3ist October

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Visited PNB. In the Supreme Court and chamber from abouit 12.30 to 4.45 pm. Retired to sleep at about 1030 pm.

30th October

Went for about an hour walk. Venita went to Gurgaon with Diwali sweets and gifts to children. In the chamber from 2.15 to 4.30 pm. It took over 2 hours to reach the chamber by cab. Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm. 

29th 0ctober

Went for 45 minute walk. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 12.30 to 4.30 pm. Retired to sleep at 11.15 pm.

28th October

Arrived New Delhi railway station at about 7.30 am. Visited SBI. In the chamber 1.50 pm. to 5.15 pm. Retired to sleep at 10 pm.

27th October

Went for an hour walk. Work of repairs continued during the day. Discussed utilization of the house with the Principals of a local Primary school and Intermediate college. Pilku has gone to Rome for 3 days as children are having holidays. Shivji, Dr Chetan, Ajai came. Left for railway station on way to Delhi.

26th October

Went for about an hour walk. Visited Kalkan temple where i used to go during school and college days almost daily. It is renovated. On way back met Dr. Chetan and had tea with him. Venita discussed painting work with the painter and some additional work with mason. Painting will start after the repair work is over.  Venita went to a local primary school on request and met the students. Made a courtesy call to SP. No SP stays in the dist.for more than 6 to 12 months. I meet a new SP each time i come to Fatehpur. We are pursuing implementation of Police reforms as ordered by the Supreme Court in 2006. Major states like UP have not carried out the same. The reforms provide for a minimum tenure of 2 years for each SP, DIG, IG AND DG. During my career in Assam-Meghalay as SP,DIG and DG I worked in each post for 3/about 3 years.Things have changed now.

Advocate Digvijai and Subhash, Secretary, Kayasth sabha came along  with Ved. Put forth their problem to SP for remedial action.

Retired to sleep at 9 pm.

25th October

Went for over one hour walk. Spent the day looking into and discussing house repairs to be done. Due to impending Deepawali, the labourers and others are engaged in work elsewhere and may be available thereafter. At present an electrician is working full time. He hopes to complete his allotted work before we leave day after. Retired to sleep at 10 pm.

22nd, 23rd and 24th October

22nd
Went for 45 minute walk in Allahabad's famous Company garden. The garden is spacious and a good breathing space for its denizens. A number of people were walking , exercising, doing  yoga and meditation. Sangita comes here for yogic exercises in the morning.
 Left for Fatehpur at about 3 pm.The road is good. Except in some residential areas on way, taxi driver drove (Mahindra Renault) at 110 km speed. Reached Fatehpur in about 2.30 hours covering a distance of 146 kms. We had tea in 'Kulharh' at Sirathu.  After leaving NH2, it took more than half an hour to reach our house about a km away.The approach road was full of traffic consisting of rickshaws,cars,bicycles etc.. It was brimming with people. All the signboards  over shops and other places at Allhabad and Fatehpur were in Hindi and rarely in English. Venita says that these could only be in Hindi as it is the language of the State of UP. We see only English signboards in Delhi and rarely in Hindi. Bhayya, eldest son of late Naresh Bhaisaheb and Advocate Ajay came in the evening.
Retired to sleep at 10 pm.
23rd
Went for about an hour walk. Guddu, Munni (of Belgaon) and Sangita, late Naresh Bhaisaheb's children, Subhash (of local Kayasth Mahasabha), Advocates Ajay, Digvijay Singh and Shivji came.. Went to buy electrical goods for the newly repaired rooms. The old ones have to be replaced. They are dilapidated.
Retired to sleep at 9.30 pm.
24th
Went for half an hour walk in a quite well maintained park in front of DM's residence. Electrician. plumber,carpenter, iron-grill-door maker etc. worked during the day. Advocates Digvijay Singh and Ajay came. Discussed utilization of the renovated house. Efforts to hand it over to Ramkrishna Mission for starting an educational institution have not succeeded so far, We are continuing to pursue it with them.
 Retired to sleep at 10 pm.

21st October

The train arrived Allahabad on time. Chhutulu and Sangita received us at the railway station. Prachi served us breakfast and lunch. Close relations and friends joined in. Gifts were given to the bride, Prachi. In the evening attended reception and dinner, arranged by Tarun and Sangita in honour of new couple. About 200 people attended.
Retired to sleep after midnight.

20th October

Completed morning program. Packed to leave for Allahabad/Fatehpur tonight. Left for railway station to board the train for Allahabad at 9.30 pm.

19th Oct.

Went for about 1 hour walk. Visited CGHS. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 5 pm. Retired to sleep at 10.45 pm.

