It is the little things that you do...

...that make me fall in love with you, all over again! I may not have said a thank you every time I should have, but what makes it worthwhile is that you understood every time I meant it.

• Putting a blanket over me when I had gone off to sleep working on my laptop
• Bringing me water in the middle of the night when I was too tired to get it on my own
• Sending an I love you text just before entering the house in the evening
• Asking me to call you before I boarded a flight
• Letting me sleep to my hearts content on Sunday's even though you secretly wished I would get up to have that morning tea with you at 7
• Never sleeping over an argument;  

...are few of the many things that I am thankful for! 

You have your quirks and I have mine, but I am glad to live with them for we push each other to make our lives better every day.

shabdkosh and vyapaar

One of the best things about moving to India has been that I have been able to spend my weekend with the people I love the most....and doing things that I have always wanted to.... Good Friday and Easter weekend was spent playing rounds and rounds of Monopoly and Scrabble with bro and N....

Scheming against each other, falling off the bed while laughing uncontrollably, eating the early morning snack at 3 AM with lots of Thumbs Up, fighting for every dice throw - Bliss....I had missed this and so much more in the last few years....

They give us the roots, and they give us the wings...

......and then...we fly away!

His father stood outside the house, gazing in the dark, waiting for him to make a generous visit of 22 hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds.

I am not sure if he noticed it or not, but I certainly did. At 40 something, he was still his parents little one. As he devoured on home made idlis, dosa & sambhar rice, fondly prepared by his mother, his parents stood on either side of the table, watching him eat. While his mother served him some more rice and curd, his father made sure that he had pickle to go with it. The satisfaction that reflected on their face was a sight to capture...

Never had I missed my camera so much as I did yesterday when I visited parents of this most revered  teacher and mentor of mine - Prof. RV. A traditional south Indian dinner and a wonderful conversation with 3 generations of his family gathered in the same room, made my first visit to Chennai, worth remembering.

When will we have such posters in India?

A country that still struggles in providing roofs to humans, a country where we still witness "Aadarsh Society" scams, I am not sure how long will it take for us to reach to a stage where we will be able to help the homeless dogs and cats...

Claypot on fourth day of the full moon....

Don't get confused by the title of this post...The word Karwa (Karva) means a clay pot and chauth means fourth, as the festival is commemorated on the fourth day after the full moon in Kartik month of Hindu calendar.

As I observed Karwa Chauth this year, I was curious to trace the origin & importance of this Indian festival celebrated by women in India. The women (particularly in North India) observe a fast on this day to ensure prosperity, longevity and well-being of their husbands. In the evening, they gather together to listen to the story of Queen Veerawati who brought her husband back to life after an year. The women then break their fast after the moon has risen by consuming the first morsel from the hands of their husbands.

While women wait for the moon to show up, they engage themselves as a group to play various games to keep their minds occupied and away from the noises of a growling stomach. In order to follow the tradition, I engaged myself in playing badminton for 2 hours and the only thing I would say after putting myself through that is - DO NOT ATTEMPT IT!

Mehendi on my first after-wedding Karva Chauth

Although, many others like me have grown up with the belief that this fast is observed by the wives for their husbands, I was surprised to learn that there was an even nobler idea behind this festival. In ancient times when the girls in India were married in far off villages, when there were no buses, telephones and trains,  it was difficult for her to share any problems (that she faced with her in-laws or husband) with her own parents and relatives. Thus the custom started that, at the time of marriage, when bride would reach her in-laws, she would befriend another woman there who would be her friend or sister for life. It would be like god-friends or god-sisters. Their friendship would be sanctified through a small Hindu ceremony right during the marriage. Once the bride and this woman had become god-friends or god-sisters, they would remain so all their lives and recognize the relation as such. Later in life, if she faces any difficulty related to her husband or in-laws, she would be able to confidently talk or seek help from each other. Thus, Karwa Chauth was started as a festival to celebrate this relationship between the once-brides and their god-friends (god-sisters).

I learn new things each day....