The Accolades ...

I don’t exactly know how it feels to play cricket at the Eden Gardens. But believe me, it should not be much bigger than running the MUMBAI MARATHON.
There is an excitement of being part of the biggest marathon in ASIA.
The city of MUMBAI is enchanting. Especially the VT station ( I still cant come to terms with CST), the Nariman Point, the Marine Drive, Haji Ali. I have some fond memories with these places in Mumbai.



Its is so fitting that the marathon happens on these roads.


I started this marathon with a pain in my legs. This was purely psychological. It was more because I could remember how it was when I finished the marathon last time.

I walked into Dadar station to catch a train to VT. As soon as I boarded the train I could feel the pain in my calves. I was worried if I could complete the marathon this time.


I got down at VT and didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where to go and when to go. Last time around, I had Ninad and to follow. This time I was lazy enough to not do my homework. I waited outside the VT and let the atmosphere soak in. Then I went to the AZAD MAIDAN. There were these practice wickets and the nets. The morning dew on the grass on the wickets made me feel at home. After spending almost half an hour around them, I decided to go into the hold-up area.

It was as crowded as any other street in Mumbai. I was hoping that there be no stampede. It would have been a disaster.

Waiting there for another 30 minutes made me more anxious about everything. Then there was a buzz and the marathon had started.

By the time reached the starting point the clock had ticked 13 mins.
Ghoshh !!! I should have been there at the hold up area earlier. I wasted 13 mins.
Then the run started.

The crowd was amazing. There were DJ’s, Bhangra, Nasik Dhol, and people from all walks of life stating on the footpath and cheering. These guys don’t let you stop.



I wished Kasab watches this. Shoot as many as you want Kasab. The rest will keep running the marathon.

The race was amazing, I completed it in 2hrs 04 mins. Not far away from the winner who did it in an hour or so. But if you consider that I lost lot of time stuck up in the crowd, you might give me the benefit of the doubt.

I was in an ocean of thoughts throughout these 2 hrs 04 mins. I thought of some people. And here I would like to thank them.

My grandfather, at 90 he manages everything by himself. Some day I would like to be like him. He has shown me the importance of being fit right from my childhood.

Rahul Kad my neighbour and childhood friend who has been a sport frenetic. I would not have taken up to any kind of sport if he had not been around me then.

My parents. Especially my dad who has always talked about taking good care of the body. He hates it when he sees me in any kind of pain.

My sister. I happened to be with her on a 4 miles trail at Yosemite. That gave me the boost in confidence.

My coaches and team mates at the club. They have seen it and been with me when my body was in total give up state. Each of them made sure that they gave me some inputs, however useless though, and hoped that I get back in shape someday.

Rahul Giramkar, the man who introduced me to this wonderful thing called running. He has pushed me to extremes time and again and cursed at me when I gave up.

Mahendra Gokhale, my fitness trainer, Giramkar introduced me to him. I was fortunate to be around him for a few months. He explained me about the importance of legs and lower body. The tips that he gave me 5 yrs ago helped me to practice for the marathon.

Prabandhdha Bheese because he labelled me as the RoadRunner.

Various instructors and doctors who have attended me and never lost hope in me.




Abhijit Dada, Ninad and Ameya, my cousins who got this idea of running a marathon into my head.

Hemant Luthra… who once happened to make me believe that I could easily complete the full marathon. Yes Hemant… I plan to do it soon.

Rupesh Singh.. somehow he could not get into Indian Defence Academy. But I wish someday he too participates in the marathon.

The DJ, the navy band, the cheer leaders and the people of Mumbai. They kept of cheering and we kept on going

Dr Roy. This old man was running with us. His T shirt said “ Dr ROY – born in 1923”

Another old man, running with us, whom I met at the half way mark. I was thinking of taking a break.. I saw him jumping over the cones with full enthusiasm. I never again thought about taking a break until I finished the marathon.

Mr Jibu Soren.. he ran the marathon with the tricolour. People cheered him and that pushed me even further.



My legs. They belong to a wicket keeper. This is not the first time I have put them on test and surely will not be the last time.

I ran for all those dumb-heads who believed that I could do it. I had to prove that they are not that dumb

I ran for all those pundits who advised me not to be so stupid. I ran cos I wanted to know if they were right.

And last but not the least.. I ran cos I wanted to blog so you could comment.

A set of people asked me why I run. Sorry guys, I could not find an answer this time. May be I will be able to get the reason next time around.. hold on…

The best part of the marathon was that when I did complete it .. I could sit at the nets of AZAD MAIDAN and could contact many if not all these people whom I was thinking of.

A date with memories ...

Along with the new year comes the month of January.
A month which brings a promise. A promise of a change.
A month with a perfect stance but no substance.

