Creative Writing by Vikram Karve from Pune India: November 2011

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: UMAMI - A DELICIOUS LOVE STORY: I started writing this story long back and left it incomplete. I wonder why. A few days ago I completed the story. Do tell me if you like i...

IIM placements like cattle fair: Tata exec - Express India

Friday, November 25, 2011

DO YOU VALUE EDUCATION

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: DO YOU VALUE EDUCATION: GENUINE KNOWLEDGE and FAKE KNOWLEDGE A Mulla Nasrudin Story By VIKRAM KARVE I love to teach. I have encountered two types of students: ...

Thursday, November 24, 2011

THE LOG KYA KAHENGE SYNDROME - The Disease to Please

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: THE LOG KYA KAHENGE SYNDROME - The Disease to Please

INTO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Click the link below and read the story in my journal

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: INTO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A NAVAL YARN

PETER SCOT - ON THE HOUSE
A Naval Yarn
By
VIKRAM KARVE

The Navy was the best thing that happened to me. Way back, in the 1970s, when I joined the Navy, life was good. There was never a dull moment. Something was always happening, and I came across a variety of unique personalities – yes, exciting situations and inimitable characters.

Those were the best days of my life. Even now, whenever I reminisce about my “good old” Navy days and recall the unforgettable characters I met there and whenever I hark back to the hilarious incidents (in hindsight), those cherished memories always fill me with cheer, and sometimes bring a smile, maybe a laugh, to my lips.

They say every Naval Officer has a book inside him (or her). I am writing mine. In fact, I have decided to write two books – a fiction novel based on my early life in the Navy way back in the 1970s and a “memoir” comprising non-chronological vignettes from my naval life.

I will tell you more about that later. Now, let me regale you with one such hilarious vignette featuring an unforgettable character. Let’s call him “F”. Why “F” – well, it will be quite evident as you read on.

There was a time when senior naval officers were large-hearted and magnanimous. The senior always stood a drink for the junior, and whenever we had a party in the wardroom (officers’ mess), the party share was on stripe basis. You counted the total number of stripes on the shoulders of officers present and simply divided the overall damages for food and drinks by the total number of stripes and calculated the stripe share. You paid depending on the stripes you wore on your sleeves or shoulder – a Commander (who wore three stripes on his shoulder paid three times the share of a Sub Lieutenant who wore a solitary stripe). In effect, the seniors subsidized the bill of the juniors.

As traditions and attitudes began to change, and officers started becoming money conscious, the stripe share concept gave way to the “on the house” concept in which the party share was distributed equally amongst all present and all members of the “house” paid the same amount irrespective of how much food and drink they consumed.

Of course, when things were “on the house”, those who drank and ate less subsidised those who topped-up to the hilt and gorged to their hearts’ content.

With the passage of time, as people became more and more money-orientated, and materialism became a way of life, officers started counting their drinks (and worse, they counted others’ drinks too…!!!). Now we had a “chit system” and the party share was based on the principle of soldier’s share, or Going Dutch, in which you signed chits and paid for whatever you consumed. In this “signing chits” scheme of things, no one subsidized anybody, and it was each for his own, irrespective of rank and seniority.

Soon, wardroom traditions were turned upside down, money-consciousness gave way to stinginess and sort of “feudal” culture owing to selective interpretation of the RHIP concept which resulted in the proliferation of freeloaders in the senior ranks and it was now the “magnanimous” juniors who were subsidizing their tight-fisted freeloading seniors.

You know what RHIP stands for, isn’t it – Rank Has Its Privileges – and some thought it was their “privilege” to freeload and sponge on their juniors.

Things seem to have turned a full circle.

Hey, I am digressing, let me get on with my story.

This story happened during the days of transition from the “on the house” to “soldier’s share” parties. There was some confusion – some parties were “on the house” and some parties were on the “chit system”. Now our protagonist “F” was a true maukatarian – and decided his “party strategy” accordingly. If it was a “chit system” party – he would survive on water, or hang around someone and try to sponge an drink off him, or try to pilfer one of those gratis “ladies” soft drinks when he thought no one was looking, or at the worst, if the party was too long and his freeloading tactics didn’t work, F would order a small peg of the cheapest rum and paani and hold it for the entire party. And if the party was “on the house” … well read on …

“F” arrived for a grand party one evening and asked me, “Is it chit-system?”

“No, Sir, on-the-house,” I told him, as planned, and winked at the barman. The PMC, who was nearby, gave me a knowing smile of approval.

“Which whisky have you got?” F asked the barman.

“Sir, we are serving Black Knight and Red Knight,” the barman answered. The party was ashore and we were serving IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor).

“BK and RK?” F turned his nose up in disgust, “Get me Peter Scot.”

The barman looked at me for a decision (Peter Scot was the most expensive IMFL whisky in the bar those days).

