Golgappa and Googly!

1987: One hot summer afternoon

"Kitty has given birth to babies, let's take a look, come down to the storeroom"- My cousin's shout perked me up.

I was spending holidays at my paternal uncle's huge ancestral house in Begumpet, Hyderabad. The news of our pet cat giving birth to a litter excited me. I rushed downstairs.

However, my excitement was short lived. My granny had bolted the store room door and wasn't allowing anyone to disturb the mother cat and her kittens. I walked dejectedly into the living room and saw people glued to the Television.

The Television showed some men in white clothes. I also heard a sluggish voice with a tacky English accent, oozing in the background. The good old Doordarshan logo caught my instant attention.

And that's how it happened! Deprived of seeing the new born kittens brought cricket to me.

Before I could understand the game, I had heard about cricketer Kapil Dev, but I never knew how he looked. So each time I saw cricket on Television, I assumed that any person with a hat and whitest clothes, running briskly on the field was Kapil Dev. Later, "Palmolive ka Jawaab nahi" AD cleared my assumption. Even today, Kapil Dev- speak the name and I get a picture of him holding up that world cup trophy. Priceless!

As years progressed, the game grew upon me. The eagerness to wake up early at 3 AM to watch the 1992 world cup cricket matches allowed the sport to become an integral part of my childhood. It was also the time, when book-cricket phenomenon was all over the classrooms, BigFun chewing gum hit the market with wrapper of cricketing legends. 6 runs for Azharuddin, a 2 wicket haul wrapper of Ian Bishop and so on. Once, I had collected 200 runs with 11 wickets and got a cricket diary in an exchange offer!

Cricket lured me to fame its dynamics also helped me to understand and differentiate my abilities. Initially I thought I was good bowler and if I scored runs, I told others that I was a batsman. Occasionally I did a little bit of off spinning job too and proclaimed myself as a spinner.

1992- One cold winter morning

"Abhi, we have a game on Sunday 6 AM at Parade Grounds"-Kartik announced.

"With the Gujarati Team?"- I asked

"Yeah, I have challenged them"- Sai blustered.

Sai was an extremely good player, but had a fierce reputation as the ruthless captain of our team. He would swore at anyone who dropped a catch or acted clumsy on the field. Kartik and Sai were the driving force and the team heavily depended upon them. The rest of the team also had all my other childhood friends

All the Telugu speaking guys including me, found opponents in our Gujarati friends who also grew up with us in the same neighborhood.

Strange as you could call it, but all of us were best buddies. We went to movies, played Dandiya during Navrathri season, flew kites, went on picnics, discussed gang-wars, girl friends and relationships. However, only Cricket created a rivalry between us. Thankfully, caste, creed and ethnic group feeling was never injected into us during that tender age. Cricket drew a dotted line relationship between the two groups with an intention to confront each other.

However, we continued as best chums, post the cricket match.

"Abhishek Statue, Kartik Statue, Sai, Statue & Thumbs-up"- Cried out Rajneesh arriving on his Hero Ranger bicycle.

As stupid as it seems, but during those days, we used to adopt an insane activity among us. If a guy tells you Statue when you meet him for the first time during the day, you must freeze, until he says 'Down'. And if he tells you Thums-up, you are expected to keep the thumb in your mouth pose as if you are sipping a cold-drink. This dumb game was extremely popular during our early teens.

The Statue concept not only brought a strange amount of loftiness among us but sometimes it also allowed sparks of jealousy to fly around. Especially when some of the guys partnered this activity with the girls of our colony.

"Ok guys, Down tomorrow"- Rajneesh muttered.

"Rajji, we have a match tomorrow with Nitesh and his team"- said Kartik while spinning a tennis ball.

We had now graduated to a level of playing for moolah. The winning team will now get some money from the losing side. This was usually Rs 5 per person.

But Rajneesh as usual was ecstatic about something else.

"Showdown in Little Tokyo" is playing in Sangeet Theatre, Let's watch it tonight guys".

