i Meeting Me after One Year

Mike, Here's me fulfilling your request for this blog. I would have done it even anyways ;o)

I have returned home from a year of deputation in the USA just 2 weeks back. First thoughts - shocked to see Chennai in more or less the same state as last year, scared to see an overwhelming number of people standing outside the airport at 3.00 AM for their relatives and friends. They must be no different from my parents and friend who were waiting to receive me; its just that I had not seen so many people crowded in one place at a time for a long time now. I spent the next couple days comparing and contrasting India with the USA and feeling pity for the state of affairs in India - infrastructure, attitude of people, education system etc. However, I did see something more which I had not while I lived in this country for the past 23 years - the size of the market here. Its unimaginably BIG and I like to word it as this - "America is a land of opportunities; India is a land of possibilities." I have become conscious of the relevance of the Indian story in the world market only this recently. Another thought - India is a massive project. Hypothetically, if we could take away half of its population, providing infrastructure would not be so difficult. Now a reality check, India is growing at an alarming pace. So I am happy to see India where it stands today and the heights it can grow to. India's population is both its strength as well as weakness; things will improve with time. First change - my perception of India :o)

The first week was focused on shopping for my attire; visiting office and meeting couple friends there. I was also packing for my mini vacation to Delhi, Jodhpur and Mumbai. the objectives were clearly 2 - visit my grandmom in Jodhpur; meet Sajal; Supriya and Salonee in Mumbai.

Mom and I travelled to Delhi by train. I was interested in the train because i wanted to experience a long train travel once again. It was a 2 night , 1 day journey and we reached there on a Monday morning. My jeeju (brother-in-law) was there at the station to receive us. We took a cycle rickshaw to their home in Chawri Bazaar - one of the busiest market places in old Delhi city. Maya didi, my sister made us some delicious "baajre ki kheech" - traditonal Rajasthani food, for lunch. It was the most fulfilling lunch I had in these past 2 weeks. We then set out for some shopping in the evening. We had taken the Metro rail which transported us to Cannaught Places and Palika Bazaar in less than 7 mins. The shopping wasn't all that great; did not find anything as such that caught my eyes. The air in Delhi was "cold" and "heavy" - that's the best I can describe to differentiate it from the cold weather in Houston city during the last month. I developed a bad stomach ache, terrible cold, an irritating throat and a slight headache by next morning. We, however, pursued with our shopping mission and satisfied my taste buds feasting on the Chole Bature, Paneer Tikka, Paneer Pakodas and Pani Puris. As day approached its end, I spent some funny moments with my nephew Monu and jeejaji mimicking a few actors and a Nepali gurkha's characters. We laughed our tummies out reminding me of college days. Dinner happened, a group photo followed and the next thing was our movement to the railway station to board our train to Jodhpur. Things I picked from Delhi - a leather jacket, a t-shirt and a pair of sandals, souvenirs for mom and dad in the US.

Wednesday morning around 10.30 AM we reached Jodhpur in Rajasthan. After a brief stay at my aunt's where we freshened up, Mom and I decided to visit few relatives and friends. It was evening by the time we made it to my Grandmom's place. My granny is over 82 years and live by herself. It was on Diwali that I had promised her that I would definitely visit her this year. I was meeting her after 7 years. We crossed the gates to her home, and as the neighbours caught sight of us and engaged us in a chit chat, grandma came out to see her visitors. She was taken aback with disbelief to see me. After the initial tears, hugs we settled for some nice hot dinner. My condition worsened by the minute and within me mercury was rising. Granny massaged my hair and telling me how I had come to visit her for just one night and had fallen sick on the same day. The night was difficult, I could barely sleep. In the morning, I visited the local doctor and got myself examined; picked up a few medicines at the pharmacy and we then moved to my parent's bunglow in Kamala Nehru Nagar. As I walked through its doors, I could recall how dad and mom had been planning to move out of Chennai into this home for years now. I know they are waiting for the marriage of my brother and I. We then moved back to my aunt's place and I was a sick man there with all my cousins playing visitors to the patient. The day was moving slowly so a couple hours nap helped me catalyse the day to a quicker end. Some more photos followed; we packed our bags and moved to the station to board our train to the next stop - Mumbai !!!!! (My only prayers were to get well before I reach Mumbai)

The Mumbai story will go out as a separate blog but for continuities sake, the train to Mumbai was late by 3 hours and it did its part in giving the Mumbai story a Bollywoodish feel ;o) For now, all I have to say is that the 2 days spent in Mumbai were the most memorable part of this entire journey; packed with millions of images which are registered in my cranium and will continue to stay there lest I meet Alzheimer's.

I returned home to Chennai on Sunday the 23rd. This time is to spend with family. I have experienced a difference in how Guddu (my nephew) and I have been communicating with each other since my return. We seemed to have developed a special bond. You would think its because of the myriad of gifts I got him, but theres more to it. I can sense it in his eyes and voice when he bends his head sideways; blinks his eyes and tells me innocently that he missed me all this while and wants to be with no one else but me. He wants to sleep by my side at night, play with me during the day; eat his lunches and dinners with me. All this is probably due to the difference in how we communicate with each other compared to other members of the household. When we talk, we talk like 2 grown ups or like 2 friends and that helps us understanding each other better. On the not so brighter side, I am continuously being accused of pampering the kid too much and spoiling him. Well, thats just the way its been at home, but am sure that'll change too. Dad and mom have been firing at me for my forgetfulness but have kudos for me when in front of family and friends; elder bro is hopeful of me developing my career in the US; cute lill' Pari does not recognize me yet - a silent baby unlike her elder bro. Bhabhi (sister in law) is happy to see a not so kiddish me and likes the idea of me learning to live independently.

Just before the flight from Paris landed in Chennai, it occurred to me that I had spent close to a year and a half away from home. What just happened? The past year was tough - 16-18 hour work days and sleepless nights; balancing everyones expectations except mine; turning into a cast away for the rest of the world; staying away from family and friends, not being able to spend time with Guddu. However, I saw some of the most marvellous things happen to me - living in Alaska; finding new parents in the US; working with a client who was so helpful and supportive; moving to Houston; living with Yash and Subbu and learning different facets of life from their individual and unique experiences; a chance to be with Andy once again; finding new friends in Aashish, Hussain, Nirmal and others; earning respect and accolades from my various customers as well as my team - Sajal and Supriya. As Yash would say - "There are trade-offs in everything you do in life; you will have pros and cons to everything you do in life". It felt as if life just completed a full circle and I had seen both darkness and light on the way. Like Mike says - "If it does not kill you; It only makes you stronger". I survived. Now I am conscious of my potential and looking forward to this new year with renewed energy. Only this time I will wait for and board the BUS ;o) Thats for you Sajal! Thanks.