Beard, I feel is a natural gift to the “unfair sex”(read men) on this earth. It does not require any of nourishment nor investment. But unfortunately very few people cultivate this priced crop. One day I decided to grow beard. The decision did not have any obsession., nor any spiritual, financial, logical, emotional, physiological or intellectual reasons. A coupe of days after my resolution, beard sprouted around and across my chin and cheek, forcing me to pass a few traumatic nights: felt as if sleeping on a thorny pillow. This experience taught me sense of tolerance. Neither beard per se nor change in my look, amused as much as the observations, suggestions and critical reviews poured in from all corners around me. The comments were with all hues- candid, sarcastic, impudent, nostalgic etc. The first remark was from Girish, a pessimist, who called me as “Modern Devdas” asked me “Who is that unfortunate Paru that rejected or dejected you and brought you to this state?” Rahul passed a ...

Hi, I happened to visit and stay in “Apnu Amdavad” almost for about a week. Thought to pen-down (rather key-in) my experience and observation with some apt subject line. During Dasara vacations, I toured with my family, Udaipur and Mt Abu before reaching Ahmedabad.Exactly 10 years back (mid Oct 97) I bid adieu to Ahmedabad, in search of greener pastures(?!). Lot of water might have flown along Sabaramati (!!) during this period and I was expecting some changes in Ahmedabad and was ready for many surprises. The first observation, which had not changed, was getting an auto-rickshaw. At 9:30pm from Paldi to Vastrapur, I could easily get an auto and that too without demanding any extra fare (It was just Rs 27/-). Unheard of in Bangalore. Three main changes I noted immediately were – wide roads, CNG run autos (and buses) reducing pollution, flowing water in Sabaramati river (even in the month of October).Most of the roads in Western Ahemdabad have been spruced-up drastically. Leave alone th...