"Done deal, but let's first go to Sachdev sports, we must buy a new ball and a pair of gloves for tomorrow's match"- I added.

That evening, we went to Sangeet Theatre to watch the late evening show. After the movie, we felt hungry and went to a remote place to eat pani-puri and chat. Owing to unhygienic surrounding, a few of my friends chose not to eat but I indulged completely into it. I didn't realize that so much making a pig of myself. By the time I reached home, my stomach was behaving funny. I however had a peaceful sleep that night.

"Abhi, get up, your friends are here"- My dad woke me the next morning.

"uhh.. is it time already?" I woke up with an uneasy feeling and a rumbled tummy.

I got up hesitatingly and walked towards the door. It was 5:30 am and the cold winter was at its peak. For a moment, I wanted to cancel my participation as I felt it was a punishment to get out and play in the cold. I saw my friends waiting for me.

"Why the hell aren't you ready yet? - A friend yelled at me.
 
"Some of our guys have already left to occupy the cricket pitch at the 'Parade'" He told me the names as I nodded my head, half-asleep.

'Parade Grounds' was a vast and well laid out playground. Located about a kilometer away from our colony, it became our venue for maximum cricket matches. With so many number of cricket matches happening at the same time, exactly at a pitch next to each other, it was confusing to know which game you are actually in!

To occupy the pitch, one must reach early, ground the wickets, spread the kit bag items on the pitch, park bicycle in the middle of the pitch.  This activity indicated a possession.


"Sorry guys , I'd be ready in a jiffy".- I said sheepishly and rushed inside.

There was hardly any time left as I brushed my teeth in haste and hurriedly cycled all the way to the ground and made it on time.

The match began. The Gujarati team won the toss and opted to bat first. Within few moments, the game evolved into a drama, twists & turns, catch drops, misfield, the usual abuses of Sai. It also witnessed the highly eccentric behavior of Pinkesh, the opponent captain. The nice thing about my Gujarati friends was that they never swore even when provoked or even when things go wrong. This was bang opposite to our principles, we swore at a drop of a hat. Despite these differences our teams we bonded like nobody's business.

Soon the early morning sun came out while I was continuing to feel uneasy.

"Su karo chhu yaar thane? Akkal natthi" (What the hell are you doing? Are you nuts?)

One of the batsman yelled at his partner in the midst of confusion running between the wickets.

The Gujarati team had boys from rich families, plush cricket gear chauffeur driven car. Incidentally, years later I had a big time fallout with my Telugu team and decided to represent the Gujarati team for a few matches. They lured me by offering a vice captaincy position and comic books. I was a teenager with naive ignorance of life. With all these 'facilities' and claiming as most important player, I conceited. But we were trashed by my old Telugu team and I was beginning to miss the old fun. After a hard thought, I realized my folly and got back to my flock. And you all thought that the concept of IPL began 3 years ago?

Meanwhile, the Gujarati team had put up a score and it was our turn to chase.

During the break, the soda-wala arrived. The 1 Rupee "Goli Soda" was sold in glass bottle in which a round marble seals the mouth of the bottle by the pressure of the contents, instead of a cap. If the bottle contained lemon juice then it became lemon soda. If it was colored water, then its color soda, ginger and so on. I loved to hear the popping sound as it was opened. This refreshing drink was extremely popular during those days.

After the soda break, our innings began and as expected, the 2 most impressive batsmen of our team  managed the show. They demolished the opposition bowling. My other teammates whistled and cheered while I was became restless about something.

A little later, I felt uneasy and got up, did a brisk walk and tried to stretch my limbs. Gradually, my team lost wickets and winning now seemed difficult.

"Saaru bowling che Jinesh" (Good bowling Jinesh) - A guy who was fielding nearby us, jumped in joy and ran to celebrate a wicket fall.

I watched helplessly as one by one my team member went to the middle and came back after adding a few runs.

