CMBT & My bus journeys

Living in Neyveli, and having most of your extended family settled in Chennai, meant you’d be frequently travelling between Neyveli and Chennai. Since Neyveli didn’t have a proper railway station and the closest one was 2 hours away, our travel to Chennai has always been in buses. The buses usually took about 4.5-5hours to cover the 200km distance. Because we had one of our relatives in Tambaram, we usually got down there. Those were the days when the Mofussil buses used to go through the city, and I believe the bus stand was in Broadway, Parrys. 

It was in 2002 (though I had stared at the granite containing the date of opening a zillion times, I couldn’t quite recollect this year and had to google it) that the bus terminus was shifted to Koyambedu, and named as CMBT - Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus. It was humungous to say the least. The local MTC buses were given a good sizeable space in the front, with multiple shelters and behind them was the actual bus terminus with 6 broad platforms housing buses that ran across the length and breadth of the state, including a few to neighbouring states of Kerala, Karnataka and the then Andhra Pradesh. There were primarly two landmarks to identify the CMBT, one it’s own gigantic brownish dome with a digital clock and the second is the multi-storey apartment complex right opposite CMBT that used to be visible from about a kilometre away too. 

I moved to Chennai in 2008, but I believe it wasn’t until 2010-2011 when I started frequenting this bus stand to go visit my parents in Neyveli. I usually reached the bus stand at about 6-6:30PM after my work. There wasn’t an option to book tickets in advance for the bus to Neyveli, so it was always a waiting/guessing game trying to predict the bus’s arrival. I still remember my routine every time I go to this bus stand. As I’d take a bus at 6:30, I’d be reaching Neyveli quite late in the night, at around 11-11:30. So keep my hunger at bay while travelling, I always go to this Aavin booth right near Platform 2, buy one tetra pack of Pista Milkshake, and then walk over to a food kiosk, and buy an overpriced Lays packet. Not sure if anyone remembers, but the shops in the bus stand always charged prices for their products higher than the MRP, and even when you questioned them, they didn’t two hoots about you and would rather you not buy than reduce the price. 

Oh, how can I forget the mad rush during the peak holiday seasons. The day before the festive holidays begin would seem like the bus stand would burst, with so many people, all around, running to catch a bus to their hometowns. You were considered lucky to even get a direct bus to your town, forget about getting a seat. There were times when I’d had to travel the entire 5 hour journey standing, and would sometimes just flop onto the floor out of sheer exhaustion. We’d be lucky to sit on a seat when the bus stopped midway for a 5-10 minute break.

But these bus journeys were one of my best memories of those times. I’d invariably choose either the first seat at the front right next to the door, or the seat right above the wheels, near the ladder. These journeys were special because of the whole lot of people I met. Everyone had a story to share and it felt only right to lend a listening ear to it. You meet people from all walks of life, right from a girl who was preparing for UPSC exams, a math teacher, a working girl, literally all kinds and age groups. I believe there’s an ease and peace in sharing stories with strangers - there’s no fear of judgement, as there’s almost no way you were going to meet them again unless you choose to stay in touch. Most often, we hardly shared names. The conversations were always about places, education, movies, and just life in general. The stories that I shared, helped me figure out a lot about myself - what mattered the most to me, what are the thoughts that shaped me as a person, who/what are the instances that’ve had an impact on me. I strongly feel it is during these times that I slowly moved on from being an introvert to extrovert. I started to enjoy meeting people and talking / listening to them.

These bus journeys were a standard in my life for about 4-5 years until I finished my education and my parents lived in Neyveli. But slowly as they shifted to Chennai, these journeys and the conversations took a break and left me with void that I only felt when I travelled somewhere. But every once in a while when I do travel alone, and encounter people, there’s always a chance to spark up a conversation and share thoughts. 

