A Braggart’s Account Of His First Grand Prix Experience — F1 in Noida in 2011

Exactly 2 years ago, India hosted its first Grand Prix — a historic day for all Indian F1 lovers who came in droves to watch their idols burn rubber at the brand new Gautam Budh International Circuit at Greater Noida, near Delhi. Being an ardent fan of the sport myself, it was a dream come true to stand at the stands watching history unfold (Surely, an experience treasured likewise by the thousands of other fans who had flown down to watch the race). And hey, my experience was extra special…

For F1 fans, a visit to the stands is usually enough and mind you, it costs a fortune. So when a business acquaintance offered me the ULTIMATE – a Race-day Paddock Pass — it took me a while to absorb the reality!! The invite came with a special book, a unique identity card/ticket and details that left me just speechless. I flew down to Delhi in the morning of the race day – couldn’t help noticing a handful of others in the same flight, sporting their team jerseys and excited like school kids. An agonizing 1.5 hrs drive took me straight to the mall where the Lotus Team’s helpdesk was. And then a chauffeur-driven car got me straight to the Paddock where I was escorted to the Lotus team’s Lounge. The Paddock Pass comes with privileges a fan can only dream of – a 5* lounge access with international quality catering, gifts from the sponsor team, access to the pits, meeting the drivers and much more. The catering was best in class, provided by top 5* hotels. Even the staff were flew in from Europe!

And while the races are held late afternoon, much of the action outside the tracks starts by morning itself. There are some F3 races before the main event — watch them from just above the pits (a privilege again of the Paddock members). Remember I told you about a hamper full of Lotus team’s goodies? Guess what’s there in the hamper? A miniature driver-helmet, a replica of the car, team cap, custom-made earplugs, special gift set etc. Still in a daze, when I stepped out of the Lounge, I was hit by engine sound like no other. It was as though jet planes on afterburners were coming to get you. Now you know why earplugs were plentiful there!!

Look down from the balcony, and there was the Lotus Pit stop – just a few meters below and other team’s right next to them. The action at the pits before the race is legendary and experiencing it first-hand was beyond my wildest imagination!! Truly!! Every Paddock guest across teams were allowed to walk the pit lane, visit the team garages, be shown the car which was being readied, allowed to play with the straight-out-of-a-sci fi-movie steering wheel, walk past all the pits and gape at the crew, and of course spot sport-stars, film stars, CEOs all walking around like kindergarten kids in a zoo … taking pictures next to their team and each other!!!

Once back from this mind-boggling excursion, we quickly grabbed a fabulous 3-course lunch post which, it was time to meet the drivers!! The true stars!! They came in and signed the memorabilia’s – the team cap in my case, took questions from media and guests, posed for pictures and then went off to prepare for the race. Time stopped when India’s favorite F1 star-Michael Schumacher stepped out and greeted Indian legend – Sachin Tendulkar at the pit lane.

Soon the cars were pushed out and revved up by the engineers. The already deafening cheer knew no bounds when the drivers sat and started the warm-up lap. As the race started, the true fans hung around the stands, while the others went inside the lounges for the drinks and snacks, watching the race on large screens. You guessed it – I stood out all through unwilling to let go of any bit of the on-the-ground action. The pit stops were the most exciting as we could just look downwards and see the crew fill gas and change tyres in 6-7 sec flat – what I had so far seen on TV was happening right in front of me. Yeah!!!

As the race drew to a close, I crossed across to be next to the grand stand where the prize distribution was to take place. Sadly, the best spots had already been taken. Nonetheless, I managed a place few metres away from the podium with a clear view of the celebrations. Once the winners showed up, the cheering was unbelievable –champagne fizz, crowd hysteria – an unbelievable day had just come to a close.

Unbelievable. Unforgettable. Unmatched.

Also read — When We Almost Made It To The Monaco Grand Prix

Books & Movies Promote A Place Like No Other

Ah! Am extremely agitated. Or, as you can now set your status on Facebook, #FeelingAgitated. I had been reading the Inferno (by Dan Brown) all day, and I realise, with much pain, that we didn’t see even a fraction of the Florence that the guy has mentioned in his book!!! We had been to Florence in the summer of 2011 and had stayed there two days, consoling ourselves that the 48 hours were enough for the famed Academia with it’s prized David, Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the Cathedrals and the Cafes. Well, no. Or so it seems. For, when you read all that Dan Brown has written about Firenze, you are awe-struck and also struck by the ardent wish to visit the city of Renaissance once again. And promise yourself that instead of Rick Steves’, you will have Dan Brown to guide you through the spectacular history of the place next time round.

