The memoir of ushering the new year 2011

When I look back on the way I welcomed 2011 into my life (though it gave me chills to realize that I have been walking on this earth for quite sometime now) I feel it was one of the most memorable ones.
In childhood it was Doordarshan and family. During college it was hostel friends. After joining office it was trips with college friends till some time. Then one year end, Joydeep (Brother from another mother) and Nithya graced the occasion. Then 2009-2010 was with friends in a 5-star hotel party. And this year……it was just amazing.
The conception of the trip started on 10th December. 2010 at “Varun’s Surprise Birthday Party” which was arranged by Varun himself at my place. Sanket Mohanty, who likes to call himself the “Banker” and the “NON-IT guy”(Guy??? That’s just hiding his age I guess!) floated it into the party air, where all sober people agreed. Before they got drunk!
The mail chain followed, started by me on deciding the place. After two dozen mails, we were going no where, Mr Banker commanded us to freeze on Glenrock Estate, Yercurd.
Like all law abiding citizen, afraid of being tortured to death we agreed. Few not so brave people backed out and one particular guy Mr. Varun Nigeria Giridhara had to be only web present due to constraints of traveling to Africa.
With two dozen more mails we decided on the mode of transport. Hiring a tempo traveler seemed to be more painful as the persons responsible faced cancellation from the owner’s end. Finally, Mr Suntrupth S Yadav with his hold on the city transportation dept. we were able to find one.
After a long conference call the pick up points were decided. As the place happened to be an estate far from civilization so we needed to carry our own booze. We decided the party to be a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) party. And also it was a BYOV (Bring Your Own Vegetables) bar-b-q party for the Veggies!
On 31st morning, I was woken up by Ms Kavita Sapra and Mr. Carthik Annayan…at night 4:45am oops! Somehow I managed to wake up, pack my stuff and reach Carthik’s house. From there we picked up Ms Shilpa, Mrs. Darshana and Mr. Sanket on our way to the pick up point where Ms Sneha, Ms Kavita , Mr Suntrupth and Master Adarsh were waiting for us.
The journey had begun for one of my best new year celebrations. A foggy day indeed, with toll taxes emptying our pockets and we emptying the beer bottles!
After Salem, the Ghat section starts. And to reach Yercurd we needed to negotiate 20 hair pin bends. We definitely did that with some ladies falling sick to the nauseating feeling and with intermediate breaks for photo shoot!
By this time Mr. Sanket Mohanty – the NON-IT Banker had been named “Pappa”, Mr. Carthik – “Shiela”, Ms Kavita – “Tiny”, Ms Shilpa – “Chill Paa”. And Pappa was eyeing Shiela for his/her jawani while Pappa’s wife Daru (Mrs. Darshana) looked cheated! While Ms Sneha, started booking her apology for getting drunk and misbehavior in advance! While her fiancée Mr. Suntrupth seemed anxious for the night at hand!
Finally we managed to reach the “Glenrock Estate”, had lunch and went for quick siesta. After a trekking exploration, the ladies got locked into the dormitory to get ready which we thought were just wastage of time as there were none to see their make-up. (Though I consider myself corrected here, otherwise the pictures would have really been a horror show [I know I can get killed for this statement]).
The bar was set up and we welcomed two new members Mr. Jithin Shankar and Mrs. Dhanya Nair Shankar and thankfully they greeted us with open arms and “Pineapple cheese”, loved both their affable nature and the “Pineapple Cheese”! Which one more? Hard to tell.

We were gulping down alcohol at a rate even jet planes would have been put to shame on their fuel consumption. And finally one engine gave in. Master Adarsh got down on his knees to the “Natural” rocks and loved them. He managed to vomit his love for them.
There were few mind blowing performance from Shiela, Pappa and not so mind blowing performance from my side. And the mood set in as the music from the phones set the dance floor on fire, and the bonfire seemed to get the shivers!

At the stroke of midnight, we all (except the guy who was in love with his soulmate – the Rocks at Glenrock Estate) welcomed 2011 with champagne (Champa ki agan) and some tequila! Which was followed by an ISD call to Nigeria to our Mr. “Yello”.
The coldness set in and all the drunk souls went to the dorm to sleep, where Sneha(Sissy) happily slept with the wine Cork, undermining Suntrupth’s (Sunny Boy) presence. And she sang her way to glory. Adarsh (The Rock Lover/Humper) slept in his own jolly love world. Carthik (Shiela) started cracking his Russell Peter moment jokes. Kavita (Tiny) was tired managing the drunkards of Yercurd. Shilpa (Chill Pa) went missing with her phone. Pappa was waiting for the ligts to go off for his time with Shiela while Daru waited to catch Pappa red handed. And as for me….. with tonsillitis and blocked nose I went off to sleep, only to be told the next morning that I was snoring my way to the Guinness book of World records!
On 1st morning we had our breakfast and set forth for the journey back with a 30 min stop for photo session.

