I only knew so much. From then on, Amar and I teamed up to conduct workshops and programs fairly regularly for several corporate teams based on the cricketing analogy of 'The Men Within' and its principles. We must have done some 25-30 together, if not more, to some prestigious names. To his credit, Amar, who is not too fond of cricket, did not hold it against the game, and chose to only look at how it would help the client. So the tag of workshop facilitator and management consultant that I carry, are also owed to Amar and his belief in my ideas. He believes in the creation of great champion teams and individuals just as I do.

Amar and his prized collection of books

My ideas, I must admit, are raw and not mapped on to any scientific theory - most of them come from my experience and understanding. Amar comes from a place of learning and exposure to scientific ideas and theories so in a way it kind of matched.

Amar's Pensieve - A Place for Organised Thought and Learning
Our friendship and association continued - and as professionals do we also drifted into different areas and streams. We did work together when the need arose. We still catch up over phone or a meal and discuss our ideas. So when the other day Amar told me that his dream of creating a space  for training and learning activities (which he had been sharing with me all along) had come true, I was thrilled and happy for him. He took me to his venture - aptly called 'Amar's Pensieve' - a name that introduces you to the man. It makes you think and ask. And the process of learning begins right there.

The Meaning of Pensieve - The Learning Begins
To quote Amar - ‘Pen-sieve’ is a magical vessel, referred to by J. K. Rowling in her ‘Harry Potter’ books. Thoughts can be placed in the ‘pen-sieve’ for looking at them dispassionately and taking decisions. The training centre: Amar’s Pensieve™, through its activity based emphasis seeks to be the pen-sieve for its visitors." The logo similarly has green grass and sunflowers and depicts "an eco-system which nurtures the evolution of meaningful thought and action".

The Enterprise

Dedicated Venue for Training and Learning
"Amar’s Pensieve" is a dedicated venue for facilitation and training though it has great potential as a lovely weekend getaway too, for the adventurous. It is located around 30 Kms (35- 40 min) from Gachibowli Circle -  # 6-46, Mothukupally Village, Moinabad Mandal, Ranga Reddy District - 501504, The place is spread over 3 acres in a lovely rural setting, not far from the Pragathi resorts. Amar envisaged it as a "secure activity-friendly Training Centre, a dedicated eco-system for trainers and trainees to engage in results-driven ‘learning-development-training-coaching-evolution’ activities and interventions, for competency development and organizational transformation". As you can see - I still don't touch much of Amar's copy - he does it so well.

Indoor and Outdoor Activity
Designed in such a fashion that it facilitates indoor, open-air and out-door activity - the focus being on activity. An impressive military style obstacle course stares you in the face and challenges you to your limits. Open-farm surroundings ensconce 20,000 square feet of training space. The training area consists of four buildings, grouped around a tennis court sized lawn (which can be used to play a short version of cricket for experientially learning team dynamics and leadership), providing a setting that is at once self-sufficient and convenient, for out-door, open-air and in-door training.

Amar and Me in the Pensieve

Enterprise, Solutions Camp etc
‘Enterprise’ - is the name of the administrative building which consists of work space, library and conference room. The Conference room can be used to hold meetings or training for up to 10 people. 'Solutions Camp’ is the closed-door training room that can seat 90-100 people in theatre style. It seats up to 60 people, in work-groups, around tables. All facilities like Wifi, LCD projectors, chairs, tables, boards, screens etc are available. A walk around the place, down the bucolic road, a shuffle through the obstacle course, a knock with a cricket bat and ball can all stimulate the creative juices.

Enroute to Amar's Pensieve

One can hire the Training Facility. The friendly and affable staff at 'Amar's Pensieve' will help with Transport and Food arrangements The training facility may be hired on a day or overnight (tent stay) basis by prior agreement. Transport through taxi or bus may be arranged as required. Set meals are provided as per requirement too.

For more information do visit www.amarspensieve.in/www.betterenterprise.in or contact Amar Chegu at +91-9848007151 amar@betterenterprise.

As always, I wish Amar great success in making his dreams come true and hope to conduct a few programs there myself. Amar's own set of programs are filled with activities, fun and focused learning. Amar's Pensieve really is a place where our thoughts get organised. Well done Amar and wishing you great joy, happiness and success

Mandi Biryani at Mataam Al Arabi, Chandrayanagutta

The winter in Hyderabad is as delicious as ever. It draws you out every evening. The sight, smell, taste, feel of winter seduces one like no other. I don't think I enjoyed winters in Hyderabad any more than I am now.

