OH17 - Harmony Premier league and much more

It has been quiet a long time since I have come back to the blog. It was sheer laziness and nothing more to it.

My last post was in Sept 17, almost seven months ago. Much has happened in OH. With so many human beings living together, the life is bound to be colourful. 😁. It's a perfect place to study human behaviour and psychology.

The latest happening in OH is the organisation of "Orchid Harmony Premier League".

I observed a sudden  hyper activity on the cricket pitch, which is just under my balcony. Though, the cricket pitch usually comes alive mostly on weekends or on holidays as most of the offices were closed. But  since a month or two, the cricket has become a anthem in OH. The mornings become lively with all the commotion at the pitch. Everyday, the cricket tribe was increasing. There was no age restrictions as I can see players from the 8-9 years old to senior citizens. With so many enthusiasts, it's natural to organise a competition.

The OHPL has used "Auction League Software" for player selection and team captains had to bid for each player. E-auctions were held and all the captains can see  the details of all the players on the screen.

Each team was allotted 500000 points to bid for 8 players. One by one , the players' information is shown on the laptops and teams' captains  can bid for the players of their choice. Highest bidder gets the player to his team. The whole process of selection was made transparent and many enthusiastic society dwellers were out there in the cricket pitch to have a "dekho" at the process. Six teams were formed. T-shirts were also designed for each team.

Have a look at the teams -

The glimpses of the matches from my 7th floor balcony.

I loved all the hustle and bustle. Some food counters were also set up for the sports enthusiasts, who were down to cheer their favourite teams. I am not a cricket fan, so I just had a look from my balcony. I am too lazy to go out for something which do not interest me. 

Another cricket league for under 19 is also in the pipeline... I am not a cricket fan. Ugh...😔 

With summers setting in may enterprising ladies have planned many interesting workshops for the benefit of  residents, mainly children and ladies. Some were fun workshops for children having fun activities like dancing, yoga, story telling sessions etc and baking workshops for children.

With such hot weather and temperature running up to 46 C, OH is still keeping it's spirits high , which is quiet a feat in dry Gujarat. 😀😀😀

The weather is killing at 46 C. The only workout which is easy to manage is swimming. I had been a regular to the society pool since last month and a half. But routines bore me. So, now it's sometimes morning walk or sometimes yoga at my terrace for me to keep fit. I have recently added  late night walks to my armour of "keeping fit". 

Not very long ago, Ahmedabad was blessed with nice cool breeze in the morning and evening even in peak summers. Unlike north India, where hot months have hot mornings and evenings, Ahmedabadites used to have a respite from heat in the mornings and evenings. But just like the changes in weather around the globe, it's changing here too. Now the cool breeze returns late at night around 10 pm. That's the time I have chosen for my late night after dinner walk. 

That's all for now folks!!! 

OH9 : CHRISTMAS, LOHRI AND HOLI !

Much water has flown under OH bridge in last few months.

Christmas was celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm on 25th December 2015. A christmas carnival was organized with food stalls, game stalls and a small corner for product stalls to share the home business done by the residents of OH. It was very well organised. OH family participated in large numbers and enjoyed a lot. Though it ended with the intervention of  local police. The organizers were totally at fault to allow loud music after 10 PM. They should have shown some concern about the people who have to go to office early in the morning, senior citizens and students and all those people who have the right to a sound and peaceful sleep. I am really happy that some one has complained and the unwanted music stopped. My sincere thanks to that unknown samaritan, who saved my night's sleep and a bad day.

We went to visit the flower show on river front on 3rd January. As we were entering the society, there was a large crowd at the entry gate and a police van just behind us. There has been a very nasty episode which has happened in the society. Its beyond my comprehension, how can people show anger and muscle power to ruin young lives. I shudder to think about the kind of reactions cornered persons forced to do. Crime petrol , the TV programme is such an eye opener. It's my personal belief that one should not create hostile living conditions in and around living spaces.

February comes and brings in the final examination fever - boards, pre-boards, practicals, boards etc. Mothers are as tense as children. Its almost March end now. Most of the school exams are over. Some schools have declared the results too. The examination days were stressful for the mothers and children. Few enterprising mothers celebrated the occasion with a grand pot-luck lunch. It's heartening to see the happy faces. I personally feel very joyous when such happy memories are created. I love being surrounded by positive and happy people.

With holi festival, just after 3 days, some action is being seen in OH.
It has been long time when I am back to this blog.
The life has been very busy at the onset of the new year. I hope to write about OH more often as I want to record most of the moments .

OH7: Festival Flavours in community living

Hi,
Long time! You know how the Indian festivals are :).
Lots of hungaama and being busy in dressing up, eating up and adding kilos. Anyway, eating is part of festivity fun. few inches here and there do not matter. :P

The festivities started from Navratri days, Dushhera, Karwachauth and now Diwali.

Nine days of navratri were great with all late night dancing. It was fun to get dressed and see the beautiful , smiling action oriented people all around. Though the OH occupancy seemed to be approx 30 % of the total occupancy, the regulars dancing brigade kept the flame of festivity alive.

No, I was not a regular participant for all nine days. I detest regularity so need to take a break here and there. Then there were some freelancing ID project which were to be submitted in between and hence I participated in the fun and frolic from my balcony. I had a great view and felt like being there.

