A Room For Grandma

CHAPTER 1

A New House

It was Saturday evening. Saroja came back from tuition class. She saw her father at the dining table bent over a plan.

“What are you doing, Appa?” she asked, going over to look.

“I am looking at a plan for our new house!” said her father calmly.

“What?” asked her mother who had just come into the room with a tumbler of steaming, hot coffee. Even Shankar, Saroja’s ten-year-old brother, glued to the television watching cricket, jumped and turned his head in surprise.

“Our own house?” everyone asked in the same breath.

Father chuckled happily, breaking the good news. 

“Yes, I am planning to build our own house. I have taken a house-building loan from my company. I have also got a kind of plan ready.”

Mother was not very enthusiastic. There never was enough money in the house. She wondered how they would manage, especially with the children growing up. In fact, she had taken up this new job only to tide over expenses every month-as well as to put by a little. Building a new house would mean a terrible strain on the family budget. Repaying a loan, a house-building loan at that, would make a deep dent in one’s pocket. Food, clothes, fees, books, tuitions and now, building a new house! Saroja’s mother shook her head in despair.

“Don’t look so gloomy!” said Father to her.

 “I think we can manage. All my colleagues had the same doubts when they got started. Now, they seem pretty happy in their own houses. We should be able to manage, too. Who knows, I am expecting a raise and if that happens, it would be an unexpected bonus. It will take care of the loan completely. And remember, Vimala, we have to build our house at some time or the other and the earlier we do, the better. Prices of things are shooting up. The kids are growing up and need their own rooms, too.”

Saroja jumped up in delight. 

“Appa, do I have a room all to myself? I hope I don’t have to share it with Shankar?”

“You don’t” said Father, smiling. 

“I am giving you a whole room with an attached bathroom. You are growing up so fast. Soon, you will be a young lady.” Saroja had just turned thirteen. 

Shankar, too, came to study the plan spread on the table. 

“Then, do I, too, have my own room, Appa?” he asked.

“Yes. Yes” said Father cheerfully. “I am trying to fit in everything.”

Now, Mother looked more worried than ever. She said,

“I think you are overdoing things. I can’t imagine how much a house of that size is going to cost to build.”

Father said cheerfully,

“Leave all that to me. I have been thinking things over the last six months. I’ve discussed with many of my colleagues. Remember, we are luckier than many of them. We have this little plot for our house already. To own a plot of this size in Bangalore is unthinkable. Plots cost far more than the building. Thank God, I bought it years ago when land prices were low. And plots came for a song. For that, I must thank my mother - she gave me some money to buy it, and I added a little of my own savings as a bachelor. So, it is coming handy, now.”

Mother was silent, trying to digest things. The children, however, were delighted with the idea.

Father was busy during the weekends running about getting the various clearances and certificates, meeting builders, quite exhausting it was! But he never complained. He seemed to have deep inner reserves of strength for all the additional work. Anyway, he never let anything get him down, though he might have had his moments of despair. Sometimes, he made a joke of it all by saying,

“There is a saying in Tamil, which, roughly translated into English, goes like this: “Try building a house! Try performing a marriage!” Both feats of endurance and patience and so pithily put!”

Some weekends, Saroja never got to see her father. He left very early in the morning and returned after the normal dinner time. One day, Mother said to Father, “You are straining yourself too much. You must take a break for the sake of your health.”

Father said, “I’ve never felt so good or as stimulated as now. I’m enjoying the whole challenge! I’ve many friends who give me advice. Their experiences are coming very handy for me. I’m learning from their mistakes, so I’m pretty armed, you could say! So don’t worry.”

Mother was happy and relieved to hear this, but she couldn’t share his enthusiasm. Saroja was very happy for her father. He was a quiet man but pretty firm and determined. He didn’t say too much and was a very reasonable but one knew not to cross his path when his mind was made up.

As the days and weeks passed, the house building activity increased. One weekend, the whole family was very excited. They were going to the building site where the house was to come up. A small bhoomi pooja was performed by their family priest.

Everyone was very happy. “A great day!” said Father.

 When they returned home, Grandma (Father’s mother) called from her place Chennai, saying she was tired of living by herself and wondered if it would be all right for her to come and live with them.  

