Black Wax

This is Platform, I live here, i eat , sleep drinkn sometime even smoke, and may be i will die on the same bench, where the man is sitting right now and whoes boots i am polishing. I charge mere 5 five rupees that comes out to be about 0.02 dollar. Nothing has changed since i was borne, i didn't make any asset other than A brush, A can of polish and a gunny bag. I put my best efforts to atleast have three customers, to meet my need of three VADA PAVS, five rupees each three times a day. breakfast, lunch and diner. I live a lavish life style.


Every morning i try to get up early in the morning, to find some one in dire need to get his boot polished, As the sun rises the chances get slim as the other competitors get up and steal away the chances. Though they are my friends and i share the same platform, for me "business is business". I work very hard till 1.00 am i mostly enter the empty bogies and check for lost valuables/mobiles, purse, even the water bottles. Statistically change is 1/1000 though i try, may be the change i take is one i need.

Money is some thing i like. It smells good, feels good, looks good, and taste good (once in blue moon i go for chicken rice 15 rupess plate). People say my eyes sparkle as diamonds when i see money. I fast once a week. I dont believe in god, or any ritual. I fast when the booth polish runs out and i am suppose to buy a new can. It scared a hell out of me. It costs me Rs 20 for the cheapest one. (More than the cost of 3 vada pavs.).

I do dream big, VERY BIG, to have a lavish lunch, A full chicken and a rice plate. I never had in my life, It costs Rs. 60)(cost of 12 vada pavs, my three days meal). May be i will have some time.
Problem is as i am growing in arthematic progression my hunger is increasing with geometric progression.

RTI - RIGHT TO IGNITE

Thursday 22, June

It was a nice evening, sun setting towards the Arabian Sea, flock of birds returning to their nest against back drop of crimson sun. Every image was nothing but a silhouette. These were the few scenes that we, group of 6 people witnessed while our car rushed towards the office located very close to government building which was on fire. It was reported that fire has engulfed entire 4^th , 5^th and 6^th floor of the building. As we drove across the curved lane of marine drive,  I guess every one was thinking of things that were already burnt down, things that were burning, things that are waiting their turn, and things which would stand against the ravaging fire,

There were people, young couples, old couples totally pretending to be unaware of the surroundings, and completely ignoring the reason the people in police vehicles, fire fighters zipping past the marine drive. While the car was flying, heated discussion and argument began the circumstances that led to fire, was it intentional or accidental. What it was intended to burn to save what. 

Any way for us it was all very clear that even we considered the intensity of the fire as half of the, the intensity of news and rumours that were coming through nothing would have been left to save except pure carbon, Still there were lot of questions that remained unanswered. 

How it all start, what could be saved, assuming that the process of data recovery was initiated and few of the HDD were found intact what kind of data would be available. Would it be some thing classified that Mr Julian Assange would be interested in, or it would be songs, movies, spread sheets or financial  figures that would be of interest of shri. Anna Hazare or his movement against corruption , we were not sure. 

May be CBI would be interested in the those data. We never know. If we find every thing could be put online for the people of this country, for the people of Maharashtra. The information  can be put new dedicated website similar to to Wiki Leaks

The next question comes in mind is, what would be the domain name of the website?  Some one suggested….

www.bach-gaya-data.org , www.Jal-gaya-data.org, www.kya.bacha-kya.gaya.com

Some one too emotional said, hey think of the people who are dead!! Because there was fire, Some one interrupted him and said..LOOK u think of how many people would hanged and die if there wasn’t any fire.

Next day, most of the news paper reported that one of the factor that made difficult for fire fighters to control the fire was gas cylinders. If that was the case at least some where would have heard the blast of gas cylinders but no one did. So this scenario is improbable.