"Abhi, pad up, you're next- one of my team member remarked.

"What's the matter with you?" Not feeling well?Do you want a bi-runner"?- He asked


"Nah, I will be fine"- I muttered

I walked into the middle during the crisis situation. It was difficult game and I also had to endure my uneasiness. The required run rate was all time high. I was sweating all over.

Next moment, I find myself hitting the ball all over the ground and running in haste. It looked as if I was engaged in some military training exercise. A couple of fluke shots resulting in boundaries, stepping out of the crease to strike, missing it & the wicket keeper fumbling, it was all happening. However, my uneasiness continued and I wasn't feeling good about it. I wanted to get out without any deliberate attempt. But it looked like every stroke of mine had luck attached to it.

My abusive captain who was doing the umpiring job was astonished at my play. There was grin on his face.

Very soon, we neared an easy win. But instead of feeling happy about it, I became nervous and got myself run-out in the process. My jubilant team asked me to wait till they finish the game and celebrate the victory.

I said that I will meet them at home and fled the scene. I took off my gloves, batting pads and took my friends bicycle and raced home.

An hour later, my friends came home and met my dad.

"Hello uncle"

"Hello boys? How was your game?"

It was fantastic win Uncle! Abhi batted extremely well, hitting the ball all over the ground and running like an antelope between the wickets. Towards the end, it looked as if he was in a great hurry to finish the game.

Oh is it? That’s nice!

Uncle, could you call Abhishek?- They asked.

"Ok, Wait let me check. The boy has been frequenting the toilet ever since he came home this morning!"

© All rights reserved with Abhishek Naini. No form of this may be reproduced without prior permission from the author.

Sex, Lies and Videotape

That evening in Feb 1995, we boys were engrossed in the game of colony cricket, straight after our return from school. As a customary practice, some of us never bothered to change our respective school uniform. Untucked shirt, harsh vocals, body odor due to the smell of sweat, sweaty socks, trapped in shoes all day, some entry-level swear words, usage of some often resulting in harmless brawls, a pencil ultra thin mustache above the upper lip etc flamboyantly depicted the beginning of puberty.

Just when the bowler got ready to bowl, a boy who we knew, arrived from nowhere and rudely interrupted the game. He whispered something into the bowler's ear. The bowler laughed and ran towards the batsman and shared that secret. The embarrassed batsman turned towards me and whispered in my ear. Aghast, I ran towards the wicket keeper. Over the next 10 minutes the secret was revealed to the boys at various fielding positions like deep midwicket, gully, point, extra cover, long-on etc.

That day there was an uproar, excitement, glee, shock, debate and other versatile emotions.

"Is that so? How falsely we have been assuming about it till then".

"Hah, I already knew about it."

Some of the boys built their curiosity, others stuffed a confusion Vs confounded look on their faces. Perhaps, it was also the day when Biology became the most sought subject at school. Over the next few days, we spoke more and more about it. While some boys coyly gesticulated about the subject, a few of them chose to stay silent, possibly for the fear of being branded as 'Dirty'.

As a kid, I remember watching the film Satte Pe Satta sitting amongst a group of elderly people. It was the scene when Amitabh marries Hema Malini in a registrar office after exchanging the garlands. As he gets ready to leave, the officer calls Amitabh aside and shakes hands with him to congratulate again. Next, I see a little packet in Amitabh's hand followed by a squeaky sound. I became curious about that thing.

"What is that Uncle?" I turned around and asked him explicitly.

"It is....it is...errr ...a Chocolate"

My uncle, visibly embarrassed, shooed my perplexity. The rest of the members in that room felt abashed at my extravagant question.

It was the era of Doordarshan when the ads of contraceptives would see the elders, embarrassed and all conservative families trying to take off our attention from the television by asking someone to check the door as if someone had rung the door bell or check if the fan in the other room was not switched off!