“Okay,” I said to the barman, “Sahab ko Peter Scot pilao…”

Delighted that he was getting the most expensive Peter Scot whiskey on-the-house, F decided to make the most of it, and drank peg after peg, and at the end of the party, he had to be carried to his cabin in drunken stupor. F had grandly “enjoyed” the cocktail party.

A month later F entered my office furiously waving his wardroom mess bill in his hand and angrily demanding how he had been charged for 11 large pegs of Peter Scot.

I was waiting for him, and said, “Sir, let’s go to the PMC.”

“Any problem?” the PMC asked looking up from his desk, the moment we entered his cabin.

“Sir, I have been charged for 11 large pegs of Peter Scot for that cocktail party,” complained F.

“So?” the PMC said, “you drank 11 large pegs of Peter Scot, didn’t you?”

“Sir, I don’t remember.”

“But I do – you were in such glorious high spirits that you had to be carried away at the end of the party.”

“But Sir, the party was on-the-house.”

“Who told you?”

“The Mess Secretary,” F said, pointing an accusing finger at me.

“Well, the mess secretary is quite a clueless chap. All parties here are on the chit-system. You should have signed your chits before ordering your drinks and you should have checked the bar-book next morning if you had any doubts. No disputes now. That’s the Mess Rule,” the PMC pronounced, and dismissed F with a wave of his finger, and looked at me with a glint in his eyes.

That’s how we taught this maukatarian freeloader a lesson. Well, we taught him another lesson too – but that’s another story.

I enjoy writing and I have now started writing my two books. The first is autobiographical fiction, a novel with an engrossing story and characters you will love, and second, my “memoir”, a collection of vignettes from my life in the Navy, something like Tales of the South Pacific.

I am putting my heart into writing these two books and in order to make them gripping and “unputdownable”. I am going to write leisurely, unhurriedly, savoring every moment and I am going to enjoy the writing process as I relive my navy days in my mind’s eye. But I’ll take a break from time to time, and, right here in my Creative Writing blog, I will regale you with some more of my naval yarns, like this one.

Cheers

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Did you like this yarn?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://dialabook.in/prod_detail.php?prod=MTA0NzA=
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
vikramkarve@gmail.com

My Favourite Teaching Story - THE KEY

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: THE KEY

Click the link above and read the story in my journal

Regards

Vikram

Sunday, November 20, 2011

ALKA and ULKA - MY FAVOURITE SHORT STORIES REVISITED Part 9

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: ALKA and ULKA - MY FAVOURITE SHORT STORIES REVISITED Part 9

Fiction Short Story - A Romance

Click the link above and read the story in my journal

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY...

Click the link below and read the article in my journal

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY...:

Science, Technology and Engineering By VIKRAM KARVE If you look around you, you will find students pursuing studies for degrees in Sc...

Friday, November 18, 2011

WAKAD HINJEWADI FOOD GUIDE Part 1

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: EATING OUT IN PUNE - WAKAD HINJEWADI FOOD GUIDE Part 1

WAKAD HINJEWADI FOOD GUIDE

Part 1

VIKRAM KARVE

“Eating-Out” and “Eating-In” in Wakad Hinjewadi Pune

1. NPB FOOD SQUARE

Our favourite place to eat out. This is a family place. We love this place for its bright clean spacious ambience and the variety of food you get there at affordable prices. This is the only place in Wakad where you will get decent Dosa or Idli. There are stalls serving all types of cuisine, veg and non-veg, snacks and meals – Maharashtrian (Sabudana Khicadi, Tahlipeeth and Misal) , North Indian (Paratha, Meals, Chaat), South Indian (Dosa, Idli, Wada Sambar and Thali), Chinese, Punjabi, Mughlai, Kababs, Curries and Biryani, Pizzas and Sandwiches, Milk Shakes and Ice Cream and of course there are plenty of delicious freshly Baked Delights and soothing desserts from New Poona Bakery (that’s what NPB stands for).

2. VARSHAKIRAN BHOJANALAYA

If you are in the mood for some home style food just dial 7588579635 and order a Maharashtrian Thali which will be delivered fresh and hot to your home in a stainless-steel Tiffin Carrier . A simple unpretentious wholesome meal comprising varan-bhat (dal-rice), two vegetables ( a rassa and a sukha bhaji), Chappaties and Salad. Priced at fifty bucks this is a real value-for-money meal.

