Sohar magazine

L&T Sohar Manufacturing Complex

(For Private Circulation Only)

The Journey

Oman

India

Index 1.Articles
2.Poems
3.Story

4.Craft &
Paintings

5.Sports &
Games
6.Recipes

7.Achievements
8.Crosswords &
Riddles

9.Gallery
10.Suggestions

& Feedbacks

The Editors

Editorial
Column

Welcome to the first issue of “SOHAR SANKALP ”, the first

electronic house magazine of L&T Soharites. We are a strong closely
knit family creating a home away from home while adding value to L&T,
India, Oman and the World.
 
In last couple of years we have enhanced the Udaan L&T Ladies Club
Activities to create a vibrant and enthusiastic support system for L&T
families at Sohar. The following actions were initiated:

    * Annual Calendar with Planned Monthly Events
    * Opportunity to all to gain Planning, Budgeting and Event
Management Experience
    * Variety of Subjects covered such as “Food & Nutrition”, “Safety”,
“Art & Culture”
    * Celebration of Festivals & Events across Regions and Cultures
    * Events for Family, Ladies and Children.

These activities have given our families a break from their routine. This
is a fun-filled learning platform that has helped us in improving our
Planning and Organizing Skills. This has also paved a way for
enhanced Communication which is the key for a great Work-life
balance and happy families.  We have started appreciating the work
challenges faced by our spouses.
 
Now, we are launching another forum, to communicate. For allowing
the creativity within us to flow. Let us connect with each other and with
the literary world through this e-Magazine. We plan to publish this on a
“Triannual - three times a year” basis and we will require the support
from you all.

We are beginning our electronic literary journey at Sohar from January
2018. Please share your stories, impart the wisdom that you gained,
bitter-sweet experiences and tell us about new technologies. Some
original creations that will inspire. Make us laugh with some witty
cartoons. 

Come on let's connect, touch our hearts. And above all… 
Please read our humble publication and share your comments to make
it better.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Editor

  Few knew each

HUMBLE BEGINNING other but most were
meeting for the first

"The club focuses on time. They were the
the community coming
intial families who
together to embrace were transferred
diversity by sharing
from Hazira(Surat)
information about
different  cultures "    to Sohar(Oman)
The men got busy
Mellisa Wilson
with their project,
          In the year 2006
eight to nine families challenges and
teething problems
came to Oman. All
whereas the ladies
hailing  from different back at home were
states, came from one
apprehensive
city,  one  country to a
new country 'OMAN.' because of the new
culture and

environment.

They got confined to attire etc which was
house hold chores, more like exploring India

more depended on outside India.
men and above all The ladies were

'without' domestic enjoying and
help. exchanging knowledge

                But staying in hence they decided to

one building was a make it more organized
boon for them as they resulting in a monthly

could share their meeting at each lady's

apprehensions.  house.  It started over a
 Everyday when men cup of tea/coffee and

left for work and finger snacks.
children to (remember 'without'

school ,after finishing domestic help) It had to

their chores they be SIMPLE. On special
made sure to chat for occasions it used to be

sometime which used Pot Luck. This continued
to rejuvenate them for for a year and a half.

the entire day.            The company's

Gradually these chats strength increased
converted into more members were

exchanging of added to LnT family.
cultures. There were Rendezvous was not

six to seven states of possible for ladies at

India sharing their  someone's house. So
traditions, customs, the company converted

recipes, a flat into a recreation

pl a ce where families The endeavours of
could spend their free ladies had converted

time. The ladies got a this group into a club
place for their monthly which had taken a

get- togethers. By this flight to another
time it had changed level. It had it's

into a semi-formal naming ceremony in

format.A specific 2015.It was named
amount was collected "UDAAN".

from all the members Writing this article

who wanted to join the made me realise of
group.  how a group of six to

             With the eight ladies
enthusiasm of the progressed into a

ladies the get-together club of proud 46

were becoming more members. 
entertaining and at the I wish the club

same time informative. continues to soar to
They played games, new heights.

exchanged their In the words of

talents, creative ideas, Martin Luther King
culinary skills Jr "We may have all

etc.Competitions were come on different
held for ladies and kids ships. But we're in

such as fancy dress, the same boat.”

rangoli, skits, art and ~ Taruna Gupta
craft.Social activities

were also carried out.
      

  This CHANGE,
Ready for the however, meant a lot

“Change”? of catching up to do
for us NRIs. How to
We are lucky. Those
deal in Plastic
of us, here in Oman. Or Money? How to use
rather we NRIs, who did
not face the demons of Unified Payment
de-monetization. But
like they say…”No pain, Interface (UPI)
No gain.” transactions? What
 
Indian government’s are e-wallets? What’s
“de-mon” was intended
to unearth black money OLA?
and give the tax  
evaders/ cash wheeler-
dealers a hard time. It I got the first sweet
did serve that purpose taste of the
to some extent. The
common man tolerated convenience of going
the cash crunch for the
greater good. Finally the cash-less. And, also a
move has ushered a sour lesson for not
great CHANGE due to
which we may never paying enough
have to bother about attention.
loose change. Welcome
to cash-less economy.  My husband has

been using e-Wallets
for Taxi and also for

paying Bills. DTH TV,
Mobile re-charge,

mobile to mobile

money transfers.

