Anniversary

The phone rings. Who could it be, I wonder? The watch shows 5.20am only and it's my weekend! It's my youngest brother asking me whether I had mailed back his article after editing. He wants it now...has to get to the press....on time for the State elections (back in my country) in another 2 weeks.

There's a lot of noise in the background. I am told Dad's organizing a feast today on the occasion of my grandmother's death anniversary, his mother. He's called his sisters and of course his elder brother who lives next door along with their families.

I speak to my Parents, first Dad and then Mom. Dad tells me about the feast. It's Dad & Mom's Wedding Anniversary too but he seems to have forgotten and I did not remind him. His mother's anniversary, he didn't forget. We speak for a while and then he passes the phone on to Mom.

A windy day

I woke up to the call of my phone ringing....It was my youngest brother. Today happens to be the day when brothers invited their married sister/s home for a feast and showered her/them with gifts and for which they would be blessed in turn.....

I am far far away... Rarely have I got the opportunity to take part in the many festivities which my country and religion has to offer....rarely have I taken part in any activities....not that I don't want to.....it just so happens.

It's weekend here....this part of the world. I get my coffee & a fried egg with a toast. The winds are howling. Looks like it would rain....but no...not even a drop...

The news is depressing....bomb blast....threats....why can't people live & let live??? There's enough problems in the world....with natural calamities and sickness...why do some people have to contribute to all these miseries in the world. Just a while back, I come to know that a friend of mine had an accident....thank Heavens, it wasn't major...

The wind still howls.....

Maa Salaama Q8!

My bags are packed and I am ready to leave. Tomorrow this time I would be winging towards my new destination!

I remember, it was the 29th of Sept 2002 when I arrived here in Q8 to live. I had never planned Middle East......it just happened. Actually I was all set to go to South Africa! What is it that they say? "Man proposes but God disposes"?!

Kuwait has been a learning experience to the Middle East Culture. I learned "waasta" (having connection) is a must if you want to get things done quickly. I also learned that I need to have oodles of patience as no one would/could tell when things would get done. The answer always was "Inshallah" (God Willing). And silently I would pray that God willed.

It's a pity that I have yet to speak Arabic but I do know now the Basic greetings/words and hopefully will improve!

"Maa Salaama Q8!"


PS:- Just the day before, 5th of May, my other brother became a proud father of a daughter, his first born! Yippee! Welcome Baby Girl!

It's a Small World!

It's a small world....yes indeed it is. I was interacting with a reader online this morning....and discovered that we were connected at different levels.....it was a pleasant surprise.
Agra, city of Taj Mahal.....where I finished my schooling.....and where she is residing now after her marriage.....
Air Force....she had relatives, including an Uncle.....
Miranda House College.....my alma mater...and her daughter is presently studying there.

Memories of School Days....Air Force Station....College days tumbled.....

One of her distant relatives from her husband's side and I went to school together....studied in the same class....and went for cycling together in the evenings. (Air Force Brats, we were!) Then I was in college together with a niece again from her husband's side.....same class...same subject....and same hostel! A niece with whom I share my birthday....a niece with whom I share the similar juxtaposition of our name & surname that it was hard for people to decide which religion we belonged to.....a niece who like me is still single.....and is somewhere like me in the Middle East! Now her daughter is studying in the very same college that I went to and is also a Hostelite!

It's a small world....and modern technology has brought it so much closer. A stranger she was but now....no longer a stranger!

I am an Aunt, once again!

Early this morning about 5.15am, I get a call. It was my brother. It's a Baby Girl! My Brand New Niece arrived, I believe a month early. Mother & daughter are perfectly fine and doing well but being a Preemie, she is under the Doctor's observation. No name has been chosen yet. The "Pundits" will let us know after drawing the horoscope as to which alphabet the name should begin with. Thereafter, we will search for a name for her.

Welcome to our world, Baby Girl!

Thai's the limit!

My youngest brother is just back from Bangkok! An official one week trip it was discussing social issues. He runs a NGO with focus on the health care of women & children. Writing to him asking how the trip was garnered a single sentence, "Yes, it was great." Now, I cannot for the life of me fathom what this means. Did he have a good time? Did he get to see all the touristic places and do all the touristic things or did he just meet all the local social organizations and discussed issues plaguing the society and the ways & means of eradicating the same.....thus the trip being successful, nay "great"? Though I am sure local sightseeing & entertainment would have been thrown into the itinerary?