3. FAASO’S

Go for the Wraps and avoid the rest of the menu. Yes, the wraps are superb – all the wraps are truly excellent – Veg and Non-Veg. (By the way, for the uninitiated, wraps are sanitized versions of the inimitable Kathi Rolls or Frankies). I especially like the Chicken Bhuna Wrap and Green Paneer Wrap. However, I found the “Mughlai” (Stuffed Mutton Paratha) terrible, almost nauseating, drenched in oil and stuffed with underdone mutton. I strongly recommend a visit by the Chef to Bade Mian in Mumbai to observe how Baida Roti is made if Faaso’s is serious about their “Mughlai” Parathas. Lastly, the less said about the “Biryani” the better – a truly pathetic flavourless Biryani with tough pieces of chicken with a tasteless potato and a cold boiled egg thrown in – truly appalling! The ambience of the eatery is pretty lousy too so I always prefer to dial 9325545355 and order the wraps home as they pack it quite well and hygienically. Remember, just stick to the Wraps. And here is some friendly advice for FAASO’S – Specialize in Wraps and discard the rest of the menu.

4. INDIAN IN A BOX

I like the food here. There is Chinese and there are the usual Indian dishes and all dishes are quite tasty. The only dish I do not like here is the Biryani – absolutely second-rate stuff. My favourite is the Meal-For-One “Favourite Chicken Box” comprising an Aloo Tuk Tuk + Chicken Tikka Masala + Laccha Paratha. So, of you are in the mood for a satiating meal dial 02022931800 and order whatever you want.

5. ADITYA

If you have hungry vegetarian guests dial 02065101088 and order the food from Aditya. My favourites are the Methi Malai Mutter and Navrattan Korma. While most Veg dishes are quite good, I found the Non-Veg dishes too spicy and oily and the Biryani was awful.

6. NATURAL ICE CREAM

I love ending my meal with soothing Tender Coconut Ice Cream from Natural Ice Cream Parlour!

Since I arrives in Wakad, I have been “Eating-In” more than “Eating-Out” since it is more convenient to order and have a relaxed meal in the comfort of my home than venture out in the crazy traffic and eat in places where the ambience is pretty unappetizing.

In Hinjewadi, there are many other places too like the ubiquitous McDonald’s, Domino’s, Smoking Joe’s and CCD and some excellent fine dining options like Barbeque Nation at Sayaji, MoMo Cafe at Courtyard Marriot, Admiralty, Lemon Tree and Mezza 9, and towarsd Baner there is the evergreen Sadanand and a cafe called Linger On which I have heard so much about and am going to visit soon. But I will tell you about them later.

Till now I have delved on the Western side of Wakad towards Hinjewadi.

Now I am going to explore the Eastern side of Wakad, places like Vishalnagar, Pimple Nilakh et al. Someone has just told me about a place called Iyer’s Tiffins in Vishalnagar nearby, so maybe I’ll drop in tomorrow morning for a Dosa and Filter Coffee or better still for an Idli-Wada “Tiffin” in the evening.

If anyone in Wakad is reading this, do let us know of some of your favourite eating places out here and nearby.

Till then, Happy Eating. And remember - there is no love greater than the love of eating.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Did you like reading this post?
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my recently published book of short stories COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
vikramkarve@gmail.com

PICK ME UP

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: PICK ME UP

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

http://karvediat.blogspot.com/

Click the link above and read my journal full of short fiction stories, food and philosophical posts.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Defining Success in Publishing

A worthwhile read for all budding creative writers - Click the link above to read the article

MISERY To Whom Shall I Tell My Grief - MY FAVOURITE SHORT STORIES REVISITED Part 4

There are times when you want to talk to someone.

You want to unburden yourself of your sorrows, you want to cry on someone’s shoulder, you want to tell someone your sob story, you desperately want to talk to someone and you realize that there is no one willing to listen to you.

Whenever I am overwhelmed by such moments, a beautiful short story by Anton Chekhov comes to my mind.

The Story is called MISERY (To Whom Shall I Tell My Grief ?).

The story depicts the overwhelming grief of a distraught father who has just lost his only son and his forlorn attempts to share his anguish with strangers.

Click the link below and read the article and story in my journal

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: MISERY To Whom Shall I Tell My Grief - MY FAVOURITE SHORT STORIES REVISITED Part 4

Click the link above and read the article and story

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER - My Favourite Short Stories Revisited Part 1

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: HOW TO GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH IN LIFE

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: A STORY FOR CHILDREN ON CHILDREN'S DAY

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: A STORY FOR CHILDREN ON CHILDREN'S DAY: THE MONKEY TRAP Short Fiction - A Story for Children on Children's Day - and for Parents too By VIKRAM KARVE On the occasion of Childre...

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: NEGATIVE ATTITUDE

EGGS VODKA and a KISS

click the link below and read the story in my journal

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve:
FOOD SEX PERCEPTIONFood for Thought and Food for ...:

Friday, November 04, 2011

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: REVELATION

Click the link above and read the story in my creative writing journal

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: Rest in Peace - RIP.

Click the link above and REST IN PEACE

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Friday, November 04, 2011

Thursday, November 03, 2011