National Pride!!!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Every 26th.January my Program is fixed----I watch the live telecast of the Republic Day Parade from the Rajpath--"Royal Way"-----from New Delhi!!!Each morning that day by 9 a.m. I'm ensconced by the the T.V. ---just breakfasted, with a bottle of Water and 2 handkerchiefs---making myself comfortable to watch the Telecast relayed live from New Delhi---my yearly Date with my beloved Country!!
As the Telecast begins with a tribute to the Martyrs of different Wars at India Gate---my tears start flowing----and continue through the awarding of various Bravery Awards---mostly posthumous.It is however the beginning of the March Past that forms a lump of Pride in my throat----and wave after wave of Pride keeps washing over me---this is MY Country---MY People and I am Proud to be an Indian!!!
My Country,My People and My Culture---all are an Ancient unbroken chain which can be traced back to a minimum of 10,000 years.My Country has absorbed the various Cultures of those who came here--both as Conquerors and Guests---and merged with it to form a composite whole-----and always respected Secularity.Today with Pride we can boast of a multi cultural Diversity----ethnic diversity ---but all bonded together as one cohesive Country.Today we are slowly coming into our own---Computer Technology has reached remote Villages---and Mobile Phones are commonplace---I can place an order with my Fisherwoman about the type and amount of Fish I need the next day----it is the cheapest mode of Communication today!!
Today we are a fast progressing Nation---making our mark globally---in Technological Know-How and Medical Expertise----getting many visitors seeking Expert Opinions in both those fields.Of course there are still a few areas which need to be ironed out---but point out a single country in the World where Poverty and Problems don't exist??It is as difficult as finding the Shirt of a Happy Man!!!Our young generation is concentrating on bettering their environment at home and this raises hope in my heart----making me confident of building a wonderful and strong India!!!Jai Hind!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MILLISMA 1/26/2011 4:49PM

Happy Republic Day, Komal! I love your pride and your wonderful traditions! Mary Anne Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITAS66 1/26/2011 1:54PM

I am so proud of our country and what it has achieved. Specially watching the women rising to new heights is so exciting. Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 1/26/2011 12:53PM

I love reading about the pride you have in your country and its people. The world would be a much better place if more people felt and displayed their pride more often. Happy Republic Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

EACHDAYAGIFT 1/26/2011 12:43PM

Happy Republic Day!! I love that you feel things so deeply and love your country so much. As an American, it is always startling to reflect on how young our own country is compared to most. Less than 200 years when I was born, which at that young age sounded like a long, long time. Now that I'm 55 and our country is only 235 years old, and I feel how quickly my own 55 years sped by, I realize how very, very new we are. Our oldest historical buildings are a few hundred years old, not thousands. Our customs go back farther, but they did not originate on our own soil. No wonder you feel proud when you think on all that has gone before you in your native land! I don't know the translation, but "Jai Hind!!!" to you, if it's appropriate for a foreigner to say! I trust you will edit my sentiments if needed! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 1/26/2011 11:32AM

Jai Hind!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Am I Blushing!!!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

This morning I got such a wonderful surprise!!!On my Spark Page and on my Face Book Profile I was delighted to discover these "Beautiful Woman" Awards----7 in all---and I was so happy that I ACTUALLY blushed!!!I am very deeply honoured and touched by the Love and Affection bestowed on me by my Friends---but don't know whether I really deserve this!!!A very heartfelt "Thank You" to you all!!
There are many to whom I too want to say this----Friends whom I've never met---whose voices I've never heard---but their sentiments and thoughts have found an echo in my heart and mind---and who have grown to be true Soulmates---people with whom I can truly be myself---without any artifice!!As a child I had many Pen Friends from all over the Globe---but these SP Friends of mine are far more accessible than those----they're literally just a click away!!!This relationship is a Bond--one that has insidiously wound it's way into my heart and become an integral part of my life---I really miss it so when the stupid servers are down---that's when I resemble a fat,well fed Cat pacing gingerly on a hot Tin Roof!!
The last week has been a bit hectic---getting settled in always is--specially once one is back home!!!Getting the Bags unpacked,Gifts dispensed,Closets tidied,Groceries replenished,Bags stowed away-----a million tiring,irritating but very necessary chores---a little trouble ensures a smoother routine!!Add to that a very dear Festival---Makar Sankranti---dedicated to the bounty of Mother Earth---in dispensing a good Winter Harvest of Chick Peas,Ground Nuts,Sugarcanes,Carrots,wild,sour Berries,tiny Sesame Seed Balls made with roasted Sesame Seeds in Jaggery Syrup called "Til Laddus"-----all ceremoniously filled in small Red Clay Pots decorated with daubs of Sandalwood Paste,Turmeric Powder and Red Kum Kum Powder---worshipped with great reverence and distributed to 5,7,9,11 "Suhaagans" or married women---various numbers in various households!!We arrived early morning on the 14th.of January---this Festival took place on the 15th. of January----I had left cash and a shopping list with my trusty Vanita---and so was all set for it---only drawback being the Jet lag!!!
I am really grateful to God for having granted me such wonderful Domestic Helpers Chhaaya Bai,Vanita,Hira Bai---all three of these ladies is worth their weight in Gold!!We came back to a sparkling clean,well aired home with the Beds spread with freshly laundered Sheets and freshly made home cooked Food ready to heated up as and when needed!!!The next morning all of them reported for duty at 10 a.m. sharp---and by noon the Bags were unpacked and stowed away-----everything went smoothly!!!My grand daughter was wondering why we need to go back to India---specially when she's not there!!Guess the answer is that we're too addicted to our creature comforts and too old to learn new tricks----an unfortunate fact!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BOVEY63 1/25/2011 12:42PM

