I hope you all enjoyed the last blog. I sure took vicarious pleasure in posting all those pictures. I truly feel like I was there. Towards the end of the posting the system started malfunctioning and would not allow me to post these last two pictures.
Baba loved Manu Bhai so much. His spirit must have personally attended Booby's wedding. Sini was the last to fade from Baba's memory. He would never miss his dear daughter's son's special day.
It is hard to believe Gana Mousa is gone. This picture is so recent that it is easy to imagine he is still here. Snehmai Mousi looks happy and lively in his company.We know the newlyweds have their blessings and through them all our ancestors blessings.
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I wanted to, but could not, put these birthday announcements too:
This pretty princess is Anamika (Seema and Sandeep's daughter). She turned five on February 19A very happy Birthday to you from all of us.
Naren was there to help Anamika finish her cake. Naren is preparing for his first residency board examination.
Good Luck Naren. We are all rooting for you.
This is Shradha, at age four months, with her doting parents. She turns one on March 2nd.
"May you live for thousand years;
Years made of fifty thousand days".
Calli, Leela and Brian's daughter, turned 12 on February 10.
Anjali, Mama and Shyam's younger daughter, turned 7 on February 27.
Happy birthday to both of you.
Best of wishes and lots of love too.
(Send us your birthday pictures to add to this announcement!)
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Delhi and Agra (contd.)
It was so very nice to meet up with Baba. We had really missed him. He and Papaji came to the airport to pick us up. Papaji is 85 years old but still staying quite active. He looks like Santa Clause but needs to put on some weight.
Biji was waiting at home. The kids, (sorry) the three young men surrounded her with hugs and American chatter. This had to be translated into Punjabi for her. The funny thing is, it did not hamper their communication even a bit. I guess love is a universal language.
Papa ji was treated to the biceps-on-steroids hugs. He bore it all with a smile.Cousins Supi and Savvy had come over to make it a tight fivesome with Suraj, Ravi and Torry.
Bablee had a slight cold but perked up just looking at us. She had lovingly set up the house for five extra guests, nine suitcases, six bags and many more extras. She guided us to our rooms and tried to show us the place for our bags
But all we wanted to do was re-connect. Biji absolutely glowed, like a candle, watching her grandsons fill the house.
The boys were given Papaji's room.
And they happily thought Papaji came with it.
They charged up the whole house with their testosterone. Their vigor made us all feel young (and tired).
Next day, to help dissipate some of their energy, Sachi took them on a tour of the usual touristy places of Delhi. Here they are standing in front of the Qutub Minar's exquisite carving.
But what truly fascinated them was this chubby parrot, living amidst history's monuments.
They loved the India Gate and the Eternal Flame burning at the unknown soldier's tomb.
This is Raj Ghat, Gandhi Ji's memorial. Gandhi is one of the few Indian figures that all Americans know about. Some others are Mother Teresa, Aishwarya Rai and the man with the longest nails of Guiness Book of Records fame.
Sachi showed them the Red fort and pointed out the platform from where the Prime minister gives his Independance Day speech. We listen to that speech every year, sitting in the family room of our home in America.
Too soon we said bye to Biji, Papaji, Supi and Savvy and embarked on the first leg of our journey - to Taj Mahal. Bablee came along with us, to guide us and give us company. She had worked very hard and made all the arrangements for us so we could enjoy the trip without any hassle. (Did we remember to thank you Bablee Mousi?).
On the way to Agra we tried pointing out important landmarks to the boys but all they had eyes for was what was passing us by on the road. Coming from the land of 'strict obedience to traffic rules' they were fascinated by the Indian traffic.
They thought the motorbykes were awesome (specially since Sachi and I have drilled into them that they are the instruments that will ultimately make humanity extinct).
They often marvelled at the number of people that crammed into small vehicles and counted them regularly to see what would be the largest possible number.
This pair with their monkeys showed up at our window at one of the traffic lights. We were all charmed by their easy companionship.
Lunch was at a very fancy Indian restuarant called Mcdonald's!! We were amused by the menu though. Only the fries and drinks looked same as in America. Paneer and chicken ruled the menu. I guess the mighty Mcdonald had to bow down to Indian taste.
Ronald looks happy to see his country men.
Here are other sites that held the boys spell bound. They did not realise that they themselves were equally novel to the street paople.
These trucks in some kind of parade were very colorful. The boys lamented that the trucks in America are too utilitarian and fixated on efficiency.The road to Agra was a delight. The boys showed us the 'incredible' in India through their eyes. We are so jaded, on our own, we would have missed it all.
We reached our destination by late afternoon. This is the walkway to the entrance gate leading to the Taj Mahal. The rays of the sun were hitting the arches at a perfect angle for photography. While walking we filled in some historical facts for Suraj, Ravi and Torry. The Tajmahal was built by the Moghal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1653 AD as a homage to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Both of them are buried there. Its white marble came from the quarries in Jodhpur, the red stone for its gateway came from Fatehpur Sikri and the semi-precious stone inlays came from all over the world. Shah Jahan's aim was to evoke paradise on earth.