This month lasts for just 31 days. But these 31 days are enough to bring our aspirations down to earth. A month that takes away with itself, all the desires of bringing a change. A month that makes us realize that this is going to be another long year. Just hang on .. don't think much.

In January comes the marathon. A marathon of thoughts, a marathon of actions...

The run is a complete test. A test of our stamina, a test of our strength. A test of perseverance. So many of them have asked me the reason I run. I am yet to figure out the answer.

Last time around I participated cos I wanted to see how far I could go. I knew I could go up to 7 km mark. But actually I completed the 21 km half marathon. Even I wonder how I managed. Just waking up one day and running 21 km without a single day of practice. It was unbelievable.

I remember I was jogging when I reached 16 km mark. Then came the 18 km marks. My ankles had given away. Yet I went on. After some time I realized that I had nothing to go on. I wanted to stop, rest ,quit. But the legs were not ready to stop. They were moving on. They didn't stop until I reached the finish line. They didn't stop when I had to line up in the queue to collect the certificate. They took me from Azad Maidan to Church Gate. They carried me in the heavy rush of Mumbai local upto Andheri.

It was like they had conquered the pain. They were dedicated to the job assigned and nothing in the world could stop them. Like Murarbaji, fighting the war even after being beheaded.

I take a lot of pride when see them.

A few days ago, I happened to be there for that.

I had to collect the bib and bag for my marathon. I took a local from Mulund to CST.

This was the 1st time that I was at CST after 26 Nov. As soon as reached the station I started imagining things. What exactly happened that day? From where did the 2 gunmen enter? How come no one detected them from the Gateway to CST? At the CST where did they start shooting... Where were the bodies lying?


First thing that cam to my mind was what if I have an AK-47 with me right now?
Who will stop me? There are metal detectors at CST but nothing of that sort at Mulund station. I can easily attack the CST from Mulund now. A day after the massacre at CST, news papers had shown photographs of the barricade set by the Railway Poilce. Surprisingly, these were absent now.

I visited that spot from where Mr Jillu Yadav attacked the terrorist. I searched for the camera which captured those moments later to be seen on youtube. It was not seen. May be it has been set at a position which only the railway police know.

But the fact is nothing had changed here. There was same ever existing lethargy in the system and a give up look in the eyes of the passengers.
We talk about Proactive Management. This one is not ever reactive. This is bloody insensitiveness. Come what may ... we won’t change. This city runs on goodwill.

Then I followed my way to Azad Maidan. As I reached the Maindan I saw the organisers busy preparing for the event. Here is where it ended last year. Here is where it will end this year.

Unwillingly though, I could visualize myself entering these Maidans after the run last year. I was in a mixed state of mind. Physically less, mentally more. My legs were in bad shape … but my mind was in worst state. All those thoughts that erupt when I am all by myself were there covering my brain. Like autumn leaves. I wanted to find the answer to them by the end of the year. I haven’t. And hence these thoughts will be there with me this year too. Some of them have reached soaring heights…

There was a sense of satisfaction that I had completed it. Along with it came a million dollar question … “ SO WHAT”

A part of me wanted to celebrate…. Others wondered HOW !!!

Last year, those heavy thoughts helped me in moving on … The burden of the distance did not bog me down. I hope this happens this year too.

So nothing has changed here too. I am now what I was then. The excitement about the marathon is lost. And now it feels like just another event.

On my way back home I was damn frustrated. Is there anything that can be done? Will everyone live just cos they were born a few years ago and have to survive the next few years?

I got the answer to this question on my way back home. In the heavy Mumbai Traffic.

On Peddar Road, my bus was stuck in this traffic. I looked at the buildings. The last time was here ... I was running on this road. On other days u cant even think about crossing it. This is one major change. WOW

Why did this happen. Because, 6 years ago, someone thought of organising a marathon, here. What ever his intensions be… people responded to it.

People are ready to spare one day of theirs to do something for everyone, to do something for the society, to something for a common cause. People are ready to change. For a few hours they are ready to forget their personal grudges and look at the bigger picture. The Picture of unity.

There I got my answer. I run marathon to celebrate UNITY.
The bond is so strong that people are ready to part away with their luxuries cos a few athletes will be enjoying themselves. They will gain nothing by gaining this. But still they will be doing it. They will be doing it cos they need the CHANGE.

This is the beauty of the event. It is going to start at the CST. It is going to go around the TRIDENT where most of the foreign athletes are staying. 35000 participants will be running.

I will be running too.
I will be running cos I love to run.
I will be running cos I want to be a part of those 35000.
I will be running cos there cheer leaders will be cheering me.
I will be running cos the public will be watching me.
I will be running cos I want to be proud of my legs again
I will be running cos its New Year, I will be running cos its January, I will be running cos its marathon …again.
I will be running cos I want to see the CHANGE.