Unaudited Thoughts

I am, because he is. Baba has this need to know my location and most of his calls begin with, “where are you?”   It’s a chilly winter eve, Baba calls to ask if I have worn enough warm clothes, since I am prone to cough n cold. Corona Crisis. Baba calls to make sure, I am not going out without mask and have enough sanitizer stock at home. Sunday morning. He calls to ask if I need vegetables, since he is on his weekly shopping spree at the vegetable market. I buy something that is ridiculously expensive (by his standards) and he gives me an earful about the virtue of savings. Bought shirts for him and he is upset, since he doesn’t need them. Never heard him say he needs to buy something for himself. I am unwell with mild fever and cold. Baba comes home! I am 41, Baba is 70. In his mind though, he is 41 and I am 24. No, make that 14. The quintessential Marathi middleclass manoos. He raised me believing, the greatest virtue is kindness and intellectual growth...

As 2019 slips away from our lives and calendars, people around are busy making bucket lists, ticking off 'done items', planning for parties, generally enjoying the lovely weather and festive season! As we enter 2020 in couple of days, a frenzy of sorts happens. New year resolutions are made, bucket lists filled, gym memberships are paid for, planners are bought etc and each one is looking forward to achieving that goal which will make us happy and content. We reflect on the the 'have dones', 'the should have dones' and make a vow to fulfill the promises we made to our selves, in the coming year. The 'have dones' are a validation, realisation that we are worthy in our own eyes and especially in the eyes of others. This drives home a point. What makes us happy? May be a few more zeroes added to the bank account, a jump in career,social recognition,travel to exotic locales, more material possessions, perfect partner, kids getting straight A's, a fa...

Come October, and my favourite part of the year begins. There is slight nip in air. Mornings are more pleasant, especially for Nagpurians, who experience horrible heat all through the year. Days start getting shorter and evenings are cooler too! There is a certain excitement in the air. For me personally, lots of celebrations with birthdays in the family, the approach of festive season and soon to be over, exam season for kids.  Newspapers look different these days. They are full of  advertisements, o ffering freebies and discounts on everything. From the l atest televisions and refrigerators to the newest cars and jewellery. The internet with it's online shopping convenience is flooded with advertisements of 3 days 'maha sale' on Flipkart and Amazon. If you move around the city, there are street shops selling Rangolis, and diyas. The stores and malls  have their freshest stocks. They are open all seven days of the week, with extended hours everyday, hoping to s...

Happy Mother's Day ! Motherhood. Much has been written and glorified what being mother is all about. While many fit into the conventional 'mother mould', there are many among us who face difficult situations and complex emotions.Like they say, each child is different, so is every mother. The only common factor being unconditional love for her child. At times, there are others who take up the role of motherhood, are 'mother figure' to kids and the concept of motherhood changes accordingly. A very Happy Mother's Day To all those mothers, who leave their children every single day and go to work. To those mothers, who gave up their careers to 'be there', for their kids. To those mothers, who are fighting depression, the urge to give up but still hanging on for  their kids. To those mothers, who have had emotional meltdowns thinking they cannot do it all. To those mothers, who fought tooth and nail against judgemental society for their 'sp...

                                                                मैं तुझे फिर मिलूंगी (I shall meet you again): Poem by Amrita Pritam                 तेरा मिलना ऐसा होता है           जैसे कोई हथेली पर एक वक़्त की रोटी रख दे।                                               The above lines are written by Amrita Pritam, a prolific poet and writer from Punjab, India. Among her other honours, were the  Jnanpith Award in 1981 and Padma Vibhushan conferred on her in 2005.  Her passionate writing, the way she expresses pain is something beyond words. Bold and courageous woman, she loved two men throughout her life. The famous poet Sahir Ludhia...

                                             Recently stumbled upon an article about the declining footfall in Khajuraho due to poor road, rail and air connectivity .What came to mind was a  quick getaway  taken last year, road trip to Khajuraho in  December 2018 .It was an impromptu trip planned with friends over casual dinner,  about what to do in the holiday season. Finally, a  place of interest was going to be ticked off bucket list .          Excited, we set off in our car around 9.00 am in the pleasant Nagpur winter. Winter is the best season to be in and around Nagpur, which faces summer for remaining 9 months of the year. Khajuraho, situated in Madhya Pradesh is approximately 600 kms from Nagpur. We went via Sagar- Chindwara route. The road is in great condition, a part of it 4 lane and major...

                                                              Come March and it's wardrobe organising and cleaning season. Time to put away those big fat sweaters and thick jackets. It also means, making way for the summery cottons and smart linens. The biggest problem being creation of space in the already over crowded wardrobe. So, I decided to reorganise and let go of things that do not spark joy in me:) Yes, hail Marie Kondo! With great gusto, I started  my mission. In half an hour the entire room looked like it had been hit by a tsunami. A huge pile of  'I will fit in in someday clothes' sat mocking at me. Quietly, I chided myself for being over positive about fitting in! Pun intended.             A while later hubby peeped in and looking at my confused, bewildered state, chose t...