Silver Jubilee Celebration (25th marriage Anniversary)

21^st November is the day when I married with Beenu, a sweet girl from Jodhpur.  We really don’t know how 25 years have passed living together and it seems as if it was yesterday only when we got married. 

We didn’t have any formal plan to celebrate this day in 2015 when we crossed 25 years as we were going to Jodhpur in any case to participate in a family marriage.

However, our kids Arpit and Kshitij wanted us to be present in Jodhpur on 20^th November, 2015 and got our tickets advanced and we reached Jodhpur early morning of 20^th.  At around 7 pm our kids asked invited us to a Hotel called “Tamarind”. 

When we reached Hotel, we were taken aback to see galaxy of people sitting in the hall waiting for three couples viz ourselves, -Ashaji, Mahendrasa-Induji (brothers and bhabhis) who were married on 19^th and 20^th November 1990 respectively.   Then only we realised that children of three couples worked day and night for last six months to arrange this programme for us sitting at different parts of India.

Programme started with welcome note by Arpit and garlanding to our departed parents and a word of blessing by my eldest brother Shri PC Kumbhat. 

A Marwari dance was immediately followed as a mark of respect to my mother who had strong fascination for folk dances of Rajasthan.  Three Anniversary brides were honoured with Mehndi by their sisters in laws.

All the three couples were honoured by their respective children with bouquets and garlanding.  Charmi, Chinki ,Arpit and most adorable Kshitij recited poems written by themselves for their parents along with ppt presentation of their photographs based on important occasions of life.  The level of poetry was par excellence. And a formal Cake Cutting ceremony followed.

To keep the audience engaged, Arpit gave a ppt presentation of psychology, “The difference between Theory and Practical” from perspective of couples.  The main theme was “Nok Jhok” to depict how the couples behave within their home and publicly.  Why and how they fight in the home and how they reflect in public??  The questions were asked to audience on their behaviour pattern with lot of humour added to it.  This programme acted as stop gap arrangement between other interesting programmes.

All the couples were asked to share their experiences and reasons for “Nok Jhonk”.  Bhabhiji, Sumit, Renu and Beenu made the evening full of laughter by their mimicry show of all three couples.   Charmi and Anshu enthralled the audience with their classy dance on old hindi songs. 

A few words of blessings and life history were given by my father in law Shri Gulab Singh Sab Bhandari and mother in law Mrs. Shanta Bhandari, Mrs. Duggar (Mother of my Bhabhi Induji) and Mr Mohan Singh Sab Bhandari (father in law of my brother Ashok). Brother and Bhabhi of my bhabhi Ashaji also became emotional and recited poetry.  The cousins Master Hitesh-Priya, Niranjan-Neha, Ranjan-Anju who couldn't attend personally, sent their vedio graphed message of best wishes.

A dance sequel by Kshitij, Charmi and Chinki (Nupur) made audience to dance on their feet.

The unique feature  of the programme was that poem written by Arpit was framed beautifully and 10 copies were exchanged between the family members by saying that each other is thankful to God by taking birth in the TRK family.

The formal gifts giving ceremony took place at the end and followed by dinner.  Everybody had no words to appreciate the efforts of the children who were working so seamlessly, but secretly to organise the event.  So much so that they contributed from their savings to finance the event.

Beenu, my wife thanked all children in the form of a instant poem.

We are very proud of you children: Chinki, Charmi, Anshu, Akshu, Arpit, Kshitij…Well done.

