Hola Seville

The Guadiana International Bridge

" Hola! Como Se llama"? I asked. ( Hello, what is your name?)

" Mi nombre es Gabreilla" y tu? She replied( My name is Gabriella and yours?)

At last, I was getting to practice the Spanish that I have tried to learn during the times of confinement at home during the Covid times, which has fortunately gotten eclipsed with time. After deboarding the bus we headed for the AirBnB accommodation in the heart of the city. I exchanged a few pleasantries with the cab driver in Spanish before meeting Gabriella, the owner of the accommodation. It felt extremely gratifying to see someone understand what I was saying!

Torren Seville

It was Christmas eve in the year that just ended when I was travelling from Faro to Seville in Spain. It is a journey of 2 hours and 45 minutes by road and I had chosen Flixbus which was not only comfortable but also provided great scenic views en route. The sight of the orchards of oranges/ tangerines in lush green fields were very captivating. We passed by the impressive Guaidana International bridge spanning over the Guaidana River, with one end in Portugal and the other end in Spain(at Ayamonte). This bridge which is toll-free has drastically cut down the travel time between the two countries. After almost one and a half hours of travel, the bus halted at Huelva, a small port town, The town is surrounded by beautiful beaches making it an ideal place for beach lovers in summer. The journey continued till we sighted Torren Seville( or the Seville Tower, the tallest building in the Andalusia region of Spain) which is very close to the Plaza de Armas bus station. 

The Cathedral

Quickly, after going around the beautiful accommodation we headed for the town. The narrow cobbled streets of the downtown were humming with activity and we were eager to buy some groceries as otherwise, the stores would close in a few hours for Christmas only to reopen after two days.

The Christmas Illuminations in the City Centre

Barrio Santa Cruz is the heart of Seville, centred around the Cathedral with a maze of winding streets. It is home to excellent dining places, museums, and the nightlife of the city. The first glimpse of the cathedral and the towering Giralda tower left us wonder-struck just for its sheer size and opulence. Seville is world-renowned for its majestic architecture, and flamenco dancing. A visit remains incomplete without flavouring the tapas in one of the hundreds of tapas bars that are an integral part of life here. The overwhelming Plaza de Espana built-in Renaissance style with a diameter of 200m is the hub of most of the activities in the city centre.

The Giralda Tower

While we were still exploring the city hundreds of neon lights were switched on that illuminated the city like a fairyland. Every street was crammed with onlookers and tourists and music blared from the cafes and cafeterias adding to the charm. It is one of the safest cities for women solo travellers as even during the late hours of the night the place remains peaceful.

It was a long day full of assimilating different cultures and meeting friendly people. We returned back to our place by a different route as it is very easy to get lost in the maze of streets here. I will take you to the beautiful places and the experiences devoured during my stay in Seville in the next post.

PS- All pics are mine

A New Begining

The agonizing moments were slowly ticking away. She looked at the watch it was half-past three at night. There was pitch darkness all around except a distant bulb that had a dim light underneath. Her breathing was heavy as her heart was still pounding and she could almost feel that it will rip open her chest. The hair was still dishevelled, and her eyes had a swell of tears which had dried on her cheeks. She rested her back against the dark wall on the street that was deserted. She was trying hard to regain the composure, as her mind drifted to and fro from the tumultuous events of the last one hour.  Nitin had returned home late like all other evenings and seemed to be unsteady on his feet. She could smell of liquor the moment he opened his mouth to hurl abuses.
'Why have you not warmed the dinner' he shouted
' I was awaiting your return, will go to the kitchen and heat it'she replied trying to maintain her cool.
Not satisfied, he picked up the curtain rod that had been left on the sofa, earlier by Nisha when arranging the curtains. He charged towards her in a fit of rage.
They had been married for two years and except for a brief period of four months the situation had continued to deteriorate. Nitin had worked as a sales executive in a private firm and earned a good salary. However, he was constantly pestered by his parents as they felt enough dowry was not paid at the time of the marriage. This had worked as a slow poison in Nitin's mind who was initially, a loving husband. Since, his marriage to Nisha, he wanted to buy a flat of their own but did not have enough finances to get one. He started pestering Nisha to ask money from her parents. She informed her parents who were in a quandary as they had still not repaid the loan they had raised for the marriage.
Realizing that it would not be easy to get money, Nitin became more short-tempered and abusive. Nisha then joined a school to keep her occupied during the day, but every evening was nightmarish. Though Nisha tried her best to conceal the upheaval in her life, her parents were aware of the situation as she talked little, when asked about her domestic life.
Nisha and Nitin lived in a multistorey flat on the 12th floor and her immediate neighbours Mrs and Mr Singh were an elderly couple, would often hear raised voices as tempers flew in the adjoining house.
So far, Nitin had never physically assaulted her, but today he appeared to be in a vicious mood. He swung the rod which narrowly missed her but landed on the television that was playing. There was a cracking noise as the glass broke when the TV fell with sparks flying. Nitin, lost his balance and fell face first on the broken glass and passed out. Nisha was terrified as she looked at the mess of Nitin lying on the ground unconscious.

She ran out of the house in fear of what may happen next! She got down from the lift and ran towards the deserted park and then followed the road for next half of a kilometre. She sweated profusely but was determined not to go back to the house of evil. There were no possessions except a wristwatch and a mobile phone. She had a little money in her purse, that she had picked up while fleeing the home.
She walked in the direction of the railway station that was two kilometres away. She kept walking towards it, with a resolve to make a fresh start not knowing how she got the courage to move away. Her leaden feet suddenly felt stronger, as she saw the breaking of dawn. She silently prayed that she could make a fresh beginning with her strength to meet the challenges as she was strong.

PS-  Image kind courtesy Google

The Lemon Tree

There was a gentle nip in the air as I opened the door and stepped into the backyard garden. The delightful chirping of the birds and the gentle breeze were soothing against a backdrop of the azure 

sky slowly turning crimson. This has become a routine now for many years.

