Save the Earth: 1Click-1Tree

Zaninites! How's it going? It's been a while and it'd be the understatement of 2009 to say that this group has been quieter than we hoped it would be. At the same time, it'd be a sham to say we're not the ones to blame for it! :P However, today is not the day to say all those things- It's the last day of 2009 baby! Now, I'm sure all of you have some awesome plans made and some huge fun is to be had later in the evening for every one. Therefore, I'd keep this short and before I wish every one a happy new year I'd like to introduce an interesting and worthwhile activity to all here-

This is in wake of the impending doomsday that theory makers would have you believe is coming fast and with Copenhagen being reduced to a big joke, I guess we all know that Earth is gonna melt down and dissolve in its own seas sooner or later (maybe not in our lifetimes, but would you like your children to die like that?)... Unless, we do something about it. And that's what this is: the 1Click-1Tree initiative started by 141 Sercon; an events and advertising company in New Delhi which plans to plant 5,000 saplings of different species of trees in the country in 2010 and they want the people of India to choose and own those trees. No money involved- all you gotta do is tell them which tree to plant and they'll do it for you. Heck, they'd even send you a picture and location of the sapling. What they want in return from you? Well, they'd like that once you know where the sap is, you check in on it once in a while and in general, do what to can to make sure that your sapling becomes a tree and the purpose of this initiative is met- That's all.

So, for now all we gotta do is go to the 1Click-1Tree website here and a) Choose what tree you want & b) Enter you name and e-mail id so they can send you pictures and location of it once they do it. I've already chosen my tree (a Neem tree) and have even blogged about this initiative on my personal blog in detail so those seeking more in depth look can check it here. Needless to say, I'd like you all to choose a tree and ask the 1Click-1Tree team to plant it for you.

That was that guys, just wanted a bunch of environmentally aware people to know that there are organizations doing their bit in saving our fast depelting planet and WE can make a difference by a click of the mouse.

You'd probably see me talking more about this and other similar environmental issues in times to come but for now, I'm outta here man! I've got some moves to bust and some joy to bring! Hope you do the same- have a great evening and a wonderful new year, my friends... And be safe! :)

~ Abhimanyu

Woolens Needed for Kids

Hi Guys,

We need 80 sweaters for kids at Sarai Basti. They are aged between 4- 13. The sweaters can be old old but not torn/ragged.

Please let me know at 9650500347 , if you can contribute.

Thanks in Anticipation!

Tarun

School Winter Carnival

BBPS GRH Branch is organising winter carnival on 20th December 2009 at its Play ground .
As we have been informed by our Hon'ble Principal that Alumni has a stall there so we should get our presence felt as to take our agenda to maximun number of students whether studying or ex students .
In view of afore-said I implore the esteemed members of this blog to take this opportunity as to make our presence in school circuit again.

Rohit Naagpal

Movie Time !!!

I'll keep this short and sweet
To awaken us folks from the deep slumber that we all seem to have went into some of us are going to:
Movie: "De Dana Dan"
Date: 29th November (i.e this coming sunday)
Time: afternoon/early evening

Who all wants to join in?
Since we need to book the tickets, you have 24 hours to confirm, starting now :)

Any theater lovers? Kanjoos- performed by CETA at Kamani Auditorium: Oct 3rd, 5.30 & 7.30 pm

Hullow everyone!

I do hope everyone here is doing well and that the absenteeism hasn't completely taken away our passion; even if it has subdued it a little.. ;)

So, anywho.. While the musical gig that I'm planning is still a work-in-progress (there are some logistics that we need to get together and that's taking some time, but we're hoping to have it assembled soon), In the meanwhile if there are any among us who're interested in theater then you must join me & my theater association (CETA) mates today for two showings of the comedy play titles 'Kanjoos', a Hindi adaptation of a French play.

I realize that this post is somewhat of a short notice, and I'm gonna be making some phone calls to those I have numbers of for a verbal invite, but to those whose numbers I don't have; if you do manage to read this in time (By 1600 hrs today) then feel free to give me a call to book your seats. The showings are at 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm respectively at the Kamani Auditorium. Tickets are priced at Rs 200, 150 & 100.

