Awaaz Nichey, This Diwali

A recent study in New York has showed that loud noise features high in the list of ‘Everyday things that can kill you.’

The thumping, pounding, honking, wielding, cutting, jutting, digging, building, filling, constructing along with a zillion other noises that we denizens are unwillingly subjected to as part of an accepted curse of city life is partially responsible for stress, blood pressure, insomnia, hearing disorders and many other health woes that turn us into weaker humans than we are, that too without us as much as realizing the same.

With the near completion of the Parle Point flyover, as we got to print, suburban Surtis are set for peaceful slumber, or so they think. After months of cement ,dust and the most thunderous thumps entering their homes day in and night out, they are in hope of experiencing nights as they once knew them-all peace and quiet. But, are we really in for some silent bliss just yet?

Am afraid, not. Via the recent sale of vehicles worth more than Rs.6 Crores on a single day, supposedly auspicious, Tapi town will be witness to a roaring road wave as 2-3-4 wheelers rage through the already conspicuous lanes within the city. Pot holes be damned, Surtis are now used to spending anything from 20 to 45 extra minutes commuting on roads that could put dirt bike racing to shame. Accompanied by constant blowing of horns and musical tunes that go off when cars reverse, which are way above the recommended decibel level that invade the human ear. For all you know, we might even have special new classes to teach the art of delicate maneuvering the metal catacombs formed on our not so full of mettle roads.

While the honking orchestration continues at crossroads during the day, along with brain numbing mobile ring tones that blare off catching you absolutely unawares, we now have news of some super sales of firecrackers which seem to have broken recent records of recession. Now really, tell me, does this love for ‘fatakdas’ (firecrackers silly, not a slang for good looking males as in ‘fatakdi’ for girls) generate from the fact that they are known as ‘darukhana’, I mean what’s the addiction to the kind of intoxication they are known to generate-flash of light accompanied by deafening sound resulting in toxic smoke and rubbish that’s strewn upon lanes that have seen better days, ages ago.

With innumerable unlicensed kiosks of crackers having sprouted up around Tapi town, God alone knows how much risk we are subjecting our children to while officially allowing them to fire up gimmicks-most of which are prepared by lesser fortunate children. Speaking of whom, isn’t it about time we grew up from the fact that the success of your past and future business year is not all about which lala’s loom crackles the longest (no pun intended).

Just as the speeches by Shiv Sena Supremos were monitored for their decibel capacity by an NGO –Awaaz in Mumbai recently, methinks it’s about time that our ‘Lalaland’ got a dose of the same medicine. Any surveys within Tapi town would be sure to show our eardrums shouting out loud for help.Surtis-never known to be subtle in their style, need to make an effort to value the strength of silence. And a great way to begin would be precisely at this time of the year; by having a fantastic Diwali and a fabulous New Year with double the fun and half the noise. Let’s celebrate with awaaz nichey, what say?

Tapi town tattle- Bus, stop!

SURAT’S SPRING SERENADE….............
Holi days are here again! No baba, am not talking about this week that is full of holidays, inspite of the fact that we have Idd, Good Friday, Holi, Easter, all lined up. Am talking of how the entire week past and present is being colourfully celebrated by us Rangeela Surtis. Though Dhuleti is officially at the end of the week, denizens are at it already, there is colour abound all around Tapi town! Everybody is celebrating in their own style, here is a peek:
SMC -Holi Special, H2O-The Surat Municipal Corporation is celebrating Holi since the past 10 days. They are regularly supplying us yellow coloured water to drink, wash and bathe to remind us Phagun is here .Though some spoilsports are constantly complaining about the hygiene hassles of the same. Nevertheless, the corporation is working really hard to maintain the festive mood with the colour density getting deeper by the day. Watch out, by dhuleti you may discover a new shade of brown flowing from your taps if you co-operate with the corporation and do not dampen the SMC’s Holi spirit.

GROCERS- Rang Le, Basanti-It’s the most resplendent time of the year for our spice suppliers. Lanes all over Surat have little dunes of Lal Mirchi powder, Mustard Haldi, Lime Green Dhania powder, Brown Jeera, resting under even more colourful tents .From roadsides of Parvat Patia to Bhatar, Ghodod to Varachha, masala makers are tempting Surti housewives to hoard the same; Rang De their spice storage space this spring season with chili, turmeric, coriander and cumin.

KIDS- Maar, Daala!-Of course this is one festival where spoilt Surti kids have their loving parents spend unlimited moolah on fancy squirters from China and toxic colours from Sachin/Pandesara. But the kids as usual have a mind of their own. If you have been smacked with a smelly plastic pouch in the past week, you will know what I mean. Terraces and balconies have been converted into fortresses by the bachha brigade. Giggling away as they have a go, hurling water packed plastic bags and pouches on unsuspecting pedestrians and riders. It is sad to see how parents support this act of polluting the Town, body and mind with marksmanship; they treat the matter so lightly.

MITHAI -Magic Mantra-The onset of the colour festival has inspired our sweet meat makers to display an array of edible rainbow coloured preparations, along with multi coloured legal addictives like Kewra,Saffron, Pistachio and Rose thandai. Consuming the same will help you instantly colour your internal organs as well, lest you complaint that Holi is only skin deep.
’Holi Hai! Yaar.’so, make sure you spread the smiles.
So folks, even though the D-day is at the other end of this week, we Surtis have been celebrating a vibgyor Dhuleti routine. Jokes apart, do try and spend this fun festival with family and friends in an Eco- friendly way. Celebrate spring in true Surti style, colour Tapi town with Peace, Love and Happiness. Forget past differences because,
SURTI LALAS -Ab Tera Kya Hoga Lala?-Keeping up with the colour theme, this Surti lot is going Pink, Crimson, Red in the face since some time now, as they own up to or try to explain their Tax return goof ups of the past. Without even a sip of bhaang, they claim to be seeing multi coloured stars in broad daylight during the I T department’s survey sessions!