THE DAILY OBSERVER-42

😎THE DAILY OBSERVER-41😎

14 July 2020
03:00

Monday turned out to be mainly a day of exchange of greetings between old friends with lots of backslapping and hugs.Vish started the process at 0400 hrs,Shiv sent a couple of songs and Sirohi came up with the morning greetings before eight.That's when USG unveiled his new avatar in turban and beard and brightly coloured  flowery shirt .In Vidur's words, he had grown older above the neck but younger below. SBT added that USG had grown younger below the belt too, how he knows that remains a secret.
Nirbhye greeted Micky and Uttam and posted the Corvette story which had been posted earlier by Alfred. Repeats are bound to take place. Resident astrologer Shiv proclaimed better times ahead with Mercury no longer in retro and better commncn between people.BrotherGurvi sent a long message in Hindi with a disclaimer in the beginning- about how a 3rd world war had been averted by judicious action.I leave it at that as there was no follow-up conversation on it. Umesh Oberoi chose to reopen his account with a useful tip on how to generate a "live certificate.". S Murali was quite happy about the planetary
positions,so here's hoping he also comes out of retro mode.Did i say Gurvi's post got no response? Sorry, Rajbir remarked that it was " kalpanik " and Sanjay Mishra said it reminded him of some Hindi comics of his childhood.Saxi posted about 10 unique beers. Satbir welcomed USG while warning TDO that it is going to get a run for its money. But then USG's writing is of a totally different genre and class as he himself proved later in the evening with "After 72". This was received with cheers of joy from all when it arrived. Arun Parasar posted a video on Army brats.Shiv turned the topic to Shelley and the thought that pain and pleasure are both illusions. Alfred posted a video on Rum. Getting what i'm trying to highlight everyday ? Just note how the topic swings from one extreme to the other during the course of the day. Ninety drivers taking turns at the wheel of the bus and changing direction at will ! Sawant posted a video of a brave police lady cop catching an MLA's son.Pandit Tripathiji posted a video of Kumar Vishwas and Venugopal appeared out of the blue to post a music video. Saxi queried if the lady constable was from the police. Eagle-eye SBT zoomed on to her arm-badge which said Surat Traffic Police. Saxi observed that there seemed to be something amiss here. Satbir posted an article about the incident which said the cop had been posted out.In the meantime, Luthra posted a really funny  video on the UP "encounter " killings which is a must-see. Sawant lauded the lady's "exemplary courage in her commanding voice and body language." That is exactly what raises doubts on the genuineness of the video -looks more like a photo-shoot.USG posted the first of four old classic Hindi numbers. S Murali summed up the lady cop incident in his own characteristic style.Uttam Gill added another three classics and had everyone " mantramugdh".
Sanjay Soi posted his u-tube video.  It was nice to see Mandip Grewal's post after so long. At this moment, Sawant gave vent to his feelings about the legal system, police, politicians and gangsters and the flaws in media, public and HR activists in great detail. Sanjay Soi posted a long Hindi poem in support of the police. Alan posted a video of vintage Chennai - what a sight to see.Saxi posted a song video and Shiv's "Top of the world " rendered in excellent fashion by his beautiful partner and him almost got lost.
Now it was the turn of "After 72" by US Gill in his typical style.Everyone loved it. Alfred said it pushed him to start his 8 pm formalities ! Heady reading.He also posted a music video from MS Sidhu. Maybe it is time to call him and the rest back, while the going is good ? Luthra has posted Episode-2 of his gripping tale which is full of promise. As usual, SBT retired after midnight after wishing good night. A few jokes followed and Tuesday has already begun with Pandit Tripathiji posting Naya India ahead of TDO.
Have a nice Tuesday.

The Daily Observer: 12 July 2020

😎THE DAILY OBSERVER-39: 12 July 2020: 03:24😎

Sanjay Soi's call on Republic TV  for everyone to put Nation before self was applauded by all. Speaking on the Chinese issue, he further added that the Govt has been very transparent in its statements. He posted the u-tube video of his live performance on the channel along with an invitation to join him live on an fb discussion on higher education at 7 pm. Navnit earlier re-posted a video on Siddha walking and also a story about a great Guru's parting message to his students - never forget the welfare of others. Naithani posted an article about a Chinese virologist who has fled Hongkong. Sawant posted a video on the origin of the Swastik symbol. Shiv posted a Herman Hesse quote on trees.  Uttam Sarkar posted a Covid joke and Alfred one on a couple who died just before their marriage.Rajbir posted an article on red wines. Mohinder Pratap was full of praises for the quality of posts and healthy participation in the group of late and it was agreed to by many. Sirohi said good morning just before noon and Suresh Dikshit soon after. Satish posted a short video of the Konkan railway with a 3-d effect which is a treat for the eyes. Naithani posted an article on Arty YOs which is funny and another which sounds like an Air Force story.