Every time we used didn’t want to
Uber/ OLA, I was always create one more
accompanied by
someone who would take with UBER. Don’t
care of booking and worry. I will manage
payments. While I
chatted merrily with the payment, he
friends, I remained said.
blissfully unaware about
its working. I never tried It was a 12:40 noon
to understand the
concept fully. flight. The counter
closes 45 minutes
During this visit to India,
I stayed back and before departure
decided to visit my son at
Bangalore. I was and boarding gate
travelling alone, so had 30 minutes before. I
to face the CHANGE.
First time. First hand. On started at 10:30,
my own! expecting to reach
I started my journey with
a UBER ride to Mumbai 11:30, comfortably
airport from our home in
Navi Mumbai. Our before counter
neighbor operates a few closing time. On a
cabs urged me to try
UBER. I already have an whim, I sent
account with OLA and WhatsApp to my

husband asking him

to web check-in for
me.

 

I reached at 11:57, 43 IndiGo is a No-frills
minutes before flight. airline, so you get to eat
The counter refused
to take me. I was home food on the flight.
shocked. “I have web  Now I had to book OLA
check-in, but have
not printed the when I land at
boarding pass”, I Bangalore. My husband
stammered. The lady
graciously looked up had helpfully
and allowed me,
since web check-in transferred money from
passengers are his OLA to my OLA. He
allowed up to 30
minutes. “Hush, had also told me that, if
Thank god!”
I don’t get internet after
Lesson No. 1: “Don’t landing, there will be
under estimate the
perils of Mumbai OLA representatives to
traffic” offer me hotspot.
 
Lesson No. 2: Predictably, my internet
“Always Web Check-
in” was not working.
  Roaming in Bangalore,
Having escaped with
the skin of my teeth, I without net!
settled to eat my  
“Maharashtrian
Poha”. Lesson No. 3: “Google

about how to book taxi
in XYZ, before you travel

to XYZ”
An OLA representative,

promptly help me with a

hotspot. I settled in the
cab. We approached the

Toll station. Driver
asked for money for the

toll.  

I thought that Tolls are He simply asked
covered in OLA bill, but I me for ₨ 782,
originally shown as
obliged. an estimate while
The rest of the ride was
booking the cab. I
uneventful, other than the paid and
horrible Bangalore traffic!
got out, thanking
On the way I tried various
my stars that I had
methods to start the carried some cash.
internet on my mobile with
 Stupid fellow. Does
no success.
not understand.
  Does not know
After we reached, the
what a HOTSPOT
driver asked whether he is.
should STOP the ride.
 
BTW, Closing the meter
Later, I realized
and generating a bill is that the stupid
called STOPPING the ride.
driver had
I said yes, but give me correctly
HOTSPOT please. The
understood that I
driver looked blankly at
don’t know
me. anything about
I asked him, “How much
OLA bill payment
money?” and had duped me.
 
I got connected to
He showed be “Zero” on
internet after
his device. “How much RESTARTING my
Bhai?” I implored.
mobile. OLA app
  showed that ₨ 695
The cab driver did not were deducted

understand that I can’t
check the bill without

internet.

including taxes and toll Got the Toll charges
refunded.
of ₨ 125. But they could not help
with the cash, I had paid
Lesson No. 4: to the driver. I fretted
“RESTART your phone and fumed for some
time. Gave ONE Star
when everything else rating to the driver since
fails for getting there was no provision
to give Zero Stars.
connectivity.”  Then I thought why I
should spoil my mood
  for such a trivial reason.
Lesson No. 5: “Always Take it as learning and
enjoy my visit and the
ask for a Bill when you time that I plan to spend
with my son at
pay cash… Toll or Bangalore.
otherwise”  All in all, I feel this e-
wallet concept is cool.
 Lesson No. 6: “You Very convenient. Some
require a connection Learning is required, but
after that its worth all
for booking a ride, but the efforts. You have
nothing to “loose” but
not for closing the CHANGE!
ride.”
~ Mridula Paranjape
 
Lesson No. 7: [OLA

Specific] “ZERO shown

on the driver’s device
means you don’t need

to pay anything. The Bill
is settled though your

OLA Money. If you have

insufficient OLA money,
pay balance indicated

on Driver’s device.”
 

Lesson No. 8: “When in
Doubt, Ask!”

I complained to OLA.

iPhone – Say hello MAC changed the way
to the future. people do computing. It

It is rare enough for a gave Graphical User
Interface to people.
company to have
been revolutionize People no longer needed
one product category. codes to operate
It is very difficult to
revolutionize the way computers. They got the
people do things.
Look at it, back in “Mouse”, the world’s
2007, MICROSOFT best pointing device.
was struggling to
come up with a OS Computers were no
less prone to virus
attacks, RIM was longer limited to Offices.
trying to change how People without any
blackberry operates
by small unsuccessful computing knowledge
tweaks, NOKIA was could use it. The iPod
up with the same
Symbian software changed the way people
only with a few
touches every year. listen to music.
Apple by that time 1000 songs in a pocket
had revolutionized
two products. First with 128-bit rate. The
with the MAC and the best sound quality with
other one with the
iPod. all your life collections in

your pocket. In addition,
of course, Microsoft at

that time almost copied
everything that Apple did

and hence windows was

born which was no way
close to being an original

product.

