Epitaph for My Granma

It’s my maternal granma. Last two days were very trying for the whole family, as we could not help my granmaa in any way to ease her. The only thing we could do was pray that her sufferings come to an end. And, the only solace is that she passed away on a day that is supposed to be holy as per Hinduism.

After speaking to my parents in the morning, today I thought that mentally, I was prepared to hear the news. But, within few hours, when I saw my dad's number flashing on my mobile while driving, I suddenly felt cold and tired. After hearing the news, kept calling my family members just to relieve my restlessness.

Small things and incidents are deeply etched in my memory. She used to tell that as a preteen, I used to scare her by my tomboyish behavior. To tame me down, she put me in religious classes, where I was taught Suriya Namaskar and then transcendental meditation. 

What a lady she had been! Her bluish gray eyes were warm and stern, and I used to long that at least my kid should inherit it. She was my first inspiration, especially in handling dire circumstances. She had unshakable faith that things will turn around as we wish.

Now, I realize the pangs of being an expat. It is a matter of few hours flight trip to home country, but due to our current plans, unable to go there and do my last rites, as the only granddaughter. This is what we choose, when we become expats.

Mumbai Menace

The recent Mumbai atrocity has shaken me. My parayers for the family of those who died in the tragedy. 

When similar things were happening in different countries, I felt sad, period, but was unable to grasp the seriousness. Now, when it has hit home (though none of my family and friends were directly affected by it) I cringe at this intolerable act and get nightmares.

Now, Telegraph.co.uk has listed India among 20 most dangerous places in the world, just after Mumbai massacre. May be, the list should be refined to indicate the dangerous places in the country, instead of listing the entire country.

What could be the reason behind the attack? Is it against the Jews? This is a very minor community in India! or Is it against the economic growth that India has been seeing thorough, recently? This is not convincing as well, because of the current global economic recession! Then, is it really against the intolerance for another religion? At any cost, this kind of barbaric acts should be erased. May be, like in since fictions, the scientists should come up with devices to alter the deadly thoughts of terrorism.

See, my rattles are wayward and jumping at different angles! I still can't see how the authorities were ignorant of such a sophisticated attack. The key persons have come forward and resigned from their posts, am not too sure of what to think of this act? Is it an act of taking up the responsibility? In that case, is this a reasonable decision at the hour of crisis? If they just resign, it might make the situation even difficult as the new person who take over might not know the history and the intricacies of the responsibilities of that position. May be the best way would be to keep the outgoing person as an aide to the newly appointed person. And, this should be done with complete cooperation and with sole aim of getting at the root cause of the menace.