Now, coming back to CMBT, because it was located almost in the heart of the city, and it became quite hard to manage the population here, the government opened up Kilambakkam Bus Terminus to manage the buses going down south, and the Madhavaram Bus Terminus for the buses going up north mostly to Andhra & Telangana. Whatever else remained was predominantly Vellore, Hosur, Bangalore and a few other places - these seemed to be the only ones that are currently being operated from CMBT. 

It was after almost 4 years that I stepped into the bus stand last week, and I was saddened to see its plight. What was once a bustling place of activity, now looks forlorn. Of the 6 platforms that used to be fully packed with buses and people, only one is currently functional, and that too with very minimal folks. The rest of the terminus looks ominous, deserted and is mostly used as a shelter by the homeless.  I’m sure there’d be plans to renovate and repurpose this place, and wish they act upon those plans soon before the condition of the place deteriorates even further.

People - Food - Places

Do you associate food with people and places? Not asking about eating in restaurants, but rather about food that’s served with love at home. 

I’m an ardent lover of food, and appreciate deeply when someone cooks food for me. I have a notable few foods that always remind me of the place and the person who’d served it to me for the first time. Invariably, every time anyone talks about that food item, instantly that person and the memory springs up in my mind. 

The first ever item on that list is Akki Roti. A Karnataka delicacy where they make rotis out of rice flour instead of wheat. Well, the first ever time I’d a bite of this was at my Mami’s (A) Amma’s house in Bangalore, probably when I was 10 or 12 years, maybe? We’d gone for a visit early noon, and in 10 minutes she cooks it up and serves it with some amazing home-made Nandini ghee. Gosh, the smell of the ghee, the crispness and the taste of the roti, even after all these years, still makes my mouth water. I still remember the numerous other times I’d went over to their place in anticipation of this, and don’t remember being disappointed ever, as this was always served first, without fail. The other day as my friend was talking about Akki Roti, guess what popped up in my mind - A’s amma and her impeccable roti.

The next one on this list are Methi Roti and Sabudana Khichdi. These ones come from Pune, Maharashtra. As for the methi roti, it came from my dad’s maternal aunt. The fresh tender methis together with a bit of ajwain, turmeric, chilli powder, salt mixed with our usual wheat flour results in this amaze max methi rotis. It’s really versatile in the sense that you could either gobble it up plainly, or with a side of raitha or plain curd or pickle - absolute freaking yum! Sabudana Khichdi coming from the same household, from the aunt’s daughter-in-law. My goodness me, this is literally my all time favourite dish in the whole wide world. Making Sabudana Khichdi is an art, for you to be need careful with the sabudana - they tend to get really sticky when subjected to heat, and become a whole mashy mess. The secret ingredient to stop them from getting sticky is to add powdered groundnut. This recipe by MathuSoundar is a keeper, works like magic, every-freaking-time. I could even mildly (proudly) brag that I’m becoming an expert in making this dish now. Thank you Mathu!

Lastly on this series, is something that my friend used to bring for lunch in during our internship. Vegetable or Peas Pulao/fried rice with some Vazhakkai cutlet. Good god, I’ll never get over this dish ever. The fragrance, the taste, the way it looks, everything about this dish is just perfect. We used to literally hijack her entire lunch box and hand over our boring rasam or sambar rice or most often some juice to her, as we hog all of her lunch. It’s been more than 10 years now, but the memory still lingers. I really do have to go to her home once to relish this dish all over again. 

Well, that is all for now, and I’m signing off with a lot of fond foody memories.

Until next,

G!

Fun Five!

Don't get fooled by the title, I was just trying to have an alliterative one. I'm rather tired of starting every birthday post with a "Phew-I-can't-believe-you-are-already-five". So, I'm putting this one as "what-an-amazing-year-it's-been". Hands down one of the bestest. I definitely loved all the time I spent with you and cherish them so much, because this shall never repeat. The innocence, the curious questions - why, when, what, how, the joy of living in the present, the pride of being able to do things on your own - both for yourself and for others.

