Sab Kuch Paisaa Kaa Mamlaa Hai

I checked the tooth and kept my instruments aside.

“This tooth is quite bad and not easy to treat”

“Do I have to get it removed? I don’t want extraction”

“No, there is no need to remove it but it requires a lot of treatment”

“Please do whatever is required doctor. I don’t want to lose the tooth”

“We can certainly save it. But it will need  RCT and a crown”

“That is fine with me”

“It will take many visits. First for the RCT and then for the crown”

“I will come as many times as you call doctor. I just don’t want to get it removed. You see I have already lost many teeth and know how important it is to save this. It is a god given gift”

“I do agree with you. You could have saved your other teeth as well.”

“Yes but I did not know they could be saved. Good you told me”

“So, when would you like to start?”

“You tell me doctor. I don’t mind if you start right now”

“I can. It may take an hour and I will have to give an injection to numb your tooth.”

“Take as much time as you want doctor and I don’t mind injections. I can bear pain. No problems.”

“Right then. We will start. By the way, I hope you have seen the chart displayed in the waiting room explaining the cost of treatment.”

“Oh I did not notice. What would be the cost?”

“Anywhere between eight to ten thousand”

“And the cost of extraction?”

“About five hundreds”

“You better remove the tooth doctor. Anyway I am avoiding biting that side because of pain and can manage like that in future also”!

A Nice Trip to 'Sode'

Amma keeps moving between Pune, Ponda and Chennai, shifting camp often, and will easily qualify as a frequent flier. But once she reaches camp, her movements are very much limited. Until recently she used to accompany us once in a way for a casual outing or a music concert or some such program but since the last two years or so, compelled by the compulsions of her system, she refuses all such offers. As a result she is restricted to her room and sometimes does not step out for days. While she is wary of any public transport including flights she is always willing to try travelling distances if the conveyance is a personal vehicle. “nanagEnappa illi  kootirOdu kaaralli kootirteeni ashTe”.  So we decided to try  taking her to Sode which is about 200kms from here. It is a travel of about five to six hours, which could get shortened to four if the driver happens to be Ashwin. We planned an overnight halt at Sode. One may book a room provided by the Vaadirajamutt  which comes with an attached bathroom/toilet and contains a bare cot and two mats. ‘No frills’ is an understatement here. Since we felt that we would not be able to manage with such bare essentials we decided to stay in a hotel at Sirsi, which is at a distance of twenty kms from Sode. Amma manages very well with avalakki, mosaru, chatnipuDi and baaLehaNNu  - jagalur diet, and so, a packet of avalakki and two cans of Amul dahi were packed with other stuff.  With these  preparations we left Ponda on a very warm summer morning at half past ten, half an hour late than the scheduled departure. Sushma, who  was visiting Goa, joined us and made the trip memorable. You are invited to Join us for an arm chair travel.

Having left at 10.30, stopped in front of a small, clean, locked forest office, between Ankola and Kumta, (under the kaju tree) for lunch. Kaju fruit for dessert.

Attracted by the greenery I move away a bit with chapati palya in hand

Since the nature around looked good,stopped for a few minutes on the ghat road to Sirsi. Spent the next half an hour trying to get the nature (in the form of giant flies) out of the car

Once got in, amma stays put in the car. We reached Sirsi at four and she only got out there. She says usually her body does not listen to her commands but it is amazing how  she can make it follow her wishes once she wills it to do  so.

Since we had spare time we decided to visit a  Bird sanctuary called 'Mundigekere' near Sode. Asked directions from a dozen people and were lost for the fourth time.

Left the path and tried to trek through the fields in the general direction of the sanctuary.

Mnaged to get a glimpse of the watch tower next to the pond but could not reach there in spite of trespassing through many private properties. But the owners did not seem to mind. They gave directions which we could not follow (due to lack of clarity) and offered refreshments which  we could not accept (due to lack of time.)

Turned back as it  was getting dark and as we did not intend spending the night in the forest. Met an animal  which we identified as (in that order) a wolf, fox, wild dog and a domestic pet.

Bird's eye view of Sri Vaadiraajamautt. Sri Hari is said to  have accepted offer of grams and jaggery 'naivedya' from the saint, appearing in the form of a horse.

Something catches amma's attention while  walking down the ramp leading to the mutt.

Ajji being ably (and affectionately) assisted by her grand children

In front of the 'Bhutaraaja's corner'. Bhutaraaaja (demon king) was an avatara of 'Rudra' devaru who went to Sode on Sri vaadiraaja's behest to control the minor demons. (bhuta, pishaachaas -original residents of the forest around the remote mutt) 

Ajji, mommakkaLu share some amusing conversation

Bhutaraja - in rangoli spread by a faithful soul.

Waiting for, what else? 'Prasada' -  which is usually served before twelve in the afternoon. Had a fairly free run of the premises as there were not many people.

Amma enjoyed the trip thoroughly and here she takes a satisfied nap during the journey back. Ashwin saw to it that we completed it in four hours.

A Good Deed Done

The days are getting hot and I prefer to go for my walk when the morning is still cool. Accordingly, one day last week, I left at five in the morning and half an hour later I was walking back. A couple, early risers like me, crossed me and I noticed a bulging plastic bag in the hands of the husband. I knew what it was. The previous day’s garbage, being carried in a carry bag, to be thrown by the side of the road into the bushes. Usually I curse such people silently and walk away. That day I decided to give them a piece of my mind. I changed course and followed them. They turned into the bypass road and as soon as the vegetation turned a bit thick, the husband, in one smooth great swing, threw the bag into the bushes. I stepped faster, crossed them and addressed him.  It is not easy doing that. Imagine accosting a stranger and telling him what he was doing was not right. But that day I felt sort of compelled and I did.

“Good morning sir. If you don’t mistake me may I say something?”

“Yes. Go ahead” (“han Bolaa” - in Marathi)

I am not fluent in Marathi but I can manage a sort of chow chow of Marathi, Konkani and Hindi. I tried to keep it as polite as possible.

“I saw that you threw your garbage in to the bushes just now. May I request you not to do so?”

The reaction that I was expecting was one or all of,

1. “Who are you to tell me what I should do with my garbage?”

2. “Is this your father’s property”

3. “This road belongs to me as much as it belongs to you”

4. “Go and tell that to all others who are doing so”

5. “Are you the municipality?” etc etc.

I was surprised to hear a very apologetic tone

“Oh, I am very sorry.”

Since he seemed to have taken it in the right spirit I thanked him and gave a very short talk about why it should not be done and we parted ways. He seemed to get it but I did not believe that he would heed my request. Usually nobody cares.  

I saw them again yesterday after a gap of about a week. Even before I could get near them, the husband called out to wish me.

“Good morning”

“Good morning” I replied and said “I am happy to see that you have not brought your garbage”

“You were right. What we were doing was wrong. Now I have made a pit near my house and dispose our waste there”

It was an unexpected result!  I was happy that I was successful in converting at least one amongst the hundreds who keep littering our public places.

“Have a good day” I wished sincerely and walked away, with a nice feeling of having done a good deed.