Last evening a bunch of old friends got together and decided to dine out late at the Old City. One of the more adventurous and well-informed among them suggested the famous Mandi biryani at Barkas. I had not heard of this Mandi biryani before. Barkas, I know, from our cricket playing days when we travelled across the length of Hyderabad - past Charminar, past Falaknuma, on to the Srisailam road - until we found the one ground where the Barkas team played their league matches. It was an open ground with a fast outfield, not much of a pitch and most times without umpires. The Barkas team did not like losing and did not like umpires coming in their way with some ill timed decisions.

Inside the Mataam Al Arabi - The main dish

Anyway the road to Barkas reads like a list of all the places to avoid when there is some tension in the air - these places are all under curfew at the first signs of trouble. But this was many years ago. I read somewhere that Barkas is actually a corrupted version of Barracks. The people who populate the Barkas are those who have roots in Africa, Yemen in all likelihood, and were warriors who served the Nizams and / or the Qutb Shahis. There were many other stories we would hear of the Barkas area - of the famous bone setters who set fractures and then ask you to eat a biryani (I heard this story but don't know how much of it is true).

Anyway we drove through the city traffic towards Shahi Nagar which is where the source Koni said there was the most famous Mandi biryani available. There was still not much information about what this biryani was about, except that there was an article in the newspaper about it. We came across one joint which advertised its Mandi biryani, went past and saw a few more joints, called a friend who could guide us and found out that he was hopeless in this situation, came back and parked ourselves at Mataam Al Arabi, Chandrayanagutta. We later found out that this was the best joint for Mandi biryani.

An Arabian setting on the walls

We headed up the stairs, left our footwear outside and went into a big hall. No tables and chairs here, so we sit around on the floor. We picked our corner. There are some stalls too if you wish privacy but we were okay on that front. We had no clue what to order so we ordered a family pack which the young lad said was good for four. It was probably good for eight.

Mandi biryani is an Arabic variant of biryani. In fact the Mandi joints serve mainly Arabic food which apparently is catching the fancy of the Hyderabadi palate. Now the hall is painted with scenes from Arabia - the desert, Arabs sitting near tents and chatting, a lamb being roasted on fire, camels etc are the themes. The menu had many items - Mandi of chicken, fish, mutton, prawns, quail and so on. It also mentioned Kabsa and Mandi - which we later found was some variation in the preparation. Kabsa was more bland and Mandi had spices.

A view of the menu, and the family pack Mandi biryani

Our family pack was a huge plate full of rice, lined with tomato, cucumber etc. On the biryani rice which was spiced with all sorts of spices was fish, mutton, chicken, quail and prawns. The sight of the huge dish got us to lose some of our hunger but when we ended, we realised we did a fair job. We all ate from the same plate like Arabs and formed a kind of a brotherhood - now we are all bound for life (not really!) We consumed 60%, got the rest packed. We tried the desserts - something called Aseet, Qubbani ka meetha and a halwa. All three were decent - though I'd give the QkM a miss here.

Well fed - the family pack costs 1500 bucks so you better order with caution - you can order the smaller portions which come for 300 bucks or so - we headed downstairs. There we found the panwala who showered his expertise on Koni. He made him a paan which he said would clear his head and other such parts - and for the first time I saw a paan being lit. Koni vouched for the slow and powerful effect of the paan.

Paan on fire 

By the time we were seated in the car it was close to midnight. We could not help noticing the time the restaurant's timings - 12 pm to 3 in the morning. Now how was the place - its ok but can improve in the look and feel - more like a B grade Irani restaurant. The food is good, they say Mataam Al Arabi serves the best. Chicken was nicely done, a full breast, the quail was tender and the taste overall nothing to complain about. I guess I'll need another trip to imbibe the true essence of this Mandi biryani but I have no reservations in recommending the experience. Drive with pals, Mandi and banter - nothing better to improve feelings of brotherhood.  

Rain in Hyderabad

It's been raining the past couple of days which is a nice change in weather. A drive around Tank Bund and Necklace Road gives a perspective of life in these Hyderabadi rains.

Rain!

On tank bund one witnessed crowds rushing in to immerse their Ganeshas. A few cranes were already in place handling the big Ganeshas. Many small Ganehsas were making their way - on push carts, in small autos, in cars. One can imagine how it would be on the 9th day.

I can smell the corn somewhere!

A drive around the Necklace Road warrants a stop at one of those nice lawns.

Isn't this fun?

Anjali was thrilled to walk around in the rain. And to strike an impromptu pose once in a while.

Steaming it up - perfect!

The bhutta chappies were around thankfully.  

Charminar - Happy Independence Day

On August 15, 2014, we passed by Charminar, all decked up. It looked lovely.

