common boat

How can I grieve alone on my husband's first death anniversary today? So many families have lost their near and dear. Humanity is on this common boat held to ransom by the pirates of terror. L'enfer c'est ici et dans le présent. And we seem to have no control over anything.

bombay meri jaan

I've been watching the horror story unfold on television. NDTV , Prannoy Roy and Barkha Dutt are doing a great job, a passionate heart-rending coverage.
My memories of the Taj Mahal - going for a boat ride at the Gateway and heading back with a lovely view of the Taj. Taking a buggy ride along the Taj to show off Bombay to my daughters.
As a kid, my dad took us to the Taj for coffee perhaps a couple of times. Too expensive, but we could go in freely. We often used the toilet in the lobby and peered happily at the luxury around! The last time I visited this part of my childhood, a couple of years back, was to check out the bookstore in the Taj. I bought a book, used the toilet for old times' sake and stepped out content.
My stomach turns now to watch the 'rape' of Bombay as someone called it.
Oh my dear dynamic city, city of my formative years, I pray for your soul.

surprise party

Faith and Humanity

Today I walked to get a rickshaw, dragging along this old lady - my 75 year old mother. A toyota stopped for us, a couple offered to drop us where we wanted to go. I was really touched. Normally cars honk past without a look at people like me who trudge along the pot holes. My faith in humanity was rekindled by this simple act - where someone tried to help an old lady walking along with me. It warmed my heart and made me feel the world is still a decent place, inspite of the misguided maniacs who blast innocent lives.

the surprise party

Birthday - what difference does it make - death is equally pre-destined. With morbid, sad thoughts I went to bed. Half asleep, nearing 12 on the 12th of sept. Suddenly with a hue and cry I was woken out of my depressed state. Ambika had invited my office pals and the other bright regulars who came home to surprise me with a party - complete with tiara, party caps, pompoms, candles which wouldn't go off, confetti, gifts, cake and so on...
These are moments to live for, in the present and with a lot of joy and show of affection. A glow spread over my soul. We took pics, made merry and a good time was had by all, till we broke up for the night/morning! The next day at Rehab centre there was another little cake that I shared with the therapists and the special kids who came in. The loveliest gift I received was a picture colored by an autistic non-verbal kid - Jude - he flung it on my table as my birthday gift and walked away. That was the gift that touched me most, that taught me to value what I have, children who can walk, talk, understand, show affection... I learnt to share my abilities with those who are differently abled.

Paris 2005

Voir Paris et mourir - ville lumière, ville joyeuse. C'était comme une ville que j'ai déjà visitée dans une vie antérieure. Partout autour de moi j'entendais cette langue musicale, j'ai parlé avec des étrangers en français, tout le monde était sympa - malgré ce que les touristes m'ont dit au sujet des Parisiens - peut être parceque je parlais leur langue?
5 jours ne suffisaient pas du tout - je dois y rentrer...

francofolie

J'adore la langue française - ce coup de coeur a commencé depuis mon enfance et ça dure encore très fort. Il y a quelque chose - la musique de cette langue - qui m'y attire.
C'est aussi ma langue secrète, quand je voulais écrire mon journal intime - que personne chez moi devait comprendre, c'est le français qui m'a sauvé!

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