Missing Sunday!

One Sunday…. So special to me. I felt like sharing with you all, and this would be one of my last mails from my arm id, which makes it even more special of course J



Yesterday was my last day in school, and it was unexpectedly awesome. I have never ever felt like that before. It was a very touching moment for me at least to part away from my kids who will always be very close to my heart… always.



Although I wanted it to be just like any other day. I always felt it is so difficult for the children to build a bond with some-one strange from some random corner of the strange world they are unaware of. And then one fine day, every one moves on, leaving kids being there confined in their own world of theirs.

Being candid, I wasn’t even having the courage to tell them that I’ll be leaving Bangalore soon. But thanks to Sutapa (the favourite of all at the school), who told them 3 weeks back only, leaving me to answer all the innocent angels, as to why am I leaving? Why can’t I work in ARM? Why can’t I get my parents here in Bangalore? In fact one girl asked me to get my parents here and she’ll take care of them. J The only answer I had every time was a tight hug… that’s it… L



But then it all happened, kids were much matured than I thought. The final day, the final Sunday came. Of course, it came with no study and all play. I did not plan this at all. But then I was enjoying it to the fullest, talking to them, playing with them, clicking pics with them.

Finally it was our time to leave, and say the final goodbye. Only then Mataji and Pitaji(school founders) just rang the bell and asked everyone to gather in the hall. Well, that was surprising. Something was planned as my send off. And that raised my brows. I got a bit nervous, as to what is gonna happen now. The worst thing I was fearing being a speech to the kids.



But then, it all started with Pitaji asking kids to volunteer and sing any song. In no time everyone was singing. They all sang so many songs. Then Mataji asked them to say something as to what they learnt from brothers and sisters (i.e. us J). I felt it was a bit forceful, but then later I realized, it’s a realization for the kids as well. Unless you tell them to say something, they won’t think and feel it. Stupendously, they remembered each and everything, the first time I came, the help I rendered in a class project, how I helped them checking words in dictionary. It was so wonderful, one kid even remembered that I taught him how animals and birds feed from a library book, which I also wasn’t able to recall. I was almost touched by that time, with my eyes a bit wet. Thodi si toh emotional hoon mein, I realized yesterday. :p

I was just there, sitting and feeling each and every moment refreshing the memories associated with the school as the kids were unrolling the reel.

Then came Subhash (the most talented of the lot, who I feel is the most responsible and will surely make the school proud one day). Subhash had drawn a farewell card for me, along with a bouquet. I really wondered, how this little chap, knows how to make a bouquet. He might have not held one in his hands before that. And believe me, it was no less than any market bouquet. In fact, the way he had chosen and kept the flowers, it was the best, THE BEST(EST)!!!

And the card is something I’ll cherish throughout my life. I thanked God at that very moment, to give me such true and genuine friends and add this cherish-able chapter to my life.

By the time, all nervousness had gone and I was very much relaxed.



But that was not all, suddenly mataji just asked me to address the kids. I just started and kept on pouring out what all started coming to my mind. The more I kept on saying, the better I was feeling as I could sense very well that children are really listening to me seriously. And finally, I asked them, do you all promise me to work hard and be successful in ur life.?

It was a big “Yayyyy” in my heart as I heard was a loud “YES SITER!!!!” Dat was all, I just dint want anything else after that. That meant a lot to me J



Then I bid my final adieu to each of them giving chocolates. They all said, we won’t forget you sister.

I was just loving each and every word out of them. I wish them all the very best in life. Surely I know in some part of my mind that we’ll meet. We’ll meet in future. It’s a small world. J



And that’s all, I came back smiling with handsful of love and wishes.

The West-Side!

Being like any small town girl, I love travelling with family and friends. And this is all how I would describe my recent Mumbai-Pune trip.

What better kickoff to it than the showers which started just as we landed. My sister welcomed me at the arrival with a tight and ever so awaited hug. Hmm... I felt so elated as I already knew the next 10 days are going to be one of the most cherishable.

It got even better as we reached home where jiju was all set with a cake bearing "suswagatham rupali" in marathi. Glad on stomach, we went to a mall all set on a shopping spree and a late night movie. That was my first ever experience watching a movie in gold class, and it was magnificent.

We walked back home, yes we walked back. Needless to mention, Mumbai is the most happening hub 24 hours. Next day, although the planning failed us, anyhow we did not fail to have a great time. Went out for a bit of shopping just to know mumbai isn't a great place to shop for exclusively ethnic attires, went all the way to Juhu, Prithvi theater, so keen on watching a play. Alas! it was houseful. Even the 2 hour wait couldn't get us the tickets. Jiju was so disheartened as he being a great fan of prithvi plays and really wanted me to experience one.
After all this, the main attractions of the day still superseded the disappointments. Majorly being, met Sameer Sir after 5-years, enjoyed the traditional kokum drink, had fun at the juju beach along with a cousin, and the most memorable Gloria Jeans Coffee. Worth mentioning, Sameer Sir is one ideal I will admire the whole of my life. A perfect example of follow your passion, and success will follow you. Knowing him one also gets to learn how humble success can be.

Anyhow, after an unexpectedly adventurous return from Juhu, we slept back to start for Pune the next early morning.

The Mumbai-Pune highway is austerely beautiful and I could not get a gist of it on our journey to Pune. Reason being, two big fat uncles on our both sides in the volvo :|. Anyhow, we reached Pune, my sister's residence. I have no words to describe the home except that it was like any "dream home" for any couple.