Come to think of it, there is already a ‘Da Vinci’ tour of the Vatican. Imagine what a best-seller can do to a place of tourist interest. Will not be surprised if they already have a packed tour for Florence and Venice post the release of Inferno. I say, such mentions (and as elaborate and accurate as Dan Brown’s) do so much good to a place’s/city’s/country’s tourism. Well don’t you agree with me? Here are a few examples of movies that went a long way in promoting a place:

• Look at how Yash Chopra made Switzerland the honeymoon destination for those Indian who can afford it. So much so that the Swiss government has honoured him time and again for his ‘invaluable’ service.

• When we went to Jaiselmer some 9 years ago, our guide there told us that Satyajit Ray’s movie, Sonar Kella, had played a big role in bringing the distant Rajasthani town to the visitor’s itinerary.

• And then of course is James Bond’s not-so-great Octopussy. We are planning to go to Udaipur for an extended weekend, and upon studying the must-sees and must-dos, I have come across many references to the 007 movie of the eighties that had been extensively shot in Udaipur.

• Kashmir, Darjeeling were the favourite haunts of Indian film-makers in the 50s-60s era.

Time to get back to my book as it now starts traversing Venice. Am sure I will again feel that ‘we had seen nothing of Venice’. What dilemma!! Or as the Italians would put it, essere di fronte a un dilemma !!!

When We Almost Made It To The Monaco Grand Prix

Pictures of the Indian Grand Prix at the Budh International Circuit yesterday, brought back memories of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix held on 26th May this year. No, we didn’t have the good luck to watch it. However, we were in Monaco exactly the week before the event. Which meant, we got to see, first-hand, the preparations that went into a race at one of the most expensive, stylish places in the world.

But first, why my enchantment with the Circuit de Monaco? To be honest, I have never been much of a sports person. My little love for the game of Cricket too waned when Hansie Cronje admitted to falling prey to the lure of quick money. That was a long time ago. Jayanta introduced me to Formula One races though. Post our marriage, he’d take a keen interest in my gardening and would help me with the procuring of saplings, plant food in Gurgaon, a place I was completely new to. And in return, would want me to share his love for the motor races. And so, way back in the year 2005, I saw the Monaco Circuit for the first time on television. And loved it instantly!!! What a challenging route. And what beautiful views.

God willed that we get a chance to see this very route during our summer vacation this year. We were in France for a week, and the weekend before the Monaco Grand Prix, we were staying at Nice with Cannes and Monaco in our itinerary.

It had been raining in Monaco since morning, and was, therefore, somewhat cold. Woollens and rain gear in place, we refused to be held up by rain. By the way, we were unaware of the Monaco race schedule. Imagine Jayant’s surprise and excitement, then, when we discovered that preparations were on to make the streets ready for D-Day the very next week. We walked up to the bay where the team garages were. The big boards mentioned the names of Michael Schumacher, Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso … Jayant was in F1 heaven – again. We walked along the Paddock & Pits waving to some the team members, posing with scores of other tourists who were equally excited. We saw the VIP stands, went round the tight chicanes, past the (in)famous tunnels and next to the million dollar yachts belonging to the ‘who’s who’.

Was happy to see Jayant’s beaming face all through our little exploration. The Monaco Palace could wait. This couldn’t. We hung around for a good two hours before we finally resumed our sight-seeing at Monaco.

A dream came true that day. Well, partially. 🙂

Also read — A Braggart’s Account Of His First Grand Prix Experience — F1 in Noida in 2011

Our Diwali Destination — Udaipur

Udaipur has been a long-standing wish. We have been to Jaiselmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore and Jaipur earlier; Udaipur, then, was an obvious destination when we looked towards Rajasthan once again this time.

With the bookings in place and a quick check on what to expect on the weather front, i will sit down to pack our bags soon. Ah the exhilaration which the thought of a trip brings. And then there are so many questions, such as:

— Will be different from the other cities of Rajasthan that we have been to already?
— What is that one thing that is unique to Udaipur when it comes to food or shopping?
— Are we going to be overwhelmed by the same memorabilia that are available almost in every part of the country these days, from Goa to Shillong?
— Where best to buy quality yet affordable handicrafts?
–Should we look for Mirch ka Pakoda, Ghewar here too? Or does Udaipur have anything else more delectable?

