Aha to Ha Ha Moments in My Life

As we enter the ebbing moments of the year 2023, it is time to reminiscence about the events that shaped this year. Started with a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the year saw yet another bloody war raging across Gaza killing numerous innocent lives. With natural and man-made disasters and conflicts dominating the year, it is very difficult to find a silver lining. Yet there are some brave efforts by individuals that has rekindled our faith in humanity. Here is a round-up of the major events that unfurled during the year 2023 across the world, in India and in Chennai. The impact of these events may well extend well in year 2024 and beyond .  1. When the Earth shook: In February this year, a devastating earthquake ripped through Turkey and Syria. The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the Turkey -Syria border on February 6th 2023 was one of the biggest disasters in recent history. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and many more have been injured. Thousa...

2022 – Yearly round up As the curtain descended on the year 2021, it became certain that we live in uncertain times. The year 2022 began with the ominous signs of Omicron raising the sceptre of COVID 19 all over again. No sooner did we settle down to live with the virus, the world was jostled by the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. But, we survived yet another tumultuous year ravaged by conflicts and climate change. Here is the rundown on the highlights of the year.  The top 7 items is a reflection of the happenings in Chennai, India and the World in the year 2022.  7. IPL 2022 It’s a disappointing outing for the men in yellow, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they failed to gain any sort of momentum in the group games and finished at the bottom of the table. Only consolation perhaps was Mumbai Indians (MI) too had a miserable run. The restrictions of venues imposed by COVID protocols, robbed CSK of the opportunity from playing in Chennai’s M.A...

  The Invitation: When Leela innocuously asked me if I’d be interested to attend a wedding this May, without even asking her the details, I said “ No!  I’m busy in May ”. “Oh” , she said, feigning surprise, paused a little and fired the opening salvo,  “ the wedding is in Goa ... .” she paused again for effect and then landed the sucker punch, “ our folks from Bangalore are all coming ” She turned and pretended to walk away, fully aware that she had knocked me off of my high horse – yet again (sigh) “Ah, I see... ” I replied hardly hiding my disappointment at not listening to her fully – a folly, I still keep committing even after almost three decades of marriage. Quickly recovering, I asked her “ when did you say the wedding is?   And the moment her reply came, I said:  “ Oh I guess that week I should be home and not travelling” ...With the mission accomplished, Leela gave me a triumphant smile and marched away.   The Preparation: Thus started the whi...

  After almost 6 weeks off and on in Turkey and travelling to the earthquake affected cities, I finally decided I needed a break. That’s when I landed in this quaint little city of Tbilisi, Georgia. When my travel agent suggested either Yerevan in Armenia or Tbilisi in Georgia as a quick get-away trip from Istanbul, I picked Tbilisi, not just because the name is so quirky, but I also saw some beautiful picture postcard worthy Cathedrals and many heritage buildings with rivers crisscrossing the city. The Turkish Airlines flight landed on time at the Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport and thus started my quick three day tour of Tbilisi. Day 1 – the taxi ride : In any foreign country, your first point of contact usually is the cab driver. In Tbilisi, my cab driver was waiting with my full name (surname spelt correctly) and ushered me into the ubiquitous Toyota Prius taxi. As soon I settled down, he smiled at me and said Namaste! Raj Kapoor.   I smiled back at him and s...

 With bated breath, I waited.. I have not done it now for almost three or maybe even four months. You know, sometimes at my age, the urge diminishes. But in the back of my mind, I always had a thought, only to brush it aside. But hey, everybody – irrespective of their age are doing it.   I have seen during my travels abroad, men and women doing it in broad daylight, behind brightly lit windows. Of course, it’s the Western culture. Just to let you in to a secret – I have also personally experienced it during my overseas trip and boy, I did love it!   My friends told me that right here in Chennai, you can arrange for the service discretely in the privacy of your home. I stared at them in disbelief. But they insisted it is worth the extra payment - avoids the hassle of going out to these places. This was indeed encouraging to know and it sparked in me a new energy. Imagine the luxury and the discreteness of doing it right in the privacy of your own home. Putting aside all my...