The sight of two lovely ripe lemons that lay on the gravel added to the happiness. The lemon tree had been planted many years ago and had grown older with passage of time. It is like a parent that has nurtured us .What better tribute to my father who was born this day and had loved nature perhaps more than I do. He would take immense pride in showing the garden to the visitors and heaping praise on the quality of yield just as if the progeny had topped an examination. The sight of lemons in the morning is also a reminder that these fruit are a result of hardship and pain that a parent endures. The request for trimming the branches by the neighbors in winter months is painful as the merciless chopping of the additional branches is difficult to endure. The plant never fails to yield the fruit most times of the year, regardless of the trauma we inflict on it. A gentle sprinkle of water on its leaves and branches deposit small droplets of pearls that shine to make each morning a special one that raises the spirits. It is difficult to pluck the fruit without bruising the hands by sharp needles of thorns that surround it. The beautiful song sung by Trini Lopez best describes the beauty of the Lemon Tree. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pd119jNCks)

The fruit was shared with relatives and neighbors who devoured it with equal glee. The endless flow of the fruit during the season helped in preparation of pickles, juice and chutney for the remaining months. One never feels lonely in such a pristine company.

The pleasure of tending to the plants and trees is unmatched.  It provides an instant connection with the divine. The swaying bushes and flowers with weight of pecking birds and bees are perfect stress busters. As the sun sets in the west the perfect calm returns except for occasional chirp of birds retiring with their families .The magic begins each day without fail with the break of dawn.

PS : Link and images kind courtesy You Tube and Google

Wishful Thinking

As I add one more year to my life, it is prudent to look back a little and a indulge in some star gazing for what lies ahead. Life has been a roller coaster ride taking  to new highs with all adrenalin rush and hitting the ebb in no time with a queasy feeling in the stomach.
Having got an opportunity to get a good schooling and thereafter study in a prime engineering college were the best moments of childhood. The fun filled  life of gay abandon with almost no responsibilities passed away in a jiffy. The credit goes to my parents who despite their small income never denied me small pleasures of life. The bonding with my sibling at home and the set of friends in early years  is treasured. Some of them were snatched away by the cruel destiny but were instrumental in laying the strong foundations of love and trust.

A career in the Navy gave me a sneak peak into unexplored areas of life like kissing the sea, taking dives in the blue sea and touching the sky. The adventure of sailing on the rough seas and braving the storms helped in shaping up mentally too, besides giving ability to endure a hard life. 

A career move to venture in the corporate world opened the doors for working on leading edge technologies and moving around the world. A loving family support enabled to work without any hindrances. A love for travel, and see the world was more than fulfilled although a lot more remains to be seen.

The time has come to now seek the pleasures for which I yearned while working. The love for reading, writing, blogging, learning new skills and a foreign language take away most of the time.Nothing could be more satisfying in tending to the garden and see the mangoes ripening, ladyfingers and little bringals playing hide and seek ,and a bloom of lemons in the backyard.I have now more friends than at any point in life who have immense writing skills and enrich the life with new perspectives.A life time is not enough to learn and thank everyone around on 

getting mentally younger by yet another year!

PS: Images Kind courtesy Google

The Perks of Blogging

Little  did I know that I am entering whole new world full of people with ideas, where the pen was mightier than sword, poems sweeter than the best fragrances, humorists that could tickle a funny bone ,or create political satires funnier than reality ! There were fashionistas, travelers  who had seen some exotic places and shared their tales, painters, photographers vividly displaying their creativity and experts offering advice on what to buy! The review of books and movies are helpful in deciding what to read or watch.

The journey has been very rewarding as so many people became friends in a matter of time, posting their words of encouragement constantly. Some of them were generous to give me a place on their lovely blogs to contribute. I had never seen such love elsewhere and regardless of their age, we continue to be friends. Just a few months into the blogging when a region wise blog contest was held, a group of young bloggers, Anukriti and Stephen AK, approached me to be a part of their team called, Mumbai Bloggywood. It did not matter that I hailed from Northern region but to be a part of young team bubbling with energy, always ignited the same enthusiasm to contribute to this team!

A prominent blogger Zephyr, invited me to contribute to her blog’ The Cybernag’ that came as a pleasant surprise. She was very exact in terms of what she wanted me to write about and to learn from someone like her is an experience difficult to pen. Even without meeting her once, I felt she was around. Recently when I had lost my father, I got a mail from her to share the grief, which showed the humane side of the gem of a lady. It gave me the assurance that there are still people in this world who have a huge heart and are magnanimous! Like wise another blog friend, Alka Gurha from Gurgaon whom I have just met once has shown me what kindness is all about when she sent me a message as to why I had not posted on my blog for almost a month! Saru Singhal the poetess who lives in New Jersey has continued to climb the ladders of success with her lovely poetry, has a heart of gold too! I have learnt a lot from the creative writers like Purba Ray,  Rachna regarding the finer nuances of blogging.

With Jaish Vats in Singapore

I posted articles on travel to some destinations I had been, and  bloggers like Ramya who works in Bangalore , and her husband became friends and approached me when planning their travel to Srilanka and Thailand! This was the first time I realized that I could be a travel guide too, a reward which remains unmatched.  I got  so much in return to learn about their culture and how easily she  gives back to society by supporting causes that matter in helping the poor and needy children. My only regret is that I could not attend the wedding of her sister ( another blogger)in Bangalore for which she had invited me.

While traveling in Srilanka I got an opportunity to meet Asamptha, a Srilankan travel and fashion blogger and her family who exchanged notes while basking on the shores of tranquil sea in Colombo. Last week I was in Singapore and was fortunate to meet another writer Jaishree Srivatsan ( Jaishvats!) who pens some very stimulating stories! I could never imagine that young Jaishree blessed with a seven year old son and a cute two year old daughter would travel all the way to have coffee with me and chat, leaving her family at home on the weekend of Chinese New Year! I laughed heartily when she mentioned that her husband wanted her to be sure before I met her, lest I turn out to be a stalker!