“What a wonderful idea!” said Father to her, “Why didn’t I think of it before? We have just returned after doing bhoomi pooja where our new house is going to be come up. Certainly, you can come and stay with us. It is the right time you took this decision, because I am finalizing the plan of our house and you will have a room to yourself.” 

 “I hope it is no trouble” repeated Grandma. But Father brushed aside all doubts and said emphatically, “It will be wonderful. Once we start the construction, I will speak to you and keep you posted with everything. Thanks to you, we have that plot I bought long ago. The builder says the house should be ready in about three years- may be less.”

After putting the phone down, Father made an announcement, 

“That was my mother. She has decided to come and live with us. I think that’s a wonderful idea-for her and for us. Poor thing, she is finding it difficult to cope alone.”

“Good!” said Vimala. “I am glad she has decided to come.”

Shankar was very happy to hear the news. Saroja alone didn’t like the idea. She said in a tone of impatience.

“Now, there goes my room! I’m sure Appa will ask me to share the room with Paati.”(grandma)

Father said, “Mind your tongue, young lady! Now, did I ask you to share your room with Paati? I didn’t. At her age she needs a whole room to herself. She needs peace and quiet. A kid like you will come in her way!” He laughed and added, “And, with you in the room would be for her, like sitting next to a spewing volcano!”

Saroja was furious. She hadn’t finished. She asked, “But why does she want to come? She has her own house in Chennai!”

Mother said, “She finds it difficult to manage alone! When I am old and want to live with Shankar - it will be a similar situation.”

The incorrigible girl harrumphed.

Father said quietly, “She is my mother. She has brought me up. Now, it is my duty to take care of her when she is old.”  

Saroja said, “That may be. I have some girls in my class whose grandmas stay with them! They say that the old people keep cribbing over everything. Now, you know me. I will not put up with anyone saying things to me!”

Mother said, “You know Grandma is not like that! She is a nice person. The old people have grown up in another era. And any way, why should one assume that the younger generation is right? They aren’t most of the time. Today’s kids are spoilt brats! They want to have their way all the time!”

Father added his piece. He said,

“Yes, your mother is right. The old people have grown up in their time with a different set of values and opinions. Why can’t they hold on to them when you at your age are so self-opinionated? I dread to think of you at grandma’s age- you’ll be quite a character, take it from me!!”

“Appa, really! Thanks! For the speech!” said Saroja making a face and going off to study but not before she heard Shankar’s soft remark.

“I like Paati. She makes me such lovely things to eat.”

 Father finalized the new plan for the house. He said “I am glad Paati’s request came in the nick of time. She has a little room for herself.”

Grandma’s room adjoined the staircase space. So, it was not difficult to plan a room for her with her own bathroom attached. It was a small room though, just enough for one person.

“She is used to more space. I am sure she would have been comfortable with a bigger room, I know, but at the moment this is all I can give her. But she will be happy wherever she is.” said Father. He added as an after thought, “She will be with us, while you kids will go off to the university or wherever, after school, or after marriage.” 

How right he was, thought Mother.

The plan was for a nice two-storied house. Grandma’s room would be downstairs along with the drawing and dining rooms and the kitchen. A small pooja room (in India people always try to have a shrine in the house) was also planned on the ground floor. The rest of the family rooms were all upstairs.

At least, Father made sure that Grandma’s room faced the one tree that had been on the plot. So, if one stood at her window, one could see the thick foliage from the overhanging branches of the tree and hear bird cries, too. “How nice!” said Shankar “Paati likes trees!” 

“Indeed” exclaimed Father. “That is a cassia tree. In summer, it has cascades of pink flowers all along its branches. Clusters of them! Grandma is sure to love them.” He added, in passing to Mother, “Later when the house is ready we will buy some furniture for Mother’s room.”

Saroja asked, “Are you building a house for us or for Paati?”

Father said,” For all of us, of course- and don’t forget that it was Paati’s money that fetched the plot!”

Saroja held her tongue. She didn’t know why she felt so envious of this grandma who hadn’t even arrived and who was looming large over the household and getting so much attention.

Father said quietly, 

“We all have our old furniture. Paati doesn’t. So we need to buy stuff for her room. That’s all. But if she wishes to bring in something from her own house then that would also be fine.”

With that statement the topic was closed. Her father went off to see about something.

