It was early 2002 and I had just moved back to Delhi from Chandigarh to start working with "Legato Systems". At that time, Avinash had rented a two room apartment in Malviya Nagar, a typical rail bogey apartment with no windows. Once I was back, we were pretty sure that we would want to move back to Noida so we started looking for a accommodation, aka house hunting.
Typically we would gather a list from our resources and would call them up or visit the landlords on Saturday/Sunday and then would weigh the decision to take/not-take on certain factors like rent per month, location of the flat, how far it is from bus stop, independence in terms of acces, state of the flat and so on.
Ravi was still not working and the rent was initially shared between me and Avinash, the two so called earners. We had decided to take something which is not more then 6K a month, at that price one would get a very decent 3 bed-room apartment, enough for three of us (or even four, if Tewari joins us).
Avinash met Brajesh (I hope I have the name correct) first and he was sort of impressed with the flat as well as with the person. Brajesh came out as a frank, not so old, modern thinker guy who would be easy to get with. This flat was a duplex and we have never stayed in one so there was this novelty factor as well. It was fairly bug with a room, kitchen and lounge on level 1 and two bed rooms on level 2. The only hitch was the rent which was 7500. It was not really beyond what we could afford but was much more then what two bachelors will spend. Normally a 3 bed-roomer would have as many 5 bachelors living together, squaring rent at the end of the month.
So we thought and discussed and decided that the house deserves Rs 7K for sure. That leaves Rs 500 and we attributed that Rs 500 to the land lords, we somehow thought that they deserve an extra Rs 500 :)
and we moved in.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Playing Carrom
Carrom I believe is the game that brought us together. I still remember Nandan my test project lead at Newgen called me one day in conf room . I thought it was to discuss some work and instead he told me that there is a plan to play carrom at my home at Atta in Noida. He told me to go to CP and buy new carrom board. I left Newgen at lunch time and took auto and went to CP. I found myself short of money and went 1 KM away to ICICI bank to get some more money. I think that was the second time I withdraw money from ATM. I then went ahead a bought wooden playing 'Ghotis' and 'Striker'. We finally changed it to plastic one later.
The Carrom board was finally shifted to 437 after it was famous is my atta house. Pankaj never used to play but always rank people. The key players
were - manish/rahul/nandan/avinash. Rahul was famous to take all the 9 points. Avinash was consistent and always strike. Nandan always use to take the points with shaky fingers. I never use to take a straight point and was famous for the cuts.
Some things to remember...
1. Nandan/Manish lost 9 staright games and had to switch partners. Nandan was seen frustrated during those times.
2. Who said these famous lines' Oye Syal and Rahul thek sae kehlo.nahi tau utha ke bahar phek dunag...'.
3. We played upto 4 am with candles on four corner at my atta house.
Thanks to Carrom .
Where is that famous Carrom these days?
The Carrom board was finally shifted to 437 after it was famous is my atta house. Pankaj never used to play but always rank people. The key players
were - manish/rahul/nandan/avinash. Rahul was famous to take all the 9 points. Avinash was consistent and always strike. Nandan always use to take the points with shaky fingers. I never use to take a straight point and was famous for the cuts.
Some things to remember...
1. Nandan/Manish lost 9 staright games and had to switch partners. Nandan was seen frustrated during those times.
2. Who said these famous lines' Oye Syal and Rahul thek sae kehlo.nahi tau utha ke bahar phek dunag...'.
3. We played upto 4 am with candles on four corner at my atta house.
Thanks to Carrom .
Where is that famous Carrom these days?
Who paid for Rahul's air ticket in April 2003 (Dli - GKP - Dli)
It was in April 2003 and he was the first among us to get married. The engagement happened during late 2002. Anshu, his would be wife, have met us and infact we were all together at 437 during New Year celebrations for the same year (i.e. 31st December, 2002). The marriage ceremony was to be at Gorakhpur, Syal belongs to Gorakhpur and yes we all know that he is a true punju. So all of us were to go to GKP and that also included one of another old 437 fan and my old school friend, Vinod Durga.
Incidentally Ravi didn't come with us and I dont remember why and Rahul was not in country. We took Vaishali Express and reached there a day before. Since Rahul was not in country, it was a big problem for Syal. Rahul was his half-brother and w/o him the marriage was not as colorful. So after much deliberation and planning it was decided that Rahul would tweak his work schedule so that he reaches Delhi the previous night but since there wont be enough time left to further take a train and come to GKP, he would instead take a flight. Arrangements were made so that he can pick his tickets and Syal agreed to fund the journey, probably thinking that he would get the money back :). Poor Soul.
Rahul did join us, on the day of marriage and we had lot of fun. Here's a pic of myself, Rahul, Durga and Avinash. I am in traditional ethnic wear, Rahul in a western attire with the tie and Durga and Avi in smart casuals.
After marriage, the issue of funds did come in various discussions, over bottles of beer but I guess Syal didn't get the money back. I am guessing.
If you are reading this then let me know whether Rahul should pay the money back or not and why. Or do you think that he has already paid. Should Syal ask for the money and what should the other punters do.
Best answers would qualify for the lucky draw and the winner gets a keg of beer.
Incidentally Ravi didn't come with us and I dont remember why and Rahul was not in country. We took Vaishali Express and reached there a day before. Since Rahul was not in country, it was a big problem for Syal. Rahul was his half-brother and w/o him the marriage was not as colorful. So after much deliberation and planning it was decided that Rahul would tweak his work schedule so that he reaches Delhi the previous night but since there wont be enough time left to further take a train and come to GKP, he would instead take a flight. Arrangements were made so that he can pick his tickets and Syal agreed to fund the journey, probably thinking that he would get the money back :). Poor Soul.