Charminar all decked up, August 15, 2014

Our Own Power Plants in Hyderabad

Ever since the formation of the new state of Telangana we, we have become self-sufficient as individuals. We generate our own power. The power in my house goes off at 630 in the morning - and starts the day off on a dark note. The power comes back at 830 by which time we have shaved, bathed, clothed, cooked and eaten. The next hit comes at 1230 pm, just after noon and once again we are hurrying to get most errands done before power comes back at 230 pm. Sometimes our errands are fruitless because power has gone off there as well. But the discipline the power cuts bring into our lives is amazing.

My own power plants

Most people look at me and ask why I don't have an inverter. I don't see why I should have an inverter when I am paying all kinds of stuff to have power delivered at home. Now the above two mentioned times are not the only ones. Today power went off at 1030 am, 1130 am, 330 pm and came back only at 7 pm. Power comes and goes when it wants.

So for the past month or so my two candles have given me great support and solace in the morning hours. They give me light and direction, hope and joy. I noticed sadly that they were  slowly fading out of my life after having provided such wonderful service. I cannot just forget them like that can I?

Play of light - The Old and the New

At first look this picture looks like it got blurred. It is perhaps right. When the new comes in the old does get blurred.

I liked the play of light.

Launch of Rajan Bala's Book 'Days Well Spent' - A Cherished Event

There was something about this incident and the way it happened. I think it deserves a mention for many reasons, one of which being the way it turned out.

Rajan Bala had been ailing I knew, but he was also writing his book 'Days Well Spent'. He was planning its launch in Bangalore and in Mumbai. I planned to attend both. But two months before the launch, Rajan Bala passed away suddenly.

Satya, Me, Sanjay Rajan, Chokappan and Aditya

The launch at Mumbai was still on. The date was fixed - November 30, 2009. I had decided to go to the launch come what may. So I booked my ticket and went to participate and show my gratitude to Mr. Bala.

I met Sanjay Rajan and some of the other friends, Chokappan and Aditya, on the morning of the launch at the CCI. They told me that Sanjay Manjrekar was to be the chief guest, Rahul Dravid had agreed to come and many friends of Rajan Bala would be present.

I went home and got a thought - why don't I prepare a speech in case I get an opportunity so I can share my perspective of his life and writing. So I sat down and wrote down my speech and prepared just as if I were to speak on the dais for a good two hours.

Satya, Sanjay Manjrekar and me

Imagine my surprise when Sanjay Rajan asked me, as I walked into CCI that evening, if I would share the dais with Sanjay Manjrekar and the others, and speak about the Rajan Bala I knew. I knew Sanjay Manjrekar as a person who had been kind enough to humour me to be my chief guest when I launched 'The Men Within' in Mumbai in 2007 and one of the best batsmen I had bowled to so I was glad to be on the dais with him again. I had met Rahul at Hyderabad a while ago and he was one of the most pleasing and down-to-earth people I ever met.

As the event started I could see Cyrus Broacha seated upfront, Harsha Bhogle standing at a distant door listening in and paying his respects to the great writer quietly, many journalist friends and cricketers. Rahul Dravid came in from the nets (the Indian team was practising out there) and politely indicated that he would participate in the proceedings from the front row.

Satya spoke emotionally. The publisher Theo Braganza of Marine Sports spoke. My turn came. I informed the audience that I had written it down for a specific purpose - to put his writing in context - and hence would read my speech out. I did not want to miss a thing.

Reading out my speech

And I read it out.

Chief Guest Sanjay Manjrekar speaking

Book release

To this day I wonder what made me prepare that speech when I was not even sure of being present in the hall. There's something to the power of thinking ahead, of living life as if it has already granted you your wish. Anyway, the text of the speech.

Rajan Bala – Book Launch 
‘Days Well Spent’ 
November 30, 2009, Cooch Behar Hall, CCI, Brabourne Stadium. 5 00 p m

Speech by Harimohan Paruvu

"Calling Rajan Bala a cricket writer would be as foolish as calling a warrior king like Bheeshma a sharpshooter. His knowledge, his understanding and most importantly the application of this understanding to life was effortless.

Personally, I am glad he chose to express himself through cricket because it made a difference to me. I will tell you the story of how Rajan Bala made an impact in the life of a young boy from Andhra far removed from these high temples of cricket.

I was born in the late 60s in an ordinary, middle-class family and grew up on all kinds of games and stories and literature. As I grew older and I started looking for heroes to emulate, my confused mind noticed the pages in the Hindu filling up with a delightful copy of the game of cricket. Exquisitely crafted phrases, heart-stopping descriptions of the game, the sheer poetry made me put the paper down and dance away practising the straight drive or a cover drive. Dreams were stoked, desire fuelled. Purely on the power of the pen, of the print media, I got drawn into this love affair completely that I could never get out of it. I was inspired to play the game to the first-class level. More importantly, the thought and scale it could soar to never left me.

