The Changeover

This blogpost was somehow lost in the drafts - had written 2.5 years back, publishing now!

When I came to Delhi in December, it was cold and at nights it was very much cold. The temperatures continued going down, till one more sweater had to be added by the end of December, and a shawl over it by the end of January. February promised to be pleasant, however second week of February also played spoilsport and turned out cold.

February end was pleasant, and I thought that now I can enjoy the famous spring season weather. Holi came on 1st of March, and with the bonfires that we all had lit, nature seemed to have taken the cue. Suddenly from the second of March the temperature turned hot...the warmth disappeared and the sun merrily blazed down on all. The woolens were thrown out with a gusto and cotton came out to battle the heat. Fans were turned on and heaters were packed off. Welcome to the Great Indian Summer ...

What surprised me was the dramatic changeover ...there was no indication, no signs...it just happened all of a sudden! It seems nature has its own whims and fancies, to which we mortals are subjected. Bow to thee, Nature!

Bouquet

The other day, when I had to leave Delhi for Bangalore, my client gave me a small farewell - where I was presented with a memento and bouquet. The memento was gift wrapped so I did not open it and put it away in my bag. The bouquet was exquisitely made with different kinds of flowers, ribbons and various other things. It looked very pretty.

I took my bag, purse and scooped up the bouquet in my hands as I walked out of the client's office. The moment I stepped on the road I saw strangers looking at me. I realized it was more towards the bouquet, rather than me! The huge, beautiful bouquet attracted people's attention towards it and then towards me.

A bouquet symbolizes that the person carrying it is either very important or has achieved something substantial or is carrying it to present it to somebody important or successful. The bouquet provides a personality which nothing else can give.

Bouquets evade our life at almost every occasion. On birthdays, marriages, marriage anniversaries, inaugurations, felicitations, farewells and many other occasions its the perfect gift to give. While visiting a patient, one may carry a bouquet (provided hospital administration permits), which will fill the white/green hospital rooms with vibrant colors. Bouquets are also given at funerals. The color, vibrancy and size of the bouquet is varied appropriately as per the occasion.

A bouquet full of beautiful flowers, leaves and other natural ingredients juxtaposed against man-made articles like ribbons, baskets etc. provides a very fresh and colorful picture. It showcases how natural beauty can be enhanced through different arrangements and man-made additions.

While I was carrying the bouquet that day to home, I picture how it would look the next day. The flowers would wilt away and the ribbons, baskets etc would go limp without the flowers. Flowers are the main character of the bouquet. A single rose flower, draped in a foil or plastic and tied with a red ribbon packs in more emotion and passion than any other gift would.

Bouquets are beautiful indeed!!!

Bangalore!!!

We have been in Bangalore from 9th April 2012. My husband has got an admit to the EPGP course at IIM-B, which started from 16th April. It has been more than 15 days here and we have settled down very quickly. The accommodation has been provided by the Institute and all things are included in the course fees. I have traveled to some places in Bangalore and I have loved the city very much.

The weather is very pleasant in Bangalore and the Bangaloreans say that this has been the hottest summer. Coming from NCR/Delhi, I am loving the weather. I havent yet experienced the traffic yet, which is the sole pain in the neck in Bangalore. But what I have seen is the probable reason for traffic - the width of the road. In Bangalore major roads are as wide as a small lane outside my parent's home in Mumbai! With such narrow roads, there is bound to be traffic jams all over the place. The other day, while I was waiting at the bus-stop on a similar two lane major road, a truck had failed bang in the middle of the road and there were huge traffic snarls on both the sides.

Bangalore authorities should work on a two-pronged strategy to reduce the traffic:

1. Undertake road - widening on major roads
2. Disallow vehicles with single commuters - fine heavily if such vehicles are found. This would not ease the traffic but also reduce some pollutants and give the left-over greenery some space to breathe in the oxygen.

Most of the people understand Hindi and some English words, so communication has not been a major problem. There are some instances when communication is a problem, but people go out of their way to understand through hand sign or by getting someone who knows the language. My maid understands Hindi, but cant speak it - so was I told. One day I asked her to change her timings to 6 am instead of 8 am. Next day, she came at 8 am. Again I told her that this was late and that she had to come at 6 am. Next day she again came at 8 am. Now I was exasperated and called up dad, who knows speaking in Kannada, to find the phrase "Come from 6 am tomorrow". Dad told me the phrase and also said that he shall speak to her on phone and explain. She again came at 8 am but had another maid with her. This second maid understood and could speak in Hindi. She clarified what I wanted and explained to my maid. Next day onwards she has been coming at 6 am. I love this enterprising spirit of the people here.

Bangalore promises to be a very vibrant, green and enterprising city, looking forward for an eventful stay here!!!