Life mein no twist

No, I was not busy and there was no other reason which kept me away from this space. Honestly speaking, I was just lazy. Lazy to think, opine or discuss...thanks to our news channels for feeding me my share of news, views and discussions and inflicting their opinion on me. Gosh..I feel I was brain dead all these days.

What I missed to bring to this space was Maulik’s birthday, all happy and fun. Breakfast with lovely kids at the orphanage, tit bits and the favourite Noddy Cake for lunch at School and finally a scrumptious dinner at Rajdhaani with Nani-Nani, Papa-Mummy and Bua....memories, beautiful and enjoyable. A following day lunch party at Bikanerwala with my at-work friends was indeed heart warming. Thanks Guys!

Oh ya, we celebrated our anniversary last month. Cannot imagine we have successfully spent 7 years together. Wo!! A day at Select City Walk was nice, from shopping to hogging on donuts – fultoo masti!God be with us forever.

So I am back...charged with thoughts and emotions. Watch out for more....soon!!!

गणतंत्र दिवस की शुभकामनायें

Picture Source - http://www.photowalking.info/ (Thanks Abby)

Happy Republic Day

सारे जहाँ से अच्छा, हिन्दुस्तान हमारा

A salute to the NSG commandos who lost their lives to counter terrorists, the policemen who protected our friends in Mumbai, the scientists who send chandrayaan to the moon, the man who got us the olympic gold medal...to all those who have made a change, by being the change.

Welcome the change!!

Obama kisses his wife after taking oath of office to become the 44th US president (Pic: AP)

Obama's inaugural speech was exciting and promising. With his new media efforts, Obama is beginning his journey in style, promising open communication, transparency, and participation. While the much-hyped inaugural proceedings did generate great amount of interest in our country too, there definitely is an apprehension about what will change with us

There are promises of stronger relationship and a close strategic partnership with India and of ending the age long military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. The promise did resound in his speech – “Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.” In one of his earlier address, Obama had said that India and US must work together to combat the common threats of the 21st century as both countries have been victims of catastrophic terrorist attacks.

Heard a white American say - This is the best thing that has happened to America, ever. We want Obama to do good, we want America to do good things to the world. We hope, we pray, we look up – Welcome Obama, we are looking forward to The Change.

We lost her

Nani passed away in her sleep on the cold night of 30th December following a cardiac attack. Finally her medical condition took over her willingness and enthusiasm to live more. How many times had she fooled death. While the cancer hospital had been her second home all these months, this time her lonely stay(attendants cannot accompany ICU patients in the night) lasted 40 days as she finally lost the battle. She was alone when she breathed her last in the respiratory ICU at Metro Hospital in Noida, she was alone in the mortuary the entire night, she was alone when she was being cremated at the Nigambodh Ghaat.

A true fighter, she fought the deadly cancer bravely for a little more than 3 years. Even the last time when we met, she ordered me to get a nice Loreal shampoo. Her face had an angelic glow, the heavens it seems were already smiling at her. While the doctors at the Dharamshila cancer hospital had already bid her a farewell, she was refusing to accept that she had to go. The doctors always said that she was the most inquisitive and alert patient who exactly knew what treatment and therapies were happening on her.

After a terrible night of waiting to see her body, we finally met her in the morning. The cremation ritual was a bigger ordeal. It was 7 bodies, maybe more, that i witnessed in the crematorium. Life seemed such a frail thing suddenly. Covered in a pretty red shawl, she was lying peacefully. Atleast, there was no pain. Finally when the pyre was to be lit, her face was uncovered...a moment that will haunt me for days. Her face lacked all the lusture and beauty. What had death done to her.

Finally there were flames and we saw that heap of logs shrinking. A shivering realization that the lady who did amazing things for her 6 children and 10 grandchildren and never expected anything ever was gone. An angelic heart, a beautiful face, a warrior in character - we have lost her. The memories of her sweating in the sun to make us onion tandoori paranthas on the terrace, her making those doli ki rotis for us, applying coconut oil to my hair, saving me from mom's scolding, maintaining I never needed to lose weight, giving me her favorite saree to wear for my school farewell, kissing my forehead, appreciating the gajar ka halwa that I make, standing by me during my wedding......countless memories remain.

Badi mummy, we shall miss you.