Something, someone up there?

What he did was that he set it up beautifully for ordinary people like me to understand the game through words, emotions and feelings that not just described the game but also set it in context. How a strategy could make sense not just in the game but in war, how a player represents not himself as one isolated incident but as a soul of another warrior of another time from the clutches of history, war, religion, movies, literature, sports and even poetry. Those words, those descriptions made heroes larger than life for people like me, inspired me in days when it was dark...gave me a framework of excellence to aspire to because cricket was something I could relate to as a youngster. If I was to pick one humongous contribution Rajan Bala made, this would be it, that he made a difference to ordinary people like me, by setting up this wonderful game bare in all its complexities and textures and showed it for what it was worth – that it represents life itself. From the hunger on the street to the high life. In my mind today there is no doubt that it is this difference that propelled the game through ahead of the other games and sports – I never remember reading too much of such other sports news in the sports columns.

The second thing about Rajan’s contribution was that he executed his job with great responsibility that he assumed all by himself. To classify his writings as cricket writing would be another great folly. If you notice his body of work he has with great care chronicled the history of Indian cricket in ‘The covers off’, an incredibly racy reading with such definite analysis on how the game grew in India and why. ‘No one need to document Indian cricket till 2004 son,’ he declared to me. ‘I have done it. Now, whoever does it can begin from there. I have documented all my thoughts, notes and interviews in that book.’ He said it with absolute relish.

Then he put his neck on the line by penning a book on technique – Glances of perfection - I cannot imagine what courage someone could have to write about the high technique and challenge and destroy one’s own stature by opening oneself up to the public on such a precise area. In India when everything is questioned about the game, surprisingly little discussion was noticed on that book where he stirred up sufficient thought, obviously because it was in the realm of the perfectionists, the experts.

Post-launch

Sanjay, Rahul are thought leaders - responsible and insightful and it is on them that this responsibility also falls to discuss, dissect and throw open what he started. In fact, Rahul does not appear in the book and I was shocked when I first read it – now I understand how deliberate a ploy it could have been, how only a Rajan Bala could conceive such a scandalous gap. It is obvious now that that the ball now lies in the court of the exponents to explain why Rajan was right or wrong, and we all know that there is no one better than Rahul to take up the job and explain. Rajan would love to be corrected and the game must benefit.

When technology came in he chose to work from behind the scenes. The current book ‘Days well spent’ is an example of that. I know he wrote it in three months. I am the proud owner of the manuscript of ‘The days well spent’ which he signed for me and wrote ‘perhaps the only copy of the manuscript after I am gone’. It is as racy as a bestselling fiction book to me. Read it and you will know how well he has integrated the game with literature, history, culture, society, people, nations and even the world. Which is why I say, that to call him a cricket writer alone would be a great folly – he was a thought leader of the highest quality.

I see some wonderful cricket writing talent in this country, I urge them to take up what he left unfinished and elevate thought levels higher. Cricket can unify and can make a much larger and more impactful difference to lives in our country in ways we cannot conceive. Today the boy from Andhra is consumed with the idea of using cricket as a metaphor to increase productivity across India by a mere 5%. If I achieve 1% my job is done. Thanks to Rajan and the fantasies he fuelled.

The game will always be bigger and he knew it in his infinite wisdom. We can only express it through ourselves to the extent we can and that is our limitation as mortals. For those who understood it, he was gentle. For those who did not, he had no patience. He never suffered fools. The controversies, the mischievous questions, the outrageous comments or statements were required to prod thought and he took that responsibility. It not only requires clarity, it requires great love.

My association with him was brief, in the past two years only. When I launched my cricket novel in 2007, I hesitantly I approached Rajan Bala. He gave me a wonderful review and let me enter his heart and his house.

Cyrus and me

Two things stay with me. His delight at a discussion on cricket, the intensity with which he spoke about it late into the night to a strange young man with a modest achievement in both cricket and writing frightened me sometimes. Is it possible to love something so much I thought, especially when it has given him so little in terms of material benefit. He answered that to me one day, I love talking cricket son, any day. Come.

Another thing was that all through his dark days with his illness during which I spoke and met him often, he never resented anything, never uttered a word against anyone and marched on sending article after article, week after week, till the last day.

Last I spoke to him in September, he said, we’ll meet at the book launch son and we’ll celebrate. I am here Rajan Bala. Let us celebrate with all these wonderful people who love you. Cheers. And thank you for everything."