This is the entrance gate as seen from the inside and Suraj trying to give us a 'natural' smile.
The three of them were in high energy mode and loved exploring every corner of the complex open to public.
They did calm down enough to have a few portraits taken, in front of one of the world's great wonders, for posterity's sake.
In fact we all took turns posing with the Taj in the background.
It is amazing we got all these pictures with no other people walking in front of us; It was not easy though.
Ravi liked the Taj Mahal so much he wanted to take it home with him.
Once we got started the boys wanted their picture in all sorts of combinations.
Hera is the whole gang. We have many (I mean many) more that we are saving for later enjoyment.
This is a replica of the actual tomb which is housed in the hall below. That hall is no more open to the public. The carving in the marble looks like delicate lace work. The place had spiritual feel to it.
A remarkable combination of fine art, scientific calculation, outstanding technical skill, sensuous charm and its essentially spiritual ambience makes the Taj Mahal truly unique.
Its layout is so perfect and construction so flawlwess that every angle is awe inspiring. We stayed there way past the sunset and saw it in its many moods.
The river Jamuna flowing behind it gives it an ethereal tranquility.
It truly is paradise on earth. Subdued by the sight the boys agreed.
We left as the light faded and the place closed for the night.
We drove through half the night to reach our next destination - Jaipur.
*****************
She rules our hearts and occupies all our time when she comes to visit.
She loves all the new things we teach her. Here Ravi is showing her the universal American greeting - High Five.
This is Suraj and Surina, supposedly cleaning up after she made a mess.
A cute smile for a cute boy. She is definitely a people person.
We have had so much snow and such cold temperatures this year that she has spent most of the time indoors.
Look at this Tundra outside our door.
Occassionally, the sun comes out and dressed in all sorts of winter protection she ventures out.
She is curious about the snow and touches and squeezes it.
Jyoti and Jeff are such good parents. They make us proud.
Surina loves the girl in the mirror.
She loves playing with balls. If we seat her in the middle of tennis balls, rolling them at her from all directions, she squeals with glee.
She has many toys that she is slowly learning to take apart and then put together.
Peek-a-boo.
She is quite fond of books. This one - How Big is Elmo? - is her favourite. We are so tired of reading it to her. She has many other books but this is the one she always picks.
This is how she hides from me when in trouble.
She is curious about everything that is up high
Or beyond her reach
Or has been labelled - NO - by us.
She is absolutely ecstatic when she thinks we are chasing her and cannot catch her.
One of her favourite places to go is the prayer room. She grandly dons her great-great grandmother's mala and goes around ringing the bell.
Here she is trying to put the mala back on the Darbar Sahib (Sikh holy book)
We reached our destination by late afternoon. This is the walkway to the entrance gate leading to the Taj Mahal. The rays of the sun were hitting the arches at a perfect angle for photography. While walking we filled in some historical facts for Suraj, Ravi and Torry. The Tajmahal was built by the Moghal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1653 AD as a homage to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Both of them are buried there. Its white marble came from the quarries in Jodhpur, the red stone for its gateway came from Fatehpur Sikri and the semi-precious stone inlays came from all over the world. Shah Jahan's aim was to evoke paradise on earth.
This is the entrance gate as seen from the inside and Suraj trying to give us a 'natural' smile.
The three of them were in high energy mode and loved exploring every corner of the complex open to public.
They did calm down enough to have a few portraits taken, in front of one of the world's great wonders, for posterity's sake.
In fact we all took turns posing with the Taj in the background.
It is amazing we got all these pictures with no other people walking in front of us; It was not easy though.
Ravi liked the Taj Mahal so much he wanted to take it home with him.
Once we got started the boys wanted their picture in all sorts of combinations.
Hera is the whole gang. We have many (I mean many) more that we are saving for later enjoyment.
This is a replica of the actual tomb which is housed in the hall below. That hall is no more open to the public. The carving in the marble looks like delicate lace work. The place had spiritual feel to it.
A remarkable combination of fine art, scientific calculation, outstanding technical skill, sensuous charm and its essentially spiritual ambience makes the Taj Mahal truly unique.
Its layout is so perfect and construction so flawlwess that every angle is awe inspiring. We stayed there way past the sunset and saw it in its many moods.
The river Jamuna flowing behind it gives it an ethereal tranquility.It truly is paradise on earth. Subdued by the sight the boys agreed.
We left as the light faded and the place closed for the night.
We drove through half the night to reach our next destination - Jaipur.
*****************
I cannot close this piece without including a few pictures of Surina.
She rules our hearts and occupies all our time when she comes to visit.
She loves all the new things we teach her. Here Ravi is showing her the universal American greeting - High Five.
This is Suraj and Surina, supposedly cleaning up after she made a mess.
A cute smile for a cute boy. She is definitely a people person.
We have had so much snow and such cold temperatures this year that she has spent most of the time indoors.
Look at this Tundra outside our door.
