Diwali Is Here

Do you know what I did today? I took my Scooty, took my camera, and just went for a ride in the city. Just went on all those roads that are now glittering with lights and lanterns, and akashkandils and roshnai. It was such good fun.

When I was driving from Narayan Peth, I could smell besan peeth being fried for besan laddu. It was so tempting. Yummy! Just the Diwali flavour and festivities round the corner. I am so glad I could take a round clicking away to glory all the beautiful lanterns.

Here are some pictures that I took...

Stephen Fry Kinetic Typography - Language

This is awesome!!! Do listen to it!

Nice Photo

I loved this photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:British_Columbia_Regiment_1940.jpg

It's so poignant. I loved the depth it showed...the long line of soldiers on the road...the mother and the son...the son leaving his mother's hand and running to hold his father's hand...all other soldiers looking serious and determined...the father alone looking back at his son...beautiful.

Look how the road is divided by the long line of soldiers. On one side, only two-three ladies, on the other all other ladies bidding farewell to the soldiers...looking at a grim future. The black-and-white photograph shows one whole generation of people men towards the unknown.

What a classic photograph!

Who Does?

Who sells saris to the wives of the salesmen who sell saris? Do those salesmen sell saris to their own wives?

Do waiters serve food to their families that may come to the restaurant?

Does a restaurant cook prepare the dishes himself when his wife and kids visit the restaurant?

Do the gajrewallahs sell gajras to their wives?

Do painters ever paint their own homes?

Who arranges the wedding for the mandapwallahs?

Who delivers letters at a postman's home?

Do rickshawwallahs make their wives and kids pay when they give them a ride?

Do theatre doorkeepers ever get to show the seats in the dark to their wives and kids?

Do washing machine engineers repair their own washing machines and charge themselves?

Do the Electricity company folks ever need to call up their call center to ask when the electricity will be restored in their area?

Do doctors ever treat themselves and then ignore to take the medicines?

And finally...

Do writers ever read their own books (as I would read this blog)?

Committed And In Heaven

So, it's finally happening! I am engaged and soon to be married...sounds so filmy. But true it is.

Preparations have started for the wedding and it is getting crazier by the minute. Right from the date, the time, office leaves, shopping...it's bizarre!

But in all this, I am the luckiest! Sanjeev Pradhan, my fiance is not only handsome and cool, but is also the most understanding, loving, and caring person that I have met. I am indeed lucky. I guess the mutual understanding and respect that I have seen in the two of us is indeed rare. Touch wood!

Life will move on. But I know that I will have the solid support of one person who right now dominates my thought, hopes, and dreams. Unbelievably, life has given me much more than I deserved, much more than I wanted, much more and wonderful than I had hoped. And I thank Him for that!

Here's to our new journey ahead, Sanjeev! Cheers!

To Sweetie Pie!

To the naughty, bubbly, talkative, kind, smart, a-little-bit-manipulative-in-a-very-sweet-manner, darling of his parents' eyes, and extremely well-behaved Nanu! Happy Birthday!

Bless you!

To A Sister!

Two years elder, two times better, and two times worthier. That's my sister-Mukta.

A voracious reader, a confident lady, a learned and intelligent person, yet open, brave, strong-minded with a ready-to-take-on-the-world attitude. That's her! There are only few girls that I know who have been brave enough to lead life as they want, and without support. She's from that elite group.

Her never-say-die and no-nonsense attitude are something that I always wonder at. In spite of the hectic schedule she has every day, I see her full of energy even at the end of the day when she is with her son, playing with him, entertaining him, making him have his dinner, and putting him to bed. It's amazing.

You should see her face when someone gives her gift, or when things happen as per her wishes. It's that one look that assures you that the world is a good place, indeed.

Her support and well-wishes are some things that I treasure a lot. I know she will always be there for me. And I'll be there for her, supporting her and relying on her.

It's her birthday today and I wish her immense joy, happiness, and serenity. I wish that she gets all she wants out of life. I wish her a healthy, glorious life. I wish that may all her dreams and wishes come true.

Here's a big hug from me! Happy Birthday!