The blog world has reduced the distances and it feels good when some one in the fraternity posts a comment sitting in a remote end of US , Latin America or in Europe! The virtual world becomes real if one is lucky to meet a blogger in another part of the world. Sometimes the blog entries in contests get rewarded by way of prizes or some souvenirs. The most cherished perk of the blogging is the association with like minded people and the continuous opportunity to learn. One can seek their advice in their areas of expertise

PS- There are many more bloggers hugely talented whose names I could not mention but are instrumental in sustained support to my blog. 

Braveheart

The date was 16 Dec 1971, a cold winter day in Delhi, when the news on the All India Radio flashed that Pakistan Army had surrendered to the Indian Army in Dhaka! A first in the recorded history of India when an instrument of surrender was signed by Pakistan when Lt Gen AAK Niaizi led army laid down arms before Lt Gen JS Aurora the joint commander of Bangladesh India Allied Forces. In a brilliant display of strategy and valor Gen Sam Manekshaw, the then Chief of the Indian Army had had carved out Bangladesh , what was erstwhile East Pakistan in just two weeks of battle! My head swelled with pride like that of any other Indian. My resolve to join the armed forces became even stronger!

General Manekshaw left an indelible impression on my young mind, for his courage, strength of character, leadership, honesty of purpose and his towering personality! He was one of the five children born in a Parsi family of a doctor who earned a living in Amritsar. He passed out with honors from Sherwood College , Nainital and once jokingly said that they had produced two distinguished alumnus  one himself, and another Amitabh Bachhan, many years his junior! On completion of school he wanted to study medicine in England but since he was only 15 years old, his father asked him to study in India till he attained the age of 18! He was so upset that he did not speak to his father for next 18 months and with support of his mother wrote the entrance examination for Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He enrolled for the First Course in Oct 1932. The rest was history, as he moved places and held key appointments in the Army during his long career.

As a Major, while fighting in Burma against the Japanese during the Second World War he was hit by Light Machine Gun fire in his belly damaging the kidneys and lungs! The doctor attending him asked what happened, and even in the hour of crisis he quipped, ‘I was kicked by a donkey’!  Major General Cowan, who saw him, pinned his own Military Cross on his chest stating that a dead person cannot be awarded Military Cross! In subsequent years he continued as a trusted soldier to annex Kashmir and quell the riots in Kolkata at the call of the then Home Minister Sardar Patel! Before entrusting the Kolkata to Army , Patel asked Sam , how many casualties he expected , to which he replied, ‘around hundred’. Sardar Patel asked him to go ahead and to his surprise not even one life was lost while the army handled the situation and brought it under control!

The Gurkha battalion was led by the British Officers prior to the Independence and Sam Manekshaw was the first Indian commander post freedom. On his visit to the Gurkha battalion he asked one soldier, if he knew his name? The soldier replied, ‘Sam Bahadur’ and thus that became his identity for all time to come!

In Jan 1973 he was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal for the rest of his life for the invaluable contribution. He served on the Board of Directors of fourteen companies post retirement and was loved and respected for his knowledge, integrity and leadership qualities!

I am happy that I too, could contribute my bit by serving the Indian Navy for twenty years, in the traditions that were ingrained by the distinguished Field Marshal. He lived his life by the credo of Baron Chetwode which is engraved on the entrance in IMA, ‘the safety honor and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time. The honor, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next. Your own ease , comfort  and safety comes last , always and every time.’

PS: This is my entry for Tata Motors/Indiblogger sponsored #madeofgreat contest (http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/)

So long, Farewell !

The bike ride to aunt’s place through the streets with father is still vivid in my memory! I had just been admitted in one of the public schools despite the meagre income which my father earned. I had purchased a new pair of shoes to attend the school and the moment I reached her place, I announced, see my shoes have not broken! Everyone had a hearty laugh.

To me like most children my parents were my world and like Lord Ganesh who once was asked to compete with this brother to circumambulate around the three worlds, I too would have gone around them thrice to have won the race!

I learnt the art of being self-reliant from him and he not only preached but practiced what he believed in. When we were still kids we would see him help mother in cooking and at times prepared things that surpassed our mother’s cooking! Once when one of his friends visited us and asked who cooks at home, in all innocence, I said, mostly ‘papa cooks and sometimes, mother cooks’ which sent them in peals of laughter and for many years they oft repeated this anecdote when visiting us! There were times when he stayed alone but never did he depend on anyone to cook even a single meal for him. On the contrary, if someone visited while he was alone, he would treat them to a full meal or snack depending on the time of the day!

He learnt many things just by observing people at work and could take on any task from mending clothes, stitching his pajamas, washing his clothes, ironing our clothes when we attended school, so that we never go out shabbily dressed. Having served with the British Army personnel during the Second World War, he was always punctual for everything, be it attendance in office, morning and evening walk, yoga session, timing for meals, social events and even time to go to bed. One could almost set his watch looking at the routine in action! He remained a teetotaler and vegetarian with very simple way of life. There are countless memories that drift like a cloud on a windy day as I look at the void created by his absence.

I was the lucky one who got to stay with him till the very end which came just a few days after he celebrated his 90^th birthday. He was confined to the bed for 15 days before he breathed his last, on the midnight when the Father of the Nation was born, 02 Oct! On 04 Oct in the wee hours of the morning at 4.45 AM both  my wife and I lay on the bed, slowly talking when we were startled by a gleeful cry of a small child! We both simultaneously, climbed out of the bed and looking at each other asked, ‘did you hear it’? We looked at our mobiles thinking there was a prank but they were silent like the rest of the house! May, be it was god’s way to tell us to move on in life, something father had always believed in and taught us!

