Good health maketh happy family



 My niece, Ananya, is the lifeline of our house. Her crackling laughter or shrill cry is adorable. Her tantrums while bathing and naughty pranks while drinking milk are always amusing. Grandpa cannot start his day without her kiss on his forehead. Grandma's daily prayers are incomplete without Ananya seeking blessing from his favorite lord Krishna. Ananya is the bundle of joy and apple of all eyes. 

One morning last winters, our home was suddenly filled with an uncanny silence. Even grandma's melodious hymns and vibrant music playing on Aditya's ipod could not lift the spirit of house. There was uneasiness around and everyone was just hoping to see their little Ananya back to her playful zest. Ananya had fallen sick. She had caught cold and was running high fever. She laid calmly in her bed but every one else was worried and tense. Each passing day seemed like an year.

Almost after a week, Ananya got well. She started regaining her health. Once again our home was livened up with her laughter. Though she was weak to indulge in her lovable naughtiness but all were happy to cajole with her. This one week of grim silence due to Ananya's illness made us realize the importance of good health in keeping the family happy. Since that day, how so ever busy we all might be, but all of us make sure to have timely healthy nutritious food and Dabur Chyawanprash to increase the body immunity by 3 times to keep us hale and hearty, especially Ananya. We realized, healthy child makes a happy home.

                                                            Quote- Unquote

                                    Sam is out of the rat race ; to walk at her own pace !!

It's more Indian than you think !

“Fragrance of the fresh gajara tightly woven in her braid filled the room with a soothing aroma. As I entered a little further in the room, melodious jhankar of her payal sounded like music to my ears. The giggles and soft whispering brought me closer to the liveliest group in the otherwise silent, dimly lit room.

I was mesmerized to see a glittering bindi on her forehead shining like moonlight. Suddenly she turned around, caught me in eyes. I shivered but she smiled. I smiled back too. Dressed in an ethnic embellished lehenga choli she looked divine. As she caressed the hair falling on her face, her bright red lip color and heena laden hand caught my attention.

She greeted me with a Namaste. I was too happy to respond back in Hindi after months.

It seemed like I have come to a celebration in India. Memories of festivities, colors, lights, and togetherness transcended me to a blissful world.

Slowly and gradually the beats of the drum and lights of diya interspersed me. It was Diwali celebration tonight at the Groningen University campus in the Netherlands.

I looked around; everyone was dressed in ethnic Indian attire, guys with a turban, some in kurta- pajama, girls in salwaar kameez and some in even a sari.

A small bunch of Indian community at the campus had hosted this party and all irrespective of their nationality or religion enthusiastically came forth to celebrate and cheer together. Everyone danced to the tunes of famous Bollywood music; choir sang Hindi songs and ate mouthwatering Indian delicacies. "

My younger brother exulted in excitement as he narrated this to me. It was his first Diwali away from home. 

He was proud to say that there is a mini India in every nook and corner of this world. Our rich vibrant culture and heritage has a special place in everyone’s heart.  Our zestful spirit of brotherhood enamour one and all and binds every one across the globe in a special bond nurtured with love just like Lufthansa-TVC which connects all.

Ting-a-ling of the anklets

                                              Ting-a-ling of the anklets

I flipped through the pages of almost a decade old but still newly bound Arvind Adiga's White Tiger, trying to be a little suave but actually killing the endless time at hand. The aroma of freshly fried samosas, hot brewing tea, early morning mist in the air and the in-numerous flowers that the little girl, dressed in a pink frock, was carrying entangled with the sweat of hundreds of passengers waiting to catch their trains and the coolies pulling the luggage. 

Suddenly, in the hustling chaos, I heard a voice. It crackled through the noises of the moving boogies and crying children. As it came closer, I felt a little perturbed. There was an evident uneasiness. My hands trembled and I started sweating profusely. I hurriedly left the book at the store and ran towards the voice. But the sound became feeble and left me gasping for not just my breath but my peace of mind.

Whole world seemed to be crumbling before me and tears trickled down my eyes like water gushing out a flooded dam. That melodious ting-a-ling sound of the anklets, reminded me of her fond memories. How we sat together at the same railway station last year waiting to board the train to Jaipur to celebrate our first marriage anniversary.  How she caressed through my unkempt hair wiping the in-evident sweat with her bright red duppata.  How we nudged each other, sang romantic songs, cracked jokes and laughed together while enjoying her favorite chocolate brownie. 

Humongous crowd boarded and deboarded the train, while we happily enjoyed the long arduous journey before our second honeymoon. With 20 minutes to go, I got ready to board the palace on wheels with my princess. While hopping the platforms to catch our train, her anklets filled the air with pleasing music. 

Ouch! Help, she cried suddenly. I turned around and was aghast to see her slip onto the railway track. I threw the luggage and the half eaten brownie, to pull her back. We shouted for help, but, at 4 am in morning our voices shriveled in the dark night. As, I mustered the strength and put all my effort to pull her back on the platform, a unnerving sound of an engine came blazingly fast towards us. She being visually challenged and deaf couldn't even feel the roaring death striking her at the lightening speed. I froze with the fear of losing her. Slowly and gradually, her hands slipped from mine; leaving behind just a red bangle and a charred body for me to cry.