My Little Log Book

Girls, Ladies and Beautiful Women, Here's another Womens' Day! Now how do we know its here? The 2 dozen greetings on whatsapp wishing you a Hppy Womens' Day should give you a cue. Or the incessant jabbering of the RJ on radio, perhaps. What is one supposed to do about the messages? One knows that one is part of a group mail, group broadcast. The prudent thing is to just ignore. Well before ignoring one can actually read a few and realise how awesome and special one is - right? Now heres the biggest cue for the day. Even your grumpy son wakes up to wish you a "Happy Women's Day". Now you know you really have to dress up a bit for the women's day theme at work. No pulling on whatever one can lay one's hands on. Sarees and costume jewellery to match - ticked. You know you are going to be late - again, since you haven't started to get ready taking into account the saree wearing ceremony! Sarees and accessories matched (you wonder how people do it...

If it was a small world and we would all be staying near each other, Suresh Bhai was one person I would definitely love to have as one of my neighbours. We were all young kids, playing, going to school, not caring about the world as kids do, when this Marwari family moved into the neighbourhood. Initially they were introduced to us by a close doctor friend of my father. My first memory is of a young Suresh standing on our doorsteps with a box of nail polish as a gift. Young, shy and answering my father's myriad questions. They had a stationery / electrical / all in one shop right on the main Ranihat Square which seemed to populate the streets of Cuttack. I guess this was their attempt to know the local families and integrate with them. Over the years Suresh became an integral part of our family even calling my parents Nana and Bou. Their shop was a favourite pit stop for everyone from our house. I sometimes wonder.. why did they chose us when our colony had another 20 odd househ...

Today morning while driving, when I did my customary obeisance to HIM, I felt a strange sense of foreboding. Some unnamed fear seemed to follow me, to beckon at me.   For generations we have worshipped a wooden God with His round all seeing eyes. On large wall calendars, recent desktop calendars, pocket calendars, key rings, wall hangings, dashboards, book covers, He is everywhere. And when He is not present in any seeing form, He makes His presence felt somewhere deep in our minds and hearts. He seems to be just Present. Kids exams, problems at home, fight with family, husband,   problems at job, ill health, anything,   any small problem or non-problem, I run to him, seek solace and find it. Today He was there sitting on my car’s dashboard, when I started my car, closed my eyes for a second… when I felt this strange thing. Now, why? Is it because of something personal? Some deep seated fear or insecurity? But ups and downs are part of life and I accept it. I pr...

The end of an iconic journey

At Paro International airport on the way back to India after an eventful trip. Checked in, security cleared, now waiting for the flight, which is almost 2 hours away, with a fresh brew of the Himalayan Java. Nothing moves without a Java. Quite like this airport. Nice to see an airport that still retains its old world charm. Otherwise all airports look the same these days ... sterile and uniform. The roof has what I call the Bhutanese motto. The checked tiles. The take off was breathtaking. In a fairy tale kind of way. The land of Dragons and the Yeti seen from the sky. Would love to come here in different climates. And explore the ancient country more. Airport Toilets.. the Paro toilet was squeaky clean. Now coming to India. Why can't we have Indian type toilets? Western toilets are being used by most urban householders and they are the target customers for airlines. But can't we have simple India style toilets that many ladies are still comfortable using? Every time I see a...

Camera - checked Cash - checked Comfortable shoes and dual purpose sandals - checked Medicine - general Sunscreen / face cream Mosquito repellent Pee Safe Tissues Sufficient Winter clothes since I don't wish to spend my nights shivering Chargers Socks Sufficient pairs of jeans tees undergarments Lip gloss, ear studs and other wee accessories Passport And again sufficient cash and cards So goes a checklist before my journey. All packed and ready to start. Despite the longish looking checklist. I pack quite light (or so I think). It's International Women's Day. Don't know why only one day should be women's Day or various other days... but somehow fitting to be starting off on a car rally to Bhutan on this day!

The planning for the trip is well under way. The flag off from Kolkata to Siliguri has started. Though we will join at a later date at Siliguri, our vehicle, an Ecosport has already gone ahead. We will be flying to Siliguri, driving from there to Thimpu and then again flying back home because to a real constraint of time. It is Time Speed Distance Rally. So a bit apprehensive that might not be able to soak in the sights. Anyways... that can happen on another trip!