The year started off with a Snake Walk weekend - and this time it included a friend from your school, Kavin. After we had him over for your birthday, and he had us over for his (apparently, both of your birthdays are 5 days apart, albeit you are a year younger) - we asked him to join us for this event, and oh boy, you guys had crazy fun running around the paddy fields, spotting touch-me-nots (this is where the touch-me-not obsession started) bathing in mini waterfalls, and by the time the event actually began, you guys were half exhausted, but nevertheless enjoyed the show.  This was your third time in the walk, and you quite knew how it worked, and enjoyed the whole thing. Kavin being there with you was a cherry on the top! 

And then it happened - something we never dreamt of, even in our wildest dreams - just landed in our lap, like it were literally waiting for us - we moved into CDS, right next door to my parents. It's a dream life for you (of course, for me too!) having both thathas and paatis to shower unconditional love and all their attention whenever you are around. You took to the transition quite happily, as this was place you were already familiar with (my parents & V's cousin have been living in this community for a while now). There were hardly one or two instances in the last 10 odd months since we moved here, when you said you missed the Ram Nagar house. 

Come April, we did another vacation to Goa. Yes, 2 Goa vacations within a span of 2 years. This time though, Ultimate Frisbee was the reason. We had our Masters Nationals in Goa, and thought we could extend it to make it a family vacation, and took along 2 other cousins, who were too kind to take care of you while we were at the games. And in those 7 days, you doted on them so much, and vice versa. This was also the trip you unleashed your boredom as hunger chiming an "I'm hungry ma, I'm hungry ma" at the slightest hint of boredom. This was also where you finally agreed to eat Dosa with Sambhar, and eggs in burji form rather than being boiled. We had finally bade a goodbye to carrying quick foods for you. Phew! That's a definitely a game changer - because it's been pushing you to try new foods, which you eventually ended up liking. 

Once back home from the trip, and with 2 months of summer holidays ahead, we enrolled you for swimming classes. Swimming has been one skill that I strongly believe every person should learn - a life skill it is, and opens up so much of the world for exploring (given 70% of earth is covered in water, lol). It was an hour long class every day of the week except Sunday, at 3pm in the noon. You really enjoyed the class, thanks to the master, and started picking up the skill slowly. By the end of June, you were able to jump into the 3-4ft pool and swim its width on your own without any support. I was definitely proud. But things took a turn, once school reopened. The class timing didn't fit as you were quite exhausted from school and it was bang during your nap time, and the distance was also a factor - 20min drive from our home, you'd sometimes doze off right halfway through the drive. We felt it was too much of a stress on you, and decided to give the classes a break, and we still continue to be on the break. I've been meaning to check another pool nearby, but keep procrastinating - may be by the next summer vacation, all over again. Let's see! 

Your energy levels are insane and it's quite hard to manage you inside the house and hence, we have enrolled you in a music class (our neighbor has been kind enough to take you in as his pupil) and some karate and yoga in a small play school right behind our apartment. You love the music class because a handful of your friends from the apartment are there with you and basically you enjoy singing a lot. Your music taste is super varied, right from Carnatic and Devotional to cinema/album folk / kuthu songs, you enjoy them all - with the same love. Oru Naalil and Poren Naa Poren are the ones that we have named as practice songs, and you have either been hearing or singing them almost every other day and know them by heart now. Your Kaathu Mela Kaathu Keezha singing in a recent family wedding garnered so much of fans within the family. I'm so glad you enjoy music.

Your first movie with your school friends - Inside Out 2. It was mommy and kids day out with 5 of your classmates. The movie, I felt, was a little overboard for a 4-year-old, because this one was mainly about teenage and the emotions associated with teens. But you guys nevertheless had a ball of time wrecking the theatre, hogging buckets of popcorn, and running around with each other. Phew! It was quite a task to watch the movie with your constant questions and distractions. 

