India- the colourful and vibrant land!

Well, it is truly said that "Variety is the spice of Indian life." But why variety is the spice of Indian life? It is so because of the distinctive languages, cuisines, arts, crafts, customs and traditions of each region make India an unending journey of discovery full of pleasant surprises. The food we eat, clothing we wear and habits we adopt, of an Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or a home. The whole community or neighbourhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. Likewise, an Indian wedding is a celebration of union, not only of the bride and groom, but also of two families, maybe cultures or religion too! Similarly, in times of sorrow, neighbours and friends play an important part in easing out the grief.

You know that the national dress of India is the saree. A saree is six yards of unstitched cloth that is skilfully draped to impart grace and elegance. Also there are other traditional dresses worn around the country include the Salwar Kameez and Lehenga Choli. One more thing I would like to say that bright hues and intricate patterns are a common feature of Indian dresses. Modern Indian women on the metros wear western dresses like their male counterparts and the universal 'jeans and t-shirt' are popular amongst the college students. Also, girls like skirts, shorts, capris, etc. these days as a western dress.

If we talk about our Indian cuisine, it is also very popular all over the world. Today, Indian cuisine is so popular across the world that London is believed to have more Indian restaurants that Delhi. You won’t believe this but this is true. The secret of the Indian cuisine lies in the skilful use of spices. May be all doesn’t know this that while 80% of Indians are vegetarian, though fish is a major component of the diet in the coastal region. The southern part of India has a distinctive style of cooking with the predominant use of rice and coconut. And in the same way the food habit of Eastern and Western part of India is different to others.

You know, though Hockey is the national game of India but in cricket, crazy Indian forgets everything and enjoys cricket a lot. Well, lack of resources is hardly a setback to the game which is played in every street corner and cramped back a lley. While India's performance has not been quite as good as it should have been, it is expected that modern training methods and more competitive spirit will give a better medals tally at the next Olympic Games. We are Indian and a cool Indian!!

India has still a very old and traditional school of Music and Dance. Master performers train long and hard under a 'guru'. Performances are viewed by large and appreciative audience. Vibrant folk and tribal art forms also prevail in parts of India but are gradually dying away. Many government and non-government organisations are taking initiative to keep these traditional art forms alive.

Even today, when the western concept of medicine has reached its zenith, there are people looking for alternative methods of treatment for its multifarious qualities.

Modern Indian painters like MF Hussain, Ganesh Pyne and Anjolie Ela Menon are making waves globally. Works of Indian painters are believed to be a good investment in the art market today. Indian literature too is a treasure house of wisdom and knowledge. From the ancient religious text to modern day writers are a long unbroken line of authors who skilfully tell their tales and comment upon contemporary life in India. Modern Indian writers who have received acclaim are Vikram Seth, Arundhuti Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri and many others.

No commentary on culture and tradition in India could end without a mention of 'Bollywood' – the great Indian Film Industry. Established in 1896 today India produces largest number of films in the world. Well known for romance, violence, music and dance the popularity of these films across the world has been phenomenal.

Running through the myriads of kaleidoscopic impression of Indian culture and lifestyle is a constant desire to make a perfect and unique blend of the old with the new, traditional with the modern and eastern with the western.

Yes, the beauty of the Indian people lies in their spirit of tolerance, give-and-take and a composition of cultures that can be compared to a garden of flowers of various colours and shades of which, while maintaining their own entity, lend harmony and beauty to the garden - India!

A Call From Heaven

Come to me, love me,
You were always 'my own'.
Renouncing all others,
You were just mine alone.
So come, I am calling
From God's Heaven above.
I can't hear you,
I can't see you.
But I am waiting, my love.

I just want one more day with you!

I'm so sad and depressed
Is all I want to do is rest
I go to sleep at night
But my dreams I just can't fight

I think of you lying in that bed
And wonder if there is anything I could have said
I wish you were still here
But I know that you are still near

I love you more than you know
I just wish you didn't have to go
I just want one more day with you
And I know thats what you would have wanted too

I miss you more and more each day
There is so much more we had to say
I know I will see you again
But my life is just started to begin.

Mother's love!

There is no love, like a mother's love,
no stronger bond on earth...
like the precious bond that comes from God,
to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother's love is forever strong,
never changing for all time...
and when her children need her most,
a mother's love will shine.

God bless these special mothers,
God bless them every one...
for all the tears and heartache,
and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over,
a mother's love lives on...
through many generations,
with God's blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,
for they love with a higher love...
from the power God has given,
and the strength from up above.

Cherish This Time

So your baby is here!
What joy and what pleasure!
Now your life is expanding,
To make room for this treasure.

A darling newcomer
To have and to hold--
Her smiles are more precious
Than silver or gold.

She’ll demolish your schedule
Though she’s helpless and small;
She’ll make her needs known,
And she’ll rule over all.

See, a new parent’s work
Is just never quite done,
But you’ll never mind,
‘Cause it’s all so much fun.

When you hear her cute giggle
You’ll start "aahing" and "oohing,"
And she’ll soon reply back
By "ga ga" and "goo gooing."

Those big innocent eyes
See a world strange and new;
To make sense of it all
She’ll look only to you.

So cherish this time
Of miraculous things--
The excitement and wonder
That a new baby brings.

A Baby Changes Things

A baby changes things;
They’ll never be the same;
Your life is filled with wonder,
Since your little miracle came.

There’s lots of things to do now,
But with the new tasks you face,
Your family gains more love,
And bonds time will never erase.

Congratulations on your new addition!
My friend, an angel in your hand..

It's a Baby Girl - Angel!

My friend's first little child,

a precious baby girl

So much love to give you

overwhelmed with pride and joy

Such tiny little fingers

Ten tiny little toes

A perfect face and body

with a little button nose

Tender words and kisses

hugs and cuddles too

Patience and understanding

will all be wrapped round you

Fun times to share together

stories to be told

Nursery rhymes and dittys

as your little life unfolds

You are very special

to people near and far

and loving you is easy

because .... I'm your Maasi now.

*dedicated to: My Best friend's daughter.