Mhd Shah Rukh Khan, Kadeeja, Mahdavia!

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Housekeeping:-
1) Today is the 13th death Anniversary of my Grandmother. Baani ( Banumathy) as she was called, lived an amazing life close to 90 years, calling shots to any one and every one! I cant recollect any one dare contradict her. I grew up listening to all the bed time stories and mythology. She would ask me, If I would cry at her corpse!! As luck would have it, the day she passed away out of nowhere in 2005, I was in Lahore, Pakistan and could not make it to funeral and fulfil her wish! hmmmm! The very reason, I moved to South India soon after Grandfather passed away in 1995 not to miss funerals! Something called destiny! 

Grandmom with Great Grandson -1994!!!

2) While Indigo does good job many times, I am getting frustrated at the service at HYD-BLR sector. The Flight 6E 357 is often inordinately delayed, yesterday it was 80 min late, adding insult to injury is it is Small Planet flight and I always pick up quarrel with Indigo staff at boarding gate over piece of baggage carried. They say only one piece allowed?? Seriously? Business traveller?? I am contemplating change of carrier from March travel plans!

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Udaipur travel was a fabulous trip. While it was business trip with 9 to 6pm squeeze, I got some free time to go around the city. This was thanks to great Chauffeur, Mohammed ShahRukh Khan. Great driver and knows the city inside out. So If you are planning travel there Give him a call, I am sure you would not regret it.  You can contact him at  +91 80786 20347 or 7014815626. 

Mhd Shah Rukh Khan Chaffeur at Udaipur!! A fabulous driver and guide!

What more is needed to show India is continent of contrast then the recent Wink Song! Forget the movie part, the song which has gone ruptures with global review as well as causing some conterversy as it reflects the love Kadeeja had for prophet Mhd. This song is more than 45 years old and is a traditional song amongst Muslims in Northern Kerala sung during wedding. A hardcore Muslim from other parts of India may take offence, but not so in Kerala, TN which has its own sets of rules!

Here is old version which is 3 years Old. Mappila is term to Muslims in North Kerala (near Mangalore where I lived 1997-2000)

Manikya malaraya poovi,
(A girl like a pearl flower)

Mahathiyam ka khadeeja Beevi,

[Here highness khadeeja Beevi(RA)]

Makkayenna punya naatil,
Vilasidum Naari,
Vilasidum Naari,

(The woman who lived like a queen in the holy city of Mecca

Haathimunnabeye vilichu,

[She called khathim an Nabbiyyin Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)]

Kacha vadatheen ayachu,

(Sent as in charge of her trade expedition)

Kanda neram khalbinullil,
Mohamoudichu..Mohamoudichu..

First sight of him ,Her Qalb (heart) desired him,

Kachavaradum Kayinj,

Muthrasoolulla vann,

(Blessed Rasoolullah (PBUH) came back after expedition)

Kaliyana aaalojanaikyaay

Beevi Thunij.. Beevi Thunij..

(To marry the Prophet was the Beevi desire)

Another Muslim driver, Another fabulos story, to hear from Syed Burhan my driver at Hyderabad. Actually "Syed" originates from branch of Islam which practices, Mahdavia. He actually said, very different from Shia and Sunni form Islam and practiced mostly in Hyderabad, Amdavad, Lucknow! His views very different and interesting discussions over two days! 

Take it easy, take care God bless

Karthik

24/2/18

Good Job #INDIGO!!

I am back home from Udaipur, I was away on business travel.

When I landed this morning at Bombay airport at 1030am via 6E 748, ( 20 min early) I casually walked to Indigo counter to check if there are earlier connection to Bangalore. (1240 pm there is one) to my surprise the Indigo staff were in animated conversation. When I asked what happened? They replied that my flight 6E 3177 scheduled for 1545 Hrs had been cancelled ( as were three more BLR flights for the day) due to congestion, Fog early morning at Bangalore and Dumb ass Idiot திருட்டு பய  Modi bugger visiting Bombay, thus causing air traffic congestion.