With September, came our (V & me) Australia trip. Yes, it was just me and V travelling for 15-21 days without you. You were in the custody of your grandparents and boy, you were stunning. You got through those 15 days like a breeze, except for an occasional 'I miss you ma, I miss you pa' - thanks to the weddings in the family that happened during this time, you got to meet a lot of cousins and relatives to spend time with. Honestly, I did miss you too, more than I would care to admit, and we definitely understood we can't go out on another such long trip without you, you'd definitely bombard us with a lot of questions together with a very convincing answer as to why you should be taken along as well. I still remember the way you asked me "enaku en ma Australia ku visa edukala?" when we said we were gonna go to Australia

Another place that I'd been taking you quite a few times is the Anna Centenary Library - hoping you grow to enjoy books as much as I do. The fact that you are able to read stuff is making you curious much, and you try reading a lot of nameboards, vehicles, posters, anything and everything. Writing is also on the cards, but you ain't really keen about it and find it very boring. Thankfully though you are able to decently write, and we are trying to make you write about your day, a meek attempt at journaling. It's fun reading what you write, given you rely heavily on phonetics for your spelling. Takes us a while to figure out what that word means, but honestly, we are in awe at the ease with which you are writing.

I had wanted to introduce you the world of jigsaw puzzles, and thanks to my friend who gifted you one late last year - it was a 30-piece puzzle, and I could see you intrigued ! We slowly ventured into 35, 40, 60, and 100-pc puzzles. You love our trips to Untangled, the house of puzzles. We also got you some board games, and you are now hooked to it and want to play it with anybody and everybody that comes home for a visit - akkas, annas, chitappas, chitis, any one trying to have a word or two with you ends up with Forrest Run (a board game that we recently got) laid out in front, before even they know it! 

You enjoy the late evening / night cycling around the apartment, and until about a month ago, you rode the bicycle with the balance wheels on. We had removed one of them, about 3-4months ago, but you weren't quite sure and okay to remove the other one. But one fine weekend, hit with a little boredom, we decided to remove the other one too, and booom.. in 15 minutes you started riding like a pro! I was stumped at the speed with which you were able to adapt to cycling without balance wheels. Great job kid! 

You really know your people well, i.e. whom to go for what. On things that me and V wouldn't normally approve of, you conveniently reach out to the grandparents and get it done. But I can also sense that you do not abuse this option. You happen to be quite smart in picking your battles and when to use the trump card. You are quite strong willed and unless you genuinely believe you had made a mistake, it's super hard to get you to apologise. If you inadvertently cause a physical hurt to someone while you were rushing through something, you promptly chime in the apology without any nudge from anyone. 

I'm really glad for all the people you have and share a bond with in your life. You are such a people person. It's been an absolute pleasure seeing you grow kiddo. 

Happiest 5th birthday! Here's to more growing up, exploring new places, and of course, loads of music!

Love,

Amma

Meiazhagan

I am not someone who can write a book or movie reviews - but I want to write down a few things about this movie that I enjoyed.

The first scene and the song that followed it, had me in tears. The lyrics, the voice - everything about the song carried so much of emotion! The heaviness you feel when you are forced to give up something that has been your entire life - the song captured that emotion completely. Vijay Narain, the primary singer, had done a brilliant job. But as if, that wasn't enough, the finishing touch in Kamal Hassan's voice definitely left me in goosebumps. 

I so loved the scene that showed the hero looking at his erstwhile home, after almost 22 years - it really struck a chord with me, as it's one thing that I was able to relate to myself - a feeling that I have every time I go to Neyveli and catch a glimpse of D63.

Watching the movie felt like watching a part of our own life on screen, the scenarios and the emotions were so relatable. The way the characters were portrayed, and the story being weaved alongside it, ever so subtly, that you wouldn't even realise it, was really good. 

