Not so Humara Bajaj

Who can forget the Bajaj scooter advert “Buland Bharat ke buland tasveer – Humara Bajaj. The scooter being driven in fields and rough roads. Your Barosemand Saathi.

To be frank enough it used to be my favourite advert as a child. The advert summarized the whole Indian middle class spirit or shall I say the Indian spirit.

I am sure all of us remember the Bajaj scooter driven by an uncle in safari suit and an aunty behind in saari or Punjabi suit and chintu and chooti – one squeezed in between and one standing in front or lot many times we ended up being the Chintu or Chooti. Most of my friends had their first experience of 2-wheeler driving Bajaj scooter.

No matter which part of India we grew up; once you hit the road – you see them everywhere, people hopping on it to go to office or a family party.

This news made me feel nostalgic about my childhood. But I guess India has changed a lot since then some for good some for bad. The needs have changed and so has the focus of Auto Industry. But the end of Humara Baja is end of an era.

A Trip to San Antonio

I am at the SA airport right now. As I write this post, all the good memories of 3 days that I spent here are flashing through my mind. It is a city to the west of Houston. it is few hours drive from Houston or an hour flight.

San Antonio has a lot to offer. Be it a feel of the culture, good food or site-seeing. The SA people are always ready to help with a smile, which makes the experience even richer.
The city is easy to get along, you can walk around or take a colorful trolley. Taxi is always an option an expensive one though.
I personally like to walk, it gives me a chance to experience the place and feel the culture.

Now coming to the places that are a must-see:

• Alamo: San Antonio is rightly called the Alamo city. It a must see war memorial. located in the center of the downtown it is easily accessible.
• Riverwalk: as the sun sets on SA, the Riverwalk comes to life. You see restaurants and shops along the riverwalk buzzing with poeple. The riverwalk area is decorated with lights. You will spot a beautifully decorated X-mas tree at the center of the riverwalk; if you visit at that time of the year. You can take a boat trip along the riverside. I suggest taking a walk along the riverside during the evening and day time. no matter what time you go, one cannot help but appreciate the beauty of the place.
• Japanese Tea Restaurant: Know the history of the Japanese restaurant. it is being renovated. may be you can have some sips of the Japanese tea when you are there.
  
• Mission: Visit atleast one or two missions. if possible watch the 20 min movie to know about the history of American Indians. It a place worth experiencing.
  
• The Tower of America: Ever been to a revolving restaurant 500 ft above the ground, if not its the place to be. believe me it could turn out to be the most romantic date you ever had. Watch the glittering city lights while having some fine food that the restaurant has to offer.
• Texas- Ranger museum: It you never been to one. Go and experience it. See the different horns, wax statue of animal life from Alaska to Africa. It will take to back few decades to the cool life of cow boys.
  

Take a walk around the city or can sit on the benches provided along the walkway. Go around the Mexican market. Get the taste of the best Mexican candies and other bakery products.
Sit back relax and enjoy the trip to the City of Alamo.

Kashir....

This is my first poem or thoughts for this blog. It a poem dedicated to Mother Kashmir. It is in Kashmiri. Apologies to the readers who don't understand kashmiri.

Be chas cheney be chas cheney…vanan chas,

Magar tele kyaze dure gaman manz basan chas,

be yot yot gayes….toh toh che ruzuk seth,

baneth tem posh bag baneth soy maan chey preth,

Che chak seth seth rozmech main lakcharas,

che chek godnuk gulab dil kis ath sabzaras,

Me guzaremet che seth keh khas lamhat,

Me karemet chey seth them meche kath bath,

magar waen umra guzar chenes khayal manz,

setha duray te waen kar melnuky sanz,

Main wechmak sopnas manz che rath,

Dopmay melhav prenpath the karhav akh mulakat,

Su wacynahav bey bone shehjar,

Sameth karhav bey su pron milchar,

Dopnam su waqta chu wan badloumut,

Bone hoshmech che sabzar mokloumut,

Gare cheney ghare wain, bas makan che rudemet,

Khatam lol gomut, te jazbat che waen mudemet,

Majen che aache losmach aama yem shur kar yen,

Magar shuren chu mothmut temen majan hundne ren,

Be kya kya vanay meh kya che gomut,

Chot peth boz su swarag che waen ketytan rovmut,

Yete baoy bayes lutan the maran,

Yate maja revmet shur che charan,

Vatak pujaye wain waqta chu gomut,

Mandar sunsan the panyaar che moklomut,

Wachet ye hall asuna karnan chas,

Ama “phirdos” cha me vanan, sonchan chas,

Magar ye main kath wan ware peth boz,

waqaht bale the bay folun posh,

bey gul pholan bey bulbul gaven tharen manz,

bey mean shur yen phereth yemen garan manz,

be chas ,be aasey, te bey roze,

bahar ye phreth – magar hosh manz roz.