"Hamara Bajaj"

The existence of certain things in life may not be important at all but seeing them go is not easy either.

Reading about Bajaj's decision to discontinue the manufacturing of old-fashioned two-wheelers called scooters is one example.

Not that I own a Bajaj scooter right now or have any plan to, but still seeing bajaj scooters on roads is as part of our generation as much as having Taj Mahal in Agra or Qutub Minar in Delhi. It is just there. But picturing India without bajaj scooters makes my heart skip a beat.

My first vehicle was a sky blue Bajaj Super. I used to feel embarrassed to ride it as a girl but now I feel glad I did.

Growing up watching the Bajaj ad (Old version) and also the new one (New Version) will always be there in my heart.

Hamara Kal, Hamara Aaj, Buland Bharat ki Buland Tasveer......Hamara Bajaj.

(Our Past, Our Future, Sturdy India's Sturdy Image......Our Bajaj)

Bye Bye Maya

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Aanya's best friend from School, Maya left for London.

We met Maya and her family, the Narracotts, first in June, when the school started and Aanya and Maya were sudden best friends. While all other kids at school used to touch Maya and her golden, curly locks curiously, Aanya acted as Maya's protector and saved one slide exclusively for Maya and herself.

Maya always reminded me of the nursery rhyme- Chubby Cheeks, Dimple chin, Rosy Lips, Teeth within......

Where Maya is a very quiet, shy and observant little girl, Aanya is the exact opposite. But still they were inseparable. May be because of the strong common passion for the color pink!! hee hee.

Maya's mom Rebecca and I also became good pals and used to take girls out for lunches. While the girls played, moms caught up on chatting sessions.

Maya's Dad's project got over and they left for England Monday morning. I am not sure for how long the little hearts and minds will remember their first best friend but I will remember Maya and her family forever.

Bye Bye Maya, Lily, Andy and Rebecca. School doesn't look the same without Maya. And here is a Pink post, specially for Maya.

Home Sweet Home

Last one month was super busy as I had one of the biggest and most awaited events of my life to attend to-wedding of my brother, Kapil with a beautiful, caring and loving girl-Shilpa.

So the past month went by like breeze. Doing attire preparations, buying and packing Aanya's nick-knacks, preparing the household so that Nishet has minimum discomfort, traveling, helping in arranging the big, fat Indian circus called wedding, the wedding, packing up and returning to Bangalore.

But I could not be more glad to be back home. There is definitely no place like home. Sleeping on own bed had never felt better. Not even during the US-India transition.

But there were a few small and big things waiting here to welcome us. The biggest of them all being the broken kitchen slab and cabinet. It has been two days since the super-inefficient carpenters/ handymen have been trying to fix it. Not to mention the noise, dust and inconvenience that comes along. I just hope it gets done soon.

Also, another surprise awaiting us was exams for 3 years olds at Aanya's school. Aanya has a series of exams lasting an entire week. Exams were the last things on Aanya and my minds when we landed in Bangalore. Poor thing doesn't even know what exams are. And I do not understand what sense it makes to conduct exams anyways for toddlers.

Another sad thing was Aanya's school (best) friend Maya's departure to her home-London. We always knew that Maya was not here forever, but it is never easy to say bye.

Nevertheless, being home is always the thing I look forward to. It isn't too long before we will be away on another journey away from our Home Sweet Home.....to look forward to another homecoming.