Being Mrs. Roy for 10 years!

Joy and I celebrated our 10th marriage anniversary today, and it was our 14th of being in each others lives! We committed ourselves to this relationship on January 26, 1998, and we decided to get married on the same date whenever we were ready to get married. After 4 years we married on the same date but the catch was that this day was not an auspicious date according to the Hindu calender that particular year. Hence, we had our registration of marriage on this day and had a so called social wedding on February 1. Through the 10 years both sides of the family realised and shifted from wishing us from February 1 to January 26!

It was a dinner get together at Mainland China with a part of the family and close friends this evening. Sadly, most of the family lives in Kolkata and we missed them sorely! Nonetheless, we had a great time! The highlight of the evening was that I had my closest and dearest friend along with her husband and daughter in the celebration! 

I have been very nostalgic the last few days, remembering many things, some great things, some not so great; yet, everything felt good! There have been major transitions in my life through the 10 years. But now, while I am writing this and thinking back, I feel everything has been worth it being Mrs. Roy!  

Here are the  Anniversary pics!

A thought...

I was randomly listening to music while doing my usual work at home when 'The World Ain't Slowing Down' by Ellis Paul started playing. I have heard this song several times in the past, but I never really paid heed to the words ever. For the first time a line hit me today. It goes like this:

"I found you sitting on a suitcase crying

Beneath my feet, I feel the rumble of a subway train
I laugh out loud

'cause it's the one thing I hadn't been trying..."

When was the last time I laughed out loud? I don't remember, except the times when I typed lol on chats. Do lol's mean anything at all! With the regular chores at home and outside I find my life going on like a machine. No matter how interesting I may want things to be I don't find myself laughing out loud, almost ever! Wondering is it just me? I don't see many people around me laughing out loud too! It isn't such a difficult thing, don't know why we don't try!

Worcaholic… who?!

Someone who works very hard with a lot of passion is supposed to be a workaholic. Please note, the word is referred to people working at work places only. It is okay to shun your personal life and the responsibilities attached with it if one is a workaholic. In fact, it is a matter of pride to be one. What will you call someone who works like crazy at home, as in, household work, taking care of family, home, the garden, etc? A maniac? Why is there a discrimination?

I know many people who hardly work at office, but spend a lot of time pretending to work, and they are often referred to as workaholics! There are some more that bring home work and spend a lot of the work time on blogs, facebook, twitter etc, but they are those famous (read infamous) workaholics! Those housewives, retired people who love their homes and take extra care of their household are hardly given any credit, and are hardly appreciated. An aunt is often asked to consult a psychiatrist because she cleans her house several times a day because she loves a neat and clean house. She is not a proud workaholic, but a maniac! Isn’t that funny??

Durga Puja... on a different note!

October 13

Today is Maha Shashthi. Durga Puja begins today. Like every Bengali I am all excited and enthusiatic about Puja. But this time, my Puja celebration will be different. Instead of going out, pandal hopping, eating out, I'll spend most of my time at home with Aanya. This is Aanya's first Puja, and I hope I'll be able to take her to the Puja pandal for a bit one of the days.

Since I won't be able to go out of the house leaving Aanya alone, my mother has made the offering to Maa Durga for Shashthi Puja on my behalf. It's a little odd that I am sitting at home instead of going out, but I am not one bit upset. There was a time when I used to be in tears if I had to stay at home during the four days of the Puja. Now, for Aanya, nothing matters but her! Guess this what motherhood does to women.

Today started on a good note though. I went to a Goonj volunteer's place this morning to drop some clothes and shoes. Giving things, reaching out to people is my way of living. What could have been a better way to start my Puja celebration?

The next 3 days I will try and blog besides spending some 'quality' time with my little one! Tomorrow is  Saptami... what fun! 

October14

Saptami is almost over, and I have finally found some time to myself. Aanya took her vaccines and polio drops this afternoon. She hasn't been cranky or anything but she sure feels a little pain; after all she had to take 2 pin pricks! She chose to be in my arms rather than sleeping on her own bed. 