So be there, if you can make it. Here're the details one more time- Kanjoos, performed by CETA (Creative Energy Theater Association) at 5.30 & 7.30 pm, Sat, Oct 3rd at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. For tickets & directions, call me @ 9810800473

We're expecting a full house but I hope to see some of you there- if you make it, I promise I'll find you a seat!

~ Abhimanyu.

What's happening on the Zanny street

I am sure we all are doing pretty good in our own spheres (at least appears so). For last couple of weeks we all have been busy with our work and an unsynchronized attempt to plan the next thing on the Zanny street. The culprit(s) knows his name :p, and others know the culprit(s) (what a co-incidence). Whilst Tarun is taking people for a morning jog, Abhimanyu is planning a musical gig. Shreel is planning an activity at school and I and Mayank are passing the bucks around. Rohit, Suman, Divye, Rahul and others have been a silent spectator for long and has been marked absent on more than one occasion.

After having passed enough bucks, this entry is just to raise the interests back to the levels they were when we started. It is to bring more sync in whatever we want to do. Please do post your comments.

Hope to see some fun on the street soon!

PS: This post is also to test a new feature on the blog.

Jognext on Zanystreet

Heyy guys..

Now we have a street of our own :) - why not jog on this?

Helath and lifestyle is a one of biggest problems which can do wonders ;) to your life. I am thinking of a jog morning with all the members of the street at Lodhi Garden on Sunday - Whatsay?

For more info on this visit - www.runningandliving.com

Cheers

Tarun

Open House / Q&A on photography

In association with DFC (Delhi's foremost photography club), Kunzum Gallery (www.kunzum.com/gallery) is pleased to invite you to an Open House / Q&A on photography. You are free to ask any questions and our highly talented panel of photographers will be happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Here are some details of this workshop:
Panelists: Sanjay Nanda, Shashwat Nagpal, Dr. Sanjay Dhawan, Anurag Yadav
Who can attend: Anyone, amateurs to pros alike. Does not matter whether you use a compact camera or a SLR. Even beginners wanting to get started.
Fee: There is NO fee to attend.
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (As a sign that you are serious, you are requested to be at the venue by 10:50 am so as not to disturb the sessions once they start)
Venue: Kunzum Gallery, T-49 Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi 110016. (Located near the entry of the Hauz Khas tomb. Park your vehicle opposite the entry to Deer Park / Park Baluchi restaurant and walk on the main street of the village; turn left when you see a temple near the tomb entrance. The gallery is just a few yards after this).
Pot Luck: If you want to carry some munchies (chocolates, chips, peanuts etc) to share with others, it would be great. You could even carry any juices and soft drinks for yourself if you like. All those interested can also go out for lunch together at any nearby eatery.Miscellaneous: Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. If you don't get a seat, you can always squat on the rugs. If you want to discuss any photograph you have taken, carry it along.
For more info: Call Meenakshi Payal at +91.9650 702 777
Look forward to having you over at the event.
Cheers...
Ajay JainWriter / Photographer / BloggerMy India Travel Blog: www.kunzum.comPicture Gallery: www.kunzum.com/galleryFacebook: www.facebook.com/ajayjain9
Mobile: +91.99100 44476Email: ajay@ajayjain.com

A day.. Dil se...

Hi everyone

This is Eshita Gupta from 2000 BBPS batch. I am from economics background & currently pursuing Ph.D. from Indian Statistical Institute (Delhi). I would like to thanks Mayank and Varun for inviting me to write on this blog and tell you all about our visit to Aman Biradari street children school (in Shastri Nagar).

Tarun, Mayank, V and I visited this home on 5th September (teacher’s day). Basically this NGO takes care of the homeless street children (involved in begging and rag picking) after rigorous scrutiny through field work (whether they really need support, parents background etc.). It has about 85 children... of which 55 are going to school (mostly to nearby government schools). Children by and large stay in this home and are allowed to go out with their parents (usually on weekends). Apart from meeting their basic food, clothing and medicine requirements this home provides them with additional educational support (in form of bridging classes taken by paid teachers, learning computer, spoken English) and recreational activities- classes for painting, theatre, music, sports and games, martial arts, picnics, yoga, etc.