"Let's all of us meet up tonight at my place" We a got hell a lot of academic portion to study. Our pre-finals are just a fortnight away"

"You mean, a night out? Combined studies?"- I asked.

"Of course, my people are going out and they'd return only tomorrow."

None of us ever made a serious attempt to study at night. Our history had enough testimonies to prove that every combined study either resulted in talking dirty, argue over Indo-US military power, develop strategy to strengthen our cricket team and gang for fights.

"So, I take it for granted, I will see all you boys at my place tonight". We also have been planning it since long time and now its time."

He said that and it resulted in mischievous smiles among their faces.

"Ah, yes! I spoke to that video parlor man yesterday. He will arrange for that".

I smelt a rat there. It took me a while to realize that tonight it's going to be some real education beyond books.

"Ahem, I don't want to come"- I said petrified of the idea.

"No, you must come and for ninnies like you, we will arrange another room and supply Chaudhary and Phantom comics. You could read all the night, while we have some serious fun".

"But what if we get caught"- I asked feeling uneasy.

"Not a chance! Hey, I hope you know how to connect a VCR". The cables & stuff, man I tell you, the television at my home, its insane!

"Hah! Leave that to me. I can handle any goddamn wires and sockets."

"Enough of your expensive Deboniar and Kamasutra books. We need to witness some real action now". Get those tapes or we will shoot you dead. I paid a fortune to rent that Japanese brand VCR."

"Oh yes, my people will leave home around 9PM. Get the VCR and cassettes to my place only after 9. Understand?

These conversations drooled all of us. We knew something exciting, never before activity was in store tonight. It was beyond those biology lessons, the Doordarshan Liril soap Ad under the waterfall and the sex books that we boys occasionally and secretly circulated amongst ourselves.

5 of us showed up on time at the destination, armed with the Japanese brand electronic item and a few academic books. Only the boy in-charge of cassettes didn't arrive yet.

"Don't make a sound. They will leave in an hours time. Get in quickly and hide the VCR under the bed."

He laid a carpet and we all sat down with our books for a ridiculous depiction of combined studies.

"(a+b)2 = a2+2ab+b2" correct, now would you please expand (a-b)"

We spoke in high pitch at regular intervals either on mathematical formula or geography to convey a bonafide activity!

After we settled down, the song of an Advertisement emanated from the television in the other room.

"Shhh....quiet, listen to that, listen to that".

We listened closely while looking at each other.

"Pyaar hua ekraar hua hai, pyaar se fir kyon darta hai dil".

A song from Rajkapoor's film was then used for a popular contraceptive. There was a wicked smile on all our faces because we now knew exactly what the product was. We chuckled amongst ourselves.

When the AD ended with a punchline being uttered "Sabse Jyada bikne waala condom", a boy in our gang burst-ed laughing loudly. We at once panicked for no reason and forced ourselves to shut our mouth the very next moment.

It was only after we heard a cough from the elderly person in the other room, we felt safe!

"Assole! How difficult is it for you to control that bloody laugh"?

"I will tell you a joke which I heard today at school".

"Pssst...is it non-veg"? - in a very secretive tone.

"oh yeah yeah, it is"?

"Okay okay, but be careful. Not aloud". Let me check the door first".

We formed a huddle.

"Here it goes, "What did Sharmila Tagore say to Tiger Pataudi on their first night"?

We looked at each other and waited for the answer.

"C'mon, say it"

"Well, she said "You are not the opening batsman".

As the room erupted with laughter, the boy who was worried about the noise levels, cautioned us again.

"Shh...shh..quiet...shhh"..shhh

A little later after the elders left home, the boy who was responsible to get the cassettes arrived. Our joy grew no bounds.

I picked up those 4 cassettes & saw the label that read: Enter the Dragon, The Fearless Hyena, Star wars & another Chinese martial arts film! Some of the boys looked at him as if to question, why the heck have you got these?

"Heheheh..that's the secret! THAT film will appear only after 15 minutes. All we must do is press the fast forward button of the VCR once we insert the cassette".