Again the 20 hair pin bends loomed large. Pappa inaugurated the pucking session where Sissy, Tiny and Chill Paa followed. We had to stop for some meds for me followed by lunch where I was the whale eating the bulk of the meals!
The Rock lover started the vote of thanks where we knew what all of us think about each other. What an eye opener that was. And as usual Pappa/The Banker threatened people with to upload photos within the next 24 hours of reaching Bangalore and all of us obeyed it to the last second!
Now, as I look back to the trip, I find myself smiling to the thought of it. It was definitely a pleasant, humorous, entertaining, enthralling, revealing, emotional, bonding trip! A whole year lies ahead of me now, but this bunch of friends hope carry on for the years to come.


luv 'n' luk
Arnab Chakraverty/Nobbi

P.S. :- The mail chain finally stopped 4 short of a century.......... Next time we think, we can score a century.

FIFA World Cup and me

Though have memories of the world cups in 90s…… but just went through a reflection last night regarding the 1st 3 FIFA World Cups in the 21st century [2002-2006-2010]

Year 2002
FIFA WC location: Korea/Japan
Winners: Brazil
My location: Kolkata, India
Doing what: Studying engineering (BTech)

I still remember the day, the students had called for a strike and we had taken to the streets against the management (Almost usual scenes in any college around West Bengal). We the students, blocked the main gate of the campus and were sitting on the road with ladies in front and gents at the back standing. We were getting agitated, anxious and more over frustrated by the scorching sun and the moronic management.
Suddenly some senior announced “Dude today England plays against Brazil, in the quarter-finals”. And the boys who were shouting slogan against the management suddenly went quiet. Someone shouted “Go England go”………few shouted “Brazil is the king”. And then frantically we started searching for a television in the neighborhood, who would allow us to watch the match. Thankfully one gentleman obliged and we hurdled on top of each other to catch the glimpse, totally forgetting about what we were supposed to do for the strike! Though England lost the match and few members were upset but we went back to holding our position in the plot for the strike with renewed vigor and in between slogans discussing the match. We sat there till the mid of the night including the ladies. Food was flowing in from hostel messes and pooling in money! The seniors and us bonded too well over the strike and the match!
World Cup came to an end in the next few days, so did the strike with both the sides (management and the students) compromising on few fronts! But as I remember that world cup, brought 120 people closer over the game watched on television of someone else!

Year 2006
FIFA WC location: Germany
Winners: Italy
My location: Bangalore, India
Doing what: Working

Location changed from the previous world cup. Was staying in a 2 Bedroom flat, with two very dear friends of mine who also were working in a MNC in Bangalore. We knew each other from our college days. We had a small 14 inch computer monitor with an external television tuner card. Small but effective! It was the world cup finals, Italy versus France. Being a big Zizou (Zinadine Zidane) fan, was supporting France. My other two roomies were supporting Italy citing the reason that Italy was the underdog! And when the infamous “Head-butt” happened and Zizou was sent home…….I was shocked. And my roomies rejoiced in the moment. Certainly I was not happy with the proceedings, and we 3 had a good verbal argument. In the end Italy took home the cup, Zizou the red card! And seeing me upset my roomies made coffee and we shred off the differences and enjoyed the moment!
That FIFA WC brought me closer to my close friends. Though like last time didn’t have a 120 huge crowd. Just had 3 and a small but own computer screen and the warmth of the house!

Year 2010
FIFA WC location: South Africa
Winners: ??
My location: Bangalore, India
Doing what: Working

The world cup has just begun. I still stay in the same house, from the previous FIFA World Cup. Have a 29” flat screen television with surround sound…….and pathetically I stay alone! Last night Brazil’s opening game against North Korea, there were so many emotions and moments in the game. But, I had no one to discuss it with. No one to make an argument or appreciate the game! Just simple plain watch the match, shout in aguish or scream in glory only left with myself to do that…..Hi-Fives only with myself…no one else!

From the 2002 till 2010, definitely have progressed in terms of the Game. And also self, in materialistic aspects. From standing on the road and watching the game to sitting at home and watching the game. Sadly the truth is that from 120 I’m down to myself! Surely everyone has progressed in life and they should. We all leave behind fond memories of each other with one another! Hope my friends do cherish it too!
Do not know what the 2014 FIFA World Cup would bring in my life next…hope its not like “Last Man Standing” again!


PS:- Dedicated all you people who live moments like these, and believe “Friends are forever!”

