Rida

Favoured by God..

It has been long could not update you people about Saraswati. There have been many visits to saraswati, every visit made me feel special, in every visit got to learn a lot from the kids. In one such visit, we arranged a doctor’s drive in saraswati, just regular checkups where we checked BMIs and some regular stuff. I was shocked to know that not even a single child had normal BMI (which should have been approx in between 19-25), and the doctor told me that the conditions are even worst in other NGOs where many of the kids suffer from malnutrition.  I enquired about the diet these kids are given and got to know they eat only Daal-Rice had a word with “Aai” she said that is what they could afford.  It is very disheartening to know the facts and face it. Anyways it’s a relief that organisation like ours are doing excellent work and taking CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) seriously. During the checkups I was given the responsibility to maintain the excel sheet, so all the kids used to come to me first. Little Saagar came to me and was just staring at me with frank fascination, I asked him what happened?  After a long time this shy boy replies that “di aapka nails blue kyun hai” ha ha that was my nail paint colour, I started laughing and all the other kids too came close to scrutinize what is weird with my nails and when I told them it’s ma nail paint got lot of suggestions from young girls as in strictly not to use such colours  :P.  Another thing to my surprise while updating the excel was that the NGO people have chosen 4-5  Last Names  and have randomly given them to kids infact many kids have also share the same First names. No wonder I am always confused with their names and these smart kids always test me by asking me to recall their names and also spell them. Lolzz So in all the Doctor’s drive went well, and for kids it was just like another get together.

I also visited NGO when the IPLs matches were going on, Uh was surprised to know that each and every one of them had a favourite team, Mumbai Indians was the most popular name, When they asked me about my favourite team was speechless, as I never followed IPL, the small boys lost all interest in me, Jiva said to me “ Kya Di IPL nahi dekhte”  : (. The first time I realised IPLs popularity, so now to make them happy I found an alternative, I joined Nalanda, Aishwirya ,sakshi who were playing “Raja Rani Chor Police” . We used to play this game when I was 7-8 yrs but honestly enjoyed a lot while playing the game with them. Their mischievous eyes when they used to cheat and secretly peep into my chit which was worth watching. I awe them for the smile on ma face.

Also would like to share about my most recent visit. Well one of the director in my organisation planned to celebrate his daughter’s b’day with the NGO kids. So as decided we reached the ashram at around 4pm. When we entered the perimeter of the ashram a covey of children saw me and all came running towards me , it has been after long I cud make it to Saraswati and the first thought that came to my mind was that I have already missed a lot of such moments. It feels great when you are welcomed with such beautiful smiles; all the kids huddled around me and were complaining for my absence, for not being in touch with them. After giving them some filthy excuses finally things were as normal as before. The kids started giving me all the updates about their life, one of the best news I got was that all the kids passed their exams with flying colours, they are working hard for a better future.

By the time I was with the kids all the arrangement were done for the b’day bash .  It was “Kanni’s”  5^th b’day , she was in her own world  ,too innocent  to understand  the realities of  life , she played with all the others  and enjoyed the slides . That reminds me to tell you people that a group of people have donated 2 slides and have also utilised the unused land at the centre of ashram to make a garden.  We also have cement boundary walls now so the ashram has become a better place to live in. While we were about to leave the place one of the family member( from Mr Mohan’s family) came to me and said that the kids actually like you a lot and are genuinely close to you. I was actually surprised that it never occurred to me, but it was nice to figure this out.

People quality time is the biggest gift you can give to them and they actually crave for it or else for the matter of fact we too so it’s time to act now and act as if what you do make a difference and it does. Many innocent souls seek help and they have a hope that one day God’s angel would come and bring smile on their face. Please go ahead and be one of them. Someone needs you and someone is waiting for you ...take a call...

         Ahh would like to start with the Sangeet program, I want to dance like crazy in ma marriage infact you guys will not believe  that with my best friends Shraddha and Aadi have also decided the tracks we will dance on. Aadi is the choreographer and she is trying hard that we atleast learn few steps lolz , at present learning  dance steps on “ Mehndi hai rachne wali” (Zubeida) trust me  it’s funny to watch us..Aadi has also decided her attires for the marriage she even has arranged the snaps so that there is no last moment chaos he he…I just remember one day I was in office and this lady sent me an email in which our bollywood Divas were dressed in sarees, the subject of the mail was “aku please decide the one for me” crazy isn’t it...These people support me in all ma madness and this is one of them.

Now a days the marriages are just planned for a day or 2 but I will not mind even if it goes for a week :P. In Indian weddings (specially the Marwaris) we have lot of customs and elaborate rituals and I want to follow each of them starting with Ganesh  ji ki pooja  that’s the very first thing done in our marriages this we call as “ Vindayak sthapna” After which starts the haldi  we call it “Pithi” ( I hope I am spelling all this words correct) , in this pithi a paste of turmeric and sandalwood is applied to the bride and after this they cannot move out of the house they have some auspicious reasons for that. In one of ma cousin’s wedding I too tried, it was really very relaxing and the aroma was intoxicating, I just loved it. Well as the pre wedding rituals starts, in almost all the evenings a mehfil (get-to-gather) is being arranged where they play dholak and pre-wedding songs, there of  lot of dance and music. All the ladies do Ghoomar (a folk dance) my mom and masis (mom’s sisters) are just too good at it. I don’t know how to do Ghoomar but will try and learn before my marriageJ.

                  Another function that I recall is “Mahira” where the maternal uncles come amidst the celebrations and give lots of gifts to the people of the house. I am very close to my nanihal people so this function means a lot to me. A thing worth notice is that majority of the girls are more close to their nanihal strange... he he. Then comes the “Mehndi” function that’s my favourite infact majority of the girls might feel the same. Umm so after the Mehndi function we have Sangeet the most awaited event in the wedding. On the wedding day or a day before it, groom's relatives bring the “shaadi ka Joda” (Wedding Dress) to the bride's home along with the jewellery. Then comes the wedding day, the bride wait for groom's marriage procession (baraat) there is street dancing by the baraatis though sounds and also looks funny but I am sure everyone enjoys it. Anyways after the mood is set and the music is on who cares where we are. And then the “Pheras” and “Bidaai” and finally you live happily ever after.... (That’s an ideal case :P , have read somewhere that : Love is Blind , but marriages restores it sights")

I know the marriages are marked by flamboyance and grandiosity but I want my wedding to be with good cheer and loads of fun.  Well tried to write with the best of my knowledge, we have lot of post wedding rituals too but not very sure about them, I think I need an experience ;) so will update you people the day I know .

  Marriages are losing importance in today’s world but I believe it’s the destiny for people in love. It resembles one of the purest bonds and the best thing about marriage is that you can fall in love with the same person many times .So People those who are married, those who are planning to and those who are not planning but have to it’s an appeal to keep you marriage brimming with immense love and lot of trust. As said that the goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together. It is one of the most rewarding commitments we can ever hope to make.