Zero Dark Thirty

I would get up in the middle of the night and like a US Navy seal on a mission to hunt down Osama Bin Laden, and tip toe in a crouching position towards the bathroom hardly 2 meters away and return back to the bed holding my calf muscle to fall back on the bed as if hit by a volley of  bullets groaning in the bed! The torturous night would somehow pass leaving me gasping for breath till the pain subsided and beads of sweat dried. During the day the things would start returning to normal as the sun rose in the east spreading all its glory and warmth. I would prefer to stay in the curled up fetal position fearing a wrong turn would bring back the stabbing pain.

During the day I would hobble around on one leg like the sailor in Treasure Island , singing ‘Fifteen men on the dead men’s chest, Yo Ho ho and a bottle of rum’. Sometimes memories of the game of ‘ Langri Taang’ returned, that I played in childhood with my friends where one had to catch the other players while scampering on one foot, but this time it was for real!

Last one month has been one of the most non- happening period in recent times! Actually it is difficult to explain as one fine day a thunder bolt like cramp seized the left calf and what followed was a temporary retirement from all active life.

The child hood returned in more than one ways as the food would be served on bed and all responsibilities transferred to the better half to run the show. Even the grey matter decided to take a rest and no creativity would emerge despite endless wait and staring at the ceiling at the rotating fan! No books and magazines appeared interesting!

Thankfully the agony seems to be coming to an end, to once again go back to a normal life. We take so many things for granted which becomes a part of daily routine. The god has designed our body so well that no matter how bad we may feel the nature does restore us back to once again to enjoy the benefits of a healthy life. I could not read many of the posts that my friends wrote nor was able to comment during this period.  Now, I once more look forward to return of happy days, as who does not like to hunt with the hounds and run with the foxes?

PS: Image kind courtesy Google

A Black Forest Dream

The dream of layers of dark chocolate with oozing  snow white whipped cream, the tangy flavor of cherry pit liqueur and the ripe cherries adorning the Black Forest Cake kept me occupied till the wee hours of the morning, as I jumped out of my bed when my mom woke me up! The whole house was buzzing with excitement as Grandpa picked up his walking stick and settled with a cup of steaming tea and mom applied a deep red lipstick on her lips. Only dad and I were the last ones to get ready. The taxi arrived, as I packed my game of Uno and the Teddy in my Barbie bag which was bulging now!

The airport was overflowing with people due to the summer rush. A very pretty and charming air hostess came to assist Grandpa, and mom told me that they are also called ‘poster girls’ for their style and professionalism besides truly representing their flagship carrier ‘Lufthansa’. The excitement built up as we were shown our seats that were very spacious.

The other hostesses helped the passengers till boarding completed. I was told by dad that we are traveling in ‘Premium Economy Class’ that had been recently introduced. Often I heard, dad discuss with Grandpa that we Indians tend to save money or tend to stretch it to enhance its value as it is not only comforting but can create a long lasting sensation of satisfaction! No matter how well placed one is or how well-heeled one is, no one minds freebies and extras!

Mom also haggles with the local vegetable vendors and the local groceries to seek discounts! My cousin Rohan, who is a new age buyer, looks for discounts on the internet when making most purchases! Dad looks for discounts to book hotels and sites that offer discounts. He often mentions that there are sites that can compare the prices of similar services or goods being offered on internet sites! It is almost addictive and over a period of time one does realize that savings make a difference! I watch the news and now know that not only the individuals, but also the institutions, companies and even governments look for deals while negotiating big proposals! Whether it is an arms deal, or a big project the sweet deals are always welcome! Every Indian no matter of what background, the moment he lands on foreign soil, gets his mental calculator working to convert the price into INR and does a quick mental check to evaluate the ‘cost benefit analysis’. ‘After all money saved is money earned’

Lufthansa, the leading international German carrier has set in the trend and come out with a ‘premium economy class’ The airlines offers more comfort, additional stowage space, more entertainment options,  extra leg room  , and more sumptuous food options  just to name a few. From the moment I boarded the flight I was pampered all the way in utmost comfort and luxury by the charming hostesses! When most of the other airlines just fill the space with more seats to maximize their returns, a classy few like Lufthansa reward the passengers with greater comfort at virtually no extra cost.

Most of the airlines the world over, entice the customers with a range of goodies to offer huge discounts when bookings are done over the internet with long lead times, especially passengers who have a fixed itinerary! They do not however, assure any extra benefits other than select seats that offer greater space to maneuver at a premium!  Currently Lufthansa offers the ‘premium economy class’  on a few select flights to top destinations in Europe, Americas, and far east  but by the mid Aug till autumn of 2015 almost every sector would be covered by the scheme. In times to come, other airlines too will join the race to offer greater rewards and emulate the leaders of the industry like Lufthansa that have set the benchmark, which would be difficult to beat!

The cozy seat where I had reclined after finishing the game of Uno with dad was slowly being pushed forward, as the announcement was being made, that the aircraft is about to land at Frankfurt! Mom was delighted as she had purchased a perfume at the duty free inflight World shop! My eyes sparkled with joy at the thought of melting Black Forest Cake country that awaited me!

PS: This is my post for Lufthansa/ Indiblogger sponsored contest! This is an imaginary journey of nine year old girl traveling with her parents and Grandpa to Germany for the first time!( http://premium-economy.lufthansa.com/en-us)

My First Expert

With three noisy sons scampering around the house with never ending energy to drive anyone crazy, it must have been a harrowing time for her. To raise three sons just a year apart who could conjure ways to indulge in all pranks, fight, create ruckus must have been a daunting task. Still she never lost her cool or patience. When I look back, I realize how much of time she devoted in raising us and for having made gentlemen out of little devils. Since we had no sister at home, she ensured that we did not turn into men who do not respect the women later in our lives. She would get us occupied with things that were never considered to be a boys domain. We played Cricket, Football and also ‘Pittho’ with the neighboring girls. When tired and filthy after returning home, she would involve us in chores like peeling boiled potatoes, chopping lady fingers to assist her in cooking. It was these small things that taught all of us the basics of cooking. We did make many mistakes, sometimes hurt ourselves but she stood by our side and explained with patience how to do things correctly. As we belonged to a middle class family, our parents ensured that we get the best of education and sent us to good schools. To earn the extra income she travelled by bus each day to a school away from our house. She never failed to feed us well in the morning and packing scrumptious lunch box every day.