 “Right of information” was killed by “Right to Ignite”

Aanna Meri Jan

Hi Good morning, how was your Christmas. Mr MMRDA you know we have launched a nation wide movement to curb the corruption and I am glad that you have a ground which suits our requirement. Its my request to let us rent the MMRDA grounds for only three days.

oh. Mr Anna you are welcome, very much welcome, we would be honored , you have chosen our place, and you have chosen the right place. Well we shall really talk about the rent. It is very important for you and for me…… Well let me tell you it’s really good that you did not bring Kiran Bedi and kejriwal along with you, or else I wouldn’t had the chance to discuss our business that coolly and closely. You know we would definitely try to extend our all coordination even we would like to join your movement, but let me tell you it is really a difficult task and we will have to work very hard to rent you the ground. I hope u understand sir.

Oh yes Oh yes……I understand and I really appreciate your efforts but I just want to ground, The MMRDA ground nothing more than that..

No Mr Aana this is a great chance, and we are witnessing a history and we definitely want to be a part of it..

Ok Ok, I would be honored if MMRDA participates, do whatever you want to but just give us the ground for three days.

Oh sure Annaji………but you must be knowing…… the real estate rates in Mumbai, this is not Ralegan Siddhi, rates in Bandra-Kurla-Complex are really very high, and in these days of high inflation it is very difficult to survive, and the rising dollar rates are really pain in A### . you know electricity bills, telephone bills, gas bills, tuition fees, college fees, school fees, my god.. it is really very difficult to survive, we support your cause M.r Anna. I guess you are understating my point.

Oh yes oh yes know, and I appreciate your support to us, we would just take the MMRDA ground just for 3 days. Our team is expecting around 1 lakhs people to join us. It would be really great doesn’t it.

OH YEAH……. definitely it would be, 1 lakh is a quite good figure Mr. Anna , MMRDA really appreciate your cause and will support it. But you know the real issue is the real estate prices, MMRDA ground is the only available open space in the vicinity. And we charge hefty amount for the ground. You know real estate prices are very high. And you know electricity bills, telephone bills, gas bills, tuition fees, college fees, school fees, and rising dollar rates…. my god and IMF expects another great recession on the way. I guess you are understanding , you are understanding NA…. my point Mr. Anna

Yes, Yes, I agree what I am asking is only the ground and that too for just three days and I am sure there would be some concession for us. You know this movement is a nation wide movement and patriotic in nature. As an army man I have servered the nation with dedication and I have scarified my life for this country.

Yes, Yes I agree but…you know we too sacrify our life working here we face challenges like Inflation, bills, dollars I hope you are understanding my point Mr Anna, It is very difficult to survive these days, why don’t u understand Mr Anna… ok look we generally charge 50 lakhs for three days. Now you understand what I mean to say “we generally charge”. We would charge rent, that would give a heart attack.... Do you understand what I mean to say..

What????????????, 50 Laksh just for three days, don’t u think it is too high, we wouldn’t be able to bear that. I was expecting you to give us some concession, Concession, didn’t you hear I said “we generally charge”…what does that mean……. Why don’t you understand Mr ANNA ……….concession during these difficult time… of high inflation, rising dollars and ever rising bills,…….try to understand Mr Anna,

How would be go about it then, I feel 50 lakhs is too much,

Mr Anna you seen to be in quite good health and you seen to be intelligent at this age… You know the government, ruling party is congress and the CM is a congress man and we are headed by him. How on earth they would be pleased to let you agitate against them on the ground that belong them. Aren’t u understanding my point Mr. Anna will charge you pretty heavy fee for your campaign.

Mr anna.. I feel is you are quite experience in your field, you are fighting corruption, you now how the government machinery works, you got to put some oil and grease to make the machine move, you are understating it NA….., Mr Anna. You understand the real estate prices are high, inflation, us dollars, bills, it is difficult to survive on the meager salary these days.

Ok Mr. Aana look, we can manage it in 7 lakhs for 3 days and u know what you are suppose do from your side. I have gone a great length from reducing the rent from 50 lakhs to 7 lakhs, now is your turn to go to a great length.