Eating out In Hyderabad

A few places I have eaten out recently. I seem to be doing a lot of that recently.

Ruci and Idoni, Banjara Hills
I enjoyed the Sunday lunch I had with Shobhs and Anjali at Ruci and Idoni. I like the place and its ambience. The menu was good, service was fine. Being a Sunday it was a bit loud owing to a bunch of youngsters celebrating some event in their eventful lives. Fish and chips was good so was my chicken strognoff and Anjali seemed satisfied with her fried chicken. Most boxes ticked off.

Testa Rossa, Banjara Hills
I like this place for its ambience. Though i have not ventured beyond capucchino and sandwiches at times, the menu looks good. I like the ambience. Service is snail pace and they have a habit of not looking in your direction at all. If you wish to be left alone, enjoy some quiet talks and decent food, its the place.

Beyond Coffee, Jubilee Hills
Bang on Road No 36, Jubilee Hills, it has a chatty outdoor environment, space on top and indoors too. Capuchino was decent. Okay kind of place. Service is okay. Must be some kind of an adda for the locals because many of them seem to be hanging out there. Haven;t tried much else but not terribly impressed yet.

Paradise, Begumpet
Tried biryani of both varieties from Paradise, Begumpet last week and was hugely disappointed. Am going off Paradise for a while.

Garden Restaurant, Secunderabad
It is so old world that it transports you back into the 80s. The dull lighting, old table cloth, kind of oldish waiters, cutlery - it really is rather old worldly. Biryani was nothing to write home about nor was the roti and mutton kheema, butter chicken. Not a huge draw and it might be a long time before I venture there again.

Heard from my co-visitors that Alpha at Secunderabad station has made an impressive comeback and is the place to go to for biryani now.

Sarvi, Banjara Hills
Made a midnight visit a couple of days ago and must say that almost everything tasted good. The roti and chicken was good, biryani and haleem excellent. I liked the ambience of the restaurant. Service was decent though rather delayed - the late hour perhaps. It is certainly the go-to place in Hyderabad.

Mohini's, Basheerbagh
Mohini's would serve the best biryani some years ago but now they are not consistent. Reason why I stopped going there. It's been years since I have had that lip smacking biryani they'd serve. But despite all that the place was filled up at 2 in the afternoon and people standing to get in. The mutton biryani guys complained about the mutton quality, the chicken biryani was passable. Nothing to write home about again. The kulfi however was outstanding as always.  

Nalabheema, Jubilee Hills
New restaurant opposite Chiarnjeevi Blood Bank. Liked their meals. Decent ambience, very functional, old Telugu film music. Good service, very attentive. Could give it a shot for a meals. Value for money in my opinion. 

Novotel, Shamshabad Airport
The quality of a vegetarian meal is judged by me by the recourse we have to take to the papads. How can one mess up a simple bhendi fry with onions I cannot fathom. Old and stiff bhendi spoilt the experience. Papads were consumed much. Disappointing. Service was good. It was the one place where the guy got us the bill in under a minute unlike places where they seem to be making some complicated calculations and taking a few hours to get the bill.

Roadside dhabhas, ICFAI Campus
Roti and egg bhurji was the decided menu but we had to walk in and out of at least five dhabhas before one consented to serve us. The smart man made his killing too. I do wonder why people are so dumb. Food was nothing to write home about again and we did not expect it either. Service was total campus style - ignore until you shout them down. Ambience all Uni style. Cigarette smoking, gaali spewing youngsters all around.

Hard Rock Cafe, GVK One, Banjara Hills
My first here. I went all the way down to Parking level 4, parked, got back to the ground floor, got out of the building, walked back to the cafe in the drizzle and wondered why its so difficult to get into a place for a meal.  We were accosted by a happy and loud youngster who welcomed us and bid us well on or way in. The interiors were nice and huge and I did not get a chance to walk around and appreciate it because there seemed to be much to see there, memorablia and stuff. Met my old MBA mates - Vijay, Biiju, Shrini and Visa (and PV whom I met on the way out). Nice old rock music - most of the80s stuff we grew up on. Surprisingly the food wasn't all that great. Bit too loud to converse. Service was decent, attentive and quick. Anjali got a balloon and a separate menu with some games which made her happy. Once in a while the boys at the bar shout out loud and keep the energy going, or that's the idea perhaps. All in all, ok. Or perhaps, am too old for this.

Haveli, Lifestyle
Raja and I were looking for Malgudi in the Lifestyle building. Apparently Malgudi wound up shop some years ago. I don't know why restaurants wind up like that. We had a good experience then and were surprised to hear its shut. The other option was Haveli which was crowded as hell. But the service was excellent. The chaps gave us a seat, took the order quickly, heeded our request for quick service and gave us good food with really good service. Full marks on all counts. Lunch time was a bit crowded but no complaints really and I must congratulate the chap who served us.