During the vacations she would spend time with us to teach small things like tidying up the house, serving guests, and praised us in front of the others so that the self-esteem never took a knock. By the time we reached our teens we had pretty much learnt to be self-sufficient in terms of going to schools located at other end of the city in public transport, and maintaining our uniforms. Small lessons in stitching to mend our shirt buttons, stitch a hook on the pants when it came off, has served all of us well.

 Mother was an excellent cook and would make all sweets and savories at home. She made pickles during the changing seasons with mangoes, lemons, carrots, and cauliflower. We would just gather around and watch her intently to learn the small tricks to preserve these.

She never allowed any unruly behavior and we did get smacked for misdemeanors but it was just being corrective.

It is said that as god could not be everywhere he created mothers. She was a friend, philosopher and guide. She would read the scriptures and narrate stories from the epic’ Ramayana and Mahabharata. She stitched our clothes on festivals and purchased story books to get us interested in reading. I got a princely sum of Rs 3/ every month to buy an Enid Blyton which I still have kept as a treasure and  passed on to my daughter. It would not be an understatement to thank mother for what I am today and for teaching me lessons on self-reliance which have served me well in life!

PS: This post is my entry for the Godrej/Indiblogger sponsored contest ’ My First Expert’ http://godrejexpert.com/single_used_pack.php

A Day to Remember

A slow trickle of guests started to come as my father was pleasantly surprised. It was his 75^th birthday and we had kept it a closely guarded secret to celebrate the occasion. The preparations started almost a month in advance to send the invitations to all my uncles and aunts, their children and some very close friends. It was a hush affair to  ensure that the element of surprise is maintained.

On the D day I and my wife woke up early and most of the preparations were completed by the day break where the entire food was prepared at home with a helping hand from my side.  When my father woke up we wished him with a bouquet of flowers and then had a nice sumptuous breakfast while the telephone kept ringing every now and then for someone conveying the greetings and best wishes.

Around 11 AM the first guest appeared and till afternoon it was a grandiose affair. Around fifty guests had shown up and it was most satisfying to see the glint of happiness in his eyes as more people showed up. The food that was prepared started vanishing fast and everyone contributed to the event.  Someone refilled the glasses of cold drinks while others circulated the small eats! What came in as a pleasant shock was that the stuffed karelas were devoured off as small eats while the table was being laid for the lunch! It was a totally conventional food all cooked at home, comprising kabuli chana, jackfruit kofta, aloo subzi, pooris, dahi vada, stuffed capsicum and stuffed karela with raita!  The guests kept pouring in till past 4 pm and it was a celebration that became memorable for more than one reason. It was after a long time so many of our cousins and family members had been able to unite on the occasion! All the guests were thrilled to eat the home cooked food that had been prepared without giving a wind to what is cooking! By evening all the guests had left and my father looked jubilant with the surprise party that was thrown. The biggest reward for us that day was to see the gleam in his eyes for a small gesture for which my wife had spent long hours to make it a success. These are one of the few moments in life that go down the memory leaving a sense of satisfaction which no amount of money can buy.

PS:“I am participating in the #DilKiDealOnSnapdeal activity at BlogAdda in association with SnapDeal.”

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

The get together at the house of my aunt who had a huge house and an equally big heart were always memorable for us right from our childhood times! Each occasion was looked forward to , as it would give us an opportunity to indulge in lots of eating , playing cricket matches in the abandoned historical site across the road and later watching the movies on the TV. Be it a birthday, a festival or any occasion we would never give a miss to the invitations that came.  Time passed as we grew up and eventually parted for pursuing our own lives. We would catch up during vacations and share jokes, laughter and have fun!

A few years back, she returned from United States where all the cousins had migrated many years ago and now had their own grown up children. It was decided that we would meet during ‘Goverdhan Puja’ which falls just a day after the Diwali! It was decided that everyone would prepare a few dishes and then reach their place by 12 O clock to be together at ’Puja time’.

When we reached their place my uncle, aunts, their children, grandchildren and four generations were there. In all there were more than 70 people at home. Some had traveled long distances just to be there. The house reverberated with laughter and when the time for ‘Puja and Aarti’ came the ‘prasad’ ( food offered to god) comprised of more than sixty dishes ranging from all kinds of lentils, vegetables, sweets and savories all prepared at home! The aroma filled the air with all kinds of delicacies and the spread was very tempting.  We offered the prayers together and to see everyone participating with enthusiasm and vigor gave a feeling of true bonding and togetherness which had not diminished with the number of years that had passed. Our children were indulging in the games that we had indulged when we were young. Our uncle and aunts sat huddled together and played the game of cards just the same way that we had seen as small kids. On that day it appeared that the time had stood still. Small toddlers shrieked and created ruckus while the teens were busy discussing their aspirations and plans. The cousins who had returned from States had not changed a wee bit except for strands of greying hair. The purity of relationships had withstood the test of time and we remembered the pranks we used to play as kids. I remember when I was a small kid someone had asked me how many brothers and sisters were we? I had replied ‘almost a dozen and started telling the names’ . His eyes widened in disbelief and later he realized that all my extended family had been included in my count. Such was the innocence that would be looked upon as foolishness in today’s world! This was my world filled with love and optimism of ‘Stay Hungry and Stay Foolish’ the words uttered by Steve Jobs in his famous speech! (https://housing.com/)

The Turning Point

My superior a Rear Admiral looked through his reading glasses and stared at me with the raised eyebrows. It was quite unnerving as this was one moment for which I had mentally rehearsed. At the spur of the moment  I was trying to gather my wits sitting on a chair opposite to him, in his spacious room.