Poem by Nupur Kumbhat

पच्चीस साल, या है ये कल ही की बात

कल्याण कोख में खिली थी आशा

मोहन बगिया में फूल महका सा

दूर तखत इंद्रा के घर में

अशोक का फैला था उजियारा।।

बीता युग, लाया दौर अलबेला

बंधी एक डोर हुआ रोशन बसेरा।।

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

लिया था जब हाथो में हाथ

गुद्गुडाइ सी थी हर मुलाकात

ढेरों आशीर्वाद के साथ

सभी को भाई ये जोड़ी कमाल

खुशियों को गले लगाये थे चले

हुई थी एक नयी शुरुआत ।।

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

समय की बढ़ी थी रफ़्तार

गोद में आई एक नन्ही सी जान

पापा की परी माँ की शान

रखा है उसका नुपुर नाम

किलकारी की गूँज हुई अब आम

पति पत्नी से बन गए vo माँ बाप

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

और बीते आगे दिन रात

आँगन में खुशियों की झनकार

नए नए थे ये एहसास

अंगड़ाई ले रहे जज़्बात

महकी सुबह खुशनुमा शाम

आने लगा था कुछ ठहराव

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

वक़्त का काम है लेना करवट

आई राह में थोड़ी अड़चन

तो क्या हुआ जो आ गया संकट

साथ था जब परिवार ये कर्मठ

माता पिता, भाई भाभी

बहन हो या जेठ जेठानी

हर एक का मिला कुछ यूँ साथ

गोद में छोटी सी बच्ची

पर थामे रखा हिम्मत का हाथ।।

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

कर लिया हर बाधा को पार

क्योंकि हर पल मिला सबका साथ

कोशिशों का लगा अम्बार

ईश्वर का आशीर्वाद अपरंपार

धीरे धीरे फिर पकड़ी कमान

ढल गए जीवन में इसी प्रकार।।

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

अब आगे और कदम बढे

काइनेटिक का साथ लिए

रफ़्तार से जब हम मिले

अपने नाम एक आशियाँ कर चले

लगातार कोशिश से CA भी बने

हम चाहे तो क्या ना कर सके

की ना मैने सही ये बात?

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

करते है अब ये कामना

युहीं चलता जाये कारवां

न हो किसी दुविधा से सामना

दूर रहे हमसे हर शिकवा

हर गिला हर मलाल

शहनाई का आलम, जगमगाई सी रात,

पच्चीस साल? या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

 या है ये कल ही की बात ।।

Poem by Master Kshitij Kumbhat

 I consider myself so lucky

To have parents who share

Such a good chemistry

Of love, respect and care

When I think of my life

I feel nothing but happiness

Thank u both for making

Life’s journey so priceless

Happy 25th anniversary

 I know you want to spend time today

With each other without any interruption

But I will take just two minutes of your time

To make a sweet declaration

I love you for being my parents

And the kind of friends that you have been

Super cool mums and dads like you

I haven’t yet come across or seen

Have an awesome wedding anniversary

Spread  ur love for each other

So that I can proudly think

Of having the world’s best father and mother

 mom and dad…

I’m glad to celebrate

Your 25th  anniversary

If not for your union

There would be no me

Have an awesome time

Today and forever

Don’t do anything stupid

That let u hurt

You are an awesome

And a fabulous couple

On this 25th anniversary

A secret magic potion

A formula number one

We wonder what is it is

That makes you both tick..,

Your marriage is straight out

Of a lovely romantic flick

Happy anniversary

 Anniversaries will come and go

But you will always be the best married couple I know

Friends may leave or stay

But you will always be there show me the way

I hope you get everything you want

I pray to God on your 25th anniversary

That every kid in the world gets parents like me

Happy Silver jubilee


Poem by Charmi (Saloni Kumbhat)

Finally the day is here

to celebrate the 25 years of togetherness

garnished with flavours of ups , downs and happiness.

When i decided to write and look back into the history,

each page was like unravelling a new mystery.

Turning the pages of my book,

I chose to write not only the silvers but the truth.

A meeting was arranged,

but my mother a but reluctant to get engaged

Both met but Mrs Indu Dugar,a hard nut to crack.

Finally the destiny marked its way,

and in just seven days arrived the wedding day.

19Th of November it was,

A day filled with nervousness .excitement and applause

The marriage took place

and both found in each other a solace.

The stay of 6 years at Barwai road 

contained in it tonnes of memories ,cute fights ,adjustments and knowing each other more.

Meanwhile,everyone was waiting for the arrival of a new life,

A larva breaking the cocoon and with that their lives would thrive.

21 st february it was Trk family welcomed a baby girl ,which was me(Charmi)

each and every face sparkled with glee.

Followed the event of Building our home sweet home at Subhash Nagar,

with the blessings of Gordhan Fufasa and Nana on us.

Years passes by raising me and arranging our new home,

But a big was waiting to knock our doors.