Luv ‘n’ Luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Pizza

It was the year of 1998, the place was the capital of India. The co-actors were my elder sister and her boyfriend (now better known as Jambo urf Brother(Big B)-in-law).
The stage was set for a great day, apart from me being the bone in the perfect setting.
Yes, I proudly state that I intruded their date and made it a formal meeting. Ha ha ha. It feels so good to smell something burning ain’t it!
We went to Priya’s..a famous movie theater in Delhi. To watch Godzilla( didn’t understand why they needed to watch that movie, when they could have just glanced at me !)
But the part after the movie was a better one. We all went to eat at Nirula’s a restaurant chain like McDonalds. And there I tried something different. Some crispy stuff..with lot of white semi-solid or rather jelly(reminded me of something else) thing with lots of capsicum and slices of chicken in it. And they said, its name is “Pizza”. And instantly I though these guys have a liking to things with “I”,”z” and “a” in it( irrespective of the order).
Though I didn’t like it at the first go, but thought of it as a food which can be had when all options have been exhausted.
Year 2001. I had already moved to Kolkata for my studies. And by this time a Pizza restaurant chain was making waves in the city. The name was “Pizza Hut”. I had a notion that it would be like a dhaba serving Pizza with lassi! Man the name “Hut” confused me.
And one of my roommate was a Pizza fanatic (though think the fanaticism has died after his marriage). So, we ventured into the “Hut” unknown.
The only thing that resembled “Hut” was me……. Nothing else! They had a bell too. May be you needed to ring it to call for service!
On the table were chilli flakes, oregano seasonings(I knew it a lot later) but where did the usual salt and pepper go? Weird isn’t it?
And this is how it started. We ordered, we ate and we did have a good time. The matter of fact is when surrounded by friends even the most ridiculous things, even the most embarrassing stuff seems like fun!
Till we were in college every month we did have Pizza Delivery at our place. By this time there was something known as Domino’s Pizza too. We feasted. We utilized every offer those Pizza chains had thrown at us.
I still remember we all huddling around a box waiting for it to open so that we can paw down the largest slice. And in doing that we used to spread the cheese and the toppings all over. Pizza – the fun food, we used to call it!
But, I did have one of the amazing pizza’s just after I completed my 2nd sem. I went to Delhi to visit my Sister and brother-in-law. And my sister prepared pizza that day. I would be damned if don’t tell this, ”It is still the most amazingly tasty pizza I ever had.”
Oh! No what have I done. How can I praise my sister’s cooking in public, when I never even have said “Good food”, when she prepares those for me! She must be “one” time lucky! Let’s give it to her.
These days, you have all sort of Pizza corners..”Papa John”, “Pizza Port”, “Pizza Corner”(Don’t know where they find a corner in a pizza..may be they make the square shaped pizza.)
And when you stay late in office or work over time, Pizza is the one thing you order. Not out of love. But it is quick to eat. You can have it right at your desk. Bill gets reimbursed without hassles. They sometimes do provide complementary offers, so more for the tummy!
I never though of it before writing the blog. Great seems Pizza does increase your logical power. Just kidding! But it does add to my gigantic figure!


luv 'n' luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Sambar - the lost love