‘Well what is wrong, why do you want to leave the Navy’ he queried.

My appointment had been fixed with him the previous day, by my Director with whom I was serving at the Headquarters for almost three years.

‘Sir,  I have enjoyed my work  immensely but am now am looking for a change ‘ I replied. ‘ I wish to explore the outside world' I continued’. After having a discussion  which lasted almost half an hour explaining the virtues of continuing as the future was bright, he gave in and finally told me, ‘Ok, find a job and let me know’!

I had been contemplating a change in career but to leave a well -paying job with security, and honor of having served the country, was not an easy decision.  I was the only earning member at home and calling it quits at this stage with host of responsibilities made it even more difficult.

Next three months went in floating my CV to various companies; I kept waiting for the dame luck to smile at me. Sometimes, I was almost there but then the trail died down. There were moments of frustration as the time kept ticking away, but I never lost hope. One day, I was called for an interview with an MNC and then got another call after a month, with the VP visiting fom Israel. It lasted for forty five minutes and the most assuring words told by them which I can never forget is, ‘We will wait till you get released from the Navy’!

The procedure for quitting was set into motion but as I was in the zone of promotion, it was a very tough going. Eventually, with the support coming from my superiors I got the approval for resignation on Children’s Day ! It was a Saturday, when I hung my boots and uniform to step out in yet another brave new world. From Monday, I was in the new job and the work environment was a sea change from what I had seen in twenty odd years in the Navy! I got a chance to work with youngsters who were almost half my age and grappling with the new ways of working and in techno savvy environment was challenging, as well as, enjoyable at the same time. There has been no looking back since then and I have enjoyed every moment of life! ( https://housing.com/.)#StartANewLife

Giggles

I was hiding under the bed and had folded my body into as small a ball like structure as small as my stiff joints could permit. I peeped out to find the small frame of my nine month old daughter dragging herself towards the bed. She stopped for a while and then looked around not sure if she could find me. Next she picked up speed once more and with all her energy let out a squeal in delight as she found me hiding!

‘Taa’ I said looking at her while the house reverberated with her giggles as I crawled out of my hideout. Every other day, this was the routine for me to indulge in new antics to amuse my young one! One day, I would hide behind the curtains when she would desperately look for me, as I switched my positions behind the curtains to avoid detection. This would continue till she got tired! It was difficult to find new tricks each day to amuse her but every possible place in the house would serve as a hideout like the store room, the big door on the verandah, even the huge cupboard and sometimes the bedcover laid out on the bed.  It was a never ending fun and now the memories of that lovely time run like a movie in the mind. The moments of childhood times are perhaps the best time in one’s life though my firm belief is that every moment is worth living as it come!

During that time I was posted in Goa and our house overlooked the sea. Down the flight of a rocky terrain was a pristine beach which had almost no visitors, due to its location in the restricted area and inaccessibility from elsewhere except the sea route! Hours of fun playing on the beach, taking a swim while delicately holding the young one lest she slipped through my nimble fingers were moments that can never be forgotten. We would carry her change, feed, and some soft toys as any of them could be required on the need of the hour.

Those days diapers and huggies were not easily available and some foreign brands were available in some premium stores at a hefty price. So most often we would use homemade diapers stitched by the doting grandma! Each change involved meticulous cleaning and hygiene standard that my wife had laid out to ensure that baby rashes etc do not occur. Now with changing times many options are available to the young parents and companies fall head over heels in advertising their products elaborating their effectiveness and utility. ‘Pampers’ the well known brand a market leader enjoys the market leadership for the quality product that it delivers(http://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers.)

Rescue at Sea

I put my hand inside the cupboard to pull out the shirt and from the side a folder dropped spilling all the contents on the floor. There were some old cards, clippings of some events from the newspapers, and some old stamps! The cards were sent by relatives on occasions like my birthday and wedding anniversary. A host of memories rushed through my head as I gathered them from the floor and deposited them inside the folder.

Among other things that caught my attention was a picture of mine with my younger brothers that had been taken in Dwarka, a coastal town in Gujrat way back in the year 1978! It was an year after I had joined the Navy when I was posted in Jamnagar to undergo a technical training. The month was June when my parents and younger brothers visited me , while they were on a trip to see Western India. On a weekend we all went to Dwarka, the town famous for “Lord Krishna’s temple’. We all went to see the ancient temple and on the way back to the hotel, we decided to take a plunge in the sparkling sea!. There was no regular beach but just an expanse of sand. The blue water was very inviting! So we all quickly changed and got into the water. I was the only one who knew how to swim while my siblings did not! With great confidence we entered the water but within minutes I realized that there was quick sand on the expanse and soon the sand bed vanished and my brothers started shouting in panic as the water reached the level of our head! I desperately tried to hold the hand of one of my brother while other one held my shoulder! I struggled and tried to move towards the shore, pushing my brothers towards the shallow patch! I could see one tall dark fisherman running in my direction as the world around me turned into a dark abyss as I gasped for breath!. I could now feel the sand bed once again under my feet, and saw the fisherman pulling my brothers away from me towards the shore. The few minutes seemed to be ages since I had entered the water! All three of us were coughing out the salted sea water and looked in the direction from where our savior had come only to realize that there was no one to be seen! The whole thing appeared to be surreal but a divine help had ensured that all three of us lived to see another day!

This episode taught me an important lesson of never to venture out in unknown water for the rest of my life. It filled me with optimism that power of goodness is omnipresent and in times of distress it is just at an arm’s distance to come to our help!