Occassionally, the sun comes out and dressed in all sorts of winter protection she ventures out.
She is curious about the snow and touches and squeezes it.
Jyoti and Jeff are such good parents. They make us proud.
Surina loves the girl in the mirror.
She loves playing with balls. If we seat her in the middle of tennis balls, rolling them at her from all directions, she squeals with glee.
She has many toys that she is slowly learning to take apart and then put together.
Peek-a-boo.
She is quite fond of books. This one - How Big is Elmo? - is her favourite. We are so tired of reading it to her. She has many other books but this is the one she always picks.
This is how she hides from me when in trouble.
She is curious about everything that is up high
Or beyond her reach
Or has been labelled - NO - by us.
She is absolutely ecstatic when she thinks we are chasing her and cannot catch her.
One of her favourite places to go is the prayer room. She grandly dons her great-great grandmother's mala and goes around ringing the bell.
Here she is trying to put the mala back on the Darbar Sahib (Sikh holy book)
Then she goes and kisses all the pictures. What better offering is there!
With this I bid good bye till next time.
4 comments:
Homecoming is always such a beautiful experience....a journey in nostalgia....
Distant memories from bygone yester years of childhood come gushing forth as we step into the warm interiors of the home that houses our dearest Creator: Bou, where love and care are showered on us without condition or compromise, where, in spite of her debilitating ailment, Bou leaves no stone unturned in caring for her “little ones”...
Indeed, there is no stage in life as euphoric and exotic as childhood ! No worries to restrict, no yearnings to curb, no vision to pursue, no commitments to honor, no future to plan, no responsibilities to shoulder……Life is just one long journey in carefree experiment and innocent happiness. With Baba and Bou holding our hands while overcoming every new obstacle and guarding our safety while embarking on every new step, the golden years of childhood unroll in a majestic sweep of success without struggle and happiness without hurdle…..Every passing day unfolds like a gift from above, to relish while reminiscing….to rekindle while rejuvenating… to treasure while cherishing….
Contd:
Though my trip home this year was not too long, it afforded me enough opportunity to spend a few golden moments with my dearest ones in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack...Starting and ending with Bou as our most beloved anchor, the priceless moments of maternal love that transform us into incarnations of childlike innocence, how I wish I could spend more time with her, soaking in her undying affection....accompanying Badada and Nuabou to their abode in Puri where, without rest or respite both of them doted on my every need, blessing my Soul with a rare darshan of Lord Jagannath and pampering my taste buds with exquisite delicacies….. a few Soul-searching sessions with Badada shall always remain recorded in my memory for their eternal value and unparalleled beauty ....visiting Siniapa/Sanjubhai's new home at Cuttack, where, within the space of just one day I was enriched with the luxurious living of a lifetime, sprinkled with a touch of some smooth Kingfisher Premium Beer to spice our togetherness to new heights of euphoria.....not to forget the majestic spread of delicious Chinese favorites dished out by Kunni, my childhood buddy Pinu's wife for lunch which we devoured like starving enthusiasts under the watchful eye of our loving Snehamai Mausi...... Calling on Sudha bhai/Subunuabou at their residence was like a pilgrimage to a holy site, where the highlight was their Prayer Room, a space devoted to the Landlord of this Universe where the vibrations of Divinity were so strong as to transport anyone standing within its holy interiors into an ecstatic realm of spirituality. The fringe benefits of every visit to their place were in the form of gastronomical delights laid out on the dining table....pure and simple vegetarian yummies that infused peace and satisfaction within and without. The passion to enjoy and value the little things in life that Sudhabhai is blessed with, is indeed a quality encountered in just a fortunate few....Though I could not meet Apa & Swarupbhai during this trip to India, their absence became even more conspicuous by their affectionate gesture of love that found its way into my expanding wallet !
I feel deeply grateful to God for having blessed me with a birth in such a marvelous family where parental love is not limited only to my biological creators, but extends to every other sibling who has, without reluctance or reserve, showered on me unconditional love without limit......
The trip was rounded off by some wonderful hours spent in the company of Tukulu/Kavita at Cuttack where every moment was transformed by their affection into a gem worth treasuring, and Chitta in Bhubaneswar who was forever ready to revive our childhood memories during long chatty sessions, even while taking me tirelessly around on my shopping trips without hesitation or hiccup!
And finally before concluding my present verbiage, allow me to offer a few lines for the benefit of the newly married couples: Booby & Risha, Joy & Sunita:
If marriages are made in heaven, then Orissa is Paradise indeed and the privileged few who attended the festivities are the angels !
The Mystery is.... How does Love begin?
The Challenge is... How to make it stay?
The Magic is.... When it does !
Meeting and mingling with your life mate is a kind of Divine accident....
Cheers!
Babi
PS. Though I had written this piece for the earlier post, I couldn’t upload it on time !
bhua g satsriakal ,i m preet...v got d pics snd by u....
send all pics to my yahoo ID if u can....Preetpalbedi_mcitp@yahoo.in
if ravi have google or orkut or facebook ID....plz snd
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