Tomorrow will be different. I am going to the Puja pandal at Lokhandwala, may have some Bhog also.        

October 15

Maha Ashtami! I had many plans for this day, but they had to be altered. Never mind, I am going to make it all up tomorrow. The good things... I did have some bhog as Ma brought home some for me. Later in the evening I went to the Lokhandwala pandal for a bit, and guess what? Aanya went too! Just that she did not enter the premises, but stayed with my mother in the car. 

The Puja pandal looked as beautiful as ever, and I particularly liked the 'Pratimas' (idols). I also liked the yellow and blue lights hanging from the ceiling. In one of the Bengali news channels it was mentioned, that this time the Lokhandwala Puja is displaying works of Murshidabad, right from the decor to the dhakis. The sound of the dhak has a dizzying effect on me, and this evening it did help to set the right mood; I had goosebumps!

That was about Ashtami. Aanya turned 2 months today! And yes, we had another cake cutting celebration, and as usual, Aanya was fast asleep during the cake cutting and the photo shoot!       

October 16

Maha Nabami. Today it felt like Puja! My Mashi, Mesho and cousins arrrived this morning to spend the day with us. It's wonderful to have family around during Durga Puja. 

I got up rather early considering that I went to sleep past 7 in the morning. Aanya is a night baby and a morning baby, hence I am up almost all the time!  Anyway, I got Aanya ready and then I wore a saree (my once a year schedule), and then rushed to the Puja pandal with Joy. As we reached, we heard the announcement that the next Pushpanjali was to start in 5 minutes.

Pushpanjali is one part of Durga Puja I like the most. I feel it's a way of connecting with the Almighty. I am not a religious person, nor do I believe in doing Puja; however, there is something about Durga Puja that makes me think and feel otherwise. This is one ritual I have performed almost all of my life. The last 4/5 years Joy has started embracing this ritual too.

Aanya came to the pandal a little later with Ma, and then after a while she became the centre of attraction. Thanks to my mother's many friends in the Puja commitee, Aanya got to seek blessings from Maa Durga by getting on the podium and being there right in front of the Pratima! Almost all eyes were on her, everyone wondering who this kid was, while Aanya slept peacefully through the entire event!

Joy and I chose to skip Bhog as there was a huge queue, and it was extremely hot and sultry. After a short while we came back home, just my Ma and Mashi stayed back at the pandal.

Today was a wonderful day in many ways. Though I was tired and sleepy I enjoyed every moment of the day. It is Dashami tomorrow, the end of Durga Puja. I still feel sad when Puja gets over just the way I used to feel as a little girl. From this year on, Durga Puja will have more significance as I have Aanya in my life!

Those self proclaimed photographers!

Everyone's a photographer these days, thanks to the digicams and phone cameras. Till a few years ago only those who took interest in photography clicked photographs. Today, it is an easy art, rather it's hardly considered an art, hence everybody is clicking!

I know a few people who are praised and raved about for their interest in photography and their possession of fancy cameras. In fact, a couple of them don't wait for others to praise them, they do it themselves... braggarts! Sadly, if you see what they click with their cameras you'll be shocked 'cause more than half of the photographs are either out of focus or blurred! Most of what I click are not too bad actually, maybe the light and the focus are not always in place, they are not blurred at least (you can see the photos on my blog if you don't believe me!)

I met a professional photographer a couple of years ago, a friend's friend, and boy, in what style he clicked our photos. I didn't realise how bad they were until I saw them on my computer screen! I once trusted a relative to take photographs for an occasion at home, and this person has a variety of cameras. Most of what she clicked were so bad that I can't put them up anywhere, in fact, it's embarrassing to show them to people. The worst part is that I can't complain because I don't want to hurt her, but the fact remains that those occasions are one-time and those moments will not come back in my life anymore. 

This blog may probably seem like I am complaining, maybe I am. People should know what they are good at and what they are not. It's important to acquire skills and practise well before claiming to be an expert; otherwise, it's an insult to the art. And, those self proclaimed photographers, it's about time that you guys take lessons in photography from the real experts, and stop bragging and making a complete fool of yourselves!

