Grandma gone, a year on

Today was when our beloved grandma Kalyani left us, one year ago.

The last couple of years of her life, grandma stayed mainly with my younger aunt Pappi (Ramani). For her, that feeling of emptiness lingers on, expressed in these these two poems that she recently wrote.

Dad in our thoughts today

Engineered life with unquestioning trust, inimitable courage and a heart of gold.
So that life for everyone else was justified.

Always missed.

 

Advice from an 18 year old

September 20, 2019 – some very disturbing news. A friend from our neighbourhood in Mumbai lost his 18-year old son. How this exactly happened is yet to be ascertained, but given that he hadn’t been able to clear his Std 12 exams, he must have been feeling down. Whether a freak accident or an intentional act at home, the loss of a young life is heartbreaking.

While the family grapples with the situation, social media is abuzz with comments about the academic pressures on our high school children. I was reminded of a short speech by my son Siddharth a few weeks ago. Siddharth, like this young boy, did the Std 12 exams in March 2019. He was the topper in our apartment complex in Mumbai, in terms of marks obtained. On Independence Day, after the flag hoisting, our local apartment group generally recognises the achievements of children and this year he was honoured to be asked to talk to those present.

In anticipation of protests

Saturday, 31st August 2019 – The protests against the Hong Kong extradition bill were entering the 13th week. While it was observed that the weekdays more-or-less went by without incident, the weekends were active with demonstrations in various parts of the city. These were happening with secret planning and the police were regularly being taken by surprise.

With Sid having joined HKU, we were in the thick of things. This Saturday morning we were inside the hotel on Des Voeux Road West, planning how to spend the day. Little did we know what was happening on the road below.

“Don’t go anywhere without asking the police if it is safe.” As I stepped out onto the road to check the rain, there was this most concerned stranger telling me to be careful. The oncoming traffic was being diverted with no traffic being allowed beyond a point.