One of the boys connected the VCR to the television after initial struggle. The VCR finally showed signs of its functioning. We cheered and whistled the moment it started playing. The seating arrangement was done in a systematic manner. One of us sat near the entrance door to alert us, if any footstep is heard. One sat near the VCR to manage its controls, and two boys ready to lay the carpet and arrange books to make it a study scene if someone breaks in.

Simply put, these boys served as Emergency Management Team!

Amidst the curious moments watching the video, there were some funny moments too. One of the performer resembled a man of our colony and we rolled on floor laughing. It was even more hilarious, when the video played in fast forward and re winded the action mode.

"I can hear footsteps outside....quick!"

Before I could realize what's happening, the 'Emergency Management Team' got into action. Within minutes, they switched off the Television, hid the VCR, laid out carpet and books, and created a study scene.

"Who's there?"

"It's me. Open up."

The door opened and we saw that one of our boys who showed up late. He too had religiously carried all his text books, model papers and notes. ( Read: lied)

"What took you so long to open the door"?

"Aw Shit! This poop gave us a false alarm."

"What a waste of time! Come in quickly you ass".

We rearranged the scene and were busy once again.

The cassettes had a poor print quality and added to our woes, the television just wouldn't cooperate. Arguably, the boy in-charge of VCR controls was doing the toughest job. He had to ensure fast forward option for unnecessary scenes, regularly manage the 'Tracking' and 'Vertical hold' options to ensure a clear picture quality and stop the video from tilting. In that process, he also copped a lot of friendly flak from the restless group of boys.

I quietly sat in a corner and listened to the entire murmur in that room.

"This is great".

"Why the heck have you skipped that scene?" Rewind it"

"No, I saw it already, move on". Press the fast forward button"

"Yuck"

"This is ridiculous, same scene again. Who the hell got these duplicate cassettes"

"I did, so what? What else can you get at Rs 50 rental?"

" You assole, what did you do with the 'Tracking' option?

"So that's how it is"

"Now I understand why my Biology teacher took separate classes for boys"

"Screwed up picture quality, the previous setting was much better"

"This chick is nice but look at the bald guy. He looks like my school chowkidaar"

"Stop there, play that again"

"See, like I told you the other day during the game of cricket"

These voices in the room finally made it happen!

At the end of 3 hour chaotic session, we boys became MEN.

(Dedicated to my childhood friends. I can't reveal the names of boys for exciting reasons. However, this story is my attempt to illustrate the various activities and emotions which most of the boys go though during their 'coming of age' )

© All rights reserved with Abhishek Naini. No form of this may be reproduced without prior permission from the author.

The Cry of a Woman

"I am afraid. You will have to admit him in the hospital". "It's a case of regular jaundice that occurs among age group 7-10 years, but your son needs a specific medical attention".

I don't remember the reaction of my parents when the doctor mentioned the word hospital. I was perplexed because I found myself to be extremely healthy and was unable to understand the reason for my admission. Despite that, I was excited about the idea of moving away from school and getting admitted into the hospital. Blame it on the age here!

The next day afternoon I found myself in Military hospital of Ramgarh Cantonment. Along with my parents and neighbor aunt, I walked through those old corridors. I noticed a garden with 2 little swings positioned and the thought of swinging excited me. Barring a few people movement here and there, the entire hospital was quiet and that moment again made me question the reason for my admission.

We soon reached a ward room which had around 7 beds. I looked up towards the old roof which accommodated some 5 odd ceiling fans that made a low creaky noise and conveyed their vintage status. It was so quiet all around that I could even hear the slightest whisper in the room. While some beds were empty, the rest were occupied by people who seemed fit and fine. My apprehensions were cleared by late evening, when I realized that the people who looked fit and fine were visitors and they had all gone leaving the actual patients who looked miserable and rightfully bed ridden.