Last few days, a DJ was invited and it was more fun than our desi music vendor. I only hope, next year, OH will arrange for live music if there are people with a greater vision .

Last four days, some snacks were also served. They were just YUCK and not eatable at all. The first day idly and utppam were all kachcha. Accompaniments sambhar and chutney were horrible and not hygenically made as many people have heard having stomach upsets. Next day's snacks were ragda- patties which really gave a great "ragda" to my apetite and tastebuds.

The "horrible meter" to rate the food was rising towards the unhealthy and tasteless preparations. On 3rd day, we went late, around 10pm for snacks. Surprisingly, it was better than the first two days. "Pav Bhaji", an Indian curry (bhaji) with bun (Pav). Though, later on I came to know the Bhaji became tasty because of one resident's misadventure into the kitchen which resulted in adding tomatoes and other masalas worth Rs. 2800.00. With tomatoes around 40 - 50 rs, per kg, I do not know how much he has added and masalas. Clearly appears to be a case of overcharging. This caterer should be blacklisted as he was neither a good cook nor a good businessman.



Dushera was celebrated with gujarti flavours fafda - jalebi. The fare was okay this morning though arrangements were not so. Why the cooks were making the jalebis in sunlight? It was terrible hot day with bright sun. I did not like this.

Dushhera evening was made most beautiful by live singing programme organised by our OH

 resident, Sh. Satbir Singh ji and his troupe and orchestra. He is a professional singer. It was a very kind gesture from him as he has not charged a single penny for himself and his singers. Only orchestra people were paid. Song selection was great. Songs of all moods and genre! Song with great lyrics. It was a wonderful evening that started from 9 pm and melted into next morning and time just flew away! I loved every moment of it. The artists were doctor, a physics lecturer and other professionals. A big thanks to the whole group.

Accounts statement this time was the most innovative part of the whole programme. For the first time ( I have attended 3  functions before this) a detailed statement of account is issued. A closer look clearly shows the need for better negotiations skills for food , lighting etc and controls in otherwise random expenses. Public money accountability is very important for people who enters into this domain. the societies / organisations where matured and committed people enters in this arena are definitely better managed.

Karwachauth was celebrated on 30th October. It is a festival of married women, who fasts for the long life and well being of their husbands. I do not celebrate Karwachauth as on my first karwachath, my husband has asked not to do this as he cant fast with me for my long life and he does not want to live longer without me. moreover, I also do not have any faith in such beliefs, so this karwachauth celebration was never part of my life. But I have no less respect for women who do it with wholehearted devotion.

I remember an old incident about Karwachauth. My son Vaibhav must be around 5 years old then, when we were living in IOC colony Noida. Ladies in full karwachauth dress code were doing katha and pooja in the society gardens. Vaibhav came running home and asked, mom there is something going on in the garden. why donot you join them? I told her aunties are fasting and celebrating a festival. Vaibhav was never a fond eater of any kind of meals, said " wah auntiyon ke to maze ho gaye, aaj khaana nahin khaana padega." Everyone has different perspective of being without food.

We will be celebrating  Dipawali tomorrow. Thus all major festivals of this year have come to an end. Next festivity will be in December for Christmas.

OH is a vibrant community where resident do not leave any opportunity to discuss any issue and convert it into non issue or take up a non issue and convert it into issues. The Latest issue of discussion is  the place where the firecrackers should be burnt?  Inside or outside the society. With so many vehicles parked all around the residential complex, it is a wise decision to burn the crackers outside. It will be safer for children to be away from vehicles to avoid any mishapping. I wonder, if this issue needs any debate at all.  finally a safe place has been assigned for fire crackers.

Wishing all a very happy and safe diwali! May the new year brings in more compassion, understanding and mental peace to OH residents.

OH 5: KITTY @ DIMPLE'S

Yesterday, the monthly get-together was at Dimple's place. We are a gang of 12 ladies who are members of this kitty party, which is the first kitty party of the OH. 

Sometimes, I wonder why these girlie get-together are called kitty parties? 

The word 'kitty' originally meant the pool of stakes to be played for in certain card games. In colloquial use, it also referred to any fund or savings for joint use like the chit fund. Later, the system of raising a common fund became very common among women of high societies. In this system, every month each member contributes some amount of money. Some games are played, some gossip and great food sums up the kitty party. It is a miniature form of the cooperative credit societies.

Our kitty party is a theme party, which is the host' prerogative. Dimple , the host of October kitty kept the NAVRATRI theme. The theme is most appropriate as it's almost navratri time and Dimple is the garba tutor of the society. Most of the members wore chaniya -choli ( lehenga - choli). I did not . :( 
Food was delicious gujju food minus the floating oil. A vegetable like baingan was made so delicious. 

Kitty party is generally looked down by the working and conservative ladies.  Kitty parties is not  about gossips or bitching. It's also not about whiling away time by stay at home women. It's about sharing one's interests and problems. It's about creating a support system in a new surroundings. It's about understanding human behaviour. It's about learning too. It's about communication.  It's basically an idea exchange platform. 

I have made some great friends for life in this OH kitty ! Thanks to all who are members of this group!