Steve Jobs launched mega scale, at a pace
the first iPhone in that the competitors
June 2007. People
had been waiting would never imagine.
outside in lines that Steve Ballmer, Former
ran for blocks.
Anticipation was off CEO of Microsoft
the charts and quoted after the iPhone
competitors were
nervously dismissing launch :
it quoting “You can get a Motorola
“overpriced”. Q for $99. [...] [Apple]
will have the most
The vast majority of expensive phone, by far,
phones had ugly in the marketplace.
keypads, a resistive There is no chance that
touch screen & an the iPhone is going to
explorer limited to get any significant
WAP browsing. Apple market share. No
for the third time was chance. “
going to revolutionize
a product category. Well like Ballmer, the top
This time at a much players like Palm, RIM

were wrong.

Smartphones were the
next big thing & Apple

was making its mark.
iPhone climbed the way

from being criticized as

“over expensive” to
selling a billion phones

in less than 10 Years.

Innovation, challenging

the impossible and a

constant drive to

revolutionize the way

people use phones were

the key success factors.

In the brief history of

iPhone, Apple launched

15 Models. The latest one

is iPhone X launched on 1 contrast ratio. This

the 10th anniversary of
iPhone. This phone will be one comes with a
Bionic chip and a
a benchmark for other
neural engine that is
smartphones & will
certainly be the epicenter designed to bring out
the individuality in you.
around which the next
decade’s smartphones There is actual Artificial
are going be developed. Intelligence in this
I somehow managed to phone unlike its
get my hands on this gem competitors who sell
photo mapping as
made of glass and
Intelligence. It is crazy
stainless steel. It was
fast and playing games
tough considering the
on this is way ahead of
demand & Supply gap.
It is so immersive that the your portable play
device itself disappears station. A bold step by
Apple to remove the
in the experience. The
home button to give
entire glass is your
screen & it is the biggest more room for the
super retina HD screen of videos and photos that
all iPhones with a 1Mn: we love.

The true Depth Camera “STOP CHILD
unlocks your phone with LABOUR”
face ID in pitch black
light. The Face ID Did you know that
creates more than
30,000 invisible dots to World Day against Child
create a depth map of Labour is celebrated on
your face. It works like twelfth of June every
magic…! year which is observed
A must buy for people by UN, International
who believe in having Labour organisation?
the best. A must try for In India, over 8.2 million
other smart phone users children are engaged in
to realize that their child labour. Children
phones can be smarter. continue to work as
A true smartphone domestic workers,
needs to understand you dhaba workers,
and Apple does it best ragpickers, beggars and
with the new bionic chip industry workers.
and the neural engine. It
available within 15 min People especially in
of drive in DJ Sharaf, E- India believe that
Max, Lulu etc… If you children are the future
want to save some, so of our country but if
that the original cover is  
also covered in the same
price, go for
Roumaan.com.

 ~ Susobhan Panda

this type of behavior is Just Dance…..
continued, no good future
will be observed. In India, Dance is not just a
there is no development
and education for such way of exercise; it is a
children. form of art. I love and
The problem of child labour live the moment when I
is continued in spite of it dance. I dance as if
getting banned by the law. there is no one around,
Engaging children, below no one watching me. I
the age of 14 years, in such bring out the best in me
activities can cost Rs when I dance.
20,000/- fine or  
imprisonment upto 1 year
or more. So let's join our It is a feeling of
hands and work towards a satisfaction, relaxation.
better goal for everyone - All the stress in life
India being a country free seems to fade away in
of child labour. We are all that moment. In our life,
better than this.  we should focus the
 So let's “STOP CHILD little time we have for
LABOUR!” ourselves in doing what
we love. Something that
~ Devansh Srivastava defines us !!
 

Oman gave me such an

opportunity.  A few crazy

& eager women grouped got a bigger platform to
display our talent. This
up to showcase their

talent. Thanks to the L&T time it was Colors of
Ladies club for giving us India organized by

our first opportunity in Indian Social Club,
Sohar. With the diversity
Oman to display our
in our group, we wanted
talent. We tried our

hands with many dance to perform what was
forms. Irrespective of not common to us, our
being professionals, we country. Together we

went out and tried to give decided to perform
Ghoomar, (A Rajasthan
our best shot.

  folk dance). This was
possible with all the hard

effort put forward by the

women and our

attachment towards our

motherland.  Ghoomar

comes from the twirling

I am proud to get such movement of the

enthusiastic ladies who dancers. 
are ready to learn new The crowd cheered as

form of dances.  we performed & this

It gives me immense gave us so much

pleasure to spend our motivation and

time learning new confidence to move

techniques and styles. forward.. We hope to get

With time & a few such opportunities to

performances later, we perform.

Dance like a free bird use of internet. In this
with your wings world, there is hardly a

spread, Dance as if home without a personal
no one is watching computer or internet

you. Dance to live!!! connection.
  Computerization of

“There are shortcuts offices, shops, hospitals

to happiness and and even government
dancing is one of offices is in rapid

them”- Vicki Baum succession. Being

computer literate is
more important than

having luxury. 

 ~ Tilottama Panda

Effects of Internet But is this all beneficial? 
on the young minds. Internet is called

I 'Necessary Evil' in

n the previous years, we today's world.  It is a

can see the rapid growth useful source of

in the number of information and should

personal computers and be used for meaningful

purposes only.  It is a affect their metal and
medium through which the physical health. The
only way to prevent
world can be known children from using
better.  It has also brought internet is to keep
limitations.
the student community Children should be
closer. Internet also helps rewarded internet
usage
people up maintain online for their good work or
behavior throughout
relationships with the week and should
friends, relatives or be available to them
only during weekends.
unknown people. It is a
This way children can
way to change the society. interact with parents,
But this has another side friends and other
family members and
to it.  also won't get prone
Children are the main towards usage of
internet.
victims of internet.

