Sudoku Mornings with HT and my lovely Bhabhi!
Mornings without newspapers is unimaginable in India. So, with tea comes the newspaper. And with newspaper, my favorite Hindustan Times (HT), came Sudoku puzzles. Those who have had an addiction to these puzzles will understand how engrossing they are. And oh boy, the moment you get it all wrong! So, much to the chagrin of my mom who wanted my attention for a good conversation, I would drown myself into the newspaper trying to solve the puzzles. It was going fine until my bhabhi stepped in and gave it a try too, only to get hooked for the entire span of days I was there. Can you imagine how angry moms can get at this....! I am laughing as I remember mom asking both of us to stop this Sudoku fever. But, we are helpless and see only 1 to 9 all around!
My bhabhi with her daughter.... |
Image Source here |
Kids Smile, Socialize, Smile....
What is it that makes one yearn for that life in India so much? My little kids go crazy as they have helluva good time. With so much love pouring in on them from all directions, they are pampered and spoiled. They become little social butterflies, forgetting toys and cartoons and engage socially in ways that are hard to imagine in US. Some might disagree with my opinion here but I don't intend to generalize. This is my personal opinion and something I witnessed my kids doing. As they added new words to their Hindi dictionary, I giggled at the questions my son would ask hearing songs (What does Ishq barse mean mom....from the song Teri meri kahani from Gabbar!). He finally decided to learn to play the song on his Casio and is these days humming and playing it. My daughter too is infected with the melodious music and has caught on the lyrics. Nani-dadi would often smile at the little aberrations my two year old daughter made while picking up the things she heard from people around her. And not to mention her new-found love for the colorful dresses everyone wears in India - from dupattas to heels, from ear-rings to bangles, she absorbed it all! Bhabhi's mom and my mom-in-law stitched beautiful dresses for her and the way she would sashay in those outfits and reach the mirror to admire herself was amusing and fun watch to watch.
Cookies or Traditional Sweets - What's your pick?
India is incomplete without its myriad rituals and festivals. Feasting with delicacies is so much a part of everyday life there. People flock restaurants on birthdays and festivals, and sometimes, just for some merry-making. So it won't be surprising to find your favorite food-corner completely packed even on week-days! Yes, I was surprised too! But they come to enjoy and enjoyment does not have to wait for weekends. Be prepared to drool over those fluffy pumped-up bhaturas or those crispy mile-long dosas as you wait for your order! Then the vying for exquisite ice-cream flavors (the Popsicles in India have absolutely no match anywhere in the world!) and moong-dal halwa or that oh-so-divine gulab-jamun. Some would say we have all those things in US. Well, it does taste different in India. Give it a try!
Will they disappear if cookies take over?!!! Image Source here |
That's my niece and my son on Raksha Bandhan... |
Me with kiddos at Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon |
Nation's Tallest Tiranga and Making of a Smart City
Town Park in Sector-12 in Faridabad has become the proud owner of the tallest Tiranga. As we passed through the park an umpteen number of times, the Flag stood tall and filled us with pride. And then came the announcement of the Smart City projects from PM Modi. While everyone hoped that Faridabad too would get shortlisted for the smart city, I thought of the small changes people themselves could make to change their city to the city of their dreams. Small steps like sensible garbage disposal, like reduction of food and water wastage, like following traffic rules even when no-one is watching, like respect and regards to the person next door, like hearing and acting on consumer complaints at once - don't you think these little actions can make a huge difference? Allocation of funds from the government to make the city better is definitely a good thing. But those funds cannot change temperaments and raging angers of people who live there. Take for instance Gurgaon whose face has completely changed over the past few years. But people behave recklessly, roads have improper drainage which adds to commuters' woes during monsoons and traffic seems like a hungry monster raising its scary face every day. Mismanagement and passing the buck are two problems that need to be dealt with and each individual can make a difference.
Mobile towers are becoming common-place these days as the smart-city's failed connections and call drops irk and agitate customers. There are speculations on whether they pose a health hazard. And as people debate with half knowledge on the subject, life goes on. Will there be a day when internet connectivity becomes smooth and accessing websites, paying bills, submitting and getting response to one's queries, esp. on government websites , becomes a cake-walk. I hope so. And I also hope that during my next visit to India, I am able blog effortlessly and without any interruption!
Image Source here |
Reliving mom's childhood through her memories
It was with such pleasure that I made her hear songs that had been a part of her long long ago. She remembered Joan Baez, a popular American singer of her times and went through an extensive song list of the singer on YouTube. Her young heart fluttered at the tune of Michelle by The Beatles and her girlish self sparkled in front of me at the tune of I want to hold your hand.
A slightly old pic of my mom with my son....
The trip that lasted for three months had so much to offer - countless little moments that made life worthwhile. As my kids built their little worlds around those who loved them so much, I basked too in the warmth that I felt emanating all around. These were times I will cherish for a long time, probably until I make another such trip and feel blessed in the company of my loved ones. There are miles in between us now. And I find myself humming another song from my mom's childhood, which coincidentally enough, my niece has been learning these days in her school....I am five hundred miles away from home....
This post has been selected by BlogAdda for its Tangy Tuesday Picks!
What a delightful post Sunaina :-)
ReplyDeletethanks Archana...
DeleteWonderful read Sunaina.:)
ReplyDeleteCheers
Sriram & Krithiga
thanks Sri.....
DeleteLovely account of your stay Sunaina. Btw I love the song 500 miles away from home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading through Somali.....yes, the song is so so beautiful.......:)
DeleteBeautiful and heartwarming post, Sunaina. Loved reading it. And adorable pictures :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Purba.....
DeleteLovely sentiments penned Sunaina. They resonate with all of us at one time or another. Keep writing...
ReplyDeleteThanks....I am a bit confused.....is it you Didi....?......Welcome here.....:)
DeleteIt was indeed an heartwarming post. Enjoyed reading it throughout.
ReplyDeleteThat quote on sudoku was great..as is sudoku..if you get the right numbers ;)
Yes Hargun...even I loved the quote so much....thanks for reading it though....I did not intend it to be long but I just went on and on even though I did not cover all about the trip....:)
DeleteAs always, lovely writing Sunaina
ReplyDeletethanks Lata......
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Your blog post was selected for Tangy Tuesday Picks edition on September 29, 2015 at BlogAdda.
Please find it here: http://blog.blogadda.com/2015/09/29/tangy-tuesday-picks-september-29-2015
Thank you so much Team BlogAdda....this means a lot to me.......:)
Deletewow!!!such a nice post sunaina. Enjoyed very much reading it.Wonderful pics !!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Padma....I just realized it's you....Thanks for reading it.....:)
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