One more thing Mr Anna we all in MMRDA are going to join you in the movement, we are completely against the corruption, people in the authority too, how come we can let corruption occur when every penny goes in to the pockets of those politicians and nothing percolates to us. At least we shall get some thing, isn’t it? we are completely against the corruption,

Oh yes yes I understand.. do u know why I have launched this camping , u know I have been greasing the government machinery since I started working.. now is have nothing …. I don’t have house, I don’t have money to eat,… what else I can do…

I have no choice but to fast….it’s my destiny… millions of Indians sleep hungry … every night… I am also trying the experience fasting…. With noting in hand and no where to go.. this is the only business I have got.

So tell me frankly how much grease you want.

This article does not intend to offense any person or any organization. it is just an article

Pizza Order 373

Pizza order 373

Rain rain go away
don’t come
Till dominos learn some hygiene sense
Or till the flies learn not to make us ill
without our will…
Or till the pizza guy keep the table clean
To lee me sit with ma gal,
And enjoy a pizza meal


Pizza delivery experts, they boast themselves indeed true very true, but I guess they should rename themselves to “illness delivery experts”.

It was June 11, 20011 I decided to go for a nice warm cheese filled pizza and then take a walk home in rain. It was a lovely idea. But I never knew that would chance what I feel about the pizza shop dominos round the corner.

It was around 10.0 pm I reached dominos it seemed to be a nice and cozy place since I was enjoyed pizza from the very first day I came to Goregaon. I still have the memory of my first pizza in Goregaon Dominos, but has been over written now.

Well I reached Dominos, it had same tables, same AC, same light bulb , same pizza guys who behave differently on every visit, as if they are doing us a favour forgetting that we do the a favour by visiting them. Any way that has never discouraged me to stop going there.
Only thing I noticed that has changed was a blue coloured plastic sheet covering the open space where we use to sit and enjoy open air, watched the traffic on the road next to us start directly above us and enjoy natural breeze not because we liked it because Ac said to me I am out of order please bear with me…so was I.

Coming to the incident on that fateful day, I had ordered the cheese bust pizza yummuuyyyy with a coke and that too with a discount coupon, noting could be more exciting than to get discount. Finising order we were handed over a bill numbering 373.

Having finished ordering we tried to make us comfortable out side the enclosed space with that non working AC, under the blue apron. I missed the sky, other thing that was different was I could hear rain splashing down on the road and the apron , which I had not heard while I was ordering my pizza, and AC was hanging on the wall crucified like Jesus Christ. Sorry dude. Talk to your owner.

The table we placed ourselves was one of 6 that had enjoyed serving us many times over the period of 2 years. I don’t remember it was his which turn. Never mind… I was happy to see that none of the table was empty. It was either occupied by humans or by files with their mum, daddies, kiddos, girl friends, uncle, aunts, … sorry I couldn’t differentiate their age by looking that them nor did I any intention to ask. I wished they could have left my table as soon I occupied it.

I had my patience for long 10 minutes, they were unrelenting enjoying, it seemed that they were followers of Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare and had ended their fast and had ordered pizza to break fast. Sorry guys go on… five more minutes to go for my pizza.

It was enough, Hey guys why don’t you go now, it my turn, now enough is enough, Hey Man please would u ask these guys to leave I said to one of the dominos guys, he nodded his head as if I had asked him to do a crime.

Any way another 5 minutes passed, other tables surrendered by humans, were taken over by the flies. We humans were reduced to minority. I feel dominos can have scheme to book the entire shop for their birthday, anniversary parties, that would earn fortunes.

Suddenly a fly past my nose, saying these dominos guys are corrupt like government officers and politician, and they have been bribed to let us have uninterrupted fun. It was a challenge, I cried for justice, which I would say was a behavior against a civilized society. But I couldn’t help. Sorry Domino Dude.

Finally a guy came to pick up the trash lying on the table, reluctantly he removed it, but couldn’t dare to wipe the sticky, cheese, ketchup off the table, hah!! I forgot he has been bribed.

Next guy came with pizza , coke and paper napkins, I asked for more paper napkins to cover corner of the table, where the flies were hovering with intention to hover munch longer. But I had decided to fight for my right to privacy.

Hot pizza box, has made stomach jump, and it was like a trophy after a ordeal. Well box was opened oregano , chili flakes were sprinkled, and Hey!!!!! where is the ketchup………I again shed my civilized personality, the pizza guy replied,.. sorry no ketchup, we don’t have it in stock now… oh!! This confirms that they have been bribed and ketchup has been black marketed for these flies.