Children are using
electronic gadgets,

browsing on the internet
and do not interact with

their parents.

~M.Prithviraj

They don't get to learn

from their parents over
usage if internet may also

HEALTH if you are at a healthy
weight and if weight
WHO has defined Health loss is necessary.
This height weight
as , chart
Health is a state of is based on body
complete physical, mass index and the
mental and social well- healthy
being and not merely the weight range shown
absence of disease or covers both men and
infirmity. women.
To be healthy is not only
to have normal medical Blood Pressure
reports, but also one There is no ideal
should be in a positive blood pressure
mental state and adjusted reading, however,
in society. there is a range of
Some of the physical normal blood
parameters which are pressure reading.
routinely checked to Medical guidelines
know physical health are state that a normal
as below,

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is
a measure to help assess

blood pressure for tends to enlarge. A
most adults is less slightly enlarged heart
than 120/80 mm Hg.
Drug treatment is can function well, but a
recommended if your significantly enlarged
blood pressure is at or
above 140/90 mm Hg. heart cannot. High
For people with blood pressure can also
diabetes or chronic
kidney disease, drug causes damage to the
treatment is
recommended for a arteries.
blood pressure level Hypertension can be
of 130/80 mm Hg or
higher. treated. Mild cases of

Hypertension (high hypertension can be
blood pressure) is treated through
dangerous because it
causes the heart to behavior modification
work extra hard. like changing diet and
When the heart is
forced to work extra increasing exercise.
hard for an extended
period of time, it More severe cases of
hypertension require

medications.
A diet low in salt is

preferred to keep blood

pressure under control..
You can often test your

blood pressure at home
by a digital blood

pressure instrument

easily available , or by
your Doctor.

Heart and Heart your resting heart rate is
Rate in the morning, after a

The heart beats about good night's sleep, and
60 to 80 times a minute before you get out of bed.
when we're at rest.
Resting heart rate The food you eat can
affect the way blood
usually rises with age,
and it's generally lower flows through your heart
in physically fit people.
The heart rate adapts and arteries. A diet high
to changes in the in fat and cholesterol can
body's need for
oxygen, such as during gradually cause a buildup
exercise or sleep. The
best time to find out (called "plaque") in your
arteries. That buildup

slows down the blood
flow and blocks small

arteries. If the blockage

happens in an artery that
carries blood to the heart

muscle, a heart attack
can occur. If the blockage

happens in an artery that

carries
blood to the brain, a

stroke can occur. The
right diet helps keep your

arteries clear and

reduces the risk of heart
problems and stroke.

Cholesterol HDL cholesterol is
protective against heart
When cholesterol
levels in the blood disease. Its role is to pick
are high, it begins up excess cholesterol in
to accumulate in the
artery walls. Over the arteries and transport
time, the arteries it back to the liver. Thus,
become narrowed,
blocking blood flow the higher the HDL levels
to the heart, brain,
or other vital organs the lower your health
and a clot is likely to risk.
form. If the artery is
blocked, the heart Triglycerides are another
(or brain, or kidney,
or other body part) lipid or fat in your
does not receive arteries. If they become
adequate oxygen so
a heart attack (or too high they also
stroke) occurs. contribute to clogging of

Forms of the arteries and increase
Cholesterol
the likelihood of a clot
LDL cholesterol is the forming.
primary form. When it
gets high, it clogs the High cholesterol is
arteries. caused by a variety of

factors including

hereditary influences,
excess body fat, eating

too much
saturated fat and

cholesterol, and not

eating enough foods high
in dietary fiber.

Ways to lower your sodas, energy drinks,
cholesterol include; and sports drinks are by

uAchieve/maintain a far the biggest sources
healthy weight of added sugar.
uBe physically active
uAvoid smoking Other important sources
uDietary changes- low include cookies, cakes,
fat diets high fiber diet.
Reduce sugar pastries, and similar
consumption
treats; fruit drinks; ice
Sugar & Diabetes . cream, frozen yogurt and

  the like; candy; and
Diabetes is increased
blood sugar above the ready-to-eat cereals.
normal range. Nutritionists frown on
 
Fasting blood sugar – added sugar for two
more than 126 mg/dl, reasons. One is its well-
Post lunch blood
sugar – more than 200 known links to weight
mg/dl
A sugar-laden diet gain and cavities. The
may raise your risk of other is that sugar

dying of heart disease delivers “empty calories”
even if you aren’t — calories
overweight.
Sugar-sweetened unaccompanied by fiber,
beverages such as
vitamins, minerals, and
other nutrients.

Exactly how excess
sugar might harm the

heart isn’t clear. Earlier

research has shown that
drinking sugar-

sweetened beverages
can raise blood

pressure. A high- To put that in perspective,
sugar diet may also a 12-ounce (about 350
stimulate the liver to ml ) can of regular soda
dump more harmful contains
fats into the about 9 teaspoons of
bloodstream. Both sugar, so drinking
factors are known to even one a day would put
boost heart disease all women and most men
risk. over the daily limit.

