Sunday, January 19, 2014

Mumbai Trip

AD was godsend. Never felt so cared for. Instead of alighting peacefully at Kalyan, he came to drop me in crowded Thane, and waited till my friend came. Had the laugh of my life, when learnt that Mumbai had places like Titwala.

Home away from home in Thane
   Some families don't show off religious traditions. They are extremely humble, straightforward and kind. My friends wife lived the principle of athithi devo bhava. She woke up early since my classes started at 9 am. She made my breakfast everyday and roti bindi without onions just the way i wanted. She washed my clothes in machine, inspite of my protests. She was an angel. Never did she make me feel, that i was a guest, she made me feel like i was at my sister's home. God bless her and everyone at home. It is in her family, where her forefathers built free kalyana mantapas and did lots of charity for the whole village.

VidyaVihar
Thane to Vidyavihar was a nightmare everyday. Once in local, had to sway precariously as the incoming crowd pulled me backwards and outgoing crowd pushed me in ladies compartment. So took buses and autos, rest of the days.

Amazing Information
A ludhiana teacher, a hyderabadi tam and a doctor were my teachers. Am still reflecting on the knowledge gained. Amazing spellbounding people. All the 3 sessions were worth the trouble and travel and 5 days off work.

Gujju Connection
 Bumped into a Gujju in the lift and she joined Gandhiji who obviously was Gujju. We could meet only for lunch and dinner. The last day, Gandhiji's student who happened to be a well off doctor, insisted on treating us for a movie and dinner. Now, that movie craze is gone, was glad, we didn't have time for those mini movies. We had dinner in RCity - Gujju thaali in Rajdhani. Was overfed with jelebis. Was surprised to see our teachers there as well. Doctor dropped me at LTT and took Gandhiji to CST. Gandhiji very sweetly wrongly pronounced 'nee en priyamanaval'. Never realized the saintliness in Gandhiji, till doctor touched his feet and addressed him as guruji. And i was letting elderly Gandhiji, lift my heavy luggage and took his kind company for granted thanklessly.

Elderly incontinence
The first q he asked me was bangalora coimbatora? Replied bangalore. He knew gujju, hindi, english and spoke tamizh like a pakka localite. Learnt he was a Ruiya business man in coimbatore. In the morning, his elder sister passed urine in her sari. It was 3AC and no fresh air. Was glad, girls urine does not stink like that of guys. Was the only girl in the compartment and so had to help her with cleaning and tying her sari and inskirt. As i put the sari, she said gujju style. She was crying.  Riches, no matter what, health is the primary thing that matters in old age. There are folks in 93 with shining eyes who cook their own food, with sharp eyes, functional limbs, sound reasoning. And there are  business folks who are unable to move their limbs in their 60s. Health is the result of our own actions, past and present and God's gift. Everyone should live this moment, like they would live for a 120 years. Need to maintain this body, long life ahead!