22 April 2014

“Ma, ami khokonder baari kheltey jachhi”

Meaning “mom, I am going over to Khokon’s place to play”. For years, early in my childhood, that used to be a sentence I would say at least once a day. I am sure you remember my 37 year search for that first friend of my life – Khokon – which ultimately ended when I met him 3 months back.

Today, I visited him and his mom again. His mom and I chatted for almost an hour today – a perfect throwback to those days forty years back when she would be cooking in her kitchen and I would gather around her and chat endlessly….

Here you can see her mom engrossed in our chat….

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22 April 2014

Back on the road…

Buoyed by seeing my dad in much better shape, this morning, I moved to the next goal of why I come to India – the continuous exercise of reminding myself who and what got me wherever it is that I got.

Time to dig up some old friends, teachers, relatives that I have not seen in ages just to thank them for being part of my life long time back. And influencing me to be who I am today.

Brother and I hit the road … now driving thru beautiful rural Bengal early morning to see how many more intersection points we can create!!

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21 April 2014

Five essential activities in a day in Kalyani

1. Got up very early and sat with dad in the balcony sipping tea without any words spoken? CHECK!
2. Went for a run with brother and stopped multiple times to have streetside tea? CHECK!
3. Went for a long walk in the evening with sister, brother-in-law and brother? CHECK!
4. Had some potentially dysentery-inducing but out-of-the-world tasting golgappas (“fuchka”) from the streetside vendor? CHECK!
5. Scaled the roof of the building so that I can have wine with brother away from parents’ prying eyes? CHECK!

Not too many things have changed in life! Life is good!!

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21 April 2014

He looks good!!

First time in two years of quarterly visits, the first impression of seeing my dad is very encouraging!! He is looking good, is in high spirits and am seeing him laugh after a long time….
Now, if we can fix his knee, he might be truly get his life back…

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20 April 2014

Lucky intersection point!!!!

Had a great lucky break within a couple of hours of landing in Kolkata. Recently, had traced down a long lost friend of mine from elementary days – Sibapriya Dasgupta – in Midnapore(150 km from Kolkata). After landing at my brother’s place, I called him up to enquire after his parents (I was aware his parents were also ailing like my dad).

To my great surprise, found out that he was in Kolkata today for another few hours and that too not very far from where I was. Decided to have a quick drink (although he is a teetotaler) together. And sure enough, soon, I was able to see him for an hour or so!

Last time I saw Sibapriya was Mar 1983!!! Over 31 years back! He has still remained the nice, even keeled, very well balanced person. I was amazed by some of the details of myself that he could pull from three decades ago!!

We talked about our parents, our teachers, friends from school and families. One interesting topic of discussion – and he is a doctor – was the possibility that medical science is dealing with our parents in a wrong way. Instead of focusing on extending their lives when they are clearly not enjoying life, should our medical sciences factor in the inevitability of death and focus on making the rest of the years very enjoyable, painless and peaceful?

Great stimulating discussion. Hope I do not have to wait for another 31 years before I get to see good old Sibapriya again!!!

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Category: Intersection Points, Vacations | 2 Comments on Lucky intersection point!!!!