American Heart Note : compiled from
Association’s various internet sites.
recommendation tha ~ Dr. Sandesh
t women consume
less than 100
calories of added
sugar per day (about
6 teaspoons) and
men consume less
than 150 per day
(about 9
teaspoons).---1
teaspoon sugar 4.2
gms is about 16
calories.

All about beauty

 

Mirror mirror on the wall, tell me who’s the beautiful
of ‘em all?

Let me think, I say, I hope it’s me cuz I know that in

the whole wide world there are way more prettier
girls than me!

Ofcourse, you’re wrong Mr.mirror says, how can you
say that beauty lies on ones face?

 

 Beauty lies in everything, it’s something you cannot
describe,

Beauty is in a beast
And, beauty is in a bride.

~Rutu Bhandari

*पतझड़ का मौसम* While driving bicycle 
Played with me cricket 
कुछ यूँ आया मौसम पतझड़ का  Which was full of illect
पतत् े टूटे झर झर झर
कछु टटू े अपनी मरजीं से You made me happy
कुछ टटू गये नरमी से ! as much as you could 
                    ये मौसम है सूखे मेवों To change my mood
का Worked very hard as
झिलमिल झिलमिल करते दीपों का much as you could 
ये मौसम कोई आम नहीं बीती हुई To have very nice
शाम नही!ं livinghood
                        Made me feel very
बीती बातों को भलु ा देना good 
पतझड़ के इस मौसम  ख़ूबसरू त which made my math
ख़यालों को दिल मंे पनाह दने ा understood

~कुसुम शेखावत You will mould my life
into right path 
Papa because you and my
mother will be Sath
You are the one who Sath 
came first in my life I am sure that you will
Seeing you made me make me a good son
bright Because you are
Saving me from every number one
obstacle  ~Baibhab Mukherjee



Madhu’s Bill took out whenever she
asked him to fetch some
Madhu was really
thing from the shop or
upset with his mother. gave money toother
“Mamma, Can you buy
me a new cricket bat servants of the house.
today evening “ Madhu “She has so much money
had asked and his
mother had said “No, with her but she cannot
not now. We donot
have spare money to spare something for my
buy one now”. All he cricket bat?” Madhu
had asked, for a new
cricket bat and how wondered to himself.
can she be so
ruthlessly say No ? Madhu’s father had a
That too, on excuse of touring job and would
not having enough
money !! Madhu had come home on
seen his mother weekends. While Madhu,
keeping money in the
almeraih while she studying in 4th standard

and his kid sister, just out
of nursery, stayed in the

city with their mother. So
for any small errands like

small purchases, it

usually always fell upon
Madhu to do it for his

mother.

“While my Mother asks me With my bill paid, I can
to do the work, she buy the bat instead of
pleading her to
doesnot pay me anything purchase it for me
for the work she gets With this, Madhu
decided to make a bill
done from me “ !! Madhu on her Mamma. He
thought. tore a sheet from his
note book and went
He had seen his mother about making a bill.

paying to the house maid/ Madhu’s Bill
Gardener/milkman/
Total: ₨ 65.00
paperwala every month. Madhu thought over
whether to hand over
He wondered why they his bill or should he
were paid very regularly keep the bill discretely
and wait for his
while his mother would mother to respond.
never pay him any money

for the work done. He

thought to himself: “While
they were working for my

Mamma and hence are
paid, I he too work for my

Mamma -like bringing

medicine/ fetching items
from the kirana shop,

collecting back the
laundry etc but she never

paid any money to me!”

“Oh! How foolish am I ?
I never gave any bill to my

Mamma so she could pay
me money. How on earth

she will get to know how
much to pay me “!!!.

The fear that his mother snacks and milk after
will not even look at his he had washed up.
bill, made Madhu decide
to keep the bill secretely Madhu kept looking
and wait for her at his mother’s face
response.
Madhu folded the paper discreetly to check if
and placed it below his she had seen the bill.
mothers pillow where,
he was sure, she would But his mother was
see the bill when she got
up in the morning. calm as ever and
Madhu was very anxious went about her
whole day and was very
eager to receive his routinue.
money when he reached
home after school. In the same anxiety,
Madhu dozed off to
In the evening, when
Madhu reached home, sleep.
his mother gave him his Next day morning,

when Madhu got up,

he saw a letter on his
bedside and was very

anxious to know what
it was. It was a letter

from his mother. His

mother wrote:
Dear Madhu,

Saw your bill.
Thought, I should

also make a similar

bill for you to make a
payment to me

Mamma’s Bill: sacrifice you have done
for me. Please mamma,
Total: 0.00 forgive me for my
Ps: I am keeping ₨ 65 foolishness”. Madhu said
as per your bill along sobbingly.
with this letter. Madhu’s mother wiped his
Seeing his mother’s tears and lifted him into
letter, tears rolled her arms. “My dear
down Madhu’s cheeks, Madhu”, she said: “We are
uncontrollably. He ran a family. We are bound by
to his mother and fell a bond of love. In such a
to her feet. “Mamma, bond, work does not get
please forgive me. counted in terms of
How foolish am I send money. We care for each
a bill to you without other and reciprocate
realizing what each other through an
expression of care and
affection”

Madhu still sobbing,
begged to his mother,
“Mamma, you made me

realise my mistake, I will Tuffy
never ever repeat such - Circle of Life
a foolish act and hurt
you. I respect the effort
and pain, you and papa
take for the sake of Preface
munni & me and I shall  
always try to be a good
boy”. This book is written

“It’s ok dear, I just in memory of our first
wanted you to realize pet, Tuffy.
your mistake and  
anyway, we will get you Before Tuffy, we were
a new bat as soon as one of those families
your father is home next who considered
weekend”. His mother being above having
said to Madhu. pets. How can people
Both Madhu and his
mother embraced each
other, while his mother
kissed him on his
forehead. Madhu had
learnt a very bitter
lesson of his life and
what a way to give that
message.