The life is one roller coaster ride and hope for a better tomorrow full of promises is what one dreams of as long as one lives  (https://housing.com/lookup)

When Time Stood Still

She stood in a pink frock with a cute pony tail her eyes sparkling and a smile that swept me off my feet. Radhika looked stunning on her 14^th birthday when I went with a large parcel in my hand to wish her on her birthday! Their house was palatial located adjacent to the Mall Road in Shimla! There was a crowd of about a dozen people but she stood out! Her mother welcomed me observing me standing coyly in a dark corner to avoid coming in the direct gaze! ‘Come Rahul’ she politely held me by my hand and marched me towards, Radhika who held out her hand.

‘Happy Birthday, Radhika’ I muttered slowly feeling more shy than her, as I handed over the gift to her.

‘Thank you, Rahul, I am so happy you came’, she said as she passed on the gift to her friend Arti standing next to her.

One week later Radhika moved out of Shimla, but not before  I asked her if she would like to come to ‘India Coffee House’ with me before bidding goodbye!

Happily, she agreed and, it was a Sunday and the sun was shining bright as we entered the coffee house where the steward took the order for two filter coffees! We chatted endlessly as I took her address in a small note book that I carried with me. Next day, she left for Delhi with her parents as I continued to live with the sweet memory of her cute face and smile for many years to come.

Sometimes I exchanged letters with her but that dissipated with time! Many years passed, I got married and settled down in life. About forty years elapsed in between when one day a school friend Ashok whom I came across on the Facebook got me connected with a few more long lost friends! In one of the picture, I saw someone resembling Radhika, exactly the same features and as elegant as ever except the grey strands of hair telling the time that had elapsed. Sure enough, it was Radhika! I sent a friend’s request and prompt came the acceptance with a series of questions with some lovely family pictures. She had settled in New York, where her husband worked with New York Times and had two sons one married and other still studying. She and her husband were returning to India after a gap of almost a decade and were moving to Bangalore by a late evening flight after arriving in the afternoon. We decided to meet each other at Starbucks Coffee House at Gate 17 of the Domestic Departures at Terminal 3!

It was around 6.30 PM and the place was almost full, as a few passengers were glued to their smart devices and sipping coffee at the outlet. I and my wife were seated in a comfy corner overlooking the main entrance, when she walked in , beauty personified with a light mascara, soft tint of lip gloss, Givenchy long pleated wool skirt, copper and saffron horizontal striped top, Jimmy Choo metallic wedges, Louis Vuitton Pallas Chain handbag and an aroma of ‘JAR Bolt of Lightning’ perfume! Her husband was dressed in an Armani Suit with gold rimmed glasses, and slightly receding hairline, resembling a raw version of Steve Jobs! She recognized me from the distance; I stood up simultaneously and walked to her! We hugged and felt that he time stood still! After briefly  catching up ,we chatted for next two hours over a couple of cups of coffee about the bygone days remembering some old mutual friends and how they moved places!

The conversation broke with an announcement of departure of their flight !It was perhaps the best bond of the childhood time I had managed to relive in those two hours in the lingering aroma ,ambience and a perfect company!

A path of truth

 The game of Cricket had a magical charm at that age! I was studying in 4th standard in school and every opportunity I got was used to indulge in the sport with neighbourhood boys and siblings.  The schools had closed for the summer vacation and Mr Sampat who was an uncle had come home. We were very fond of him as he whole heartedly participated in all activities, going out for walks, playing carrom, cricket, and game of cards! 

The only problem was I had a cricket bat and tennis ball and we played  the game on make shift wickets, sometimes the staircase, other times a pile of stones!

My birthday was around the corner so Sampat uncle asked what I would like as a gift?

I had been taught never to ask for anything from anyone by my parents. So I told him that I did not need anything! Next evening he took us out and coaxed me again! This time my resolve was shaken as lavishly I procured a gleaming bat new ball wickets and bales. 

After reaching home I knew trouble awaited me as father saw me with the worldly possessions which had materialised  from thin air like  ' Nirmal baba's wish list'

'Did you ask uncle for the Cricket set' my father asked, looking sternly.

' I did not have the courage to admit' as I continued to look at the ground.

'Did you do it ' one more time he asked.

' Yes, I admitted ' this time ready for the consequences that were likely to follow!

Very seldom I had got a beating in my younger days but that day was special. No further shouting or admonishing just a few words that had a telling effect for the rest of my life  as that one moment of truth saved me for the rest of my life to ever ask for anything from anyone! This formed a rock foundation for my working career , even though sounding naive! While working many a temptations came my way,even a lucrative offer from a supplier to work for him but I steadfastly steered away and thank god for the internal happiness achieved in long run without having missed out much on good things in life!

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Dar Ki Aage Jeet

I was sweating profusely even though I had just come out of the shallow end of the pool. I stood transfixed as I gazed at the 10 m deep end of the water!

‘Jump’ the instructor thundered.

I followed the instruction and jumped but was soon struggling to keep my head above water and desperately kicking my feet and trying to reach the end of the pool. I thought for a while that today is perhaps the last day of my life but next moment I somehow  reached the end ,but in the excitement and fear banged my hand on the projection meant to hold the end of the pool.

With one hand I held the pool end and saw the deep gash on left elbow from where the blood flowed and I could see the white of the bone. The instructor pulled me out and I was rushed to the Naval Hospital. I continued to bleed. When I returned back I had a couple of stitches on my elbow and a thick bandage for next two weeks!

While still in college in the pre final year a team of officers from the Indian Navy came for recruitment on the campus. I was enamored by the shining white and the smartness of the team. My last brush with whites was while still in school I had opted for Naval Wing of the NCC. What followed was something, I had only dreamt and one fine day, I had cleared all the pre selection process and after a year’s wait landed at the Naval Academy, in Kochi. The physical rigors were something totally unexpected and right from morn till night it was nerve racking and physically exhausting schedules.  What I feared most was entering the swimming pool as I had never gone near the water except on boat rides in lakes!