You, who have been to Udaipur already, can help us with your tips and suggestions. You may comment in the body of this blog. Or, email us directly at deepa.duttachaudhuri@gmail.com

Looking forward to hearing from you, our precious readers! 🙂

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue Of You

All right we travel a lot. And every time we seem to have saved some little money and leaves, we set out with ‘wheels on our feet’. But both Jayant and I are also an extremely home-loving couple. And so, whenever we aren’t travelling, we are doing things around the house — cooking, reading, movies, gardening….

Gardening has been my necessity since childhood now. No wonder then, when this week’s challenge asked for the ‘Hue of You’, I couldn’t think of anything else but my flowers. And yes, I am extremely proud and possessive about them. Couldn’t be stingy with the photographs. So here they are. Most of them. The hue of me. 🙂

Staying At Taj Banjara in Hyderabad

What makes a hotel great – good rooms, good facilities, good location, décor, service, food … right? The Taj Hotels around Banjara Hills in Hyderabad have all of these. You will rarely find one location with three 5* hotels within walking distance of each other! Quite surprising though.

But one of them is an exception – the Taj Banjara. An example of how sheer government apathy and bad luck can turn a great hotel into a not-so-desired one. Located next to a lake, with walkways and open air restaurant restaurants facing the same, dancing colorful fountains in the middle designed to offer a magical backdrop in moonlit evenings as one sips wine with the world famous Hyderabadi cuisine, the spell is broken by the stench of sewer emanating from the very lake!! What a let down!

Indian cities woefully lack planning and you have drains and sewers emptying themselves into once pristine lakes rendering them dead. It is sad to see the Taj Group spending so much to keep its Banjara establishment going, without any government so far converting this cesspool of muck and waste into a haven for people to enjoy. Mosquitoes breeding in the water finish off whatever is left to experience outdoors.

Pity that a nice hotel wasting away. Although not not as grand as the Taj Krishna or Taj Deccan, Taj Banjara is a nice hotel, with decent facilities. The staff is good, rooms are standard – some little old with need of refurbishment. The lobby is a replica of other Taj hotels in India with the coffee shop behind it. There is a nice walkway outside the hotel next to the lake with seating, leading to the swimming pool. Nearby is the open air restaurant serving delectable grills and delicacies with few takers. We went to the pub – again empty with clueless staff and bartenders, a few rude waiters hanging around chatting among each other. On the way to the pool is one of the cutest little snack room you will find – called ‘Chai …). Its designed after the Irani Coffee Shops in Mumbai with posters of old Bollywood stars & movies adorning the walls. It really makes you want to sit, grab a tea and enjoy reading a book or chat over some light snacks.

I heard that Taj spends thousands of dollars trying to treat the waste flowing into the pool and it’s the chemicals that probably allow the hotel to still operate. The location is amazing, just walk out and you are in initial part of Banjara Hills with good pubs and restaurants nearby. The famous Paradise restaurant has take-away joints nearby and you must pick up packets before you head off to the airport.

The only positive side to the above is that the hotel rates are fantastic and probably half of that of the adjoining Taj properties. It offers great value for money if you are travelling to Hyderabad on business.

Mehendi For Karva Chauth

October can well be called the Festival Month in India. First comes the Durga Puja/Navratras followed by Dussera. And now it is time for Karva Chauth – the famous festival where married women fast the entire day and break it only in the evening upon seeing the moon and their husband. Hmmm…couldn’t get more romantic than this, right?

Much romanticized in celluloid too, Karva Chauth has, over the years, ‘possessed’ ladies (do excuse the pun) across states in India. It may be noted that Karva Chauth is essentially a festival of North India and parts of the Gujarat state. And hence, you will find ladies even from Bengal or South India vowing to take the day-long fast for their husbands. Is this for love, you may wonder? Or romance? Or the opportunity to dress up like a bride once again? If you ask me, I think it is all of these and more. It is the strong sense of belonging to one’s roots and tradition.

This year, Karva Chauth falls tomorrow i.e., 22nd October. And so, most women were busy getting their facials, pedicures and manicures done over the last couple of days. Today, they queued up for mehendi – the art of decorating one’s palm, hands and feet with mehendi paste that leaves a strong orange colour upon drying.

