snow

Nainital... right here right now!!!

yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

25 paise

Back in Chennai, everytime we bought a newspaper costing Rs 1.75, we were handed a little Hajmola candy instead of 25paise and each time the lungi-baniyaan clad potbellied mustached shopkeeper said "Change Ilaay" meaning "no change".

So one fine day we said "Change Illay" while placing Rs. 1.50 and a Hajmola Candy infront of him.
He stared at us with Ravana brand bloodshot eyes, muttered some Harry Potter type mantras and needless to say refused to sell the paper!!!

I'm sure he still remembers us!!


Edited to add: The rickshaw fare in Nainital (which was Rs2 in the ice age) has hiked up to Rs8 for a single trip and guess what all the rickshaw wallas have "no change" and hand you a little pack of Parle G biscuits instead of 2 bucks.....so everytime you go to Tallital or Mallital, carry change or be assured that you will return with a "swad bhjare shakti bhare barson se"Parle G in hand!!

Warm Birthday Wishes

"I have all the answers, Mum"

I'm unsure if I will be able to teach you about religion
Coz i don't know much
My quests are still unsanswered
And i still don't know much

I may teach you to join hands in prayer
I may teach you to bow in obeisance
I may teach you touch elders feet
BUT if you ask WHY?
I won't be able to answer
Coz i have no answers
And i don't know much

They may ask you to quit meat on particular days
They may ask you to not have a haircut on a particular day
They may ask you to not eat beef ....but freely munch on other animals
BUT if you ask WHY?
I won't be able to answer
Coz i have no answers
And i don't know much

I may tell you the epics
The Ramayana, the Mahabharata and such like
BUT if you ask me why Lord Ram abandoned a pregnant Sita in the forest or
Why would Pandavas "share" Draupadi
I won't be able to answer
Coz i have no answers
And i don't know much

And i hope you question
Question each and everyday
Question each and every God
Question all we pray

You will read
You will learn
Find answers
Follow what you think is right

And one day
I hope my little one
You will confidently shun all the questions
And say " I have all the answers, Mum".

Slow down, Surrender

And when you are running at your fastest
Life catches up
And says
"Slow down"

And just when you think you are invincible
Life catches up
And says
"Surrender"

And slow down you do
And surrender you do
While helplessly looking at rushing passers by!!

Happy Birthday Payal!!

Happy Diwali

Wishing a very happy Diwali to Tallital and Mallital folks.....and to all you guys back home.

Ice Cream Factory

:)