I hope to one day travel to Thailand too......see the numerous Palaces and the Temples.....see the huge reclining Buddha covered in Gold leaf....take pictures....walk down the numerous quaint streets and taste the local cuisine. The closest I have been to savoring the atmosphere....my numerous trips to "Pattaya Beach", a Thai restaurant in downtown Kuwait! It's run by a Thai Couple - the wife calling all the shots! I love to start with "Tom Yam Kung"which is a spicy shrimp soup. I also like to have "Pad Thai" which is tangy rice noodles pan fried with chopped peanuts and with shrimps! (The Shrimps could be substituted with chicken or meat). Though most of the time I would order for a "Thai Green Curry" with shrimps. Green Curry (I guess it derives from the color of the curry!) is made with fresh green chillies and flavored with Thai basil and chicken or fish meatballs or shrimps. This dish is one of the spiciest of Thai curries. I also like at times the "Thai Red Curry" made with copious amounts of dried red chillies with bamboo shoots! Oooh! I love Thai food!

Happy Holi!

Today is the start of the Holi festival....the festival of colors. I love it for the sheer fun of playing with colors!

When I was little, I loved it even more as I could make some extra pocket money! In the state where my Parents hail from, the festival of Holi lasts for 5-6 days!. The festival starts with the burning of Holika....

Legend has it that King Hiranyakashyap wanted everyone to worship him but Prahlad his son was a devotee of Lord Narayanan. So the King told his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad on her lap as she had a boon whereby fire could not harm her. However the boon worked if she was alone and she was not aware of this and so burnt to death when she entered with Prahlad while Prahlad was saved by the grace of God for his devotion. Thus the festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

Each locality makes elaborate straw huts and these are festooned with colorful paper flags. In the evening there would be a "puja" conducted by the Brahmin after which the Straw Hut would be torched and burned down....symbolic of Holika being burnt.....only after which the festival of Holi would be declared as started. Little children would go house to house asking for alms....and yes, money is given to those who come knocking! I too went from house to house in the neighborhood with my cousins, I remember. Dad had asked for a Home Posting and here he was as the Commanding Officer in his home state for a couple of years. In the next few days there would be groups of teenage girls or ladies coming and asking for donations as they would be hosting some street theater or dance or for any such things!

Later, I remember in the various Air Force Camps, we (all kids in the neighborhood) would gather twigs & newspapers and make a bonfire. The excitement of making a big fire was huge and we just loved it! The next day we would start by playing with dry colors but slowly would progress to the water colors....the pichkaris or water pistols would be used to drench each other and when all was finished simply pour water! Later we were joined by our Parents. We would go from house to house and then head for the final destination which was the Officer's Mess. There would be singing, dancing, tambola and finally lunch. Oh, what fun it used to be!

Today, as I recall.....those were the days....I really had a good memorable childhood!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Its Dad's birthday. I remember the times when I was home...and it was Dad's Birthday......Dad would always plan the menu for the day. He loves to eat.....not that he ever has much.....he loves a good meal. I gave a call in the morning to wish him. This time...he sounded surprised. Had he forgotten that today was his birthday? Time....age..........how I wish sometimes, I could just stop it for a while...

Here's a poem by Regina Hill which I really liked. To you, Dad.

Dad, If I Had Three Wishes
on Your Birthday...
I'd make a wish for
your health and happiness
and your dreams coming true.
I'd wish that you would be given
whatever your heart desires.
And after I was sure that
all of these wishes
were fulfilled,
I'd make one more wish for you -
the most important one of all...

I'd wish that you'd know
beyond any doubt
that I love you with all my heart,
and I'll always be here for you
no matter what.
- Poem by Regina Hill

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Air Force Day - for Dad

My eye falls on the calendar.........it is the 8th of Oct! Wham! It hits me......today is the Indian Air Force Day! How could I forget this day? So, I dedicate this Post.....To Dad.

Dad served in the Indian Air Force, for more than 20 years. He took voluntary retirement as I was finishing my College. He started out his career here as a Fighter Pilot but ended up being a Navigator........I guess he got on the wrong foot of the Instructor! He was never the "Yes Sir" which would cost him many choice postings & promotions.

Dad participated in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and did his part in the liberation of Bangladesh. He has also been fortunate to have remained as the Commanding Officer in quite a few places....as a young Officer. I still remember some incidents while he was the Station C O. The Driver would come to pick my Dad for work in the official jeep and at times Dad would have my brother & myself dropped off to school. Everyone in school would stop to look........Dad in his uniform made a handsome picture. Yes, Dad was a handsome man...........I'm not just saying because he is my Dad.......he was.....in his younger days....believe me.

