பு: ரித்து உனக்குக் கதை சொல்லவா?
ரித்து: வேணாம்! நீ என்னை நைஸா ஏமாத்தி என்கிட்ட இருந்து Ball-ஐ பிடுங்கி அமிதேஷ் கிட்ட குடுத்திடுவே. நீ அவன்கிட்ட பேசின நான் கேட்டுட்டேன்
பு: ச்சே என்னை டுபாக்கூர் பார்ட்டின்னு நினைச்சியா? நிஜமா உனக்குக் கதை சொல்லலாம்னுதான் நினைச்சேன்
தக்ஷ்: “ரித்து, புவனாவுக்கு அவ்வளவு மூளை எல்லாம் கிடையாது”
பு: …………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!……………………..சிரிப்போ சிரிப்பு
அம்மா: இன்னைக்கு மார்கழி மாசம்
மகள்: என்னது??? மார்கரிட்டா பிட்ஸாவா? வாங்கித் தர்றீங்களா
Daksh…I need to give your identification marks….
…Daksh is like a flawless marble statue…none absolutely….
Have to break my head everytime in search of a mole or scar.
Daksh instantly gave me 2 options
1. Bob-cut
2. Very beautiful
Third option came when I was sleeping….”She wakes me up to ask”
3. Can we give the injury on the finger?
My sleepy response, “Can we discuss tomorrow morning Daksh?”
Then I told myself…”Not bad Daksh!!! There is a scar”
We were at Vandalur
We frequently stopped for refreshments
I told, “If there is a cage around us…the name could be “Over-eating animals”
Cool Ritu told very coolly…with a Kulfi in hand, “Ice-cream Gorillas”
Wow….Ritu!!!
That was the venue for the network meeting. UN rules don’t allow more than 9 of its staff in one flight. We arrived in batches to Patna. There were friends waiting there for us giving us yellow rose and a photographer clicking pictures as if we were some celebrities. Then a quick airport transfer to IAS Officers Association building -Tea, snacks and lunch was served there. Friends greetings each other, catching up, gossip and some of us watching rains. In between another photo session. Got a feeling we are making news just by stepping into Bihar. Our friends flight delayed because of the heavy rains. The Chief of Field Office and the Programme Manager arrived there to welcome us. We were in the first flight from Delhi and waited almost 3-4 hours till other friends joined us. Then when everyone landed 12 Innovas left Patna to BodhGaya. We were follwing the vehicle whose driver thought Bye-Pass is more crowded. He took us instead through the busiest business street of Patna. We never moved. When the person coordinating vehicles realised the missing vehicles and started calling drivers to bring us back to the right route. It was almost 90 minutes and when we reached the so called National Highway, we realised we were only 2 kms from IAS Bhavan where we left. Isn’t it a tremendous journey? 90 minutes and no move!!! When other friends reached the venue in 3 hours and found time to sleep before dinner, we only landed to rush to dinner and sleep. More than 4 hours on road was so very difficult without any health break in between. But there was meticulous planning and sufficient refreshments in gift bags for each of us left in the vehicle. Fresh fruits, dry fruits, biscuits, chips, juice, mint etc…But again there were friends ready to put Tilak on our forehead to welcome us and help us check-in. Again in the room there was the very beautiful workshop bag and a nice mail from Chief of Field office welcoming all of us. There was a dinner invitation and there was a handmade book mark with shape of Peepal leaf on the table with our names and a one word description of all of us. I got the title ‘Ms. Diligent’….do I deserve? What gives that impression? (my inner talks) Next day morning we had the opportunity to visit BodhGaya. Again I was in the vehicle whose driver assumed we are going to RajGiri. Instead of BodhGaya just 1 km away, he had driven us 10+km and until Teresa suggested, ‘Let’s ask’…When we asked his reply, “Another 1 hours-we realised…and started laughing. But we made it to BodhGaya. The place so special -this is where Budha got enlightenment under the Peepal tree in 623 BC. The Peepal tree was still there. There were tourists from all Budhist and Non-Budhist countries. Some meditating under the tree to become Budha. To me the persistent questions were -why can’t this place be maintained better? Of all places Buddha chose Bihar to get enlightened. If it was Thailand, this place would have shined so much…My God! Why are we like this. I promptly shared my feelings with one of the Bihar Education Department official and he told me, ‘This place is maintained by the Trust with representatives from all countries. Now is the peak season for another ritual happening in a nearby riverside Vishnu temple. He summed up, ‘In any case this maintenance and cleanliness is quite good for Bihar’s standards’. Then it was our school visit. We visited a nice school and Giri, Sulagna ji me were together. It was real fun and they made the field trip better than a usual ritual. They generously made me the note-taker. We didn’t miss anything. We visited each class. The Child Cabinet was impressive. Children’s bright faces was promising. The classes wer over full. Children asked Sulagna ji-’What should I do to become an IAS officer?’ / Engineer etc. Beside the elevated corridor by the kitchen children usually take lunch and some were falling down unknowingly-the head teacher had made a plan to level the group and make that patch a farm and luckily there was an Irrigation and Agriculture Minister int he Child Cabinet to take cae of the land. Giri entered through the back door and in his blue kurta he was close to the school uniform. Sulagna ji and I entered through the front door. Smar Sulagna ji told the students, “You have a new student there…would you like to take him in your class?” They made space for Giri. Sulagna ji gave them permission to ask him question. Though they started by asking, “What is your name?”, quickly they realised their opportunity and asked Giri, in 8 cubed / 8 to the power 3 which is the base and the exponent. Giri not only told what is what but also told the answer for 8X8X8. Two students verified the accuracy of the response. It was all so natural and so smart. In another class there was a puzzle of identify hiding animals in an alphabet grid. Very fulfilling visit on the whole…Then it was visit to Nalanda University -The Buddhist Monastery Institution remains….Great glorious history and we came to know Khilji destroyed the university. Why didn’t they admit Khilji in Nalanda? Then he would not have destroyed it. The thickness of brick walls was 2-3 feet and that we realised was the reason why the building remains cool in summer and warm in winter. Hats off to all glory of the past. It was nice to see the faculty cubicles, bookshelves etc. The books were burning for 6 months after Khilji set it to fire. Luckily Yuan-Chwang / Hsuan-Tsuang the Chinest Buddhist Scholar who studied there carried 600+ books to China and saved them from becoming ashes. When we reached the venue, I was so tired and had mild headache. Rushed for a shower to save myself and already the sharing started from my group. In the very end I added 3 points for my satisfaction. We wondered how students might have travelled from all over the world 2 years for a 3 year course to Nalanda. Sulagna ji replied, “Exactly like us travelling 3 days for a 2 days meeting” Yes including the field trip day it was 3 days travel. But I wonder how the Bihar team managed to serve us a heavy packed lunch that we enjoyed in Nalanda lawn.The 2 days meeting went well. I found time in between to do my work and complete a long pending write-up. On the field trip day evening there was official dinner hosted by Bihar office. I learnt the politics of seating and it matters where anyone sits and chats with food. I have no ability to do both. If I am chatting, I’m the last to finish my food and I am slow even otherwise. The next day full day meeting and in the end we were taken to watch a play based on Agatha Christie’s story. Just before the play started, we had the Pizza treat the speciality of the theatre restaurant. It was truly world-class. But after the play another dinner. We wondered how and why Bihar office was pampering us. The second day meeting was lively with more group interactions. Post-lunch we were gifted the MUG with our picture-BodhGaya temple and meeting details. Now we know why we were over-clicked. But thanks for allllllllllllllllllll the heartfulness/thoughtfulness of the Bihar team. They made us feel so special at every moment. They served some Bihari delicacies and sweets and took order from us if we wanted to take home and even that was finely coordinated -we could collect them on our way back to Patna airport…Early flight travellers got the first packs delivered in their rooms….My God! This was amazing team work. 12 drivers, a travel coordinator and 3 Adminstration, Supply Department colleagues. I was told the other specialty of the meeting is the participation of friends from Finance and Advocacy sections -the Chief fought and got them in. The second day / the last evening before we left, we went again to BodhGaya temple-this time as the full team and enjoyed the evening meditating in a great place that could be maintained better. I am sure I’ve missed out more. But it was so fulll…the treatment and the experience overall. Some leaving in trains, some arriving second or third day…but everyone getting pick-up, drop and coffeee mug with pictures of self. Not at all easy. But they made it happen! Shweta who planned and coordinated everything told, “If it is Kerala, there is no need to do anything because the place is beautiful already” But in Bihar if I don’t do all this, you people may start feeling bored and there is nothing to entertain