18th October

Went for about an hour walk. Venita left for Ginger hotel at about 12.30 pm.  Joined her and the Barat at 2, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, venue of Anand'marriage. A 30 strong Police band was in attendance. Khyati asked it to play some Pop music. It played for her. Her face was alit with excitement. She asked me to gift some money to the band. She counted them to be 30. We had to give  Rs 3000/- so that each person gets at least Rs 100/- to keep her wish. Akshat also heard one old film tune with rapt attention.

Baratis and janatis constituted a mass of over 200.The premises were brimming with human heads. Jaimala (a practice followed among Gandharvs in ancient India during their marriage)  took place followed by dinner. We met a number of friends and relations.  Returned home at about 11.30  pm. Saptapadi (going round the fire seven times ) is to take place late in the night. Thereafter  promises will be exchanged between married  Anand and Prachi. These are rarely kept in life. Even then the practice continues at the end of a Hindu marriage in front of sacred fire.

Retired to sleep after midnight .

17th October

Went for about an hour walk. Venita went to Ginger hotel, Ajmeri gate, near New Delhi Railway station at 12.30 pm. Tarun and family are staying there for Anand's marriage ceremonies. I joined her at 5.30 pm when Tilak had just started and cocktails, Sangeet  and dinner followed in Holiday club at Panchsheel Enclave. A number of friends and relations attended. A good deal of dancing to film music went on. About 200 guests had come. We came back at about 10 pm.
Retired to sleep after midnight.

16th October

Went for 45 minute walk. Attended birthday celebrations of Tunu and Anita at Tunu's place,Gurgaon and wished happy birthday to Ritsy .

Pramod/Anita/Devika,Subhash/Sunita/Tunu/Gauri/Yash/Chhotu/Rajat/Rajat's mother,Babloo/Neha/ Akshat and we attended the celebrations.Visited Babloo's and Silku's houses. Missed Ritsy. When we reached her house, we found that she had gone to buy some groceries in the meantime. Even Khyati and Silku were out buying something for Ritsy on her day. We had informed Silku/Ritsy about our visit to their house at the eleventh hour.  Ritsy's parents were present in the house. Preparations were on for cutting of the cake and dinner. Alaynah received and saw us off at the gate.  She placed her demand for  the latest of the Barbie series. We told that we would bring it when we come to meet her next. Otherwise we relaxed on a Bakrid holiday at home.

Retired to sleep at 11.30 pm.

15th Oct.

Went for 45 minute walk. Visited CGHS office at Bikaner House. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 4.45 pm. Today is Ekadashi. Observed fast.
Retired to sleep late night.

14th October

Went for an hour walk. Vijayadashmi has been celebrated yesterday & today too : the day symbolizes victory of good over evil.  Venita could not go to dentist as her sugar was high. We have taken appointment for tomorrow. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Retired to sleep at 11 pm.

13th October

Completed morning program. The Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of Siddhidatri on the 9th and last day of Navratri : giver of power, wealth and fame. Sen ,the contractor,repaired the aluminium windows of the flat on the front side. Advised Silku to modify his lifestyle and take care of health. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm. 

12th Oct.

Completed morning program. The Goddess Durga took the form of Maha Gauri on the 8th day of  Navratri : giver of peace and prosperity. Kept Ashtami fast on the day,
 In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 6 pm. I used to get steaming hot cups of  coffee at the Starbucks outlets in London whenever i went there during visit in May-June, 2013.  Even after a request for a steaming hot cup of coffee at Starbucks outlet in South-Extension part-II market, New Delhi., i got only a warm cup of coffee. On a request to heat it up in microwave, i was informed that they did not have a microwave.  I am told that one does not get hot cups of coffee in other Starbucks outlets too. I hope that Starbucks management will take note of it and institute corrective action. I like Starbucks coffee. If Starbucks outlets in London can give steaming hot cups of coffee,why not those in India.Today i went to Cafe coffee day.
Retired to sleep at 11.30 pm.

11th October

Went for 45 minute walk. It rained in the morning. The Goddess Durga took the form of Kalrati on the 7th day Navratri : destroyer of wicked people.

Venita is 65 today. She was born on Navmi of Aswin, Suklapaksha , Samvat 2005 , at about 2.30 to 3 am according to Hindi Panchang on Monday corresponding to 11th October, 1948. A number of  family members and friends wished her happy birthday. We lunched out along with Neha and Akshat. Venita extinguished a lone candle and cut the cake to the singing/clapping of Happy Birthday.

Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm. 

10th Oct.

Completed morning program. The Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of Katyaani on the sixth day of Navratri : giver of fruits of  our actions.

