My Diwali 2005

It has become a routine affair for me and I have sort of given it my full support. I escape from all the cacophony & smoke of Mumbai to my hideout in the tranquil arms of Nasik (pronounced ‘Nashik’ in Marathi). My hideout is an apartment in the outskirts of the pilgrimage city – around 7 kms from the heart – in a secluded sleepy village called Gangapur. It’s a sprawling project called Tulip Eden and the builder told me it has now become known in local circles as ‘Eden Gardens’ (he’s also contemplating changing the name of the project). As long as it has no relation with the sound and spree associated with the cricket ground in Kolkata, I am happy. The only problem that I have found while visiting Nasik is the travelling. It’s difficult to sit on one place for 4 hours and getting sleep is another challenge which I face.

The place has no chance for entertainment except for a 14″ B/W TV belonging to the Soviet era. No, it’s not Russian made but we bought it when Soviet Union was still there. It still gives a clear picture and some sound as well and not to mention that one has to be content with only 2 government channels. No music systems and no no-nonsense stuff here. My father wanted this place to be quite and peaceful and we have respected that to some extent. It is an absolutely therapeutical experience to live in this room and unwind after 365 days of consistent slogging and bantering with the Mumbai lifestyle.

You know you’re in the Nasik house when you suddenly find yourself in large open spaces with no worries about nudging somebody while trudging from one room to the other. The same goes for the environmet when you look out of the balcony. All one can see is lenghty open spaces, green trees, bovines enjoying a green meal, birds swinging on cables. Well yes, how can you forget the cable TV! It has made it’s inroads here too! And lots of dogs.

And the world knows how much I adore this four-legged creature. On my first day at the house, I stood in the balcony for some fresh air and found a happy dog sitting across in the opposite one. Soon he was joined by his master called Tyron and he introduced me to Shadow – a 2 and a half year old German Shepherd. Shadow was playful. He was howling and coaxing his master to take him for a walk because he wanted to play with hs ‘step-brother’, another local dog by the name of Pandu. I looked down and found Pandu resting. The master was unwilling to pay heed to his pet ‘slave’. I reminded Tyron about how dogs are social animals just like us and they need our unbroken attention all the time. Without this they might get irritated and frustrated, like most of us and start chewing and destroying upholstery or the shoes. I told him this without knowing the fact that he WAS indeed leaving Shadow alone for the rest of the day while he worked in some factory. For the rest of the 6 days that I spent in the house, I could make out when Shadow was alone. He used to howl all day standing at the balcony, when alone, disturbing the tranquility of the place. I felt very sad for him.

Since the place is far away from Nasik city, it is not favourable to the localites to come and settle here forever. However, a lot of people Like Tyron have taken up places on rental basis. There are a few like Uncle Vincent who have come here to stay with their son forever, probably shuttling between his daughter’s Nashik CIDCO home and this. Aunt Audrey stays in a row house just a few blocks away. She owns a female german shepherd called Shandy although I couldn’t be introduced to her. Just opposite her stays a principal from a reputed school in Nashik. I know him through the pets he owns. Luke, a german shepherd again and a naughty dalmatian. Luke is a ferocious dog and Shadow would want to take a cue from him on treating his master. A bite a day would help make things easier for him. Mr. Jadhav stays in the apartment below. He’s a retired police commissioner and he owns a doberman. From the looks atleast he looked docile. I am very wary of making friends with dogs who lack the tail. It makes my job (and theirs too I guess) difficult to express and understand their feelings. The wagging of the tail is a sure indication of friendship. Dobermans therefore don’t figure in my list of favourite dogs. Anyway, Mr Pawar (or was it Patil) stays a floor above us and he’s a supervisor in a school in the village. He’s probably staying on rent. That apart there’s Peter who’s looks after the estate and also makes safety doors for the residents. He’s shifted to another apartment after vacating it for Tyron. Since I come here once every blue moon I have yet to be introduced to some more people. The place is so quite and isolated, it has become imperative for the residents to keep dogs for security and for some emotional support as well. That was my understanding for the growing canine population.

Some of the happier moments came when I saw Dhoni on TV belting those sixes out. After all the flak which the team management, especially Greg ‘Gandalf’ Chappel has received, this one deserves a standing ovation.