Mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and nephew.

So, today it was three persons instead of one egging me on to eat more food. The end result was pretty much the same! But good time spent in chatting…

And a lot of memories of talking about each other’s interests. Always marveled at his level of knowledge when it came to internal combustion engines, cars, autos and such. I do not know of anybody else who is better suited to studying Automobile Engineering… which is exactly what he has chosen to do!

His mom – Baisakhi – and I, of course go back even further back. Today was one of the few times we sat down over tea and coffee with no other friends or relatives around.

That meant a lot of great discussions about mutual interests.

They are ready to head back to their houses in Kalyani and Kolkata respectively and their normal lives!

The walk from the hotel to my mother-in-law’s place is a fairly short one. 15 minutes at my brisk pace. 20 minutes if I am with somebody. The sights I see and the sounds I hear on that quick walk are an indubitable signature of the richness in variety that India is. The new fangled cars coexist peacefully with those toiling to push the bike pedals one more time around. The sound of the ambulance nearby reverberates with the Rabindrasangeet songs being sung by the young girl around the corner on her harmonium.

On the way, you will come across this communication pole by the road. The two adjoining boxes are fairly tired. As you can see, they are rusted and have all sorts of undergrowth under them. Probably one sharp shower away from a short happening and a loud bang followed by loss of power. (which, incidentally happened to a different box while I was at my mother-in-law’s place the previous day).

While that paints one picture, you might be well served to inspect the box a bit more closely. On that box is a handbill that offers you to teach… get this… the highest end of technology in software world today – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

I realize some might scoff at the depth and quality of knowledge that would be imparted – but that is not the point. First, there is that entrepreneurship bit. But more importantly, it is the contrast of a chance to learn the most modern technology advertised in the good old printed street side hand bill form pasted on a much-rusted communication box that has clearly seen better days!!!

That is a multifariousness to be celebrated!

That was all of 15 folks who were creating enough of chaos and din in my uncle’s house. Of all the living relatives I have left, he was -without an iota of doubt – the most influential when I was growing up and deeply revered by all in our family even today. Also, Sharmila’s most favorite person from the Roy side.

His three kids, two of their spouses, two grandkids, one great grandkid and then, from his sister’s side (that would be my mom), there were my siblings and two of the spouses, my aunt and myself!

We simply had a blast. A houseful of it, in fact!

And then after everybody left, I hung back to talk for an hour more with him one on one getting caught up on some of our old memories and some family details.

For all the lack of interest I have developed in visiting India, every time I think of him, I do a double quick. I have no idea how many more times I will be able to see him. I miss him a lot.

We had dinner at Citi Residency today. That was a first for us. After the dinner, we strolled over to our old haunt – the restaurant in Peerless. And ran into my classmate from school – Prodipta – who was celebrating his wife (Sonali)’s birthday along with his mother in law!!

The best part was – the moment we entered, a staff member recognized me and asked “Rajib Sir!!” Made some good, long lasting friendships here, it seems!!

That would be my siblings, their spouses and Sharmila’s brother and his wife. Also present was one nephew (Sharmila’s brother’s son). The rest of that generation is spread all over Bangalore, Delhi, California, DC and New York. At the risk of boring my nephew we had great fun remembering old stories. (mostly of our parents!!)

After about 2 years!!! The last one was also in the same hotel, same lunch table… but that time Sharmila was here too!

I bet none of my friends in US or Europe has experienced this. When I was alighting from the Indigo plane in Durgapur, the pilot announced that we can get off from either side door in the front or the one in the back. I have seen two door exits – both on left side of the plane. Never seen people getting off a right side door too! In fact, Indigo announced that this is a global first!!

Would be interesting to see if this is catches on.