Distance makes the heart grow fonder!!

On 31st May 2019, Abhishek went to USA for a short trip of 15 days. I was elated! This was long time pending. It was not about money, but the kind of work exposure Abhishek would get there, Simple feeling of how happy he would be, made me extreeeemely happy. I wanted to shout and hug him and tell him How much happy I am and that I love him a lot ( I did later ;-)). But I didn't knew that something very strange is going to happen to me now. 

Ever since our marriage in 2011, we have always been together. We worked in the same company and sat on the same floor. Working together gave us time to have our lunch, brunch and tea together. We went together and returned together. Even when we shifted to Lucknow, we had always been together as Abhishek worked from home and I had quit my job. Thereafter, Ananya was born and he stayed with us throughout. It's been 4 years since then!!

This is the first time in these seven and a half years, that he went so far from me. To be very honest, I never realised that I love him so much till he went away. I missed him dearly. I felt sad, I was heartbroken, I felt miserable. There were other family members too in the house, but still I felt lonely. I wished I had wings so that I may fly to him, to be with him.  I used to wait for his calls like a teenage lover. Continuously checking my mobile, if he messaged or called. Was so happy to see his pics. Loved the video calls (thanks to such modern technologies!!), left all work just to talk to him. Phew..and what not!!

I heard that the distance makes the heart grow fonder, I now realise how. I know realise why marriages are important. I know why couples are called as soul mates. I can't thank God and my parents enough.  May the love grows stronger each day!! Amen!!

Maa ka Ghar

It's been 8 years of my marriage. Yet, everytime I visit my mom's home, I feel nostalgic. I miss being loved, cared and being pampered the way they use to do. I realise that marriage and associated responsibilities have taken away the girl inside me. I miss being chirpy, I miss being like a blossoming flower each day, I miss those eyes whose one glance comforted me, I miss being able to say anything without fear of being judged or criticised, I miss being myself,  I miss my home. 

Everytime I see my daughter, I make a promise to myself, that I will never allow her to loose her innocence. I will always protect her. I pray to God to please help me do that. I pray to God to please protect her. I pray each day, each night, every moment.

Earlier, I use to question myself, why the hell did everyone wants us to get married? It's just a pleasure of few years. But, now I realise the reason. My husband had been very loving to me, he cares for me, he loves me. There are certain little things he do, that makes me fond of him. Initially, these things did not show up, but, as the time passes by, the bond of relationship grows stronger. I now realise, that my parents married me to him so that when they are not there, I would have someone to spend my life with. Otherwise, in this populous world, there would not be a single soul with whom I could open up. 

Being born to such good parents is the best thing that happened to me. I would always be thankful to God for giving me such parents. I miss them,  I desperately miss them. 

 

Why hate India?

One LinkedIn post & I realise Indians love to hate & criticise India. People move to western world & from there they see just the shortcomings. I want to ask all of them, aren't western world have there own set of problems? Are they not working towards it?

So is it with India. We accept our shortcomings but we are also working towards them. People sitting far away cannot see the positive changes happening in the lives of people here. And as far as our strength goes, we are incomparable.

Our culture is our biggest strength. Our values are our guiding principles. But somehow our education system has transformed us to curse ourselves. We have been blinded to see only the dark side of India but nobody can stop the shine of this beautiful land. 

All those Indians sitting abroad and criticising India, I want to ask you, what have you done for your fellow citizens? Did you vote, did you help reach the government schemes to your household helps?

If you stay abroad, you are the brand ambassador of your country. Did you mind your conduct out there? When you break law outside, you bring shame to entire nation and our entire race, but still you do it. Similarly, when you criticise your own home land, you ensure that others also throw mud on you.  Can you ever disassociate yourself from your origination? 

I appreciate how the western world had made progress and I accept that we need to learn a lot from them. But that can also be done by not belittling your own country. Its like, Sasural accha  ( rich) hai to apna ghar bahut ganda lagne lga. It's like cursing your mother for being dark when your mom in law is a chick. But do you realise how much that black lady has done for you. What all sacrifices she has made to make you what you are today and make you reach where you are? Time is the biggest teacher. I wish you learn soon.

I am angry, I am disappointed by few. But I know there are lot many out there whose heart beats for India no matter where they stay.  Opportunities have taken them away but their soul resides in India. and it the those people, that India places its trust upon. You are the one who can bring long awaitied repute  and respect for India. 

And yes, I am proud of democracy of india. I am proud of my current PM  & all previous governments. Until we value ourselves, until we respect ourselves, until we develop self esteem, no body in this world is going to respect us. Jai Hind!!

Somya Bajpai