Category: Navarathiri

First time we celebrated Navarathiri at home after the birth of Anirud. It was all based on Anirud’s toys. We bought only branded chicco toys as it was safe and with rounded edges so as not to hurt the child. Also another factor that was the paint used for the toys to avoid the lead content going into the body of the child. During those early stages, they invariably lick and literally chew those toys. So one has to be careful as to what kind of toys to buy given the proliferation of cheap toys in the market which can be dangerous to health. Dad and Mom were there for the celebrations and it was a nice thing to have your parents with you during the festival season. It also gives them a sense of diversion being with the grand child and to meet up with new folks in a relaxed state of mind. As children, that’s your duty especially after they have given all their life to bring you up going through all the trials and tribulations of life. It’s that time of the year when we bring out the traditional dresses out of the wardrobe (Gents wearing Kurtas and Dhotis, Kids – Boys in Kurtas and Ladies in their gorgeous Kanchipuram silk sarees bedecked with Jewels) looking their ravishing best. Especially as expats, we look for every occasion to get together for fun, frolic and delicious food. It was moments like these that kept us invigorated and embedded in that social group that was truly special and more like a family. While somehow, we could find all that time for the family and friends in a foreign land, this somehow dissipates into thin air when you return back to India. It all seems so disjointed and disoriented though we still continue to celebrate festivals with friends and family. The personal connect which we had as a special group is found wanting…..somehow…..as we are lost in our own individual world…..and not being able to come out of it…..even transiently. That said, I am indeed glad that we had some glorious times in Kuwait with our Dearest 4SA friends….it’s an unique chapter in our life….and the greatest virtue about them is that it included every one in the family from Parents to Kids and even relatives when they visited us…..wonderful welcoming people indeed….