~Shrikant Kulkarni

spend time playing to All of us understood the
whims and fancies of value of a pet after a

some dumb animal? small ugly looking boxer
Don’t they have better pup become part of our

things to do? Spend family. My grandson was
time with humans, I instrumental in opening

say! There are many in our vision to this

this world who are different facet of love,
pining for loving and faith, devotion… He

caring gesture. Do your insisted that he should

bit. “at least have a pet, if
  he cannot have a

We used to laugh at sibling”.
people treating their That’s how began our

pets like their kids. journey. A breath-taking

Pampering them, view of a colourful
doting on them. panorama. A new in-

Secretly actually most sight into meaning of
of my family members life. A deep

were scared of dogs… understanding of

to that matter of any creation and the
animal. almighty creator.

My daughter-in-law and  
grandson were an This is a story of our

exception. They beloved dog Tuffy. An

actually understood the experience. Mostly
true, un-conditional sweet, but sometimes a

love that an innocent bitter reminder of
and mute pup can offer.

 

transient nature of the breed. All things,
world. He changed our creatures, trees even
way of looking at life rocks and stones have a
and made us conscience, a mind. And
appreciate every every mind has always a
marvellous entity in this story to tell.
universe.
  All beings are parts of a
Krishna Paranjape whole, a galactic super
entity. However,
01: ‘I’, Myself. communication between
these parts is difficult by
My masters called me design. Several gaps and
“Tuffy”. Tuffy for soft, difficult barriers come in
Tuffy for tough! This is the way of these minds,
my story. You may which are trying to re-
wonder, what story an link. However, a soul free
ordinary dog can have. from its body overcomes
Even if he has one, how these odds and
can it be told? But I am, communicates freely
or was, not just a dog. I with receptive minds.
am a tiny spark of the These sensed thoughts,
energy that drives the these images crystallize
universe. I am a into words and
thought. I am a expressions. I am telling
paradigm. I symbolize my story through the
“Selfless Love”. My language of images to
recent form was that of my human grandpa, who
a dog of the Boxer in turn is converting the

same into literary She was to be seen
expression. nowhere. Where am I ? I
The soul of this story is
my experience of my was in a basket, lined
mortal life. The body, the with some smooth cloth.
words and contexts, is
as given by my grandpa. I must have been
Feelings are mine, dreaming about my
expressions are his.
Photographs from our mother when these awful
family album try to
portray the real joy vibrations woke me up.
permanently etched in The place was lurching,
our minds. My family, my
masters have pitching and rolling. I
understood my mute
feelings and lent words trembled with fear. I
to tell the story in your gathered courage and
language.
  looked around. I peered
Let’s begin at the very around very cautiously
beginning, a very good
place to start. with eyes open only a

02: Divine Ride wink. The basket was
inside some house which

was moving at blinding
speed. I was sandwiched

between two strange

looking animals. I shut
my eyes again, shivering

and wondering what was
in stock for me. Some

more time passed.

I was sound asleep,
snuggling cosily near my

mother. But suddenly she
vanished. I looked around.

Except for the jerks and Both appeared to be
the increasing horror, of divine. O! My good
being taken to some fortune! They seemed to
unknown destination, be different than the
nothing much was person sitting ahead
happening. holding some kind of
wheel. They must be
I opened my eyes again, ladies like my mother.
slowly and carefully. The Seeing that I was awake,
two unknown animals one of the beautiful
must be my captors. I ladies smiled and made
had heard my mother joyful sounds. The other
saying that some shrewd caressed me and gave
animals, called human me something sweet to
beings, have been eat. Later I identified
stealing her puppies. I this as chocolate. Every
too must have been human being seemed to
kidnapped. I was terribly be fond of it and I also
upset, afraid of whatever liked it immediately.
plans these cunning
human beings, these The moving house also
devils, had for me. But now started to calm
wait. These creatures down and became more
seemed to be fondling comfortable and cosy. I
me with affection. They suddenly developed a
seemed to be radiating liking for this mobile
similar warmth as my house, which these
mother and aunt. I humans seemed to be
looked at them with my referring to as a car.
big brown eyes.

Though initially I was 03: Forlorn Soul
afraid; I enjoyed that
divine ride, sitting We reached some
comfortably between destination at twilight. The
those two loving mobile house finally
ladies. stopped in front of some
other house. One of those
We stopped ladies, called by others as
someplace for rest. I Mridula, lifted me from the
was put down on the basket. It dawned to me
ground. Ah! It felt that Mridula must be my
good to stretch my new master. Or was she my
legs. new mother? The other
  lady, who reminded me of
“Hey! Get that dog out my aunt, went to some
of here. He will soil neighbouring house.
our front yard”,
shouted a man. After entering, what
seemed to be my new
  home, Mridula kept me
“Oh! He is only a very carefully on the floor
puppy. And don’t and sat beside me. Others
worry we will clean up in the house were looking
if he messes around”, at me excitedly. They
the lady fondled me lovingly, though
accompanying me some elderly lady seemed
scolded the fellow. to be afraid of me. She
  gave me milk and soft
Now I was sure that bread to eat.
these persons really
cared for me.