Rahul did join us, on the day of marriage and we had lot of fun. Here's a pic of myself, Rahul, Durga and Avinash. I am in traditional ethnic wear, Rahul in a western attire with the tie and Durga and Avi in smart casuals.
After marriage, the issue of funds did come in various discussions, over bottles of beer but I guess Syal didn't get the money back. I am guessing.
If you are reading this then let me know whether Rahul should pay the money back or not and why. Or do you think that he has already paid. Should Syal ask for the money and what should the other punters do.
Best answers would qualify for the lucky draw and the winner gets a keg of beer.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Cooking
Cooking at 437 was fun. I learned my first cooking leasson at 437 and did lots of experiments. Most of the time I use to cut oninons and make tea but some-time use to make Dal and rice. No matter what masala I put the taste of the subzi remains the same :-).
Everyone had own style. There was one expert cook in the house and no doubt I think every one agrees it was Rahul.
--Manish (Motor chal rahi hai aur Pani aa raha hai)
Everyone had own style. There was one expert cook in the house and no doubt I think every one agrees it was Rahul.
--Manish (Motor chal rahi hai aur Pani aa raha hai)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Truely a home
I had earlier stayed with friends but stay at 437 was a whole lot different. The first thing I was really impressed was the way we maintained the place. In true sense it was a house and not a bachelor base camp. Initially every day had a new event like getting the motor fixed, getting the blinds/curtains, fixing the tube lights, getting the water tank installed in the garage, but it was a great experience.
The best thing between all 4 of us Nandan, Avinash, Ravi and me was that we had some kind of chemistry and that made 437 stay even more wonderful.
Avinash <------>------
(Rahul)
The best thing between all 4 of us Nandan, Avinash, Ravi and me was that we had some kind of chemistry and that made 437 stay even more wonderful.
Avinash <------>------
When I moved in (Although I initially helped in shifting but I moved in after 2months) the place was still loaded with landlord's stuff, but eventually we arranged stuff and made the duplex apartment look better.
I still remember a protocol which all 4 of us used to follow:
We had a door bell, but if anybody among us would come home we would just tap on the latch to notify instead of ringing the bell. I don't recall how it started but that was our protocol.
And then there was one of our friend another Rahul V who not even tapped the latch , he just used to whistle . how was it... wssssssp.
Oh & yes that's me:
(Rahul)
Thanks to Nandan, for getting the new look and feel and for the photo.
Chaar Teen Ka Saat
This was the first time I actually stayed with other people then may family. After my parents moved to Patna, I used to stay all my myself in a nondescript locality in East Delhi. The trigger to staying with flat-mates, as its popularly called in this part of world, was my movement to another city called 'Chandigarh'.I didn't stay there for long and when I was back, it made lot of sense to me to stay with friends.
So after spending one month at Avinash's place at Malviya Nagar, we hunted this place. It was coming out expensive since there were only two bread-earners when we moved here but it was all worth it. For the first time, we were staying in a duplex, it was very spacious (though very dated) and very well located.
I am adding a photo showing 3 of the residents. We hope to get some guest posts from folks who have been here and had a good time.
I think I have a pic which has four of us, probably we shot that outside of IMA in doon.
I plan to update it more frequently.
So after spending one month at Avinash's place at Malviya Nagar, we hunted this place. It was coming out expensive since there were only two bread-earners when we moved here but it was all worth it. For the first time, we were staying in a duplex, it was very spacious (though very dated) and very well located.
I am adding a photo showing 3 of the residents. We hope to get some guest posts from folks who have been here and had a good time.
I think I have a pic which has four of us, probably we shot that outside of IMA in doon.
I plan to update it more frequently.
Friday, May 16, 2008
This is a new blog for people who have stayed/ visited 437.
The intention is just to recall the time spent in that place. 437 was not treated as a basecamp/ bacelorcamp but as a home.
About 437 i will write in my other post but here's a quiz to start with.
The purpose is not to get all correct answers but to cherish the time we spent at that place.
So give it a shot:
How many people came to 437 initially when first shifted and from where?
What was the name of the maid servant before Mukti?
Who said this "Meerut se hai hum". What was his address?
Who used to sing after switching off the lights?
Once electricity was cutoff by the UPSEB. Why?
What was the Land Line number of 437?
Who was the visiting chef once cooked upma for morning breakfast.
Who was the carrom champion?
Who were the two multani people who met for the first time in 437. What was there conversation?
Who used to come from work and open one of the shoes and watch TV for 10 minutes and then open another shoe?
Who had a bicycle?
Who said this "Kismat hai yaar"?
Who was the non drinker who used to be part of most of the parties?
Who used to visit 437 and when asked to stay would say "Ab meine socks pehen liye hai, so i have to leave"?
Who used to play guitar at 437?
The intention is just to recall the time spent in that place. 437 was not treated as a basecamp/ bacelorcamp but as a home.
About 437 i will write in my other post but here's a quiz to start with.
The purpose is not to get all correct answers but to cherish the time we spent at that place.
So give it a shot:
How many people came to 437 initially when first shifted and from where?
What was the name of the maid servant before Mukti?
Who said this "Meerut se hai hum". What was his address?
Who used to sing after switching off the lights?
Once electricity was cutoff by the UPSEB. Why?
What was the Land Line number of 437?
Who was the visiting chef once cooked upma for morning breakfast.
Who was the carrom champion?
Who were the two multani people who met for the first time in 437. What was there conversation?
Who used to come from work and open one of the shoes and watch TV for 10 minutes and then open another shoe?
Who had a bicycle?
Who said this "Kismat hai yaar"?
Who was the non drinker who used to be part of most of the parties?
Who used to visit 437 and when asked to stay would say "Ab meine socks pehen liye hai, so i have to leave"?
Who used to play guitar at 437?
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