Interactions with Ravi Subramanian.

Initially ,I was unsure if I would be able to make it.Then,I confirmed that I would be attending .And to  my luck ,what an event ! The writer ,the bloggers ,the ambiance,the food & the chatter was worth every second !

I travelled by train .It was a rain washed morning though I was not wet. I reached it in time though I went there for the first time.So far,so good.The eatery ,Chocolateria San Churro is a cosy place.It warms you up as you settle down.The sofa seats are deep & comfortable.All around ,there are frescoes exhibiting  cocoa trees,cocoa pods ,ladies mixing chocolate etal ! Very very chocolaty !

The staff was courteous & made me feel at home.Some  of my fellow bloggers had arrived before me & we started chatting.Then the hosting team arrived & introduced us to some more bloggers who had already arrived there before us.Shorty later,arrived the man himself,Ravi Subramanian.

Ravi Subramanian ,the author banker was dressed casually in tees & trousers..He has an ability to charm.There is a smile lighting up his face which is infectious.He asked that chairs be arranged around some tables & ordered an assortment of coffees & teas  for all...latte,espresso ,masala chai ,etal.The interactions began & the banker novelist was eager to answer all .The staff kept on passing snacks & sweets with chocolate,cheese & salsa  dips . He replied patiently to all queries..Not once did he make us feel that we are just readers  & he is the author.

Many asked the John Grisham of Banking about tips to getting published.He was more than ready to share his ideas & how he got his first book "If God was a Banker " published.He informed us that a book develops quite differently from what  the writer may have in his mind.He went on to add how one of his novels had a very different beginning though that was absent from the final draft.He stated that the first draft is the most easy part & then as it goes through editing make overs,it gets difficult & difficult.He informed that his books have gone through more than ten editing sessions.That just goes to show why  the final product is so fantastic ..you  cannot put down his novels once  you have begun reading them till you finish !

Ravi Subramanian has inspired his daughter Anusha, to write a book ! A daughter following in her father's footsteps ! He said that he searches books for his daughter as any father would do ! This statement by him, made him rise in  stature, all the more than before !

The banter was just going on & Vinita informed us that we must partake of the lunch that had been laid for us.There was vegetarian as also non -vegetarian platter.It was a wholesome spread with rajma,paneer,brown bread & chicken.Dessert- Tiramisu -both white & brown ones were too tempting ! The lunch was washed down by thick milk shakes in three flavors....choco ,cookie & mango !

Lunch over ,Vinita informed us that the author had picked up the tab for the event ! That drew gasps from all of us ! Vinita handed the author, a token gift, as a mark of appreciation. Vinita surprised us by giving us coins in fancy silver ,golden ,orange hued potlis .The coins were of the edible kind-coin chocolates !

The author thanked us all personally by shaking hands with each one of us ...just made my day ! I am sure he made every one's day as well ! Such a good human being ! Full of empathy & down to earth !

All in all...a memorable event....I made some more blogger friends.I was told that I am photogenic ...which I find unbelievable, even now ! I am sure, the camera is up to mischief...it has hidden my flaws !

In praise of Maa........

I have always argued with my amma  on every topic under the Sun.I have been  my dad's pet .This all changed, when I became a mother.I am always whining about how my kid is bothering me.

I nurture my kid...means, I try my best.And yet am unable to do it, the way my mother brought me up.My amma continues to nurture me & now , my kid as well ! My kid & my mom get along so well that I feel left out ! Whenever ,I know my kid is impossible ,my amma makes it possible .She handles her with patience ,love & care. Amma makes her favorite dishes like aloo ka parathas,puris etal while I try out bread pizzas,bread pakoras & the like.In other words I do  shallow frying & amma,deep frying......my parenting skills ( if any ) are superficial ...they lack depth ? !

My mom with myself in glasses & my daughter....in this snap.

 I keep accusing my mom of pampering my daughter too much.I state, that because of her generosity,my kid expects the same magnanimity from her mom, which I am unable to provide.I want an identity apart from being a mom.My mom has never sought any identity.She is happily content,  being a housewife ,mom & grandmom. She opines  that she has got so much that she never ever dreamt about  ! She is thankful that the Almighty has been very kind & generous ! I am always demanding ...I rarely count my blessings !

While I worked out of home,my mom supported me completely.She was the one, who was most upset when I resigned.Whenever,I am depressed ,it is she, who assures me & pacifies me  saying that everything happens for the best !

Even now,when I have to go out for my chores,she never lets me do any  housework.She goads me to finish my tasks first, so that I can be at peace.She takes care of the cooking ,the washing ,cleaning etal that day.

She taught me cooking .She is very happy to notice that I am able to make so many dishes -some new ones which she doesn't know.I am yet  to learn so many traditional dishes from her.She is ever eager to  about new dishes from me. Her nutritious & simple menu has kept us all healthy. I am aping her now as my food is simple &  healthy.My mom takes pride, in  my cooking skills now.

She is fond of sweets & makes them for all of us .Though now,she is no longer allowed to enjoy sweets as before ,she has found a way, to enjoy sweets.She satisfies her sweet tooth by tasting sweets.She has managed to ward off illnesses by controlling her diet.
She urged me to join yoga classes which I had left a decade back.I am happy that I listened to her as I am a more contented person now.She urges me to eat & drink in moderation as control over food & drinks is the key, to good health.She goes for regular walks in the mornings & evenings.

She  have never hankered after money ,jewels or clothes.She  makes me  clean up my wardrobe & even my home  of old clothes,knick knacks & other stuff.She  taught me shlokas when I was young & I remember them all .This interest in praying ,which my amma  kindled in me, survives to this day.I have learnt many new shlokas & believe me, this has strengthened me ! 

My mom never pesters  relatives like some do.She opines that all have their  reasons for not reacting .She is the  the yogini  though it is me , who does yoga daily. Amma, is my search engine as she able to locate all our misplaced things...like passbooks,birth cerificates,keys,etal !

I need  to emulate Amma now, especially as my teenage daughter tests my patience.I trust, I will able to sail through this all, with a smile on my face, so much like my mom !

After all as one Hindi film song goes,"Hamane kabhi usko nahi dekha,arey iski zarrorat kya hogi,aey maa teri surat se alag bhagwan ki murat kya hogi.....!" Mothers are symbolic of the Almighty on Earth !

This blog post is my Tribute to Mom  in association with Parentous.com