During the first week at the academy we went to the swimming pool and had fun at the shallow end for the entire time while those who knew swimming mocked at us non swimmers and enjoyed themselves! We tried to learn to float as the instructors tried to help us talking gently sometimes and shouting at other times for the lack of application.

The D day came the next week when all non -swimmers were asked to step out of the shallow end and by turn jump from the deep end. The instructor watched keenly as the series of debacles followed.

First it was Sunder, a guy from Chennai who was almost trembling and the moment he jumped he went down like a stone! As he did not surface , the instructor jumped and followed him and extricated him out of the pool, as he continued to cough having drunk a lot of water. Next, it was Rangaraj, who looked equally hapless and was struggling to keep his head up after the jump. He too was pulled out by the instructor. My turn came next and knew a similar fate awaited me! What followed, became an experience to remember for the rest of my life!

After two weeks the fear had been conquered and I slowly picked up the swimming and had the proudest moment when I qualified the 10 m dive and 100m free style test after six months. This was a lesson I never forgot as I undertook more challenges like a dive in the sea, zip line across the hill, rappelling on rocks ,bridges, and even parasailing.

PS : This post is my entry for the 'Rise above Fear' contest sponsored by Mountain Dew and Indiblogger(https://www.facebook.com/mountaindewindia.)

Bring Back the Touch

The rain drops were fresh on the grass and the cold air was blowing gently as the leaves rustled. The continuous downpour through the night had kept me awake. The military barrack where the Command Hospital is located in Pune is almost forty kilometers from where I was residing. The salubrious surroundings, sight of rising hills and silhouetted Singhgarh Fort with undulating green valleys, made each day a special one! Most of the day was spent in studying as pursuing a full time post graduate engineering course was a daunting task after a long break!

My wife was in a family way and so the little time I got, was spent in taking care of her, visiting the doctor and assisting in the household chores! It was a Sunday morning, and one of my wife’s cousins who were undergoing the military training at the NDA had come to visit us. Soon, an emergency like situation arose that required shifting my wife to the hospital, and as luck would have it the doctor at nearby hospital was on leave. Having no option, we had to rush to the Command Hospital. After reaching there, she was wheeled into the labor room and the interminable wait started! Some more pregnant ladies came in and within hours most of them delivered and nurse kept breaking the news of new arrivals! Every time a nurse appeared, I would jump out of the seat only to be disappointed and told that I would have to wait! The time wore on till evening and the doctors told me to go back but the mental turmoil did not allow me to leave the place. Late at night I was informed that a senior doctor has been called in leaving me more anxious than ever. It kept pouring through the night and the sleep was elusive! Around 8.30AM in the morning, I went out for a cup of tea and the moment I returned, the nurse informed me that we had been blessed with a girl! My joy knew no bounds and after another two hours of wait, saw my wife being wheeled out with my tiny daughter who had her eyes open! Holding hands of my wife and seeing the spark return in her tired eyes was like reliving the moment when we had met the first time! This time it was even more rewarding as she had given me the best gift of my life whom I touched for the first time with a swelling pride!

PS: This post has been written for the Indiblogger and Parachute Advanced Body Lotion (http://www.pblskin.com/),  #BringBackTheTouch. Contest.

Wings of Desire

The settling fog and diminishing light had reduced the visibility. The cold breeze caressed the golden leaves that hung lifelessly on the twigs of the trees! Besides the rustle of the leaves and grey smoke wafting from the hearths there was stillness all around. A lane of shanty huts where a small population of the laborers stayed was reminder of the grisly poverty in the vicinity of Bir Chand Patel Road , an affluent part of Patna. Most of the big government offices, Hotel Chanakya and bank and shops  in the town are located here. Ramesh , who was barely twelve year old lived with his sister Kusum in one of the huts with his parents who were laborers. His mother Shanti also worked as a part time maid in the nearby government colony to augment the income of the household as she wanted to educate her children so that they could lead a better life!

Ramesh had spent the day in school and picked up his study material and moved to the street lamp post and bent over his books to study. The hut just had a lantern that was turned off by 9 PM to save the kerosene. The cold weather and lack of lighting had not deterred Ramesh’s resolve to achieve something big in life. There were days when he had to go almost empty stomach when earning was not enough! The mosquitoes were vicious but Ramesh would light up the dry leaves to create a smoke to ward them off! His struggle continued till one day he learnt that he could one day become engineer if he entered IIT! Ramesh fared well in the primary school and in the evening he started visiting the mushroom of coaching centers located in Patna to gather more information.  While still in school he took up the job of sweeping the classes of one such coaching center to clean the classroom s when the students had left. Most of these centers charged hefty fees from the students so getting admission was next to impossible! He sometimes waited outside the class rooms and would listen to the instructors. He picked up rags of papers and took his notes on these papers and practiced the problems at night when everyone had slept.

Two more years passed and one day when he was returning from the coaching center he came across another boy who was a year older to him. He mentioned that he was studying in a coaching center called ‘Super 30’ where his coaching was done by the institute itself! Even his boarding and other basic needs were being taken care of the center.

Next morning he set out for the ‘Super 30’ center with his mother to meet Mr Anand who was running the place. His mother narrated their story and Mr Anand was touched. He along with his colleagues administered some academic tests and by evening decided to take Ramesh in the next batch of aspirants.

Next two years he worked extremely hard and even in most trying circumstances never gave up hope. The day the results of IIT entrance examinations were declared was a ‘red letter day’ in Ramesh’s life. He had qualified with an AIR ( All India Rank) under 500 and his dream of doing something big in life had donned the new wings!

PS: 1. This is a factitious story based on closely observing some of the most deprived people in the most backward places in India who have realized the worth of education which can act as a ‘ game changer’ in today’s world despite growing inequalities.

2. Image kind courtesy Google