I think that most of us can definitely help them in some way. I had never visited any NGO before. But in my wish list one of my wishes was to see the working of such a home. Still I never planned any such visit myself. Three of them planned it and informed me just a day before…. I just wanted to make a small point that we are all very busy and could not find time for such things even if we feel like.. After visiting this place I realized how difficult it is to run such an organization and it’s a big responsibility.. many times things go out of their control… Meenakshi (who is working in this home) told me how skin disease spread among these children frequently… Most of these children come here after facing incredibly difficult situations in life. Further they have mental pressure/inferiority complex as they are far behind other children of their age.

Here is a brief list of the areas this NGO is looking for volunteers

• Education and tuition of children
• Recreational activities with these children
• Yoga classes- By the way Tarun takes yoga classes twice a week.
• Health care services by doctors, medical students and health workers
• Volunteers for counseling and drug de-addiction
• Legal services for children in conflict with the law
• Meeting children on streets and traffic lights to build bonds and motivate them to eventually move for a better life in residential homes
• Becoming a friend of one homeless child or youth over a long period
• Mobilizing volunteers and resources in cash or kind
• Internships for working with homeless children and women, on streets, and in hostels and schools, research and documentation

If you have other innovative ideas or questions you can also get in touch with Meenakshi (working in this school at mini.y83@gmail.com).

Thanks

A day with our city's children

Heyy guys,
The zany street is buzzing with activities now and its fun being at different places with different people of indeed different and unique interests.

Now its time to get on the street itself and see....

We are planning a visit to Uma Pandey Children's home, a full tiem residential cum educational facility for delhi's street children being run by sarva shiksh aabhiyan witht he support of Amanbiradari (http://www.amanbiradari.org/).

We will be reaching there as per following schedule:

Uman Pandey Home,
Near Shastri Nagar metro sation
Date and Time: Saturday, September 5 (teacher's day) , 1 PM to 3 PM.
RSVP : me - 9650500347

Abhimanyu .. do brring your guitar - we will have great time with music and kids.

Also The centre needs some gaddas for children beds - see if any of you guys can contribute..

See you there....

PS: 'WE' - I have written we in the post - that means whosoever reads it coming...


Cheers,
Tarun

Spic Macay: Virasat 09 Inaugural

If anyone is interested in Indian classical music, here's the treat. Like every year, Spic Macay (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) is organizing their Virasat inaugural function at Delhi University.

Artists Performing: Sh. Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia.
Venue: Vice Regal Lodge, North Campus, Delhi University
Date and Time: August 27, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Entry is free.

Also see: Delhi Virasat-09 Inaugural

Photography anyone?

After Kasauli , the next activity coming up on the zany street is an enjoyable outing on the streets of delhi this saturday - to click some photographs!

Our very own Varun Giri is a "shutterbug" and has kindly consented to show us ( the uninitiated..) how to handle the camera properly!

Anyone wanna join??

The details are upto Varun, and he would be posting the time and location ( we can at least leave these choices for him! :) ) soon.

Remember - its happening this Saturday ( 22nd August '09)!

---------------------------------------------------
Ed. Varun

Here are the long awaited details:
We are meeting on Saturday 22 August, 2009 at 4:30pm at Khan Market.

After the shoot we'll have a little european food... pasta shasta at the Big Chill :D. (Mayank, Shreel.. guys you listening!!).

Roll your sleeves, get your equipment ready. And if you don't have a camera, either beg, borrow or steel or be prepared to be model for the budding photographers :D.

See you on the Saturday :).
--------------------------------------------------
Here are a few photographs from the meet, specially for those who missed the workshop :).

The importance of interests

Load up your guns, bring your friends. It's fun to lose and to pretend..
~ Kurt Cobain

A warm welcome to all our readers! I know that at the moment we're less in numbers, but our intent is strong, our brains sharp, and our hearts brave. So, I'll say this now- No one can stop us. No one, but ourselves. And I'll tell you how... :) (Did I just make that rhyme..? I think I did.)