Khyatis's birthday is celebrated today. She was born on Ashtami of Aswin's Adhik Mas (Dwatiya), Krishnapaksh, Wednesday, Vkram Samvat 2058/Shak Samvat 1923 of the Hindi Panchang corresponding to 10th October, 2001 of Gregorian calender at 12.10 pm in a Vasant Vihar hospital, New Delhi. Venita did Puja/Havan in the temple early morning and distributed 'halwa' to all who came to the temple and our house.We bless her for long happy prosperous bright and fearless life.  

She enters teens today. She lit 12 small candles for the past years and one big candle for entry into the 13th year of her life. She cut the cake to the singing of Happy Birthday.The event was attended by her parents, paternal/maternal grandparents, Alaynah, Babloo/Neha/Akshat and 10/12  classmates.

We have to ensure that she has good company. Now she will try to find out her identity by 'trial and error, a part of growing up'. We have to guide her in the process as a friend and not as a dictator. We have, however, to assert our authority as parents with love, care and firmly when necessary. We should sometime compromise. Let us not forget that she belongs to a new generation  which is impatient, wants to achieve big, spectacular and is not prepared to compromise easily. I wrote the following blog on Monday July 12th, 2010 :

" Read the write-up of Sh. Shombit Sen Gupta in the Indian Express dated 11th. He says that the present day society has 3 kinds of generations: 1. The Retro (above 45 years), 2. Compromise (between 30-45 years) & 3. Zap 86 (below 30 years). The compromise generation tries to balance the Retro and Zap 86. According to him unless we understand the mindset of Zap 86 we will not be able to sell our goods and they will keep on running to foreign brands. Zap 86 is the generation which has grown after the 1991 reforms and is progressive and future looking. It is difficult to convince them by the mindset of Retro and Compromise generations. We have to understand their concerns, their perspectives and plan our strategies for renovation to sell the Indian products as is being done by the foreign brands." I liked the approach and am in full agreement with him." Although it is written in the context of selling goods in the market, but it is relevant for us today so that we can market our values to the new generation effectively. Khyati belongs to Zap 86. (http://dns-reflections.blogspot.in/search?q=compromise+generation)

Silku got the first copy of his second book  from the publishers today, Khyati's birthday. He has dedicated the book to his 2 daughters. He has written a few lines/words  in praise for his parents, brothers, in -laws and of course his wife in Acknowledgement. I will write a review of the book in the blog when i get my copy.

Retired to sleep at 11 pm.

9th Oct.

Completed morning program.The Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of Skandmata on the 5th day of Navratri : fulfiller of all wishes/desires. 
Venia accompanied for her work in South Delhi. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 3.45 pm. Retired to sleep at 10.45 pm.

8th Oct

Went for 45 minute walk. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 4.15. pm.
The Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of Kushmanda on the forth day of Nanratri : bestower of long life, wisdom and strength. Venita went to the temple at about 5 am after her 'Puja/Path' at home . "It is believed that fasting and rituals 'during the Durga Puja' can take away the negative energy and fill you with positive energy."
Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm.

7th Oct.

Completed morning program. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 4.30 pm .  The Goddess Durga manifested today in the form of Chandraghanta  on the 3rd Navratri day: bestower of peace and welfare. She has a sign of bell on Her head. Venita got up very early morning, completed her 'Puja/Path' and thereafter went to the temple at 5.15 am
Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm.

6th Oct

Completed morning program. The Goddess Durga is worshiped today in the form of Bramhcharini: giver of wisdom and knowledge. Venita went to the temple at 5.15 am. She got up at 3 am. She did/completed 'Puja and Path' before going to the temple. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm.

5th Oct.

Went for 45 minute walk. Conference with Rajat's client was postponed. Had  to visit Tata Photon service center for rectification of dysfunctional Photon Plus. In chamber from 5.15 to 6.30 pm. Venita was extremely preoccupied on the first day of Navratri. She went to the Society temple at 4.30 am for 'Kalash Sthapna'. Later I joined her and the priest of the temple in 'Kalash Sthapna' at our house  too. The Goddess in the form of Shailputri is worshiped today.
Retired to sleep at 11.15 pm.

3rd & 4th Oct.

3rd
Completed morning program. Visited CGHS In the Supreme Court and chamber from 1 to 5.15 pm.   The Laptop is dysfunctional. It has to be shown at Sony service center during the weekend. Retired to sleep at 11 pm
4th
Went for 40 minute walk. Attended an interaction with Shri Nandan Nilkheni at Arsipso office. He said that Adhar provides an ID to a person and can best be used in delivery system/pds. In the Supreme Court from 3 to 4 pm. Retired to sleep at 11 pm.

2 October

Went for an hour walk. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Discussed a case relating to Rajat's company. Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm

1st Oct.

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS. In the Supreme Court and chamber from 12 noon to 4 pm. Three members of parliament were convicted for misappropriation of funds. One went to  jail yesterday and two today. Retired to sleep at 11.15 pm.