Commonwealth Games 2010

After the shoddy CWG 2010 preparations the opening ceremony was spectacular! I, like other proud Indians, have been left breathless!

Bravo Indians!

Enjoying mommyhood... feels out of this world!

FIFA World Cup 2010

FIFA World Cup 2010 started today amidst unprecedented anticipation and excitement. Can India ever be a part of it, besides Salim Sulaiman composing music for the event, or John Abraham and the likes giving their expert comments for the Indian audience (in India)?


I feel the only way we Indians can be a real part of this grand event if we manage to host it as this is the only way a country qualifies automatically. I may be a pessimist, but I don't see any other way how India can qualify for the world cup in the near future.

It's 'still' a man's world, in cricket too!

The title of this post is particularly apt in the Indian scenario. In almost every field men still dominate the scene. When it comes to sports, India and Indians have a massive soft spot for the 'Men In Blue', now what they are often referred to as Dhoni's Men! Whether they win or lose, the cricketers are the 'forever favourites'! No other sport in India get attention as much as cricket, and this point is hugely debated in the past 2 or 3 years in almost all channels of media. I don't think I have anything more to add with my limited knowledge of sports.

But what came to me as a bit of a surprise yesterday, and particularly today is that, finally the women's cricket team is getting featured in our newspapers and news channels. Well, the reason is obvious. After the men's team's disastrous performance at the T20 WC, and that the women's team have fared well so far in the T20 WC and have a chance to lift the title, it is but natural that the focus has shifted to the women's team. So all ears and eyes to the 'Girls In Blue'! 

I have briefly been following the girls' team performance for a couple of years, mainly on the internet, and they have been performing rather well through the years. But who cares? How many people know the team? Leave aside the entire team, how many people know who's the captain of the team. Not only do we know MS Dhoni as the team captain, we also know about his other achievements and personal life. But poor Jhulan Goswami, she has to go a long way to let the Indians know that she is the captain of the women's cricket team. Some people know Mithali Raj's name, but I can guarantee, if people are randomly quizzed, 70 to 80 percent of the people will not know who she is or what sport she plays. That's the sad story of Indian sports, particularly the women's teams.

Will the sports bodies, media and corporates please wake up and do something now, or will they still continue to remain indifferent towards the women and other sporting forms? It cannot be said whether the 'Girls In Blue' will lift the T20 WC title or not, but if they do I hope the authorities will take note and bring in a revolution. Till such time, I am going to wait and watch, and hope those who are reading this post will do to! :)

How our icons are politicised!

Celebrating Tagore's 150th Birth Anniversary, and how the different political parties in Bengal are using this day to prove a point to the public to win their hearts! For once I did not quite oppose to this idea too much as the selfish intentions of the political parties in a way promote Tagore once again to many people. 

Sadly, Tagore has become a statue, an idol who to worship. Not too many people engage themselves to know and understand what made this man an icon. And it is sadder to note that Tagore needs to be promoted. Most of the people I associate with have no interest in Tagore, and I haven't been able to build any interest in their lives. Therefore, if the politicians are doing something to preserve and restore Tagore's legacy, my votes go out to them!

Tagore's 150th Birth Anniversary

Today is 'Pochishe Boishakh', Tagore's 150th Birth Anniversary. Like thousands of Tagore loving Bengalis I woke up with a feeling of celebration. But the spirit of celebration drowned within moments as I found myself to be the only one to feel that way. I live in Mumbai, hence finding too many Bengalis around me is not a possibility, but the ones I know are too 'modern' or maybe indifferent to know about Tagore. To them, he was just a great poet and artist.

The past 3 months I have been regularly searching the internet to find any program or event to mark this day in Mumbai; I found none. Today's newspaper has extensive writings on Mother's Day, and how celebrities celebrate mother's day, but there is not a mention of Tagore.

The whole day has gone by and my only connection with Bengali and Tagore has been courtesy 2 Bengali channels, 24 Ghanta and Star Ananda.