Great blog. You are a beautiful woman and an awesome SparkFriend! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITAS66 1/25/2011 9:53AM

It sounds like a dream come true to come home and all that work is done. Luxury for us here Report Inappropriate Comment

ATMANI 1/25/2011 8:15AM

Lovely blog. Glad to see you back. Thanks for sharing. I missed reading your blogs Report Inappropriate Comment

SONPARI1 1/25/2011 4:14AM

You are indeed beautiful Komal and U deserve it! Lucky u to have helpful people around. Report Inappropriate Comment

EACHDAYAGIFT 1/25/2011 1:07AM

No need to blush, Komal! Just smile and enjoy! Glad things are getting back to routine so smoothly. Oh, how I, too, love my creature comforts. I would love to go camping again soon, but don't really know if the pleasures of nature would be worth being away from my comfy bed! Report Inappropriate Comment

Musical Memories!!!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Music is my soul----it helps keep my mind on an even keel---while I love Ballads and sad Songs I prefer the livelier Tunes---best pick-me-ups in the World!!!I grew up in the Radio Age---and my constant companion in all my waking hours was the Radio---the Short Wave fading in and out would play all the latest Hits of the time.Specially during the hot Summer nights when we slept out under the Stars on our Terrace---drifting off to sleep---lulled by the Music washing over us!!!
On our recent trip to Target I came across a very beautiful Wooden Musical Box---it was a complete Music Player--with arrangements for Records,Cassettes,Cds as well as a Radio and Voice recorder.This equipment also had the ability to convert Cassettes into CDs---which would have been such a boon for me--looking at the dozens of Cassettes that I've painstakingly compiled to suit my personal taste---unfortunately it was unpractical to carry back home---'coz previous buys have brought home the fact that mundane things like Voltage,Climatic conditions(Humidity etc.) cause terrible problems---resulting in disappointment when the item refuses to work!!!
The solution to this is access to the Internet's Juke Box---Youtube---of which I'm fast becoming an addict!!This wonderful Portal is taking me down Memory Lane in style---I'm meeting so many of my old favourites----beginning with as far back as the original "Musical Cowboy" Gene Autry besides Bing Crosby, Jim Reeves,Pat Boone,Fats Domino,Nat king Cole and "Ole Blue eyes" Frank Sinatra!!The heart throbs of my youth are very much there and these days I'm indulging in Gluttony---which won't give me any Indigestion for sure----plenty of Elvis,Cliff Richard,Nina & Fredrick,Glen Campbell----The Beatles,The Platters,The Kingston Trio----I'm so spoiled for choice!!!Whatever the Music it does set the mood for the Day----and then I dance the day away!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAGIK0731 1/20/2011 11:52AM

Its funny how music can set the tone for anything and help us through bad times yet add a certain flare to good times. What would we do without music? Report Inappropriate Comment

ATMANI 1/20/2011 9:55AM

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SAASHA17 1/19/2011 3:23PM

what would we do without Music? Report Inappropriate Comment

RAIN454 1/19/2011 3:10PM

Are you sure you're Indian? lol..kidding...but always amazing when I hear ppl in India relic on American classics...i am so naive to think that you guys grew up just listening to Bollywood greats like Mukesh and Lata and that fabulous bunch. Music is therapy for me...and love to workout with it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZANNACHAN 1/19/2011 1:23PM