The traveling had taken a toll on us which was compensated by a few hours nap.
Afresh, we again started for shopping along with another cousin who stayed in Pune.
Next day we were off for Mahableshwar. And it was indeed one of the most heavenly place in India, especially Panchgani. Thousands of clicks, fascinating mist and clouds and the beautiful green velvet mountains was what the whole day was about.

Day-3 in Pune was at MG road, where we had a mad day for brands. There are places in Pune where you get international brands' dresses, way too inexpensive. Till late evening, we were checking out dresses in various boxes till the end when we had whole lots of shopping bags. That's what every girl yearns for! :P

Day-4, after the regular shopping session we were heading towards my sister's favorite pasta place. There I had an horrifying experience where a gang on bike tried snatching my handbag. Somehow, I was able to hold back the bag. Everything happened just in a quasi-second that I could not regain my self any sooner and couldn't help realizing the value of my handbag. But as they say everything is well that ends well.[:)] Even better when my sister gifted me a beautiful watch on my upcoming birthday. Everything camouflaged from horrifying to memorable that very moment.

Day 5 - My sister had to go at work and I was brave enough to roam around a bit farther all alone and my mobile going out of battery. My my sis and family in trepidation, I managed to return all safe.

Next day it was back to Mumbai, and twas then when I could enjoy every bit of Pune-Mumbai highway. Truly, once in a lifetime experience for any Indian!
Back in Mumbai, it was movie time again, and this time it was one of the most enjoyable one - Johny english, reborn. I truly truly loved it.

With this it was the end of the trip and next morning I was back home, it felt to me just like a dream at the blink of the eyes. Now I have just memories which I just jotted them down to keep them alive for the rest of my life.
Thank you sister, jiju and cousins(Amit and Sumit) as it was only with you around I had nothing to worry about except the fun that effusively flowed throughout.

This tryst with the west-side will definitely be the top highlight of my 2011 chapter.

one rainy day!!!

Rains... are cherishable for most of us... a treat in hot summers, God's blessings to farmers, a new game for kids and a reason to go out and enjoy the good weather. Well, I won't be surprised, if you don't agree to the last point completely. Being brought up in Chandigarh is altogether a different experience. It is the only city in India with most of the systems quite organized. "What is so different about this small town??" he asked. I say, we dont have water-logged roads during rains!!!!

August 23rd, 2010 : My day began with a drizzle in early morning. It was quite a relief as days were usually very hot and sunny. Gradually, till the time I got ready and was about to leave for office, rains started pouring heavily. I was least bothered when I took out my car, as I knew, still chandigarh roads would be as clean as ever.

And I was not wrong either. However, I missed on one thing that my destination was Mohali i.e. my office was in Mohali. Mohali is a city adjacent to Chandigarh. I happily reached Mohali within 20 mins, and as I entered Mohali, it was all drowned in water. I was afraid, as I was a novice driver on flooded roads. One thing I was aware was, never to stop the car engine and also keep pressing the accelerator. It paid. I kept moving and moving. I observed, the left side of the road was the deeper side and avoided moving to that lane. But it was not that easy. Everyone was wise enough to make this observation. :). Also, there were stuck cars in between to pose the hurdles in the race.

Somehow I reached a traffic light with a long standing queue. Till that time, I had told my inner conscious, you cant run away so easily, so be patient. The traffic lights turned green, but to my dismay, traffic dint move an inch. Green turned Red, Red to green and green to red. But no body was moving. Finally it moved inch by inch to a point I observed that a big bus was stuck in between the traffic and a complete deadlock situation was there. Cars who wanted to go to right were just stuck as the cars coming from right had blocked the whole road. I understand that was not fair for people who wanted to go to right, but what was the point still sticking to it. They were blocking the traffic in other directions as well. Similar was the situation on left side as well.Aaahh!!! sometimes we the educated behave so illiterate... Our side and Front side were better because of a divider.

Anyhow, I was left stuck there pressing the accelerator and observing the scene around. The traffic lights were playing 3-color game with themselves. One camera-man was enjoying taking photographs of the deadlock scene, and interviewing people in trouble. People were honking uselessly like idiots as if their honks would build up their private flyover for them to cross. Or you may never know, their car may start flying!!!
And guess what, I saw one traffic police trying to save himself from the showers under a tree. Truly and professionally, he was ON duty. Controlling the traffic was traffic lights duty I guess.

Anyhow, I saw one policeman controlling the traffic now. A sigh of relief! Suddenly I noticed he was stopping traffic from all other directions except one. There was his jeep with a red light on the top. As soon as his jeep was out of the traffic, he sat and drove off.

Some people were coming forward to control the traffic, but again it was until their vehicle is out. Justified enough! Finally our turn also came up. somebody from our block of traffic cleared for us. And after 2 hours of turmoil, I was free. By that time, water levels were quite low and sky clear. But not my mind it was left with ever lingering thoughts. Was the problem solved?? Why cant we as responsible drivers, anticipate the problem and move in a systematized way? That would save our energy, time and resources as well.
Is there a solution to it??? Well, I cant think of any, unless we all change ourselves, move out of our individual frames and think about the bigger picture at times.

Lessons Learnt:
- Move ahead your vehicle only if the way is clear. Believe me there is no fun standing a little ahead and being a trouble for others as well.
- Please please do not honk in a traffic jam. The vehicle ahead is also stuck as much as you are. It wont do anything good for you either.
- If you see the way you want to go is blocked by the traffic on that side, please it would be good to think of another alternative way to reach your destination. You wont feel good being a blocker for all.
- Everyone is in hurry, and wants to move. You need to understand the fact that its not only you who is in some special hurry.

Thank you for reading with patience :)