So, kind ones, allow me to introduce myself. I am Abhimanyu Shankhdhar; Writer, Musician, Artist, Advertising & Media professional, recently turned Theater-worker, one of the co-founders of The Zany Street, and before everything else; Bal Bhartian, class of 2000... Yeah! :)

Now, let me begin with an oft repeated (and totally unrelated) quote as I start my first post for The Zany street- THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY! **Confetti & stars falls from the ceiling** ;)

Phew! Now that I have that off my chest, lets talk about something more closer to purpose. The main point that I wanna drive home through this post here is to emphasize the sole aim of having a group; a society; an entity like The Zany Street.. And its a one line answer, really: to pursue our interests- together, on a more serious level than (I assume) we presently do.

Therefore I urge you, to not only be members of this group, to just follow the blog, but to also come out with ideas, with things that interest you, and allow us to fulfill that for you. It could be anything, and we'll find a way to make it happen for you.. If there are enough of us, then we'll do it all, everything; on our own- Snow Patrol says that, not me.. But I daresay I agree.

Another question is, why? And the answer is, because its very important to realize that our interests, our passions, are really the things that drive us in some hidden way towards what we do for a living. However, more often than not, we just keep looking at them as things that I will do one day, when I have earned enough money, and can take a break.. Sadly, that day never comes. It's a common tale, yeah? Well, surprisingly we write it ourselves and its only us who can change it.

Enough said. I'm sure I've more than made my point but if you'd permit, then I'd like to borrow a minute more and ask you to look at the famous lines at the beginning of this post. That's right- Not only do we want you to come prepared; loaded with your ideas, your passions and interests but we would love it even more if you involve those who're a part of your lives in this. The benefits? Well, The Zany Street will grow in strength and diversity, and you will get to pursue your interests and acquire new ones in company of those you already like hanging out with. Savvy, hey? Luckily, there's no pretending and no one's gonna lose anything either. ;)

Its befitting then, that the torch bearers of this novel but wonderful concept are going to Kasuali this weekend for our First activity and if you haven't booked your seat on that ride yet then there'd better be a good reason :)

So that's that for now guys.. I will return shortly to talk about other interesting things before you can miss me. In the meanwhile, if there are any amongst you looking to know more about the various spheres that I'm involved in and possibly interested in an involvement yourselves, then you can check out my personal blog here. If you wish to know me a little more, and are willing to teach me how to be as cool as you, then please add me on facebook, Linkedin and Twitter.

I hope that when we meet next, there are even more wonderful people reading this, and that I get to meet all of you personally very, very soon! Till that happens, I hope you all take care, and have a smashing (figuratively only) weekend.

Remember, We're young and our dreams will take us where we want to go- All we need is passion. A (soon to be) famous musician said that! :)

~ Abhimanyu.

Kasauli Everyone!!

My first post begins with handing leaflets of our first planned activity - A trip to Kasauli over the weekend!!
Little do I know about this trip except that its going to take 7 hours from Delhi to reach there - that its the place to see clouds walk through with you!!! And that I want a get away for a few days desperately!!

And at the end of it, I expect to learn a little bit of photography from Varun; know more about gaming from Mayank and know everybody else who's on board a little better! What varun would certainly have after the trip would be some more stuff similar to this http://odzer.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/kasauli/

Watch Out!!!
(Writing just brings a little more commitment than chewing fat over visiting leh. If not leh, atleast kasauli to begin with!!!)

Ed. Varun:
Plan is to start as early as possible on Saturday morning (0330 - 0400 hours) and reach Kasauli by around 1000 hours. Please drop in your confirmations quickly so that logistics could be planned accordingly. Btw, Friends, GFs/BFs, Spouse are welcome :)
Drop your meetings, reschedule, cancel or do whatever you need: Let's take a break from the daily khich-pich of Delhi!

In which we initiate prospective readers to this seemingly innocuous street

Hey everyone..
My name is Mayank Khurana and allow me to welcome you to The Zany Street- where you don’t know who you will bump into just round the corner!
Along with me I have Varun Giri, one of our co-founders, and true to tradition; our first post will be part welcome message-part introduction for this endeavor. Now, I know you guys are probably bored of such posts by now, so let’s try and do this in a different manner-
Varun, if you’d be so kind to don the role of an interviewer here and maybe I can answer some of the impending questions for our readers?