Anyway finally the first piece of the pizza was torn apart and first drop of cheese trickled out, It seemed I can enjoy little cheese in cheese bust pizza as the recession is finally over from India and dominos in particular.

While we were having our pizza , I realized that not all files are uninvited, quite few of them work here , they have been employed by this dominos branch. They were employed to taste the each pizza dough bolls brought in by the dominos guys .Just as souvenirs I had to click the pictures of flies at work. It shows how smallest of species can help so called superior humane race, and let these guys serve mankind with delicious pizza.

Ah ha!!! There is the secret of their success. Other pizza chain shall learn this trade secret and improve their platter. I guess wiki leaks would like to leak this trade secrets with photos was well. I have posted here on my blog for them.


Having finished clicking pictures I left home walking home in rain. It was memorable day.. thanks guys. We humans own u.
Based on true story. Picture and the Bills are not fictious.

This is Platform, I live here, I eat, sleep drink sometime even smoke, and may be I will die on the same bench, where the man is sitting right now and whose boots I am polishing. I charge mere 5 five rupees that comes out to be about 0.02 dollar. Nothing has changed since I was borne, I didn't make any asset other than a brush, a can of polish and a gunny bag. I put my best efforts to at least have three customers, to meet my need of three VADA PAVS, five rupees each three times a day. Breakfast, lunch and diner. I live a lavish life style. Isn’t it???


Every morning I try to get up early in the morning, to find some one in dire need to get his boot polished, as the sun raises the chances get slim as the other competitors get up and steal away the chances. Though they are my friends and I share the same platform, for me "business is business". I work very hard till 1.00 am I mostly enter the empty bogies and check for lost valuables/mobiles, purse, even the water bottles. Statistically chance is 1/1000 though I try, may be the chance I take is one I need.

Money is some thing I like. It smells good, feel good, looks good, and taste good (once in blue moon I go for half chicken rice rupees 15 a plate). People say my eyes sparkle as diamonds when I see money. I fast once a week. I don’t do it because I believe in god, or any ritual. I fast when the booth polish runs out and I am suppose to buy a new can. It scared a hell out of me. It costs me Rs 20 for the cheapest one. (More than the cost of 3 Veda pavs.).

I do dream big, VERY BIG, to have a lavish lunch, A full chicken a rice plate. I never had in my life, It costs Rs. 60)(cost of 12 vada pavs, my three days meal). May be i will have some time.

Problem is, as I am growing in arithmetic progression my hunger is increasing in geometric progression. Every other variable of my life remain constant. The cost of Vada Pav, Amount I get for shoe polishing, The train, and its schedule.

As I feel after many years, and millions of Pavs I will match the size of the bench on which I sleep, Then I will start to shrink with old age, crippled, and some day I will die waiting of a vada, I don’t know how much it would cost then. Who will buy for me.? The bench would have been taken over by some one else. I want some one to inherit my assets The brush , polish and the Bag, some one my own.

It won’t happen because I didn’t.

mumbai meri jan

It was a lovely Monday morning precisely 5:00 am. I was at a Mumbai suburban station called Goregaon. I don’t know exactly why it is named so. Any way, I just didn’t happen to be there, because I was suppose to be there or because I wanted to be there at that morning hour, I was there because I was on my way to Pune for my language test.

A little while later about 5.10, I was in Mumbai local, bound to CST. I was suppose to get down at Dadar. “Dadar”!!! what a name every time I hear unique names a bell rings!! once again a fascinating name, I still got to figure it out why they are named so. Well all the stations are named the same way following the principle of “it’s different” “nothing official about it” I guess. Down the line stations are Andheri, Lower Parel, Bandra etc and the list goes on. Real issue is not the names that fascinates me or the Mumbai local bound to CST as I might have given an impression rather it is about the Article 377 of our divine book about which I might have studied in school days but don’t remember a bit now or to be specific I am least bothered.