Mummy's brain tumor it was that lead the whole family into a deadlock

but with immense support of the Kumbhats and the Dugars,

this evil disease had to disappear.

Followed with Papa shifting to Barmer due to transfer,

but each day of the three years passed in the wait of the Accounts Officer.

Finally the time changed,Papa was shifted to Pali and then Jodhpur

and these years were filled with happiness and utmost cheer.

Soon came the years of retirement,

with the blessings of Pal Balaji .the office life came to a beautiful end.

Amidst all happiness we could ask for nothing more,

when Bruno entered our life changing our number from three to four

All these years life has shown different shades,

some beautiful and some grey

now I realise how the vessel of life crosses its bay.

Execution of Yakub

 It is the most painful to see our media and so called intelligentsia put all their weight to glorify Yakub.  In the process they conveniently forgotten great son of soil Kalam sab and martyrdom of SP Baljit singh.  They have given impression to the world that Yakub was hanged because he was Muslim.  This is great insult to Muslim community as such.  India has produced great scholars, artists, politicians who were Muslims.  The world had seen how we loved Kalam sab.  How we love the Khans of Bollywood!  It is in fact greatness of our democracy that we allow even the anti country men to speak on TV.  Had this been Soudi Arbia or any other country, they would not have seen the day by now.  Let us boycott them ..

The irony is that Yakub with the help of best criminal lawyers (I don't know who paid their fee), abused the process of law.  It took 22 years for final verdict.  Perhaps first time in the world history that the  highest court of a country heard them in mid night to ensure that justice not only to be done, but it should be felt as done.  What a great country we are living in!  Otherwise who bothers? Just call a corporate employee on holiday and he won't pick up your call and here are the senior most judges  hearing to a convict responsible hundreds of death.  Still our media is glorifying him, Publicising pictures of their synthesizers.  This is really shameful.

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam trip June 2015

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam were short listed for our summer vacation and as usual all booking and arrangements were done by Ranjan in   no time. 

18 to 20^th June 2015:  Bangkok:

Kids were already there at Bangkok with their cousin Ranjan.  Arpit was doing internship at American Red Cross and younger Kshitij was taking lessons from brother.  We joined them on 18^th morning.  It was my forth visit to Bangkok. Therefore, the idea was to see something new. 

Bangkok offers vast opportunity to explore new things.  This time we opted for Siam Niramit.  Siam Niramit can be described as exhibition cum show of Thai’s rich cultural heritage.  The group folk dances, village environment, handi craft making, village cooking and rituals are all well displayed at this centre.  It uses special techniques integrated with drama to depict the history of each region of Thailand including depictions of hell, the forest of Himmaphan, heavens, and lands beyond imagination from Thai literature. There is also a spectacular performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. The show is staged by more than 150 performers in a luxurious theater with a capacity of more than 2,000 seats.

We also took opportunity to visit new IKEA store.  It is a huge store created in around 1.5 lacs  sqft of space and you have everything which you can think for your house.  They suggest very standard design of furnishing.  You simply select the design and IKEA people will create samething at your door step.

Another location worth mentioning is Mall-21 Terminal, a place which always fascinates us.

On 20^th morning, we flew to Siam Reap, a historical town in Cambodia and checked in Hotel Crown Plaza.  The day was meant for City Tour and visit to villages located on bank of river.  The Town is a cluster of small villages along the Siem Reap River. These villages were originally developed around Buddhist pagodas (Wat) which are almost evenly spaced along the river from Wat Preah En Kau Sei in the north to Wat Phnom Krom in the south, where the Siem Reap River meets the great Tonle Sap Lake. There are three floating villages around Siem Reap - Kompong Khleang, Kompong Phluk, Chong Kneas, with Kompong Khleang considered the most authentic. 

In the afternoon we all went to see the floating village.  The boat negotiates through a shallow muddy river for about 45 minutes to takes us to middle of the lake and where you can see village life in midst of water.  We being vegetarian could only drink coconut water and nothing else was meant for us.

The main town of Siam Reap is concentrated around Sivutha Street and the Psar Chas area (Old Market area) where there are old colonial buildings, shopping and commercial districts. We took opportunity to visit this market in the evening and enjoyed some shopping experience.   