Ok, I think this is all I can manage, without giving away the entire storyline (guess I already gave way too much of it). But the main reason for me to write out this post was that first song - dropping a link to it here, for my very own use!

https://youtu.be/UkYbuiKEWak?featureh=shared

Book fair Nostalgia

If there is one thing that all the kids in our town awaited with bated breath, it has to the Book Fair. It has about 60-80(?) book stalls of various publishing houses spread across a big ground, and then to finish your evening on a high, there was always joy rides that included giant wheel, tora tora, cup and saucers, dashing cars and once, a water slide and go karting, even! And not to forget the food counter serving Delhi Appalams, Gobi 65, Fried Idlis and what-not! The one thing I'm always guilty of skipping is the auditorium, which used to have speakers/authors from across the State, sharing their views on various topics. I think this again had a separate theme for each year and a sub-theme for each day. 

It happens every year around June-July, for a period of 10 days. Starts at about 4:30PM in the evening and ends at 9:30-10:00ish. Every year there used to be a theme for the entrance decor, which kept getting better year on year. They had a daily entry pass or a seasonal pass for the entire 10 days, both of which if I remember right, didn't exceed Rs.50. 

The only motto during the book fair days was to rush out of school by 4:00PM and finish off all the homework, and get to the book fair by 6:00PM. This was possibly around Class VI-Class X. There were separate visits with friends and family. With friends, it always used to be loitering around each shop trying to find a book that you like, and note down the shop name & the book name, go on all the rides, hog on a little of the food that was bought on shared money.  I wouldn't call myself a voracious reader - most of my books were Tenali Raman, Mullah, Akbar Birbal and the likes. The one other thing I was absolutely fascinated about were puzzle / activity books like word finders, 365 pages of activities, etc. The day I come with parents is always with the motto to empty their pockets - buy all the books shortlisted, eat so much that you wouldn't want to have dinner when you go home and go on all the joy rides, all over again. 

Something else that was very interesting to me in book fairs were bumping into your class/schoolmates (people that I haven't really talked with). It feels like you get a glimpse of another side of their life outside the school gates.

Thinking back, I'm honestly stumped at how NLC had managed to pull off a book fair year after year, because it is definitely no easy job. Bringing together so many people, publishing houses, scouting for speakers/authors, logistics, theme ideas - all of this required so much time, effort and money - but I'm ever thankful that they did it, because it was all absolutely worth it. Anyone who had lived in Neyveli, would definitely have fond memories of any time they spent there. It was as close to an annual oor-thiruvizha you'd have in any village - this was our oor-thiruvizha.

You may wonder why all this nostalgia all of a sudden. It's because of this one picture that a friend of mine shared. Apparently, there is a book fair this year at Neyveli, after a gap of 4-5 years. This picture triggered out a lot of old memories, stashed right at the back of my mind, which I felt were worth putting down here!

Happy Birthday Naveena!

Dearest Navi, 

I still remember the first time I saw you. It was in Class XI. We generally have our morning prayers in the class, but during the week prior to the Independence day, the morning prayers happen in the ground. On one such day, while standing in line for the prayer, your earrings and hair caught my attention. A hoop earring I guess, a little bigger than what is usually worn in schools. And two pigtails on a silky smooth hair. I was in awe of both of these and kept staring at them all through the prayer for the next couple of days. I was new to the school and you were in a different section, so I had no clue about you. On the Independence Day you were part of some girls dance performance - that was the last time I caught a glimpse you. 

Fast forward to two months' later, I joined a Math Tuition. And guess who I saw sitting before me - you! I was so done with stalking you anonymously, and decided I need to talk to you. We had a common friend Shruthi, who introduced you to me, and we started exchanging pleasantries. Slowly our friendship blossomed as we got to know each other better and started talking a lot in the tuition. 

I clearly remember the one time when you invited me and Shruthi for lunch at your home. Your mom cooked one amazing meal. That was one of the finest home cooked meals I have ever had. 