Any way, I was lucky to get a seat in usually over crowed Mumbai Local, though It was much more crowed than I expected it to be at that hour. I could see the motley of co-passengers, tall, small, young, old, men women, boys, girls destined for their different fascinating stations/locations for their fascinating jobs irrespective of whether the liked, disliked or abhorred.

I could see a lot, Bleary eyed, tensed, some curious like me and remaining phlegmatic to a celebration which I was witnessing. There were two guys, a gay couple I guess, definitely males, to best of my knowledge and observation, I am ready to take an undertaking for that. Amazingly one dressed as a female and other a male. Though there was hardly any distinction. It was difficult to distinguish who was “he” and who was “she”. Was she “he” or was he “she”. But definitely “He” was she, for whom a man would really love to die for, if she really were a she. I admit that I was one of few odd men out who were staring at them, may be with different reasons and perspective, and occasionally looking at each other for support, that made us individually feel that “I am not the only idiot”. I was amazed by the reaction of the people around them and me. Very few people even bothered to look at them. It wasn’t interesting, funny or serious for them. They behaved as if it was something very natural for them. It was even so when the couple engaged in kisses and hugs. It wasn’t natural for me; It wasn’t history in making, by Supreme court judgement on 377, celebrating LGBT rights, it was a Mumbai local, Mumbai, India. I don’t know whether it was a post celebration event for them or a celebration going on since Mumbai become the capital of Maharashtra after later being separated from Gujarat or it has been happening here since eon.
Truly speaking, I was feeling happier, who the hell there cared for Article 377, nether did I, I don’t think many people there even bothered what article 377 meant and dealt with, what it offered, what it denied. None bothered, I guess. This city is different really very different, very different from smallest or the largest.
I have been to East West North and South of India, indeed “Mumbai is different”
That’s the spirit, of MUMBAI meri jan
That’s the spirit of MUMBAI, meri jan

Mumbai Rain

Mumbai rains, infact rains heavily, rather rains too heavily, U got to experience before commenting.. but i got the experience first hand. Still remember the 26/7 .
Expecting action again sooner or later... it is just the beginning.
keeping my fingers crossed...



rain rain
where have you been...
Bandra burnt...
with lots of pain...
rain rain... now please rain

Bandra Fire

June 18, 2009 Banda (E) ,Mumbai (Bombay)

Today is June 18, 2009, early in the morning there was news all over the TV about the fire

that broke out some where in the slums of Bandra.
In the breakfast news i saw a familiar structure "yellow coloured sky walk" i was terrified oh!! my god it is the Banda (E), as usual i am suppose to pass by. I did not feel sorry for the people who lost lives or their property in the fire, but was excited about the opportunity to get in to action.

The area is located in East side of the Bandra suburban station. The road leading to the station is narrow single lane. Slowly but steadily the slums have grown. The have grown laterally as well has vertically. from single one room to multistoried. Existing strucutres are 3-4 storied mostly supported by steel and wood.

Todays fire has exposed the problem of handling the situation and the fire when things go wrong. Thought the fire fighters were fighting against the odds, the narrow lanes, and conjusted streets made their task even difficult. There was no other alternative than to reach the fire from top.

The first hand words, i heard passing thorugh was, about a dozen cooking cylinders went off during the fire.
It is really amazing to, "how we gonna fight the devil lurking behind the slum" some how i am gonna reach the other side. Oh Boom help me.. extend your self a bit longer.. thank you

i could see the red coloured Fire Fighting vehicles, but no ambulance on the road. The road is the only road connecting the Bandra Station to the rest of Banda (E) and the Kher Wadi , Bandra-Kurla-Complex where my office is situated.

well i was luck enough, i walked all over the sky walk, that pal.. your construcuted the sky walk in record time 6 months before schedule. thanks indeed.

mighty smoke reaching out to the sky.

you won.. again....

evey thing smokey....only living thing is the tree...

still there is no sign of the monsoon, we have been waiting since the first week of June, it is said that the monsoon would break the decade long record of being late. we indians really hold the record of being late.... so why wud the monsoon lag behind.

jay ho..