I compared my situation with them and felt really happy. Reason I had my mom with me and she looked like a pillar of strength. However, my happiness was short lived when I learned that she will leave me alone in the hospital and go back home the next day.

Next afternoon as my mother prepared to leave, I cried and ran after her till the garden asking her to stay back. The nurse had to step in and pull me back. I watched my mom go and for a moment I thought that it was the end of the world. I sobbed furiously till the nurse escorted me to my ward. Surprisingly, I found an elderly boy waiting for me near my bed. He was quite tall and had an apple in hand.

" I saw you running towards the garden" Has your mother left?" - He asked

"Yes, she has left"- I replied in a low tone.

Don't worry. We will play together. Do you like apples?- He stretched out his hand to offer me and apple.

I was a little reluctant but the boy's acquaintance compelled me take that apple and the next thing I knew was that I had found a friend at the hospital.

I took the fruit from his hand and started chewing it noisily while the other patients looked as if there is something definitely queer about me.

"I live in the other ward. It's next to the lunch room and very close to the garden"- He explained.

"What disease you have?Why are you here"? I asked him.

He kept mum and it looked as if he didn't want to disclose.

"I will see you again tomorrow. If the nurse finds me missing from my bed, she will scold me"- He scurried.

My next day followed with a series of doctor & nurse visits who conducted assorted checkups.

" When will my mother come?" - I asked the nurse.

"She will come if you take your medicines and food on time"- She replied while examining the thermometer.

"Ok. Time for lunch now. Get up and follow these people who will lead you to the mess room"- She pointed me towards a group of patients who were ready to leave the ward room. It then struck me that I could meet my friend at the lunch room.

I met him in the lunch room. We picked up plates and approached the matron who was serving rotis and a curry. She had worn a white sari with a blue border and had big cat like eyes.

"Meat khaata kya? (Do you eat meat?) she asked me callously.

Her intimidating body language petrified me. I felt as if she'd punish me if I say yes.

"Nahi"- I muttered.

That moment took me back to my 2nd standard science text book which had a lesson on food. The colorful picture of meat and eggs was fresh in my mind. I then turned my plate to the other matron who was serving vegetable curry and she pleased looking at me.

My bonding with the elder boy grew stronger and we enjoyed occasional long walks within the hospital, had fun at the swings, ate lunch and dinner together and yet I was unable to figure out the reason for his admission in the hospital.

One late evening as I was passing through one of the corridors of the hospital, I head a shrill woman cry from a room that located in a corner. I became curious and thought that somebody was getting beaten up for not taking medicines on time or maybe an injection is being given and the pain must be intolerable.

As I neared the room, the groan & moan became louder. I meekly pushed the door to see what's happening inside. I stepped in and tried to look around. There were people in a corner and it looked like a huddle.

"Idhar kya kar raha hai?" chal bhaag yahan se?" (What are you doing here? shoo")- It was a big strong woman who appeared from nowhere and yelled at me. I immediately took my heels. I rushed to my bed and covered myself with the bed-sheet. Clueless about the situation.

Next day, I was delighted to see my mother back and I also had many visitors. One among them was my friend and neighbor Bhupinder Singh who came with his mom and father Col Balwinder Sandhu.

Earlier, I had a spat with Bhupinder when I ridiculed him by calling him a boy with lotus on his head. When it angered him, I added extra agony by saying "shaam ho gaya, ab Kamal khil Jayega". (The lotus will now bloom because its evening.)

He was harmless and a puny Sardar boy who shared with me, the hobby of collecting variety of matchboxes. On afternoons, we boys used to wander around the backyard of various army quarters, to collect matchboxes. The sound/whistle of pressure cooker from homes, conveyed the afternoon lunch being cooked in various homes.

Bhupinder looked very pleased he sat on my bed and flaunted his new collection.

" Yeh dekh Ship" hai tere paas? (Look at this ship matchbox" Do you have it?")
" Aur yeh dekh...Jar, Cheetah Fight, two roses.

His collection made me jealous and I then wanted to get out of the hospital.