Before joining the Air Force, Dad had been Assam (a State in India) Badminton Champion - Triple times...........now he continued playing as a recreation....and the Air Chief Marshal would especially ask Dad for a game in the evening....many a time. Dad's speciality, a backhand shot which many tried but difficult to give. He was also quite popular with the men in his Squadron........especially the Non-Officers...the Airmen.

Dad navigated the last flight of Fairchild C-119 Packet (Flying Boxcar)......from Agra to Delhi. The Packet was a Transport Aircraft but sometime in the 80's it was decided to put her away in the museum to make way for newer Aircraft - AN-32. Yes, Dad was stationed in Agra and from here he took his pre-mature retirement to pursue other avenues.

I remember, to celebrate the Air Force Day occasion, on a Sunday obviously (convenient for all!)....there would be a "Pagal Gymkhana" (Pagal meaning Mad in Hindi) or "Barakhana" (Feast) organized for all Air Force Personnel along with their families............a day where all ranks would come and mix together. Venue would be in one of the Hangars...lots of space! There would be games galore & lovely prizes to take home.........not to mention the sumptuous lunch! This was also the day when we could take a tour of the aircrafts parked in the vicinity! It was exciting!

I am glad that I am my Father's daughter....an Officer's daughter. Life in the Forces has taught me amongst other things....to live in harmony with people of all caste, color or religion (India being a land of diversity, the AF Camp had people representing nearly all the States)....the discipline one needs to maintain in life.... punctuality ........to be ready/prepared for any eventuality....... to fight for the honour........for the country....

Thank you Dad. I couldn't have asked for a better upbringing.

Down memory lane - Allahabad

My Brother's in Allahabad right now....for a few days....to attend a meeting....

Flashback!
My family lived in this city a long, long time ago. This is my youngest brother....he went to his first school here....pre-nursery. How he howled each morning! He literally had to be carried/dragged to school. After a while, he became one of the Teacher's favourite and liked taking flowers for her everyday and would insist on plucking the nicest one from our garden! Often, we had to coax him to choose a not so prized flower!

Another funny thing which happened and which we remember with sweet fondness was how my brother would insist on carrying Dad's briefcase! This was a nice big leather bag, standard Air Force issue for Flyers. It was half his size but insisted on taking this rather than the school bag which was got for him! Mom had to relent...otherwise he was not going to school and there would be the usual rolling on the ground and wailing his tiny lungs out! He literally dragged the bag to school.........it was indeed a funny sight! Only after his Teacher commented on why he was carrying a suitcase did he switch to the school bag!

How time flies........I wonder if he remembers his early days here in this city.....the city which is located at the confluence of the 3 Holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati known as Sangam.

Spider-Mania!

Spiders! Creepy....crawly.........how we........many of us at least.... despise these creatures! Little girls spying one nearby, would run ......screaming eeeeeeekkssssss!!! Not that some adults don't!

However, the funny thing is that Spider-Man, a comic book character that has the ability to cling to walls, has a superhuman strength, a sixth sense ("spider-sense") that alerts him to danger, perfect balance and other spider like abilities webshooters, night vision, etc. is now so popular and commercially so successful unlike the original creature on which it is based!

Spider-Mania has hit us real hard....we all love Spider-Man.....young and old. Kids, whether a girl or a boy, all want to emulate this Super Hero..... like the pictures on the left....one is my niece & the other is my neighbour's son!

Happy Birthday, Brother!

Today is my youngest brother's birthday. He is a grown man now....has a sweet wife & 2 adorable daughters. He runs his own NGO, a creche and an orphanage........he is a responsible person. To me though, he will always be my little brother. I have always felt the need to look out for him.... from the people who would take advantage of him....advise him on how to run things.... and so many other small things.... just like when he was a little kid. There's a song that I remember we were taught in school.......

"Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older, when did they?
When did she grow to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall?
I don't remember growing older, when did they?"

Yes, it's so true........I don't remember growing older.........
"Happy Birthday, Brother!"

Brevity is the soul of wit?

They say, "Brevity is the soul of wit" but being brief is not the same as being too short. You may ask why I'm pondering on this saying. Well, this morning I happened to text (SMS) my brother. It goes like this.

Me - " Hi. Did you get 2read my mail and see my Blog?"
My Bro - "Yes"
Me - "So? You could have one 4 your NGO."
My Bro - "OK"

Arrrrrrrgh! This is so frustrating. I expected one whole sentence! I know, I know, "Yes" & "OK" can be termed as sentences on their own but..............This is not the first time my brother has done this to me!

Am I asking for too much?