A post after my own heart! I love music and have music on when I'm doing just about anything--except sleeping, because I can't *not* listen to it and so I spend hours lying there listening to music. I listened to the radio all the time growing up, so it's kind of funny but I have no patience for it now! I hate the advertisements and for a long time--though this has changed--I couldn't find stations that carried music I like. But now I have an ipod which is kind of like having my own portable, private radio station. Have you ever used Pandora? I haven't used it much myself, but I've heard wonderful things about it. It's kind of like an internet radio, only it tailors it to you. So you pick a song or an artist--say Frank Sinatra--and it selects music based on that choice. And you can tell it "no more of this artist" or "more of that one" I think to tailor it further. Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 1/19/2011 12:54PM

I too love having music around me, and have the radio on all day at work as well as music blaring throughout the house when cleaning. I even wear a headset when shoveling. Report Inappropriate Comment

Back Home---Refreshed and Recharged!!!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The last 3 months of 2010 were great---first a Holiday in London followed by the Vacation in Los Angeles---feted,treated and cossetted by both our daughters in turn!!!All this change helped us both to really relax and unwind---result?A rejuvenated couple---feeling AND looking fresh---and raring to go!!!
While the London Holiday was a short one---well it's just 8 hours away---so a hop,skip and jump from home----more easily traversed than the trip to Los Angeles---two 9 hour hauls and then a 4 hour one---besides waiting in Transit on Airports---the journey takes almost 26-28 hours!!While on the way the anticipation of meeting the children spices up the long haul---it's on the way back that we're a bit disheartened---miss the children till our routine sets in---then we're back to being on our own again!!
This was the first time that Sayali wasn't in the United States.Earlier our route used to be to Atlanta where we'd clear Immgration and Customs---we always travel Delta-----and then a short flight--- earlier to Rochester(NY) and later New York---cutting our flying time considerably.We'd then fly out to Los Angeles from Sayali's place and back----resting for a few days before returning home.This time we had a long flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles and back---very tiring!!Besides the flight took us via Amsterdam---the Customs and Security took a while because they were very thorough---which made the Transit---however comfortable the Lounges maybe---the wait still seems even longer!!
This trip our grand daughter was clinging more to us than earlier---she goes off to College in 2012----so if she's nearby she'll drop in on the Weekends---if not then maybe a short visit to see us then---she's already in tears over the situation way in advance!!Just last year she couldn't wait to get her Permit to drive----now she wants to become a child again and stay protected and pampered-----it's difficult coming to terms with oneself these days---specially for teenagers!!As for me---age has taught me to take things as they come---crossing my bridges only when I arrive there---why worry about them in advance?Our grand Daughter was vehement in denying my age---"Aaji you should wear make up---and vibrant colours---why don't you get a haircut too???" she asked---so that sort of woke me up from my stupor!!I began making the effort to look smarter---Sudhir has seen me totally dishevelled with sleepy and puffy eyes each morning for well nigh 40 years now---but getting fulsome Compliments from him does make the day brighter----still!!
So while I'm skeptical about my lasting power---I begin with great Vim and Vigour and then after a while the enthusiasm beens to fade and wane and finally I'm back to telling myself that what does it matter as long as I'm comfortable being me!!!Now I don't know whether that's being comfortable in my skin---or plain laziness!!However---for the last few days I've been dressing pretty--wearing my Apron while cooking to keep my clothes looking band box fresh minus spills and stains---got out my jealously guarded hoard of Perfumes---so smell like a veritable perfumerie----a different one each day---wearing Lipstick at home these days----gives me a real kick each time I glance in the mirror----catch myself peeking and preening more often-----I may as well have lots of fun while this phase lasts!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PARM01 1/22/2011 3:34AM

Enjoyed reading your blog. Comment edited on: 1/22/2011 8:02:45 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

ZANNACHAN 1/19/2011 1:17PM

I have missed your blogs but I'm so glad that your trip went well! One good thing about skipping New York--you missed all the snow that they have been having lately! I love traveling--once I get where I'm going, but flying is exhausting to me. And your trip was a lot farther than anything I've ever done! The longest trip I've had was to Scotland--about 12 hours with the lay over, more when you count getting to the airport, through security, landing, getting baggage, going through customs, etc. It's amazing how much time, especially with layovers, flying can take! A trip from Detroit, Michigan to Merida, Mexico--which I did a number of times--could be as short as 6 hours and as along as 12. Enjoy the phase you're in! I think that when we take a little extra time (though I should in full disclosure say that as I type this my hair is in messy french braids and that I'm wearing workout clothes, as I'm planning on workout soon) to make ourselves look our best, we tend to feel better about ourselves. It's a balancing act, at least for me--I resent it when I feel pressured by other people to wear make up when I don't feel like it, or to dress in styles I don't care for. But knowing that you look good can help boost your self esteem and self confidence. Report Inappropriate Comment