While I was being surrounded by visitors and enjoying the attention, I saw my friend from the other ward room standing at the door and waiting for me to join him play. However, having looked at the crowd, he walked away. At that juncture, my mother announced that I will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

After the visitors and my parents left, I ran to my friend to tell him the news. He was sitting on his bed a staring at a Hindi comic book in his hand.

" I am leaving tomorrow" - I said

"Oh! That's nice? Has your mother come?- His tone carried a tinge of sadness.

"She will come tomorrow to take me home" By the way, when will you get discharged?- I asked him

"Oh! I really don't know"- He looked dejected.

I decided to leave his ward room and while coming back, I came across that mysterious room again and heard the loud female moan. Afraid of the big woman of that room, I choose to stand out and listen to the cry and wondered why would someone cry so much? All sorts of cries were heard during my 10 minute wait outside the room that night.

Next day morning, my dad and mom came to take me home. While my dad went to the administration section complete my discharge formalities, I dragged my mom towards that mysterious room.

"Maa, this is the room I was telling you about. The doctors inside punish the patients who do not take medicines on time. They give painful injections make the patients cry and groan in pain".- I told her excitedly.

My mother looked up and read the heading of that room. She quietly chuckled.

"Oh yes, they do that to people who do not eat leafy vegetables too"- She warned me.

"And you know what Maa, it's a strange injection they give.- I told her eagerly.

Oh really? what' so strange about that?- She asked me

Well, after sometime, the loud cry of the person will sound as if a little baby is crying"

Jaago Blogger Jaago!

This article doesn't belongs to an incident from my first 25 years life. However......

I debated long, on what the first few words of my experience should be. And then I knew. Though this is not a fairy tale, I will still make it sound like one.

Once upon a time, though not very long ago, there was, in Hyderabad, a province named Hotel Fortune Select Manohar. Like all kingdoms, it had a service provider called UniverCell who was chosen by the cream of 150 Bloggers from Hyderabad, after UniverCell promised them a fun filled event, a social network gathering of the like minded people, an opportunity to share, narrate, boast, flaunt or project their professional and personal interests through blogs. And very soon, a proclamation was rolled out. It contained the details of the meet, agenda etc.

And it happened! On a hot afternoon, all the bloggers assembled in the province. The ministers who organized the event welcomed the Bloggers and the celebrations had begun. A hilarious ChitraPradarshan (Video) was shown to the bloggers! Later, Each one of those 150 bloggers spoke about their blogging interests that included the whys, hows whens wheres etc.

When it was the turn of a guy named Mastbuddhi to speak( Read: ME) he picked up the mic and told the assembly that he was not nervous to speak in a Public Forum like this, because it was a bloggers forum and not a Matrimonial! This evoked laughter amongst the subjects. He also spoke about his blog, which he likes to pep with lots and lots of Nostalgia, that include stories form the good old days of his life, and also some memorable incidents . He has found a passionate way to tell his stories and he calls it Blogging!

Mastbuddhi also happened to meet many interesting people of his own kingdom, some who maintained as many as 50 blogs and others who blog without any purpose. From Linguistics to Filmmakers, from Students to Geeks, from Fashion Designers to Freelancers, and from Sincere Husbands to retired gentlemen, this forum had it all. What caught the attention of Mastbuddhi was that zeal the bloggers carried out throughout the event. Then , there was this ChaturRaja
(Read: Riyaz) who organized Yakshaprashna (quiz) for his subjects. And those Prashnas were kinda too tough for Mastbuddhi who felt he was gradually losing all his Buddhi.

Finally after a series of discussions, debates, acquaintances, photo shoots and murmurs, the bloggers were presented an attractive T shirt that most of them will, undoubtedly, consider it as a souvenir.

As the event slowly marched its way to closure, All the bloggers hopped from one leg to another and screamed-

" We Blog, Therefore we are"!

And they all continued to Blog Happily ever After!!