By now my mastery of the tying of the Nari, and using these clothes has become a norm. So much freedom down below, and modern day pyjama have a jip, and a tich button at the bottom of the leggings, like Nike.
However, to much disappointment, the ladies decided to skip, the first bit of the mandvo, and go shopping. Have I missed a point here? No problem, back in jeans and an easy Kurta top, we went looking for bits and bobs.
My Sasu, apart from being a yoga doctor, discussed some economics and inflation in the taxi, and the merits of purchasing madaf, in Dehradhun for 40 rupees each and Ahmedavad, being much cheaper. So we had 5 for 100 rupees.
This reminds me of a tale the late TBSodha used to tell me about a Vanio who in his quest to find the cheapest madaf was eventually asked to hire a monkey for 50 rupees, so that he could have as many as possible. Sadly when the monkey went up a tree and threw the first one down, it fell on his head and he died!
One thing is for sure clothes are superb and of good value in Ahmedavad, so if you come over keep space in your bags.
At pm, I changed back into my comfort KPJ (KurtaPyjamas) and off we went to the Barat. Ever met that person who you meet in your life who tries too much, but gets it wrong? I had that Mr Bean moment, as most of the men were suited western style, and I looked like a pure Desi!
We had the pagdi on, and walked and danced (not me, all the others), until we were met by the receiving party. Yesterday, I made a mistake, the Khandwalas (the brides family) are Vaisnav Vanias, and are seriously loaded. It was set in a massive farm house, and the wedding was in a small amphitheater type of construction so that all could see. With canapés, and live musicians what could be better, and of course outdoor in the cool pm breeze.
Then of courses the guests and tight security, In comes Asha Bhosle, Mukesh Ambani, Chief of police, Neeta Ambani, and the glitterati, and glitter of the jewellery was almost wrecking my fine photography. However, I will send you some of them.
After the wedding we went for the reception, and that’s when I regretted my KPJs the most, except one or two others who were dressed like me, including the waiters, and NaMo. No kidding he was there, the PM in waiting, and I will sent you his pictures to show his KPJs,
The food was exquisite, with cuisine from all over, and a huge garden party, with more live musicians playing in the background. Met some lovely people, and this place is happening. Somebody told me that the country will always go forward from now on, his expression was ‘ this train cannot stop’. I could add, that it is also very long, and will trample many on the way. Please say a prayer for the have nots.
As usual, to make you all jealous, I had veggie tom-yum soup, Burmese khorsuey, Rotlo, auroh, dahi, katlu, some varieties of kulfi.Thank God I did not have lunch, and Meena and Kavita were discerning enough to guide through the appropriate gastronomic delights.
I often wonder that the level of gas produced by these foods could cause a huge explosion, and should be put on the UN Risk Register of environmental risks. Also, did you know that the highest amount of Methane is produced by the cows in India?
This, and the significant human propellant, are compelling reasons to stay put in the west.
One thing is for sure, from taxi drivers, the learned people I met at the weddings and elsewhere, the papers, and polls, NaMo, is likely to be the next PM, and the Indian rupee will strengthen by a conservative 5-10 per cent, and so will the stock market, after May. I hereby put a disclaimer, that this is my personal opinion, and you need to seek your own advice, save that you may want to pop over.
Back, at the Hotul, this was the climax of our trip. But there is one more day, and so tomorrow, I am planning do do the Heritage Walk, and go to Akshardham by Sabarmati where my hero MKG used to live. If you ever get the chance read his book ‘ My experiments with truth’. If it does not change one thing in your life or habits, my name is not Nitin,