Varun: It’d be my pleasure Mayank! So let’s begin with what Zany Street is all about? What is the thought and what is the objective?

Mayank: Well, it all started in a typical ‘Coffee house’ meeting of some old friends one day. A bunch of us got together and decided to form an activity club. Zany Street is the first step in that direction.

Varun: Whoa, they rightly say, a lot can happen over coffee! So what’s an activity club? And what will we do?

Mayank: An activity club is essentially a group of people looking for that extra dose of life and culture while doing various activities together. We will travel, experience various cultures & arts; we will eat at different restaurants and try new cuisines; we will organize binge parties; do something for the society, something for our schools, etc.

It is going to be a real life-social networking group, where all members are encouraged to follow their passions and take the other members for a ride alongside. For example, if you have an excessively large funny bone then you can look for a match within the group and start a stand up act! On a more serious note, the intent is to help you find like minded people if you’re someone looking to start a business venture; or looking for companions to travel with on a relaxing vacation; or say, if you share an interest in photography, maybe someone else in the group does too and you both could exchange notes, have a day of shooting the city from various angles!

Varun (excitedly): Wow. Sounds interesting! Can I join?

Mayank (forcing a smile): Ahem! Varun, you’re one of the conceptualizers, remember? You’re already in.

Varun: Ah, yes! The PhD is definitely taking its toll… So, umm.. Yeah- how do our readers join?

Mayank: Umm.. What do we have the blog for? Just indicate to us that you want to be a part of this and you can start getting involved.

Through the blog you’d get regular updates on our activities and meetings. Anyone willing to join us is more than welcome to post a comment on the blog and turn up on the next meeting; whenever that happens.

Varun: Nice! Tell us a little more about the blog.

Mayank: Good question, I was afraid you’d never ask. Well, the blog is a way for us to connect to more people, expand our reach and also share our member’s experiences with all of you. The experience may be as a group or as individuals, this is a space allotted for all of us to write whatever we want to, no restrictions whatsoever. This is where you will get to know some of our members (those who want to write an article or two), and the activities they have been indulging in, as well as news about what the group’s been up to!
This blog is also a way for us to interact with new people.

How many of you wanted to jot down that one experience, but didn’t wanted to maintain a blog? You can come here and be a guest blogger and post your thoughts using our platform. All you gotta do is express your interest to us- you have a voice, we give you the mic. Why? Cuz we’re that damn cool.

Varun: So this is like facebook or Orkut?

Mayank: Hmm.. Now that you mention it, it does seem similar doesn’t it? However, there is an elementary difference; we are not limiting our interactions to a virtual platform only. We are all alive, so let’s make the most of it, hey? Let’s meet people, learn from them and increase our network in the process. Let’s also maintain an online connection, but one that’s just a means to an end, not the end itself.

Varun (still seemingly excited from two questions ago): Sweet! So who’s gonna post on this blog? You will, I assume.. And, uh, can I?

Mayank (trying to keep calm): Yes Varun, you will! And yeah, so will I; As described, this is an open forum and anyone form the group can post.

Varun: Well, tell us a little something about the existing group. Where are they from? What do they do etc?

Mayank: They’re people from all walks of life, we have people working in the corporate and social sectors; we have entrepreneurs, business men and blue collared people. We have lawyers, doctors, engineers, budding scientists, MBA’s and some students too. In short, we’re a bunch of eclectic people who are passionate enough to try something crazy like this.

Varun: Excellent! One last question then; why the Zany Street?

Mayank: Well Zany Street is the imaginary place where we will all meet and let the creative & intellectual juices mix together and have some fun at the same time!

Varun (Jumping up & down): Yaaay! I’m in, I’m in!

Mayank (exasperatedly): Varun!

(Sufface: Varun depicted here is not the real him. This is just a play on imagination; he is not such a 13 year old girl - with due apologies to 13 year old girls)