By the time school got over, your dad got transferred out of Chennai, and moved to into a college hostel that didn't allow the usage of mobile phones for students. Neither did I have one of my own. We were at the mercy of home visits (for you) and parents visit (for me) to have a conversation. This continued for a year, and by second year (or probably third) you moved back home from hostel, and as we both had our phones, our conversations did pick up a little. And that's when you did the sweetest thing that I have ever had happen in my life. You invited me to your college annual day. I was ecstatic. For someone who has never stepped into a college ever before, this was the closest to having a glimpse of how college looked like. And that day, was probably one of the bestest for me. The food, the people, the place, the energy everything felt so good. Navi, a sincere heartfelt thanks to you for inviting me over back then. You never knew how much that meant to me! 

As years went by, and you further moved cities, we managed to stay in touch albeit occasionally, and met up atleast once a year when either of us travelled to the other's city. I think it was during the years after college just after you landed up your first job that our friendship blossomed to a stage where we no longer the hi-bye types, but something more, and that's when we became each other's confidants. 

Our first night out together was when I came over to your house in Bangalore for a day's stay and we went about exploring the Mallya Road and UB City, and the dozens of pictures we took out there. And out we went on our first ever trip to Gokarna with a bunch of others, and had a fun time. It then almost became an unsaid rule between us that each year, we go out on a trip somewhere or do a night out at either of our house. I genuinely enjoyed (and still enjoy) the times we spent together - speaking out our mind without having the worry of judgement. 

Our unforgettable Mumbai Trip. You definitely know how it was for both of us. The evenings in Marine Drive with Ilayaraja songs, the Andheri staff quarters stay, Zostel, shop-till-we-drop at Colaba, the Lassi at Dadar, the Worli Sea Link view, Bandra Fort, Gateway of India, Churros, the innumerable train rides, so many varieties of food, Bandra Skywalk, the Trampoline Jumps, trying to bargain with our broken Hindi. Oh, how much we fun we had. Time and again I keep reminiscing of this trip and feel thankful to have you in my life. 

And last but not the least, your Wedding! Girl, I am totally in awe of you for having pulled it all by yourself. The amount of time and energy you put in for it totally showed up in how good the actual events turned out be. And I thoroughly enjoyed all the bridesmaids duties, and felt immensely happy just being there for you.

To more years of fun, travel, banters, rants, planning to set up healthy habits, gratitude journals, random philosophies - I love you girl!

Happiest birthday to you!! May all that you wish for be granted, and have a fantabulous year ahead!

P.S.: Thanks to my ever lazy and forever procrastinating mind, I'm three days late. But better late than never - and that's why this post now!

Loads of love,

G

A big fat yellow BULB

It all started with my craving to have one big fat dinner tonight. And you know what, I got lucky. There was this wedding reception of one my dad's colleague. Like always, I bounced at the opportunity and tagged along with my dad, having absolutely no clue about that colleague.

Before leaving, I just scanned the invite lazily to look up the venue. Only on the way to the place did it hit me that I had seen both these names somewhere in FB yesterday. So thus comes the big fat yellow Bulb No. 1, it was the wedding of my 10th standard school mate's brother.

Well, ignoring my hunger pangs, I survey the entire hall to find the schoolmate, but she was no where to be seen. And out of the blue comes an aunty asking me if I can recognise her. Phew! I had forgotten, as always. Taaaaaadaaaaaaaa comes BULB no.2. Its one of my closest friend's mom. *Bangs at the wall* Irony being, I had met her once and ate some of her yummy yummy appams.

Enough was enough. I so wanted to hog the food and leave the place asap before I get one more bulb. But fate had other plans. Being the small town that my hometown is, almost everyone knew everyone. This being the wedding of dad's colleague's son, naturally all his friends were there. So he went about introducing all his friends. He was particularly explaining about one of his friends who was engaged in charitable works and wrote some good articles for the office. Guess what, third bulb, that uncle happened to be the father of the guy who was my class topper in Class X.

Podhum da saami nu kilambiten angendhu :P

P.S.: The food was nice. Also, the 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in the end ;)