I couldn’t resist the temptation of catching the women in their ‘preparatory mode’. And hence, ran down with my camera for a couple of shots. Notice the little girls with mehendi in their hands. Just goes on to prove, girls will be girls.
Tomorrow, hoping to catch a few shots of all the ladies fasting and yet looking gorgeous. 

Shindur Khela @Powai Sharadotsav

This year was a severe departure from the Durga Puja of every other year. I couldn’t make it to Ramkrishna Mission even once. Unthinkable. So far, have spent every Ashthami/Navami morning at the Mission, sitting in silence for a couple of hours watching the monks perform the Puja rituals. But then, Ma reminded me that God is the same everywhere. True. And thus I unburdened somewhat.

And hence, deviating from the custom of many years, I readied my Puja items for a visit to the Powai Sharadotsav pandal. It was the day of Shindur Khela, the quintessentially Bengali and ever popular Shindur Khela. Dressed in their white sarees with red borders and ample jewellery, Bengali women, on this day pray for the well-being of their homes, children and husband. They carry vermillion, flowers, sweets to offer to Ma Durga during ‘boron’ and then, use the same vermillion to smear the foreheads and cheeks of the ladies gathered there. And yes, men and little children are not spared this little Holi with shindur (vermillion).

Here are pictures from that colourful noon of Vijaya Dashami at Powai Sharadotsav. Hope you will like them.

Powai Sharadotsav’s Durga Puja

October 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th – 5 days of extreme stress, extreme exhaustion, extreme sleep deprivation, yes; but 5 days of extreme fun, extreme excitement and an extreme sense of achievement too. And 14th too promises to be no better, or worse…hehe. For, it’s the day of the beautiful Shindur Khela and Visarjan (Durga’s immersion) at Powai Sharadotsav.

But for now, it’s a little moment of quiet — I, as usual, woke up with the lark while everybody is still fast asleep in the house. As I sit quietly and look around a cluttered house (have had no time for the clothes and general house-keeping) and the wilderness that my garden has turned into, I realise that after the Visarjan of the Ma tonight, an emptiness will set in. The days had been full over the last eight weeks. Meetings, rehearsals, preparations – we will miss them all. Still in a daze, I am unable to put words into the entire experience. And so I leave you with these images.

Photos courtesy — Mukesh Trivedi (mukeshtrivediphotography@gmail.com)

Durga Ma Comes To The Powai Sharadotsav Pandal

Last Sunday (6th Oct) was special. For the first time in my life, I went to bring the idol of Durga to the Powai Sharadotsav Pandal (Pandal is sort of a temporary temple where a deity is worshiped during the span of the festival). Had been to visarjans (immersion of Goddess Durga) before, but never to bring her from the hutment where the Kumors ( potters who make Durga) make the idols.

There were about 15-20 of us, who hopped into each other’s car at Powai and raced off to Thane. That was where our Durga was being given shape for the past 2 months. Upon reaching, we ran to see ‘our’ Durga Ma. And were stunned by her beauty — a perfect embodiment of our Puja’s theme DUGGAamar–Empowering Women.

The creative team was still busy giving her the finishing touches. We took the opportunity to go to a nearby shanty for another round of breakfast and tea — Luchi-torkari-chanar dal and boondein. Couldn’t get more Bong than this!!! And then we check out the fish shop on the opposite side of the road. It stocks up all the fishes that Bengalis are born to — Iilish, Tengra, Pabda, Rui, Chingri, Kajari etc. Why, the vegetable shop adjacent to it also stock up Bong veggies such as Gondho Lebu, Pui Doga, Kochu…

2 hours of wait and it was time for Ma and her children to get into the trucks. We stood amazed as the Kumors team loaded Her amidst chants and prayers. Another 2 hour drive and our Goddess reached her Pandal to blowing of chonch shells and ullus by the women who were waiting there for her Boron.

Leaving you with some of the photos from that day. You judge for yourself the beauty of that morning and the lovely experience we had.

Powai Sharadotsav will be held at Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Opp Cafe Mangi, Adishankaracharya Marg (Main Road JVLR), Mumbai-400076 from Oct 9th to October 14th. The pictures shared in this blog give a detailed schedule of both the religious and the cultural events.

Make sure you visit us!!

Every detail/information available at — https://www.facebook.com/SpandanMumbai

Photos Courtesy — Ace photographer Mukesh Trivedi (mukeshmtrivedi@gmail.com)