Vinod Duggal continued to draw attention towards the benefits of drinking with his video. Satbir posted a couple of jokes about Covid and UP police. Luthra posted his comments on earlier posts and h8s views on the "encounter killing". Satish posted a funny u-tube video in Hyderabadi  Hindi. Vidur posted a video on the virtues of a desi cow and the significance of its hump. Both these excellent videos went almost unnoticed and were followed by a cartoon from Vish. Now Satish posted a photo of what appeared to be a dog and a tiger in action which drew an immediate caustic comment from H Murali that Andrews enjoyed. Not much later, Arun came up with the idea that he wanted to start his next series on the Gokak Gladiators and asked for views of members. Saxi approved immediately and Sanjay Mishra concurred. SBT gave his nod much later followed by Vish who added a note of caution while promising to help with his own expert inputs. Further developments are being eagerly awaited in some quarters while there is a shiver of apprehension in some others. Skeletons are sure to come tumbling out of cupboards. Saxi posted a video on lohtarang, good to watch. Sanjay Mishra touched on the Chinese issue with an excellent video by Mr. Khan and another u-tube discussion.Navnit added his inputs .Both he and Vidur aired their views on the Govt stand and the writeups of some journos who have been seen as unpopular. Arun and Alfred both added their views based on Dalvi's book on the '62 blunder.

Alan Clarke posted a u-tube video on the history of moneymaking and Nirbhye an interesting sentence in English with outstanding vocabulary and grammar. And finally, the good news is that Chandan is back at home after hospitalisation. 

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday!

Dastaan-e-Rajesh Luthra: Jab Hum Mile, Jab Tum Mile Ek Duje Ke Liye!

EPISODE 1

It feels strange and sweet to narrate the story of my marriage after 33 years of it. I must credit our friend Arun who is so good at writing and has mastered the art of telling stories and I have only taken some inspiration from him. Unlike Arun, my parents did not show the urgency to get me married immediately after commissioning. Few proposals came by but I could hardly go on leave with a number of courses - two YOs, Basic Mountaineering, QM, JSC, Instructor Gunnery, JC and others lined up.

The match makers were however waiting to ambush as and when I landed up in Agra. The first one was a friend of my brother looking for a suitable match for his niece. The dinner was at their home and this would be my first experience to see a prospective partner. Soon after the initial conversations, we were asked to move to another room for a private chit-chat. The conversation did not go beyond personal introductions and what each of us were doing. I found her nice – she was well educated and was teaching in school. It was not mandatory to reveal one’s opinion and declare results before parting.

Without much thought I declared that I was ready to marry the girl and our decision was conveyed. We were confident that no sooner do we say yes there will be consent from their side too, but that never came. Nor came the reply. A few months later my brother’s friend shared with him that they got apprehensive for my job security. I recalled in our short chit-chat it was about PRC and I had told her that being a short service officer I could be on the road in case I do not get PRC. Coming from an absolutely non military family background, she probably conveyed the same literally to her brother and I lost the first proposal.

As they say marriages are made in heavens, I suppose the story ahead holds by the phrase. A new tenant moved in our neighbour’s house in Agra. I hardly knew them as I wasn’t there when they moved in. This gentleman tenant somehow got acquainted with my now co-brother living in Agra as a god-sent who matched the two families who were so far not related or acquainted to each other.

After the initial investigation my now co-brother conveyed the suitability of the proposal to my would be FIL. Eventually a formal invitation followed and we drove to Panipat to see the girl. I was cautioned by my brother to not repeat the same mistake as I did the last time. Even as I informed them that there is no scope of the same mistake (I had already gotten the PRC) but I couldn’t guarantee for other similar ones.

...to be continued...

The Daily Observer: 13th July 2020

😎THE DAILY OBSERVER-40:13 July 2020 / 04:03 😎

AYEGA AANE WAALA

Welcome home,Umesh Oberoi and Uttam Singh Gill. You guys have been missed here.Hope you enjoyed the long leave. A big Thanks to Shiv for his efforts. Looking forward to more homecomings. Rakesh Luthra finally decided to come forth with Episode-1 of his long-awaited tale.

He has started off in style and we look forward to the rest of it . The day began on a nostalgic note with Bharat Bhushan's story of Binaca Geet Mala. Connections with that island nation do run deep from ancient times. Satish struck the business note with his pdf - Is India the new China ( in  investment terms) ? Suresh Dikshit's morning greetings came early with lovely pictures of the green English countryside sent by his son. Luthra and Navnit exchanged views on the China situation. Ajay Deb's cartoon says men will always be curious and peep behind screens. Alfred posted a video questioning the mystery of how China remains largely safe from Covid while distant lands suffer  - thr old conspiracy theory . Uttam Sarkar posted a couple of jokes while Sanjay Mishra followed with a picture of Lalu with his chidren and a laughter video. In- between Saxi came up with a joke on the Chinese withdrawal which Navnit pointed out and said it was an IT cell creation. Matters were resolved peacefully after Saxi said it was just a joke and Navnit said the actions of the Chinese irritated him. 

Satish posted a nice but long video - dil se sunna. Actually it should read - fursat se sunna - not for someone in a hurry. Duggal posted an instagram video of which i could not follow the relevance. Sanjay Mishra posted the senior Bacchan's poem which he says is very relevant today. Joe Dhillon added his two bits in support of Navnit's view of the Chinese situation. Vidur and Ganesh Athley posted some entertaining and informative videos. Sukhi posted one on cocktails.Naithani stated his point of view on strategic and command issues while Pratap Ghosh posted a video on the new-look train to Katra. The pendulum kept swinging as usual, in short. Rajbir spoke of wines while the strategic debate continued with inputs from Saxi, Mishra and S Murali till  Vidur capped it by recommending Col Sawhney's view on the subject in Force magazine. Then came Luthra's Episode 1 and Shiv's news of the return of the warriors, followed by welcome messages continuing till this morning. A great start to a new week. Almost missed out two very important posts- one a fwd by KJS Sidhu and another by Satish. -" Hang your uniform" and " Put a Shark in your tank "  respectively. 

Food for thought and discussion. Happy Monday.