Is Tagore only for Bengalis? This has been a question on my mind for a long time, but after today, my question is, are the Bengalis forgetting Tagore?

An Angel Called Sachin!

Today was one of those chaotic days when I had to attend to multiple things at the same time. Joy called me amidst all this mess and asked if I was watching TV, I said no, and cribbed a little before asking why was he asking. While asking why, my instant feeling was maybe somewhere there was yet another bomb blast or some fire accident or something as scary, but no, he said, Tendulkar was on 190 and was still batting! For a moment I thought how my mind has got conditioned to expect bad news only.

Sadly, I could not turn on the TV to witness the magical moment when Tendulkar achieved yet another 'first time' record to score a double century in a one day match, but the news channels compensated by repeatedly showing that unforgettable moment. In times of chaos, of almost every kind, all around the world, this man helps to give such tremendous joy with his achievements that one can forget the worries of life for some time.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, hats off! From the core of my heart I wish and pray that this wonder man achieves many many more records!

These are a few of my favourite things...

It’s About The Ability, Not The Age

About one and a half months ago, it was a week of the not-so-young Indian players. Leander Paes won the doubles title at the US Open. And, the next day Sachin Tendulkar scored his 44th century, in one day internationals, clinching the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards as well! Don’t forget, Paes and his partner Clara Black were runners up at the US Open.

Yeh hai yougistan meri jaan! That’s what a television commercial says! Not so long ago, all ‘self proclaimed’ cricket pundits were harping on how the game has changed with respect to the people playing it. How the Indian cricket team desperately needed fresh legs and youthful exuberance. Even idols like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were completely written off. But Tendulkar, being the genius he is, managed to shut the so called youth of the Indian cricket with his super performance when his country and team needed it the most.

Leander Paes is almost synonymous with Indian tennis. He had put India on the world tennis map at a time when facilities pertaining to the sport in the country could not even be called decent. Even with all the improvement in tennis facilities across India, availability and affordability of foreign coaches and technological support for the game, India hasn’t been able to produce a sportsman of comparable caliber. Thus India still depends on a 36 year ‘old’ to win Grand Slams.

Till a couple of years ago, I quite strongly believed that one cannot do anything new after the age of 30. Well, I felt that way because my mind was very strongly influenced with all that I heard while growing up, also by many people I associated with. Looking back, in the past four or five years, I have met three people who made me realize that age is just a number. They said or did nothing extra to make me change my mind. It’s just by the way they live their lives, and the way they look and talk and behave, I got to realize that being in your 30’s is not bad at all. In fact, it is better in many ways. Well, I am not getting into writing about that aspect now!

Looking at Bollywood, the leading, successful actors are all over 40 years old; take Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Shahrukh Khan. There are scores of younger actors who are trying to make it big in the industry. So, clearly there is no significant barrier to entry in the industry. Even if ability is disregarded, the older guys are still the audience’s preference.

On the other side of the world, Susan Boyle is a sensation in the world of music, and she is 47 years old. Don’t know how many people watched her on her first day at Britain’s Got Talent. She was laughed and mocked at by the audience and the judges, the audience and the judges who appeared apprehensive and judgmental of her unpolished appearance. Though it’s a fact that will never be admitted, her detractors didn’t take an instant liking to her because of her age. Then she started singing and left everyone spellbound. Those who made faces at her looked like fools! There are so many surviving artists from the 70’s and 80’s who are still filling out large arenas and embarking on one world tour after the other.

It is not about the age. It is about the ability. I agree, with age, the body and the mind become slower for most people, but that cannot be the rule! I read in an article that former US president George Bush Sr did a parachute jump from a height of 13,000 feet to celebrate his 80th birthday, while astronaut John Glenn became the oldest man to fly in space at the age of 77.

Though biological age cannot be arrested or reversed, the mind-set and attitude can definitely remain positive irrespective of one’s age. While the youth is definitely the torchbearer of tomorrow, we cannot and should not undermine the contribution and untapped potential of the ‘not so young’.