I was now somewhat “Poor boy! Don’t cry.
relaxed and calm. We are with you”. That
was my new Dad. He
My new Mom took me peeped under the bed
upstairs to her room. A and comforted me.
small cosy bed was laid
for me. Though I 04: Bliss dawned
stretched my body
comfortably on that bed, That fearful night
I was feeling somewhat passed. My Mom
lonely and forlorn. So brought me down in her
far, I was among my tender hands. I kept my
brothers and sisters eyes firmly closed. God
under caring eye of my knows where she would
mother. I was longing for be taking me. We came
the warmth of my downstairs. My Mom,
mother's breasts. It Mridula, placed me very
seemed that I had lost kindly on the floor and
my brothers and sisters caressed me with
forever. I felt pangs of profound love. I opened
separation deep inside my eyes slightly and saw
my heart. I was all alone a human puppy, sitting
in this vast, unknown by my side.
and fearful world. My “Shardul! What should
new Mom and others be our puppy's name?”
were asleep, but I was she asked him.
restless. Throughout the  
night, I roamed
helplessly around the
closed room and under
the bed.

“Tuffy!" Shardul replied I tried to pull a thin and
hugging my mistress, his tender stem of a
mother. creeper.
 
I instinctively jumped up “Look, he can’t even
and tried to snuggle cut the tender sprouts
between them. It was a with his small milk
sheer bliss. I got my new teeth” shouted
mother and now a Shardul.
brother too.  
  I pulled at the creeper
I forgot the agony of with all my might and
separation from my suddenly a shower of
mother and brothers. I dew drops and
jumped around, fragrant jasmine
experiencing a newly flowers greeted me.
found fountain of my joy.  
I peeped below the sofa
and found a place 05: Home! Home!
promising comfort and I got my home
safety. I stretched my
body under the sofa and I was tired due to all
relaxed on smooth that dancing around
glossy floor of my new the garden. I came
home. inside the house and
relaxed on the floor.
After some time I went Yet, my eyes were
into the courtyard open. I stared at the
outside and breathed the staircase that
free air. I danced in the descended into the
green freshness amidst
the plants.

ground floor hall. I was Grandma. The old man
eager to know who sat near me and fondled
else was in the house. me lovingly. I jumped in
Soon Dad came down his lap. Grandpa liked
with a bag in his hand. that very much. He then
I got worried. Perhaps turned to Grand ma and
he may keep me in that said,
bag. He came and sat “See! How fine this small
at the table, keeping puppy is!"
bag aside. Some hot
drink was served to Grandma was reluctant
him. After finishing the to come closer to me.
drink, he tapped gently She was only looking at
on my head and asked me from the distance. I
Shardul, “Lad! Are you wondered whether she
happy now?" did not like me. While
  Lying on Grandpa's lap, I
Shardul replied, "Dad! peered into her eyes. I
I like this cute puppy found assurance of love
very much." and kindness in her look.
I happily closed my eyes.
“Good! Now take care I was sure to win her
of your small friend." love.
Daddy told him, lifting
bag in his hand to go As days passed, I forgot
out. the pain of separation
from my mother. Such
Then an elderly couple separation is, anyway,
came down the stairs. inevitable in the animal
Shardul was calling
them as Grandpa and

world. It has to happen, preferring to go
one day or another. upstairs directly to
Thank God! In my case
this happened most play with other
favourably. I was children. He was sure
separated from my
mother to get a whole that I would not be able
new human family. I lost to climb the steps.
my brothers and sisters,
but would now be raised Another sweet looking
amongst human
puppies. girl, Sanjana, would
start crying merely by
I was pampered to no
end. My Dad, Mom, seeing me, even from
Grandpa, Grandma and
even Shardul used to lift their courtyard.
me in their arms and  
take me for a walk.
Everyone was careful to Akshad’s brother Atul
give me food in time. was however not afraid
Shardul and other
children from adjoining of me. He developed
houses liked to play with
me. Of course, some of early friendship with
them were initially afraid me. I wonder why
of me. A boy, named
Akshad, would avoid these human puppies
getting down from his fear me, when all I
mother’s arm and
want is to play with

them. However soon
they developed

friendship with me.
Shardul's friend,

Pratiti, was exception

to this. She started
playing with me

immediately.

One day, a boy named Once Grand ma put
Amol, came to our home some odd looking thing

from some outside place. in front of me. My heart
Though he was little bit jumped with a fear,

cautious to start with, he thinking this was some
liked me very much. Balu, dangerous animal. I

another friend, was started barking sharply

assigned a special task at it. Shardul laughed
of looking after my heartily and proved to

needs. Taking me out for me that it was only a

afternoon walk, harmless toy. Then I
arranging for my bath dared and tried my paws

and feeding me in day on it.
time were parts of his  

work. I immensely They also brought for me

enjoyed bathing, a small ring to play.
especially when Dad, Someone would throw it

Grandpa and Shardul and ask me to fetch. I
were around to celebrate was all the time eager to

my bath. Sprinkling of catch it, but reluctant to

cool water always release it from my jaws. I
brought precious joy to learnt to play hide and

me. I was otherwise seek. I preferred to play
laden with a heavy coat this with Grandpa, since

of soft brown golden hair, the game can be played

which made me feel very indoors and would not
hot in this humid city. cause unnecessary