N Asian, Jubilee Hills
Suresh took me out to lunch at this Nagarjuna owned restaurant. Nice ambience, lots of space, quiet and good for a chat. We ordered some veg stuff which was ok. Everything was passable that day. Or was it the mood?

Rape and India

The rape of a young six year old student in a school in Bangalore came to light thanks to media attention and the persevering parents and citizens who were bent on getting justice. It was not until the matter went into public space and a huge outcry was raised that the school authorities and the police reacted. Such incidents are happening on a regular basis and I am sure that for every case that is reported in the media there are hundreds that are hushed up and hidden. One cannot but feel for the victims and their families and the state must accept its culpability in the perpetration of these crimes. It cannot wish its responsibility away by blaming it on clothes, cell phones, pubs, education etc.

I cannot imagine the trauma and anger that the child must have gone through. A six year, a three year old...what kind of an age is it for those souls to undergo such crimes in places where they must be protected, taken care of? I can't imagine the anger the parents must be going through at the trauma their little ones have had to undergo. One would think that there would be instant, swift action to nab the culprits in such cases. But here is what actually happens - something that confounds me each time I see it unfolding.

First the school denies all such happening. They wash off their hands and try to hush up the matter. Their only concern seems to be that their school's name ought not to be sullied. Any such publicity is bad for them so they think they ought to hush up the matter. How stupid and short sighted? How against the right and wrong of it. Here is a child entrusted to your care and someone who you have appointed and handed over the child to, has misused the trust, and you try to wash your hands off? Instead of cooperating with catching the culprits and ensuring that the right thing is done to the child, they hush up the matter, tamper with evidence? The police suddenly seems to find it difficult to get any clue as to who and how was the culprit? What kind of a system is it that needs too be constantly told to do the 'right' thing, to do their 'duty'?

It is sickening to hear of these stories of such perverts going about free in society, being shielded and protected sometimes. If the rape of these innocent children chills you, we have the other extreme as well and the connection cannot be ignored.

It appears that India has no law on marital rape from whatever information I could gather. We are in an elite list of countries where spousal rape is criminalized only when the couple is separated which means that as long as they are married it is fine to violate. As a society we seem to tacitly subscribe to the idea that rape is an 'internal matter' and we will not have a law because it could be 'misused'. It is better that it is misused I'd think, than not have a law at all. It's almost like saying go ahead and rape the spouse, she's your property after all. How can we set the thought on society right if we do not set it right in the marriage itself? Won't the man feel entitled whenever he has the urge?

Once again, as in many things, we in India, show ourselves up for the hypocrites we are. For all the talk of being broad minded, religious, gentle and such other adjectives we like to brand ourselves with, we are a bunch of bigoted and insecure perverts who cannot bear to give an inch to a law that allows women to claim their basic dignity and not let any man (including the husband) violate her. I am pretty certain that if we do not set it right in the institution of marriage itself, and bring equality and dignity to the woman there, we cannot make a dent in the psyche of the men who think they have a right to use women as they would a tissue paper. For someone who has grown up seeing his mother being treated thus at home, there might not be much respect for women as a whole.

Hyderabad Literary Festival 2014

The HLF gets going today (started writing 2 days ago). I had no role to play so I was not sure what to do there. I thought I'd attend my friend Krishna Shastri Devulapally's session but he could not make it as he was indisposed. As fate would have it I was asked to step in for Krishna and be in conversation with friend Vamsi Juluri, writer and Professor of Media Studies from the University of San Francisco, on the topic 'Films and Fiction'.

Which is good. Two years ago we three were on a panel about Hyderabad being writers from Hyderabad - moderated by poet Meena Alexander who read some of her poetry there. In response to her question of what Hyderabad means to us, Vamsi said he liked the rocks of Hyderabad, Krishna said something similar and I said I liked the Irani cafes.

I liked that version of the HLF best because I found my profile right next to Gulzar's in their booklet. Last year I was in conversation with India's most prolific and versatile writer Anita Nair but somehow my profile went missing in that booklet - a sign of things to come. This year I thought I'd be missing from the venue itself (because no one invited me and it'd be terribly festival-junkieish if I insisted on going especially as I knew very few and enjoyed the company of fewer) until Vijay called and asked me to converse with Vamsi. (I think this is what happens when you don't publish books often enough.)

