TRIP TO CHENNAI/JULY 2010

I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Chennai,where I went to attend the wedding of Ria, a lovely girl,with whom I have developed a beautiful friendship.We have spent lovely times together,when they were living in an apartment downstairs,and that friendship has just grown, with love for each other.Ria is a very warm,caring, loving person,and at her own wedding,constantly took personal care of me,to see that I was comfortable,and well looked after.Not too many people can do that.And I must say, I enjoyed every moment of the wedding.She looked lovely,and her parents looked after every angle to perfection.

Chennai holds a very special place in my life,because we'ev spent 10 beautiful years there.From 1964 to 1974.So at every step, every turn,every nook and corner,memories kept flooding my mind,and it was a beautiful feeling,nostalgic,but happy.Ashis was born in Salem,and at that time,there were no good schools there.So, if we stayed on,he would have to be put into a boarding school in Yercaud,a little hill station nearby.But his father decided he would never do that,and so he started looking for a change in his job, so he could allocate to a big city.And that is how,and why ,we landed in Chennai,Madras,at that time.

And from then on, we had a very happy life there.Ashis started with Presentation Convent,my alma mater,and then went to Don Bosco.Four years later Manna was born,and joined him there,when it was time for his schooling.They were good students, and did well for themselves.And we had a wonderful social life.Lots of friends, lots of activities,picnics,travelling,and enjoyed everything.My husband was very happy in his job,I was happy leading my own life,and things were great.

So my visit to Chennai was very exciting, from the time I landed.Friends welcomed me with so much happiness,that it was truly touching.Invitations kept pouring in,and I was constantly shuttling, between one family,and another,and enjoying the love,and care, from all quarters.I visited many of my favourite places, loaded with happy memories,ate at famous joints like Buhari,which are now more than 50 yrs. old,and was a great favourite with us.Enjoyed authentic Tamilian cuisine,and the pongal,and feather lite iddlis were to die for.The people are simple,and kind,and I received very nice treatment even from taxi drivers.

So, my trip to Chennai has been a lovely experience,very enjoyable, very loving,and fun.And I'm so glad I went.Every moment will be treasured forever,and be fresh in my mind, to be savoured,and enjoyed.Thats what relationships give to life,great joy,and loads of smiles.

LOVE BRINGS PEACE,AND SMILES.

I am writing this, just before leaving for Chennai,where I am going, to attend a wedding,and meet up, with the innumerable friends I have, there.We'ev lived in Chennai from' 64-'74,and this is 2010.But, after a gap of so many years, the kind of love I am getting from all my friends there,is truly overwhelming,and a great eye-opener.They are eagerly,excitedly waiting to welcome me, and lunches/dinners/ get-togethers/outings, have already been organised,"because we love you,and want to enjoy every moment of your visit!"And although I have visited Chennai, a few times, in between, the tremendous pouring of love,and care, is very touching,and,which, I consider, a great gift of God. Love is the greatest,and strongest bond, that keeps relationships alive,fresh,and enjoyable,and nothing in the world, can ever, match up to its power.

Why is it then, that many people are so miserly about giving love, ignorant about its all-encompassing joy,and the fulfilment it brings?Just a warm smile,a phone-call,a few kind words,a hug,or a pat on the back,can change the day for a person,and put a spring in his step.And there are many, who do not know how to receive love,who misunderstand a gesture of love,and give their own connotations to an innocuous act. According to me,such people are unfortunate,sad,and misguided, for even an infant, understands a touch of love.And what a sad way of going through life,by rejecting love, the most valuable,and prized gift, that makes all the difference to living,and the energy behind everything.
I have myself had, many bitter experiences,with such empty people,who misunderstood,or misconstrued my gesture of love,and gave it a completely different picture.But I always look at such incidents as a learning experience,refrain from interacting with such lonely,pathetic people, and continue on my quest to do everything with love,which makes all the difference to life,and living.
My friends in Chennai are waiting to give me a welcome fit for a queen,and my happiness knows no bounds.I am constantly reminded of the famous song,sung by my favourite, Th eBeatle,"I don't care so much for money,for money can't buy me love!"Money is indeed very necessary,but all the money in the world doesn't guarantee health,happiness and peace,the three MOST important requirements, for success,and fulfilment.I thank God all the time,for filling my life with so much love,and for giving me so much joy as an incentive to go on a big trip,just to savour its pleasures.