26th July ! A standstill Mumbai !

ओ …ओ … शामे मलंग सी... |

...is Mumbai, but

........वो शाम कुछ अजीब थी..|

It was not a normal evening and day . It was 26th July 2005.

It’s been 14 years since then, but every year on 2607, it takes me back to those memories which made all of us realize that we are humans and don’t have any control on our lives whatsoever. 

Many amongst us might have witnessed the fury of the nature that day and I relive my story here.

The morning of 2607 was as usual refreshing but cloudy. I was back from a year long hiatus from Mumbai and had no reason to be in the office especially considering the fact that my project was just over and next assignment was to start in 15 days (100% compliance to company policy 😊) However, in a zeal to meet old friends and colleagues, I landed up in my office at Worli and for unknown reasons chose not to take my own vehicle.

Day well spent and friends met, I thought it wise to make a move at 4 pm considering Mumbai clouds which had started to gather together. The taxis were scarce and I made my mind to stay with my relatives place at Dadar. As I was about to enter their complex, a bus honked and I changed my decision to enter the bus. Then began the most unique journey and fight with the fury of the nature which is still vivid in my heart, my thoughts and my memories.

The bus started to move with a speed of inches per minute and the wise driver decided to take us to Kalanagar flyover to avoid water logging in the bus. The journey which started at 4:30 pm made us reach Kalanagar in the night. Many thoughts of getting down from the bus were thwarted by unknown Mumbaikar friends who stopped each other’s rush of blood and kept us safe.

I had that utterly non reachable BPL mobile which to everyone’s surprise was the only network working on the bus. I don’t even recollect how my handset was moving from one hand to other and getting people connected to their homes to convey their safety.

The night in the bus was all about chitchat and keeping ourselves awake. As it dawned at 6 am, we got down from the bus to witness one of the goriest sights of the city of Mumbai. There were no visible slums, no small buildings and no roads except a confusion whether we were on the bridge over sea or on the road. People especially female passengers panicked and left the bus and only god knows what happened to them or whether they remained safe.

They say GOD is the biggest script writer and out of nowhere, I heard a female voice which sounded so familiar but I hadn’t heard it for at least last 20 years. To my utter surprise, the old lady was none other than my class teacher from school. After spending night in the taxi, the driver suggested her (and her husband) to board the bus, as it was safest destination in watery Mumbai.

Water began to recede and the bus started moving. Many families were helping people on roads and I had the option of getting down for my destination. However I chose to stay back with my teacher and finally, the bus driver drove us to SV road, Khar where hundreds of buses were brought together by BEST on 27th July. Ultimately, I stayed in a hotel in Khar till the next day with my teacher and her husband and once their family members picked them up, I went my home on 28th July. I was lucky that I could make it to home after the ghastly rains 🙂

I am yet to figure out, what made me travel on 26th July ? Whether it was my zeal to meet my friends, or help unknown friends through my BPL mobile, or to be with my teacher or just to make me witness and realize how the nature can go against mankind.

Many lives were lost and many stories remained untold . Thankfully, my near ones who took the risk of being on roads, in the railway bogies, or stayed in hotels or offices remained safe 😊🙏

The story still remain fresh in mind and the fear of rain fury still brings that extra caution whenever rain gods get angry.

You guys may also share your part if you have witnessed it too !!

Disclaimer: This is neither a blog nor an article. This one is my way of thanking the almighty who kept me and many others safe on that once in a lifetime day and for all those wise decisions I took on that panicky day.

Image : Mumbai my love

 - Jayawant

The legend is 70 ! Happy Birthday Sunil Gavaskar

It was Gavaskar

De real master

Just like a wall

We couldn't out Gavaskar at all, not at all

You know the West Indies couldn't out Gavaskar at all !!

The calypso might sound redundant today but it mattered in 70s and 80s, when the pacemen from Windies were no less than an army and very few batsmen in the globe had the courage to face them, forget even dominating them.

As the world wasn’t curious enough to talk about Indian cricket and its results, his own country not expecting any miracles on the ground and media in hibernation, came a young Mumbaikar by the name Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, all of 21 and stood like a rock to create history and scored 774 runs in four test matches in his debut series. He along with Dilip Sardesai brought the greatest laurel for the nation and the then skipper Ajit Wadekar when India beat the might of Windies in famous victory in the year 1971.

The calypso what Windies made, went on to be a reality for the bowlers around the world till Gavaskar hung up his boots in 1987.

For almost 17 years, Gavaskar was making and breaking records at will, but what probably highlights, is his contribution in building the future generation of cricket in India. Master blaster Sachin could be an ideal example to showcase the impact Gavaskar had on the youngsters in his era.

Today, India is blessed with many stalwarts but one man who showed the way for being ‘Fearless against Fearsome’ was none other than Gavaskar. How to build an innings, face the pace on overseas grounds is an inspiration and a lesson for youngsters even today.

In a true sense, it was Gavaskar who made India fall in love with cricket.

Many still rate Gavaskar as a defensive captain, but it was him who made his team learn to draw matches rather than loosing them. May be that was the first step towards transformation of winning days to come.

Post retirement, Gavaskar was the first Indian cricketer to establish himself as a full time commentator and has carved a special niche in the box. The camaraderie he carries with today’s generation of commentators makes Gavaskar an ageless sportsman.

As true cricket fans, we would have loved to see Gavaskar take over the mantle of a mentor or a coach, however that was not to be 😔. May be that’s not the way he wants to pursue his passion for the game and enjoys his stint seating, observing and making his opinions count in a critique’s role from the commentary box.

Sunny bhai completes 70 years of his age today and may we see this patriarch of Indian cricket continue contributing to the game which he was born for.

Happy birthday Sunil Gavaskar 🙇‍♀️ 🙇‍♂️ 

Disclaimer: The blog is an expression of thoughts of  a true cricket fan of Sunil Gavaskar. 

Image courtesy : gettyimages ae 

- Jayawant