The venues are in the middle of the town - Road No 8 - were easily accessible which is a plus. I liked the main venue Ashiyana which had the lawns, the hall and the pool side, all wonderful locations for the literary festival. The pool side was the best because it did not need one to climb down steep steps and climb them back up again. I saw some old friends and acquaintances - Jayesh Ranjan, Papa Raju, Sridala, Suryaprakash, Praveen. Vijay and  Giri from the HLF of course as also Surya.

The conversation between Vamsi and me was centered around, unintentionally but quite relevantly, Vamsi's first novel 'The Mythologist' which was about a boy who thought he would make it in movies because he is promised a role and how his life meanders into that of a writer after that does not happen. Films and fiction you see! We spoke about why novels and why not screenplays (is there a persona problem there because one is private and another public), which is easier to write, do we have a screenplay in mind when we write our stories, the purpose of making films and writing novels, what would our take be if a director or producer mutilated our stories, who would play the Mythologist if it was made into a film, would Vamsi visualize his story as a film, how easy it was to write a story about cricket (for me) etc. Some questions about Draupadi and Durga and how they were alike or not, about the writing process, about self-publishing and how to attract publishers and we were done. An impromptu interview by young Chandralekha of St. Francis for their college radio and we were really done. We missed having Krishna's presence and certainly Chitra's - I can't imagine them separately anyway - and could not help wondering how much more fun it would have been if Krishna had been there in the discussion. Also missed having Anita around but she is busy promoting her new book 'Idris' which seems to be getting good press.

I drank some chai (not good) and went home. I returned on Day 2 primarily because Vinod was there and we attended readings from fiction in the afternoon session. I loved Colin Cheong's reading from his book 'Man in the Cupboard' - both content and his reading style - he's brilliant. I must now copy his style. Difficult but. Makarand Paranjpe said that he (and perhaps all writers) write in the hope of being famous and rich.

I moved out again with Vinod and we went to La Makaan where the surly guys at the canteen served us with little interest or love, they epitomize the commercial angle so well, and we ate hot egg bondas and drank some chai (good stuff). Dropped Vinod and went off to the airport to do some picking up duties.

The HLF grew well in the past few years and I liked seeing those milling crowds and all those writers and poets, film makers, publishers and book sellers, readers and young writers around. The venue is superb - can't get better save the parking issues but that's okay. The feel is good and I think the committee can pat itself on its back for a job well done again. Hoping to see bigger and better names, and a growing and vibrant HLF that truly delivers what it set out to - bridge the literary gap between all these.

Hyderabad - The Aatu Guide To Newcomers

This article is over two decades old - a humourous (or so I thought) take on aatus. Was published in a newspaper called the AP Times which was the refuge for many writers of my type in its short but sweet life. The key was to make everything verbose and increase the number of words to fill in empty spaces in the newspaper.
I don't know if anything about this article holds good now - but I suspect most might. 

 Love them. Hate them. But you can’t avoid the “aatu” when you are in and around Hyderabad. Despite the fact that most destinations of the city are well connected thanks to the diligent and creative work done by our state transport service, the use of the aatu is frequently called for, due to the special nature of some areas and occasions.

Most such areas also sound like somebody made a horrible spelling mistake which is all the more reason for one to hire the services of a discreet aatu.

The above mentioned occasions that require Aatus range from (a) occasions where speed is a major factor (b) occasions where person wishes to remain incognito being in company of gf/bf at public centers (where public wishes to ogle at gf/bf and create an embarrassing situation) (c) occasions where mud on pants is better avoided (d) occasions where 1000 people are already hanging out in the bus shelter in rain or white hot heat and some of them are dying already – and similar situations.

In these cases the friendly buses offer little help and simply shrug and pass over a couple of bystanders. And then the call of “aatu” becomes imperative. We believe that it may serve the newcomer to be prepared to meet this omnipresent band of merrymen and observe some typical responses and situations which involve them.

An “Aatu” is an auto or auto-rickshaws or rickshaws or ricks or shaws, as they are fondly called in other places and languages. In Hyderabad they are called aatus of course! According to Srilatha, a housewife from Dilsukhnagar, summoning aatus is easier said than done in Hyderabad because most aatu drivers (AD’s) tend to stare at you in the bean, spit some paan beside you and carry on with their business of cruising alone (newcomers may mistakenly assume that the business of AD’s would mainly spit paan beside their feet, but then we must assure you that our aatu drivers are driven by different motives).

To be fair and truthful, not all AD’s spit paan and recede from your life. There are some who listen carefully to the call of aatu and come obediently when summoned, but on most occasions it has been found that it is not easy to agree to their view on the service changes to paid unless you undertake a visit to your bank immediately.