‘’Twenty four and he believes for sure he’s got it made

Fame is here for good and looks will never fade, he doesn’t know

The game is never over till the cards have all been played

Eighty three and still he feels his best is yet to come

He believes that youth is wasted on the young, he’s alone

The only dream he ever has is being with someone’’ – from Silent Scream by Richard Marx

To Life!

It's been 2 months since I joined this new company. In this period, besides attending five days of training and two days of induction, I have done nothing. When I say nothing I mean that I did do not do anything to add to the company's productivity. In other words, I am benched. Feels great, as being benched is no more about techies only; communication trainers like me are also benched!

I ask for work but there is no work. I see my colleagues (only women) spending all their time chatting on facebook, calling up their boyfriends and discussing facebook, what life! I am an Orkut loyalist, so I check my scrapbook a couple of times in the day and wonder what else can I do on a social networking site! I may have more things to do if I were on facebook, but no, I cannot indulge so much into such a mindless activity.

So what do I do the whole day sitting in office? Well, besides spending about five minutes on Orkut I read books that I download from the internet. I don't particularly like to read books on the computer, but I do not have too many options otherwise. I am still very old fashioned and I will remain this way forever I guess. I solve online crossword puzzles, read news hightlights, play online word games, and sometimes write on my blogs. That's exactly what I am doing right now!

Should I be happy or should I be sad? I don't have any work to do, yet I am getting paid. Guess I should not crib too much as it's said that by cribbing, the luck may run out soon!

Chocolate for thought!

Someone who loves food is called a foodie, similarly someone who loves chocolate should be called chocolatie! Nice chocolate (food) for thought, isn't it!

I am a chocoholic! I may crib and cry and sulk looking at my bloated self in the mirror, but my craving for chocolate never seems to die!

I have tasted quite a large variety of chocolates from different parts of the world. Of all the kinds I have tasted there's one kind that was just extraordinary, not only for the taste, but also for the pricing. Godiva chocolates are a kind and class of its own.

When I went to Brussels, an acquaintance told me about Godiva chocolates. I ensured that going to the Godiva shop was part of the itinerary even in the really little time we were given to see around. It was quite a small shop with a wide variety of chocolates, situated at the Grote Markt square. I wanted to try some before buying a box. So, I ordered a small quantity of dark chocolates. Each of those roughly 20 gm truffles cost about a euro! In my currency it comes to 65 rupees per piece!

Though very steep in price, it was worth tasting one of world's finest chocolates!

Know about Children's Day...

Children's day was first celebrated worldwide in October, 1953, under the sponsorship of International Union for Child Welfare, Geneva. The idea of Universal Children's Day was mooted by late Shri V.K. Krishna Menon and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954. 20 November is Universal Children's Day. First proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1954, it was established to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world's children. 20 November is the anniversary of the day when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was then signed on the same day in 1989, which has since been ratified by 191 states.

However, while 20th November is universally celebrated as Children’s Day, in India this day has been preponed to 14th November, the date the marks the birth anniversary of independent India’s first Prime Minister – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Source: Wikipedia

Abhinav Bindra The Golden Boy!

It is the moment of truth for India... the first ever individual Olympic gold medal! Yes, someone has finally done it! Abhinav Bindra is the face for the new sporting India.

I was lazing around when Joy sent a text saying that "Abhinav Bindra wins gold medal in 10 m air rifle event. this is the first individual gold for India." The next moment I was up and turned on the television. I am still 'listening' to the television while I'm writing this! I am ecstatic! I'm no sports person, I have never played any sport in my life, yet I'm just thrilled. And that's how I feel every Indian should feel.

It was just yesterday, I was cribbing about the Indian players' not-winning attitude and the Indian government's lack of support to the participants. And, just a day after, what a twist of fate, a gold medal! To rephrase what Boria Majumdar said that from now on we should start to think big, get disappointed, and that disappointment will turn into victory. I am congratulating myself for being an Indian, and I am congratulating every Indian for this glorious moment.