The next day morning, we went to Angkor wat (temple) at around 5 am to see the first glimpse of temple in Lake with rising sun.  The morning ambiance was awesome.  These temples were built in the 12^th Century by King Suryavarman and have gone through many turmoil over  last 900 years.  These temples are proof  that Hinduism spread not only in India but other part of east Asia and they left indelible mark for ever.  Angkor Wat (Wat temple) is the central feature of the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the magnificent remains of the Khmer civilization. Thousands of feet of wall space are covered with intricate carving depicting scenes from Hindu mythology including Ramayana.   I feel international tourists come to Siam Reap mainly to see the glimpse of Angkor Wat.

21^st June was International Yoga Day and our women folk Beenu and Anju joined the yoga group near temple site attended by a few hundred people.

Despite  weather being hot and humid, we went to  Cambodian Cultural Village in the afternoon.  Though the village offers full day programmes, we  went to a Theatre where Show of Cambodian traditional Marriage was in progress.  The show was magnificent with both bride and bridegroom looked like real and all rituals were performed in the presence of parents of bride (of course parents were chosen from among the audience only). Opened on September 24, 2003, this village assembles all the miniatures of famous historical buildings and structures of Cambodia. There are 11 unique villages, which represent different culture heritages, local customs and characteristics of 21 multi races.

On 22^nd  morning, we planned for visit to an ancient village called Kulen where thousands of Shivlingam are carved on stone in the flowing river.  Besides this, one could enjoy the mesmerizing bath and natural massages from water falls.  The river negotiates through deep ravines and forest but we were not allowed to go beyond a point as our guide told us that there are still unexploded mines  there in that area. This is part of  Phnom Kulen National Park and is about 48 km from Siem Reap.

On 23^rd we  reached  Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia by night bus.   Located on the banks of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since French colonization of Cambodia,. Once known as the "Pearl of Asia," it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina^[4] in the 1920s. There are a number of surviving French colonial buildings scattered along the grand boulevards.

Phnom Pehn is a relatively modern city and is famous of its Russian Market and Genocide Museum.    Thousands of Skeltons of men, women and children are housed here which tell us horrifying stories of atrocities committed by Khmer Rouge  on their fellow countrymen during 1975 to 1979.  During Khmer Rouge regime, all  of its residents, including those who were wealthy and educated, were evacuated from the city and forced to do labour on rural farms as "new people"^. Tuol Sleng High School was taken over by Pol Pot's forces and was turned into the S-21 prison camp, where people were detained and tortured. Pol Pot sought a return to an agrarian economy and therefore killed many people perceived as educated, "lazy", or political enemies. Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields), 15 kilometers  away, where the Khmer Rouge marched prisoners from Tuol Sleng to be murdered and buried in shallow pits, is also now a memorial to those who were killed by the regime. The Khmer Rouge were driven out of Phnom Penh by the Vietnamese in 1979 and people began to return to the city.

One of the most popular areas in Phnom Penh for tourists is Sisowath Quay, alongside the Tonle Sap River. Sisowath Quay is a 3-mile strip of road that includes restaurants, bars, and hotels.

We stayed here at Hotel Queen.  Yes, we enjoyed our morning and evening walk at War Memorial and at the bank of river Mekong.  The Mekong is a trans-boundary river in  South East Asia and runs through China, Mynmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

On 24^th morning, we took bus and set for Vietnam.  Though the distance between Phnopehn and Ho Chi Minh city is hardly 287 km, it takes nearly 8 hours to reach as bus runs on a regulated speed and also they keep a margin of two hours for immigration clearance at the border of Vietnam. 

Ho Chi Minh city was earlier known as Saigon City, but renamed after the first leader of  North Vietnam  Ho Chi Minh.   It is a metro city having population of around 15 million.  We had our stay arrangement at Somerset Serviced Apartments.    This city was earlier part of South Vietnam and has seen much of the action.  America was ally of South Vietnam and continuously fought with North Vietnam for over 20 years and finally back tracked without any result.  The important feature of this war is that USA used extensively chemical war fare, while it always preach the world war without chemical weapons.  The capture of Saigon by the North Vietnamese Army in April 1975 marked the end of the war, and North and South Vietnam were reunified the following year.  It is estimated that around 3 million people lost their lives in this bloody war. 