Service charges will include in these cases charges for (a) responding to call of aatu (b) providing transport to areas of Bosnian similarities at great peril to AD (d) burdening the aatu beyond prescribed weights by way of carrying your excess baggage which could be your handbag or even the excess flab (d) providing transport at odd hours like 9.30 am and such others.

When you refuse to agree to charges you will find. AD growing leaner and meaner and his vocabulary distinctly hotter causing you to (a) hop into aatu beg for AD’s mercy (b) fork out compensatory charges for engaging him in business talk when the could have been cruising alone like his mates.

The tactics adopted by the AD alias AW (AutoWala), may convey the impression that are in intimidating sort but let me assure you that this is merely a manner of conducting business in the Hyderabad.

As with so many other things in Hyderabad there has evolved a code between the AD and the client which endears the AD to the passenger upon identifying oneself as a Hyderabadi. The code is the key to comfortable aatu travel and it is easily understood once the newcomer reads these insights thrown up by tried and trusted fares in Hyderabad. Once the methodology in understood, the newcomer will find the experience to be one filled with learning and fun.

Poet Joseph in his description of a Hyderasbad Auto, compared it to a firefly – “Aatus in Hyderabad being of yellow bodies and bearing black hoods stand out by themselves on the landscape like fireflies on a clear black night and therefore do not call for the keen eye. But more importantly it is their crazy, weaving path that fascinates the eye preceded only by the purring, squeaky sound”, said he.

Fashion queen Zola in her Aatu(o) blography had revealed how she switched to wearing leather which incidentally because an instant hit in the fashion circles. She says thus: In my struggling days I used to travel I frequently by aatus. After sacrificing many clothes at the altar of the aatu, I realised that for travel by aatu it is advisable to dress in leather clothes and helmet (leather because many sharp part of aatu stick out causing ordinary fabrics to tear and helmet to save top of head from damaging roof rod of aatu),” And so Zola’s leather designs came into the world which are ideal for use in aatus.

To complete the task of picking the ideal aatu. Mr Ramachandran, a retired bank employee known for his keen eye and terrific power of observation feels that “an easy method is to keep a keen eye out for aatus is the following order (a) aatus cruising at 15 kmph alongside curb with AD looking out invitingly for fares (he is desperate for a fare) (b) aatu who has dropped fares in the interiors of residential colony and returning to main road (he is generally in a flexible state of mind having just made enough money to last a couple of generations) (c) aatu waiting to pick up angry bus commuters who were rejected by bus-goers-selection-committee despite (these are stood in bus stop for ages (these are also pliable AD’s and are probably main) (d) aatus waiting in aatu stands (in these cases AD generally picks up loyal childhood companion to ride along with him).

These are three kinds of aatus one must look for in the given order to achieve best results. Do not ever waste energy over aatus parked at following spots (a) outside the Irani cafes (b) outside women’s colleges (unless you are an exceptionally good looking woman) (c) outside cinema theatres (AD probably wishes to too movie) (d) outside railway and bus stations (these are very expensive propositions) (e) aatus where AD has a girlfriend in tow. All the above belong to the don’t –budge – an – inch category an if they do there is a price to pay.

Mr Shahid, a journalist, and his colleague Ms Mallika snickered: “We have noticed with growing mirth that there are some people who insist on looking for a well maintained aatu. This is a myth. There are no well-maintained aatus in Hyderabad. But if you are the choosy kind, merely check for holes on hood, a place to keep your feet on and something solidly fixed inside the rickshaw to hold onto in times of experiencing centripetal and centrifugal forces.”

Upon identifying suitable aatu and an AD with the inclination to do business you may follow the next few steps carefully, compiled by Rohit, a sales executive.

“Never jump into the aatu and then spell out destinations like some people from strange places are wont to do. If you resort to this tactic you will find yourself sitting in a huddle in a corner of there aatu which has since shed all inclination to move anywhere thanks to AD’s predilection for predestined spots. You will then experience the humiliation of having to give up the insides of aatu in full public view amidst loud sniggering from other AD’s.”

“At all times you must bear in mind that AD is a sensitive and proud soul and you may conduct enquiries in the following manner. Walk up respectfully but with quiet dignity into AD’s line of vision which is most likely following the backside of lady walking by. When close enough seek into, in well modulated voice which signifies respect with an underlying authority. Use these exact words as the opening lines always ‘Chalrein kya?’ (meaning are you interested in business?) and wait patiently for reply. If no reply, recede from line of vision and locate next aatu. If AD spits paan at your feet you are in luck. He is interested and he will ask very suspiciously ‘where?’ No offense meant. All AD’s are inherently suspicious by nature. You may then spell out destination.

(to be contd.)