Shardul’s cousin, Amol, exertion to him.
was always eager to lend

a helping hand to Balu
during my bath.

games, loving
company and
Normally my food
consisted to chapattis, parental lap.
milk, eggs and some dog Over and above, I
food. I usually found it
relishing and tasty. I got mother's love
always liked home food, from my mistress.
but occasionally I found
the dog food not to my Whenever she would
liking. That may be
because of change in take Shardul in her
brand. Grandpa would arms, I would
then sit along my side
and try to feed me. instantly try to share
 
My reluctance would the maternal love by
vanish. The rough and snuggling between
dull food would be sweet
like honey when eaten them. Amongst all
from his hands. I was family members, only
enjoying tasty food, a
cosy bed, pleasant Grandma kept

herself away from
me for a pretty long

while. However I was
elated to note her

affectionate glances

that were full of
empathy. I then took

initiative and
secured her

permission to sleep

on the folds of her
sari.

 

06: Facing life. Actually I knew more
than those simple words.
I now had grown to
boyhood. I liked to jump I knew that Mom liked to
on the couch, though go out on long walks
my masters did not
allow me to do so. Yet I with Dad, but they never
insisted on jumping found the time. So,
onto Grandpa’s lap,
when he was sitting on whenever Dad wanted to
couch during his
prayers. You may take me for a walk, I
wonder how a dog can would insist for Mom to
know God. Everyone in
the world knows his join. I liked to walk in
mother, the shining sun
and all-pervading God. between them.
It is but natural. Sometimes I used to run
 
My Tuition of human at a dazzling speed,
language started with almost dragging my Dad
my liking for jumping
and running fast. Dad along. On realizing that
would shout at me,
telling "Don’t do this, we have left Mom far
don’t do that”. I quickly behind, I used to stop
followed those orders
and learnt words like abruptly and wait
"Sit down, Go, Bring, patiently for her to join.
Eat, and Stop".
Dad and Mom

appreciated my
cleverness in

understanding human
nature.

I was growing stronger

day by day. Grandpa
once bitterly complained

about my rushing at
other dogs.

This caused him lot of Grandpa and others
strain. He was upset encouraged me by
with me and he did not
take me to morning calling a “Good Boy”…
walk for next three Now I was more than
days. On fourth day I
myself approached him just a dog.
with my belt carried in  
my mouth. I looked at
him pleadingly and his Mom's sister was living
resolve dissolved. He
happily took me for the quite nearby. She had
morning walk. I accompanied my mom,
behaved properly.
Grandpa soon forgot when I was brought
my mischievous frolic
with the stray dogs. I home. Her looks were
was after that very very similar to Mom. I
gentle with Grandpa.
We even jogged with liked her very much. She
the belt firmly held by and her son Rohit gave
me in my jaws. In this
way I could regulate my me liberty to move
speed to suit Grandpa's
strength. about anywhere in their
house. I would go
Such tricks and the
understanding shown straight to Rohit's
by me earned me lot of bedroom and rouse him
praise.
from sleep. Rohit’s Papa

kept little aloof, but
slowly I secured his

liking as well. I equated
Rohit's mother as my

second Mom, or was it

third? I became
habituated to go to

Rohit's house in the

evening after my mid- I heard Doctor say that
day sleep. In fact, I my bite can be fatal, if I
used to become alert were infected by a vile
and get ready to go to germ. I had to take an
their house, as soon injection every year to
as I heard a word avoid this infection. I
"Maushi". Maushi was ready to bear the
means mother's pain once a year to
sister. protect my beloved
family.
I was growing up in  
earnest. My foster I knew well that teeth
parents regularly took were not meant only for
me to Doctor. I did not biting. When pleased, I
like that man. He was show range of small
in habit of pumping front teeth. Grandpa
some liquid in my could recognize this and
body by inserting tell others, "Look, Tuffy
painful needle. I used is smiling."
to bark on him very
furiously. He was When I had come to my
putting some cap on new home the weather
my mouth, fearing my was cool and pleasant.
bite. I would also not Nowadays it was
forget to pass urine on becoming hot & humid. I
his doorstep to take found that I was allergic
revenge for troubling to hot weather. One day
me. Otherwise, I was it was particularly
always careful not to horrible. My whole body
spoil flooring in was itching.
anyone’s house.
 

I uneasily rolled on my afterwards. Playing in
back several times. the open air always

Rash developed on my lifted my spirits. Once I
body. I was terribly even got a jolly ride to

upset. When Grandpa the creek side. First
saw that, he sat near me time in my life I saw

and gently rubbed some such a vast stretch of

cool ointment over my water. I pranced on the
body. I put my head on shore and created a

his lap and calmed mini sand-storm with

down. The doctor was my hind legs.
called. He came rushing  

with his bag. As usual When I was tired, I sat
he capped my mouth on the soft sand,

and inserted some looking at the water

injection in my hind. extending up to infinity.
Perhaps he felt that For the first time I felt

painful injection was the the immenseness of
only remedy for all the universe. I was

ailments. trying to grasp it with

  my tiny eyes.
Actually, I was very fond

of going out in the car.
But many a times my car

ride would end at the

Doctor’s place. This
saddened me a lot.

However, most of the
times, Dad

compensated this by
taking me to the garden