Being a global traveller, I calmly told them take me to Bangalore via any route!! Which was delight to them, so they tried Trivandrum, Cochin, Madras and then connecting to Bangalore. After few minutes I was given boarding pass for Bombay -Madras-Bangalore with me reaching home around 2200 hrs instead of 1800 Hrs. All flights were going full as were other airlines to which these guys tried reaching out for direct travel. 

The story didn't end there, after I finished sec check at at 130pm, I got a call from Indigo staff who helped me with the above arrangement, that the flight 3177 was restored and they have reissued my boarding pass and baggage tag !( I checked bag when I know it was a long haul to home) The female staff who helped me came to security gate and handed the new boarding pass which was above and beyond their call of duty.

The flight was delayed by an hour. I reached home now. ( 2 hrs earlier than 2200 hrs scheduled via Madras)

The Indigo staff did a super job. Yes they also acknowledged my coolness and suggestion to take me home somehow rather than hell bent on going direct.....

Few good people exist, yes as I told Indigo staff, everything in India including few Indigo staff are inconsistent. But Bombay team has always helped me when I reached out to them!! 
Good Job once again. 
Karthik.
18/2/18 2000 Hrs. 

RIP- Bevan Congdon!!!

News came at 4pm in ESPN on the passing away of  former cricket captain of New Zealand, Bevan Congdon, today, a day short of his 80th Birthday.

Bev, is most remembered for his fighting knock of 176 in the 4th Innings chasing 475 to win vs England at Trent Bridge, with Victor Pollard, he almost took them to heroic victory falling short by 38 runs or so. That was my first BBC test match special Audio commentary back in 1973. The next innings at Lords, he made 175 and took NZ for  a 300 run first innings lead only for England to escape with a draw.

His ultimate leadership moment came next year, when NZ beat Australia in ChristChurch in 1974 for their first test win over Australia. 

Congdon, Glen Turner, Victor Pollard with Richard Collinge formed the bed rock of New Zealand cricket which went to produce legends like Hadlee, Crowe, Coney!! His leadership made New Zealand to be a team to be respected and lot of individuals combine to deliver the results a hallmark of Team sport.

Rest in peace. 

Karthik. 

45 Year wait over! When, Company Man,Miss you Karen!

#305

Housekeeping:- 

1) I am back from Karaikudi last night (Late night Indigo; very unusual, 1 hr delay). Lalitha and I had been there to perform the 6th month rituals of Dad. Time just flies. Dad's first anniversary ritual dates are scheduled for 4,5,6 and 7th AUG 2018, it would arrive in a blink of an eye!!! 

2) On way back during stop over at Madurai last evening, this picture triggered memories. The painting is good 60 years old. Still maintained intact at my cousin's home. There used to be a 0 watt bulb ( mini) that would serve as night lamp during 1960s attached to this portrait and I as 6 year kid used to fall asleep staring at it......

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1) As I am now totally away from Twitter, Facebook, as well as other Web interactions, I get plenty of time to read books as well as catch up on movies. So It was awesome moment this week. In 1973-75 Window, great movies like 1) Fear over the City, 2) Cold Sweat got released. The movie tickets would cost 1 Re. (Then US 15 cents), but it would be a dream to get that much pocket money,so the great movies were given a miss! So the joy was no bound when I got Youtube link to these movies this week. Thanks to Technology, I wont go to grave having missed such a class action movies and more so I have decided never to go to theatres and waste time, it is now my terms and I pull movie rather than entertainment being shoved down my throat.  

2) Finished reading DAN Pink's latest book "WHEN" an awesome read. How timing matters a lot! Also you can check your profile as to you are an owl or a lark. Awesome aspects of Premortem as opposed to post mortem. A must read guide to work timing! 

3) Want to know everything that is FUCKED UP with corporate life! Read Joseph Finder's "COMPANY MAN" a CEO struggle to steer the company! It is fiction, but you can bet your last cent that it is mix of all real incidents that happen at C suite. Finder is a master in exposing the ugly side of corporates. Paranoia was class act. The book gave me awesome company for the 8hr train ride to Karaikudi, Wednesday night!! hahahhah!!!! 

4) This week (4th Feb) marks the 35th Death Anniversary of Karen!! boy time flies!!!! I just can't beleive she is gone for so long!!

Take it easy, take care, God Bless

Karthik

10/2/18; 1330 Hrs.