MILLISMA 1/18/2011 6:21PM

Have missed you and your blogs. Sounds like you had a wonderful time despite the travel time. I have a feeling that you are very comfortable with the person that you are but it is fun to add a few "finishing touches". hugs....Mary Anne Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 1/18/2011 5:43PM

So happy that you had such a wonderful time with your family and came back with such a positive attitude. Looking forward to hearing from you more now that you're back home. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAIN454 1/18/2011 1:00PM

Welcome back, Komal! I missed you and your blogs!!! I used to grab a snack and read your beautiful, intricate, and entertaining stories so looking forward to "snack time" again...lol. London is like one of my favorite places...always wanted to live there for a year...so jealous you got to spend some time there. LA is fun..did you do any shopping? Glad you got to spend some quality time with everyone! Take care! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 1/18/2011 12:00PM

Welcome back Komal...U were missed:) Well glad ur trip went well:) Well dressing up everyday is fun for urself too:) Report Inappropriate Comment

EACHDAYAGIFT 1/18/2011 10:57AM

I shudder to think of that journey. I would have to be drugged and packed in a crate, I think. My longest flight was to Hawaii, I think about 12 hours total, and the stress of that was enough to have me shuttling back and forth to the bathroom and praying the fasten seatbelt sign wouldn't require me to stay in my seat. Lets just say confined spaces, crowds, and my anxiety issues don't play well together!! I know what you mean: the trip back home is worse, without the excited anticipation of the destination. Glad you got to spend such a nice, long time with your daughters and granddaughter. Is she thinking of going to college in India? Report Inappropriate Comment

MESSENE 1/18/2011 8:36AM

So glad your trip went well, sound like you had a time! Glad you have back too! Report Inappropriate Comment

SONPARI1 1/18/2011 5:31AM

Welcome back Komal, missed your blogs all these days. Good to see in gr8 spirits...looking forward to all your travel tales :) Report Inappropriate Comment

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

This is a very personal letter I'm writing to each one of you----to wish all my wonderful and very dear Spark friends a very,very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!The Internet is erratic here---so though I wanted to send Spark Goodies to each one of you---thanks to bad connectivity could manage only a few!!!Will try to send these on New Year--if not---then after the 14th.Jan.2011---for that's when I reach back home.
All of you have given me great Support and Happiness in this past one year---I consider myself very lucky and blessed to have Friends like each one of you----Thank You Folks---and may each one of you and your Families and Homes be blessed with
Good Health,Happiness,Harmony,Prosperity and Peace always.May each one of you attain desired Success in each of your ventures and Fulfill ALL your Dreams!!!
Take Care my very,very valued and Dear Friends------God Bless!!!
Lots of love and Best wishes,
Komal

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BOVEY63 1/2/2011 11:42AM

Lots of love and best wishes to you too! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZANNACHAN 12/27/2010 2:30PM

Thanks for the Christmas wishes! I hope you are having a wonderful time on your visit and that you have a safe trip back home. May you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Years! Report Inappropriate Comment

FITNESSFREAK10 12/27/2010 3:10AM

Thanks and same to you. Report Inappropriate Comment

*MADHU* 12/27/2010 12:44AM

Merry Christmas and Healthy, Happy Prosperous New Year to you too! Stay safe, warm and have a happy journey back home :) Report Inappropriate Comment

ATMANI 12/26/2010 3:47PM

Thank you and wish you the same. Report Inappropriate Comment

MILLISMA 12/26/2010 2:43PM

Komal, What beautiful comments! We are thankful for your support and friendship also. Look forward to logging on and reading about your traditions and memories. Take care my friend. hugs.....Mary Anne Report Inappropriate Comment

MESSENE 12/26/2010 12:31PM

Best wishes!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DRASADAF 12/26/2010 11:32AM

thx Komalji...wish u the same....... Report Inappropriate Comment

GRACIE1232 12/25/2010 3:52PM

Good thoughts and wishes to you too. Report Inappropriate Comment