The name may have ignited few questions about me writing a recipe in my blog. The time hasn’t come yet but would one day definitely write about those too (My Lab called “The Kitchen”…hope this ignites few passionate lab rats like me, to at least pen down their unique tasting day to day preparations for people to savour!)
Coming back to the subject, “Sambar” at hand.
Since my childhood, I had been fond of this South Indian delicacy with few more. I loved Dosa, Idly, Upama and the one and only Sambar. It was a feast day gulping down those bowls and bowls of Sambar as if there was no tomorrow.
Sambar could be credited to a certain extent for the amazing belly build that I had, which my sister always said as “baby fat”…which still continues.
I was in blind love with Sambar, so much so that my mother used to always say, “We ll get you married to a south Indian girl!” And that used to fill my thoughts with bowls and bigger bowls of sambar coming my way. This was one of my gastro love stories.
Like our films, there came a villain in our fairly long relation. Me being shifted to Bangalore, the silicon city [Don’t know where those gardens from the geography books pictures of green Bangalore went to?]
I stayed for 6 months at a pg near the “Hoody Village”, which served us soda mixed rice, some kind of slimy liquid called “Sambar” (No my love cant be so ugly), hot water with haldi and karhi patta called “Rasam”. And there it all happened! I started hating her. For her ugliness and the way she treated her love – my stomach! In that area where ever you looked it was either a Shanti Sagar or a Cart selling rice and sambar. Even the office caterers use to serve the same ugly looking Sambar. It was Sambar ..sambar everywhere, but not a drop of my previous love for me!
I shifted my base from Hoody to Thayagaraja Nagar. The same smell followed me there too. But, since I had cooking arrangements I cooked meals for myself. Though cherished those magical moments with Sambar.
My nephew too is in love with her…. And my sister still calls me up to let me know that they are going on a dinner/lunch date with my ex!
I shifted again, towards HAL where there is less predominance of my ex. I had by this time been a part time cook feeding my room-mates. And as they used to call it, being lucky guinea pigs for my lab- my kitchen.
But loves doesn’t die, it just needs a rekindle! And God does find his own unique way to bring back the love lost.
Through my friend Chandan, I met Varun in Kolkata, during my latest visit to my hometown. Since he too is in Bangalore, we decided to meet up every possible weekend. Last weekend we went for a movie and I stayed back at his place.
And as if God had written it, everything was falling into place…breakfast with Rawa Idly (Breakfast in a bachelor’s life staying alone is a dream come true), which Varun would better tell you how I looked, like a man just been starving for years. I had plans to leave before lunch, as breakfast does make my stomach cry which it eventually did. But could not say “No” to aunty.. and who doesn’t want a home cooked delicious food filled with lots of love and served with even more! And there it was Rice, sambar, rasam with few others side role actors. I first was skeptical about having to meet my old love. But once the ice was broken, my love was back in full swing.
I beg to state that who ever didn’t have the pleasure of having sambar prepared by Aunty (even after being friendly with Varun) must have good reasons like “Staying in shape”(cause u cant stop eating..you eat till you die). Since shape is just a farce for me, when it comes to choosing between good food and shape. I chose the former. Aunty by now must have realized, what goes in to keep my gigantic figure in shape and my belly happy!
Once again my love story sees a new beginning, and dating place would definitely be Varun’s dining room.


Luv 'n' Luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Tagging? Don’t know, but doing it!

I do know nothing about this “Tagging”, but to be frank enough, can not say “No” to Chandan.
The rules of this game:
RULE #1: People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by them.
RULE #2: Tag 6 people to do this quiz and they cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by. Continue this game by sending it to other people.

The response to the chain of questions(which I think gives an insight into what Arnab Chakraverty is all about).

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
Taking about betrayal, I have seen many though all were not personal. He he he.
My reaction would be as simple as a common man, hurt – revengeful- calming down – reject the idea of revenge – leave the issue to GOD – move on for there is more to life !

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
Dream nope- I don’t have a dream, I have dreams! From being a successful professional to a successful human being!
Thought provoking though, I would like to publish a book / novel.

3. Whose butt would you like to kick?
Chandan’s…as he dragged me into this!(just Kidding)
Wanna kick some! But you know too personal to write them down. But yup all terrorists who try to hurt India.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Invest to get the cash flow coming long after I’m gone. Also, take out some amount for the foundations like CRY and Help Age India.

5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
Best friend is something not in my dictionary. There can be “Friends who are my life line”, “good friends” and “friends”.
And If you taking about the former, I would love that idea, as she could really understand me, any time! And the vice versa.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Being loved is divine. Loving someone is worship.

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?
Is life time an option? If no then move on!

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
Keep mum, and pray for her happiness and my feelings to fade!

9. If you like to act with someone, who will it be? Your gf/bf or an actress/actor?
None. I am what I am! I would just be myself.

10. What takes you down the fastest?
Monotone, hypocrisy, snobbism, intolerant and non-adjusting attitude.

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
Happily married, with kids. Living with friends and family by my side. A good professional stability. Publishing my novel.

12. What’s your fear?
I am deserted by my friends who are my life line and close ones.

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Who the bugger Chandan? I know him for the past 7 yrs now and counting. You asked the wrong person..as I can go on and on about him.

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married but poor?
Who said married men are rich???
I would prefer the being married and poor, as money may come and go, but one day when it goes and you are left alone you ll feel pity on yourself, which I don’t want!

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Run to the bathroom and finish my chores.

16. Would you give all in a relationship?
I would give all, without changing the essence of what I am.

17. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?
Huh, asking the wrong question to the most unfortunate one…..

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
If she is special, she wont do anything horrible! But by chance if it happens, as her why she did that and then decide.

19. What are your three most important expectations in love (Original Question: Will you marry me?)
a.) I am what I am, love me for it!
b.) Trust, no questions asked, no answers sought. Giving space.
c.) Lot of humour

20. List 6 people to tag:
6??? I ll try as many as I can:
Sudipto Da
Pallavi
Dona
Partho

I believe if they wish they ll tag too!

luv ‘n’ luk
Arnab Chakraverty