all of you” But all their hard work made us leave the State with good memories. Bihar may not receive positive feedback always. But turned out to be the most hospitable state with human touch. Likewise in Kabul I had Noor coming to receive me at the Baggage Claim point -Afghanistan we may fear. Next time when someone says, “Oh my God! Are you going there?” Be sure! You will have the best experience there only! There is an IAS officer on deputation and he was so full of good humour. Someone told him, “You look like a Bihari Don” His reply, “Say either Bihari or Don” Both mean the same…..Then the second day we spotted some armed security on the corridor and someone asked him if it was his “Z Branch”. His reply, “I just told the commissioner-There are some HIGH PROFILE UN officials staying in this Hotel- The Royal Residency. (But actually that was not our security. The Police Commissioner was there in the same hotel. Our team had Police in mufti…) Sulagna ji asked, “All of us are here…What will happen if it gets bombed?” His reply, “Nothing will happen! Education in India will be saved” Ha ha ha ha ha….so very true sir
Daksh insisted she’ll stay awake. She spoke with me once the landing happened. But could not stay awake beyond 11:30pm. She was staying awake with amma and appa. She was in deep sleep when I reached home. Luckily the quickest taxi ever and I was home on September 30 itself. I managed to sleep after midnight 12. Daksh came up around 5 am and that was the end of my sleep. I prefer ealier flights. But this one inevitable since we were travelling the whole day – The road travel started at Bodh Gaya around 9 am and at Patna airport around 1 pm. At Delhi airport around 6 pm and the take off around 8:40 pm instead of 8 from Delhi. However landed earlier than expected 10:55 pm…. Kids went to drawing class on Saturday. In the evening we made it to Dasara Dolls Display. Daksh sang many songs. Next day, Daksh, me and amma went to visit amma’s brother in a hospital on Sunday. Monday was the Birthday shopping day. My legs had so much pain and I was totally tired while we stepped out of the shop. Dakshin Darling had energy to think of a visit to EA and a movie in EA around 4 pm. Luckily we went to Mags office instead and reached home comfortably. 2 days we had guests. One day we manged to go to a movie in 2 batches and return together in TATA Magic. Movie was quite hopeless and the ride in the nice vehicle was fun. It was all Daksh treat for her Birthday. Then one day I managed visit again my uncle who was to be discharged and that was a real DAY with some shopping for others -mobile, sweets and snack, clothes and what not…none for me though!!! Bought some stuff for home on the way and was back home around 6 pm – a real record considering the travel to the other side of the city. Lots of work pending. Lots of dreams to be accomplished yet…Keeping no plans works well in Chennai -though the last day rush and last night sleelessness inevitable. Daksh seems to be happy -watching a lot of TV, doing her favourite craft works from her books and ordering her favourite food to where she is watching TV. Looks like I climb up the stairs 20 times daily. No outstation, long distance trips made in the past 1 week. I am working from home this week and there are some mails to see and reply and calls to coordinate. Some substantial works when she’s sleeping. This quick update so that nothing is lost from memory. Today-Tomorrow off and the school reopens on Monday. Hope as always God helps me to stay sane and get the priorities right….
We studied in a beautiful university. We love it and cherish the memories. Fifteen of us, young girls- formed this lovely friendship gang. We were together from 1995 to 2001 always in the class and hostel. We immensely enjoyed our time together and also our maggi and tea. One of our friends the most beautiful and stylish with child like sweet smile met with a tragic accident on the last day of our college. She is perfectly fine –only her movement confined because the spine was hurt. After the treatment, she went to UP. We had minimum contact with each other and lost touch with almost everyone.
Within 3 months of fb entry, all of us found each other-though the surnames have changed after marriage. Through one friend to another, the 14 of us are now back in touch. We got back in touch with my sweet smiling friend after 13 years through her cousin. We came to know she was losing weight and getting into depression as years passed with restricted movement. She has a lovely mother, brother and sister-in-law and a full-time caretaker to support her. Though her hands could move fingers had some constraints but with her thumb, she was able to receive calls and send texts.