Today, the city's core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. The majority of these tourist spots are located in District 1 and are a short leisurely distance from each other. The most prominent structures in the city centre are the Reunification Palace, City Hall, Municipal Theatre  also known as the Opera House, City Post Office,  State Bank Office,  and Notre-Dame Cathedral. 

The city has various museums including the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History, the Revolutionary Museum, the Museum of Southeastern Armed Forces, the War Remnants Museum, the Museum of Southern Women, the Museum of Fine Art, the Nha Rong Memorial House, and the Ben Duoc Relic of Underground Tunnels. The Củ Chi tunnels are northwest of the city in Củ Chi District.

Backpacking travelers most often frequent the "Western Quarter" on  District 1.

The night freak out is very special in this city.  The Central city is totally illuminated with modern shopping complexes and star hotels.  The morning walk was very special near Siagon River.  The city Admnistration has created open Gym for the benefit of people.  One can see old and young alike working out at the park.

One day was planned for tour to Cu Chi Tunnels.  These tunnels are located around 60 km from Ho Chin Min City.   During Vietnam War people created tunnel in jungle to escape from the American atrocities.  The tunnels are very very narrow and at a time only one person can crawl  in the cave.  However, at different locations they made provisions for Kitchens, medical care, sleeping rooms and other facility.  The tunnels were designed in such a way that enemy couldn’t dare to enter into it.  However, American spread millions of litres Chemical in this area, making the whole vegetation poisonous. 

Our next destination was Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.   We flew from Ho Chi Minh city to Hanoi on 27^th June by Air Vietnam and stayed at Hotel Sun Vill in Old Quarter Area.

Hanoi is the second most populous  city with population of around 6.5 million.  The main attraction   in Hanoi is its old charm.  Though city is quite old, but it is planned.  So you can see well laid roads and lanes with same kind of shops in each zone.

Hanoi is located in northern region of Vietnam, situated in the Vietnam’s Red River delta, nearly 90 km  away from the coastal area. Hanoi contains three basic kind of terrain, which are the delta area, the midland area and mountainous zone. As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered one of the main cultural centres of Vietnam, where most Vietnamese dynasties have left their imprint.

Hoan Keim lake and its surrounding of Shopping Complexes, restaurants, hotels is a major place of tourist attraction.  During morning the place is crowded by the health conscious locals as well as tourists.  And in the evening this is one of the most happening areas where lot of music, dances, and cultural events remain in vogue.  Happiness on the face of general Viatnami is very usual here.  And if you want to see something more, go to Water Puppet Show.  We spent most of our time in this area.  Even the night market is at a walking distance. 

Some other prominent places are: The Temple of Literature,  One Pillar Pagoda,  Flag Tower of Hanoi.

The Lake Garden and Central Market were just at walking distance from our Hotel Sun Villa, a very beautiful boutique hotel.  We were initially sceptical about the quality of service in the hotel, but we were amazed at the hospitality of the hotel staff.  They were simply superb. 

On 28^th morning, we moved out to see the ancient capital of Hoa Lư which located in a flat valley between small but steep limestone mountains that created virtually impenetrable barriers to human traffic. Even today, many of the mountains are accessible only to the mountain goats that roam the area.   The boat ride in the river while crossing huge caves in between the major part of our excitement.  We also took opportunity to have cycle tour of village near Hoa Lu interspersed between line stone mountains and rocks. 

We planned one day Cruise stay and to see Halong Bay, a world heritage site.  We booked Bhaiya Cruise and alongwith other co travellers, we headed for Halong Bay on 30^th June, 2015.  

Hạ Long Bay,  literally: "descending dragon bay" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam

Hạ Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km², including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km² with a high density of 775 islets.^[]The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. In 1994, the core zone of Hạ Long Bay was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The bay consists of a dense cluster of some 1,600  limestone monolithic islands each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hang Đầu Gỗ (Wooden stakes cave) is the largest grotto in the Hạ Long area.  

We returned to our hotel on afternoon of 1^st July, 2015.  This was last day and we kept it reserved for buying some souvenirs.

On 2^nd July, we boarded Thai Air and returned to Delhi in the late evening loaded with lot of sweet memories.