Anopheles and Happiness in 2025

 My friend, Anopheles, the female mosquito with a sting, visited again, and I wished her a Happy New Year. She looked skeptical. 

"Are you sure?" she asked. 

"Sure of what?" I enquired.

"Of being happy, of course."

"Why not? Nirmala just gave us non-Ambanis a bonus on Income tax" I replied.

"Yes, but how many in this country earn that kind of money?" she wanted to know.

I was crestfallen. "Agree," I said. Drivers and maids still make about a lakh and a half a year. Rupees, not dollars. But look at the positives around the world." 

"Are you serious? You mean Trump? Or Putin? Or Xi?"

That last one hit close to home. I hurriedly diverted her. "No, no, I mean things like sustainability issues, slow travel, and climate change -people engaging with it."

"What about pollution, disease, and killer viruses?" I had to admit she had her data in place.

I said, "Yeah, you win some, you lose some." 

Anopheles then bowled a faster one. She said, "Wake up, or you'll lose the planet, and we, our blood supply." And added for effect, "even though it's not too healthy, what with cholesterol and so on in high doses.."

She left me in that state of being apologetic about our Race, as always, and flew off after a goodbye.

Baaghi Albele - Play by WOPA in Pune

 A fun, satirical play about a clampdown on Art and Theatre by a state in India. Great cast, farcical comedy and good acting made it a great experience. Third play by World of Performing Arts in Pune.

A takeoff on Shakespeare's Hamlet was the highlight for me.. the actor uttering "To be, or not to be.."

Some action.. Kilmadi was the name of the inspector!

TOIT, Pune, before the event.

Crowned Tribal King at Chikhaldara

 I had the privilege of being crowned King of our tribe at Chikhaldara.. Here are pics of my tribeswomen and men, with me, in semi-tribal dress.

Sunrise at Chikhaldara

 I have seen a few beautiful Sunrises over the years. This one ranks among the top few- at Chikhaldara, Maharashtra. Straight from our balcony. 

Beauties From Chikhaldara

 Saw some lovely paintings on the wall at the VRK resorts, Chikhaldara- near Amravati. Looks like they are adivasi women. Here they are-

Linkedinese

 It's not Chinese, or Japanese. It's just a new way to use English, like Journalese.

An example. A professional Fly-swatter may post - "Grateful for the incredible opportunity to swat flies in an extraordinary Convention of Fly-swatters from around the world... " 

Or, a pole-dancer may post- "From North Pole to South Pole, I have now danced around poles everywhere. Except in Poland. Hopefully that dream will be achieved soon.."

Or, a no-gooder up to no good may advertise himself thus- " Finally, everything that you do results in no good. Come and learn from one who has done it his entire life.. been up to no good since I was a toddler. My parents can provide references."

Or a blogger (resemblance is purely coincidental) - " You, incredible readers of my blog, have saved me from utter helplessness, depression, anxiety and provided me with a will to live. I promise to continue to bore you as long as my pen (metaphorical, of course) has ink in it." 

Amen.

Murderwale Kulkarni- Marathi Comedy Play

 Jokes at the rate of 1 per minute. Non-stop comedy.

I have seen a few comedy films, but not many plays. This one is very funny, and well acted and directed.

The plot is not really important, but it sets you off on a two hour romp through fun moments, with intrigue, good acting, parody of many things like TV serials, Bhais in Dubai and their henchmen, and a general commentary on the wasted people who turn criminals in society.

All in all, recommended for viewing.