From different states, UP, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jharkand, 8 of us started writing to her text messages and mails almost daily. We all decided to meet at Delhi and take a train to meet our friend in UP. We went to Delhi. We bought a simple laptop as a gift for our friend so that she can be active on our fb network. When we reached her place, she was so happy and so full of tears.
Through her, the reunion happened and each of received all the vibrant energy from each other. In her house, to remember and relive our old hostel days we kept eating maggi and drinking Tea in a few rounds though we were neither hungry nor in need of it.
She and her sweet smile are just the same. She refused ‘Tea’ and told I’m happy to talk and listen. ‘You are still rocking baby! Look at us out of shape after babies’. She smiled for this comment too
Can you believe the coincidence? This meeting of our sweet friend happened on ‘Friendship Day’. We weren’t aware of this while figuring out mutually convenient dates. Some smarties brought friendship bands and put on each others’ hands. This was simply amazing!
How can I miss out the hurdles in the journey? My husband who works in another state was supposed to come and take care of my 5 year old girl and 2 year old boy to relieve me. His audit team arrived and he was held up. My aunt came to my rescue and the plan didn’t change.
My friend with whom I started first started discussing the plan conceived after 10 years. We thought it is wiser to wait till she crosses the first trimester. When it was her 4th month, her in-laws opposed her idea of the travel. She told, ‘I already committed to my friends’.
Unfortunately when she reached the airport, she realised she missed her flight. When she called me from the airport, I suggested, ‘Consider going back-may be this indicates something’. Her reply, ‘I think I conceived only with the good thought and dream of meeting our friend. How can I give up? Something can happen to me even when I’m at home. I will come in the next flight and I will not go back.’
Against all little blocks, we made it. Now….My friend is back in touch with all of us through fb. Thanks to her brother who got her a data card. Now she lives in an all new world and all of us too. Thanks to her. She is gaining weight is improving and. She says she is waiting for a miracle. She says one day she will be able to walk again and she will come to me. I think God will make it happen and she will come.
I didn’t realise this is a precious real life friendship story worth writing down-till someone listening to it typed it as told by me.
Yes I agree with the title.
Friends can bring back your smile!
It’s she who brought back our smiles.
Her sweet smile is the light that fills our hearts each day!
D: I can’t walk
B: OK! I’ll carry you! Why don’t you get on my back?
B: OK Daksh…Jump and get on
Daksh jumped to get on to my shoulder
Guess what happened?
Guess
Guess
Guess
I was on the floor
I just sat on the floor
I didn’t fall
She didn’t fall
I lost balance and hit the floor
No injury
Nothing to worry
But Daksh was worried that may be I was hurt
Any other child would have only laughed and laughed
But she was so considerate
But now when I recall…she laughs…
I also laugh when I recall & writing this just to feel betteer
Learning:
1. My little girl is growing & still think she is a baby 3 or 5
2. Next time I shall go near an elevated place and she can get on my back from there…easy shifting rather than this difficult reaching
(Or) I should come down to her height and take her
All search
All waiting
All suffering
All struggles
Totally tiring
I’m done
No one knows
Only you my God
Every load unbearable
Every pain unthinkable
Instead of pleasure and pain
Now the cycle repeats only pain
Unfair-very very unfair
Not a ray of hope
Never before so much
Everything too much
Everything adds to the stress
Even the stress-busters you designed
Your direct care in your ICU
Feels like the only way
Your otherwise positive Bhu feels this way
You may know before I say
Whatever is the time-limit
Don’t you see this is it?
God please take charge
God, I surrender totally, completely
God please forgive me
My million sins
My countless mistakes
My hurting, my outbursts
My impatience
My distrust
Please forgive everything
Forgive me also for the moments I didn’t remember you
Please do something
Please come to my rescue now
I trust only you
Please come soon
Miss you in my eyes
You like my eyes
To you, they are ‘Shiny eyes’
Only you see the shine
Don’t know if I belong to you
But my eyes belong to you
Everything belongs to God
God owns the beginning and the end
But heart likes to own -as its own
What it likes -when it likes
Eyes shine when the heart is happy
Heart is happy when the eyes shine
To you my eyes are truthful
Truth shines always
Tears shine at times
Shine is shine though not mine
My eyes reflect like mirror
Your shine not mine
You see in my eyes your shine
Only you see the shine
