South Indian food -on shore leave in Mumbai,
1963-65 -1967
PROLOGUE
It
is a quiet evening and I decided to jot
down a few lines after seeing " masala dosai "- in yahoo news-We
Dufferin cadets on shore leave in 63-65s had a set routine and much
depended on our origin -i.e. upcountry or local-viz. If a local, a few
upcountry friends joined the local ; some like me were often in a standard
routine -visit a local family (guardian at Matunga-King Circle,
travel by R 43 bus - or meet a school friend in Colaba - take in a movie
with this classmate, usually in fort area and that was all.. 2-3 LPs on
Juke Box at Mondegar cafe --with a soft drink waiting for Regal cinema show
time maybe.
South Indian food –
Meals
was on a tight budget ;.remember just, Rs 8/- pocket cash and so it was not
easy .
Later we found this Udipi hotel outside Alexandra Docks,
called Dilkush Vishranti Griha -a quaint
but loving description which I think can read as Happy
Heart-Restiing House, catering to both South indian khana and
Marathi snacks (misal /usal/ sabudana vada etc etc).
Simple
eats and quite cheap- Poori with Sheera was Rs 2/- This was enough for us
.
Even
at 2nd mates time in Sept 1967, whilst staying at Marine Club we had shared
Rooms –
used
to eat here.ThePoori item never cost more than Rs 3/ with
Coffee or Tea at breakfast.
Neelam
was occasional -for Dinner only if we had cash left was just plain
rotis one curry shared with papad and salad.
Dear Harpal Singh Sahi was my joint study Mate in Marine
Club
(ROR & M Notices and oral questions with the usual SELFI Examiner for
Written exam prep). Harpal just loved south Indian khana and Masala Dosai
especially; after diner he would say:
Hi
"Raj--I want a Dho-
sa ( see below in article) ok ..dhosa-please-cant miss that
" -ok , ok.
Way
back in 1967.. it cost just Rs 3/- I think. ---
Today
maybe it is Rs 50/-----with all served.
See below India's signature dish
(obviously promoted) --' Masala Do-sai
'...please
(correct pronounciation) as
is today in ghee- with all ingredients & side dishes
and chutneys.
Study
was a serious matter-no fooling. Besides we had limited funds and staying in Bombay was not easy We
completed all studies together -End Sept. down from ship and cleared orals with
Capt.Sarukkai!!- a tough Examiner ; passed all in Dec inc Radar--and we were
simply jubiliant. FInally the 4 plus years *54 months had been completed-we were qualified finally.
Nothing has made me
feel better than that experience of completing the 2nd Mates Exam -sheer
elevation to cloud nine.
Was
back home by year end Dec 1967--after a fight in GESCO office in an attempt
to recollect my Apprentice ship Rs 500/- Indenture Bond Money.....(long
story) . After capt D.G. Hazari intervened and blasted Cha Cha capt
Maini (marine Super) for bully tactics-and I signed a letter saying will
join back-which in any case I was doing. Looking back we had bullies all over
..even in offices then. The princely Ransom of Rs 500 cash was given back
finally.
I
got myself a Train tkt plus 2 sets of white Uniforms and a Battle Jacket too-
God
Bless late Capt. DGH (RIP) -
or I may have had to Walk back to Madras !!.
2007
Dilksush
Vishranti Griha (my home away from home) in Fort area was sold -and became a
Bar some years back; Indira Dock gate is Walled in -
Now
both are shut.
GESCO
went on to greater heights -got many more ships and apart from SCI is the only
surviving shipp company from our times today.
GE
Maritime College and Offshore Div. are new additions.. are doing well.
I
still get a copy of their "Ocean Waves" Newsletter periodically
and have written for it--
Still
surveyed their ships till recent times-2004.
OH
yes before I forget-- today Iddly -sambar (is safe food for any age) and
Masala
Dosai (umpteen desi and Mumbai versions) went on to
become even more famous throughout India and the World-at all Hotels, Cafes and
now even Road side eateries, as I saw recently---.
3 CHEERS for the Masala Dosai & Filter
Kapee.
AAL IZZ WELL
RGDS
TR
