Friends and Family

Better late than never! Belated Wishes for a happy Friendship’s day. Whatever I am today is because every friend contributed in his own small way to shape my thoughts and personality. I attribute a major part of my growth as an individual to my friends. But if the overwhelming feeling is that I have turned into a ridiculous, senseless, uninspiring personality, everyone knows whom to blame now :)

In any case, I love everyone of my dear friends who gave me company when growing up in school, who were kind enough to include me as a "kaccha limbu" in their team, ogling at girls in college (yeah I was a shy kid in school you see!), bunking classes to watch movies, competing with me in getting the least mark in college exams, studying very hard to keep off the “KT” (all the IT geeks: it is not Knowledge Transfer but a euphemism for failure in Mumbai Univ!) during Engineering, working very hard with me to become “Masters” of Business Administration!, working with me in contributing to the growth of the organization (pun not intended). I truly miss every one of them who is away.

Having celebrated Mother’s Day, Father’s day and now Friendship day, I feel we have missed out on one very important and may be most neglected day – "The Family Day". I don’t have any idea about how these “Days” originated but I feel they are centered around the concept of a nuclear family. Many of us would have missed out on the joy of being part of a joint family.

Very recently, I had visited a close friend of mine. During my stay with him he took me to his maternal Uncles’ house. That day, the sheer magnitude of people I met under one roof was amazing. It looked as if when populated by every single person in the family this place wouldn’t afford its inhabitants an inch to move. But yet there was so much space that two more could be accommodated! The house was bustling with energy, bursting into giggles with the young cousins, reverberating with the words of free advice my friend was getting from the uncles. Simply put the house was breathing. It is very much possible that members of this family would have had their differences and fights. But I suppose it is love and attachment for their family that keeps them together through the rough times.

Although the time spent with them was not much, it was enough to leave me with some very fond memories. It was a pleasure, it was a wonderful sight to see all the uncles, aunts and cousins sitting together, chatting, sharing a light banter, enjoying togetherness as one Great Indian Family. I am sure THIS HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA.

Whenever it is...I wish every one in advance - A Happy Family Day!