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 !

The courier fellow.

The bell rang as I was just going to savor my first morsel of lunch.I get flustered with such interruptions.I whined & said to myself,"Why such things always happen to me ?I can't even have my lunch in peace."I opened the door.He was there with a bag slung from his shoulders prominently displaying the local courier company wherein he was employed.

"Madam,your courier- you have to sign here."I said,"You have to wait.I have to wash my hands."He understood & was immediately apologetic,"So sorry,Madam.I did not notice.Please tell your name & phone number & I will leave your packet on the table here.I don't like disturbing anybody during lunch."He wrote my name & phone number in his register & was gone.I was touched by his consideration.

I kept thinking about him as I ate my lunch.He was only a courier fellow but his empathy with me was just unbelievable.I realized that he was a good human being first & foremost to behave like the way he did.

Some days later,I spotted him doing his job at the office of the courier company which is on my way to the local market.Though,he was engrossed in sorting the packets,a smile played on his lips.

I bumped into him again after a few days as he had come to drop a courier at my neighbour's house. I had just landed on the floor after a shopping spree,wherein I reside,when I met him. My neighbour's home was locked & I was unlocking my house.He enquired,"Madam,has your neighbour gone out of station ? Nobody seems to be home."I replied,"No, they keep travelling between their two homes - this one & another situated nearby.""That is fine-if you don't mind,can I please write your name & phone number in my register & drop the letter in their post box?"I nodded & gave the details.I was amazed at his thoughtfulness.He slid the letter into their post box & went on his way.I sat pondering at the fellow.He was so thoughtful- he never wanted to be a bother to anybody.I felt, he deserved a better future than being a courier man.But while he was at his simple job,he was making life pleasant for all those who came in contact with him.He was delivering happiness & joy all around.I felt, that I ought to emulate at least this simple trait of smiling from him if not his thoughtfulness.Maybe, as smiling becomes second nature to me ,I would also become as kind as him.

I think,such people only make the journey called life worthwhile.