Saroja had no reply to that. As usual, he was right. She was always a little snappy and let her imagination run away with her. She was irritated with everything. She was a difficult child. 

CHAPTER 2

Saroja’s Tantrums

Saroja was happy the house was taking shape- growing a little every day. But the problems that surfaced every day got her goat. She kept confronting Mother raising objections to a lot of things. Mother got exasperated with her many questions.

“Why this and why that?” she barked at the girl, “Well, you had better address them all to your Father. Now you see what I was trying to tell him at the very beginning. I knew it was going to be tough-going for us with our not- so- big budget. But your father didn’t listen. I don’t know why you have to pick on me for everything. Anyway, now that we have begun we might as well get it done right and fast.” She stopped and glared at Saroja and also to get her breath back! She added, “So stop coming to me with your questions. I have neither the time nor the patience to sit and answer them. I am at the end of my tether, myself. Can’t you see, I have a hundred things to take care of without your silly questions?” she finished quite irritated with the whole thing.

Saroja’s Mother had never spoken to her like that. It surprised her. She knew her Mother was coping very hard with a number of things. Saroja simply shut up after that and withdrew into a shell.

Something was bothering her for she seemed to have a difficult time herself. She did not know how to handle things. So she sat in her room sulking.

“What has got into this girl?” Asked Mother, one night quite irritated now that Saroja had simply clammed up. Father who had more patience drew her to him and said softly.

“Saro, why bother your  pretty head with all this house-building stuff? Attend to your school work, and let us handle the house construction. It is coming along nicely but for some minor glitches. One has to have patience. Building a house is a huge project.” “When she builds her house she will understand.” said Mother curtly. Saroja said tossing her head tartly, “I will never build a house. I will move into a ready-made flat!”

Mother couldn’t help smiling and Father thought she was pretty wise.

Saroja heaved a sigh of relief noting their reactions. She ran off to her room. She knew in her heart of hearts that she should not behave like this and shoot her mouth at every stage. She wondered why she was being so rude. She couldn’t help being like that. She tried so hard to hold her tongue but it simply got the better of her, every time! She had to poke her nose into everything and offer her own opinions on every issue. She had no idea why she was so hateful. It frightened her. Things were really going wrong for her and she felt she was cornered.

Her tantrums continued. As days went by instead of replying to her every query her parents simply ignored her and focused on the house, which anyway took much of their time and attention.

Shankar, happy-go-lucky kid simply went his way, unaffected by all the hustle and bustle in the house. He even asked his sister why she was getting into such a state of nerves.  “It’s not doing you or anyone any good” was his remark. 

“I can’t be indifferent to what is happening around.” Saroja remarked to him.

He was ten and she thirteen years old. Did getting into teens make such a difference? Or, was she simply being temperamental-as if she was carrying the burden of the world on her shoulders? But that was the point. She felt she was being hemmed in by things. It was stifling!

At long last the house was almost ready. It was time to arrange a small Griha Pravesam in the new house- a kind of house-warming ceremony. A few close friends were invited. A pooja was performed. Milk was boiled and drunk. 

A cook had been arranged to prepare the traditional feast. Mother had drawn a beautiful kolam, both in front of the main doorway and inside the main hall. She had also fixed a ‘thoranam’ –a string of fresh, green mango leaves on the front doorway. Everybody was very happy. The house looked quite good, but there was more work to be done-the final details. Now the walls had to get new coats of paint. The tiles had to be laid.  How the house looked depended on this. Her parents got busier than ever doing shopping trips in the following week-ends. But this also came to a final halt. It had to.

 At long last the house seemed ready for occupation. But that meant some moving- like the furniture from the old house, had to be shifted and arranged in the new house. A truck made a few trips bringing all the stuff from the old to the new house. The kitchen had to be setup. It took a couple of week-ends to get it all ready. Now the family heaved a sigh of relief. It was time for them to move into the brand new house! Every one including Saroja was excited. There would be some semblance of order in their life.

Everybody got busy looking around. Saroja was delighted with her new room, and the privacy it afforded. She had a nice bed, a table and a chair and a cupboard all to herself. And, an attached bath, too. 

“Appa and Amma!” she exclaimed hugging her parents, “Thanks a million for everything!”

Her parents were overwhelmed with joy. It had all been worth it. Shankar too said his piece. 

“Appa and Amma thanks!” and sped upstairs to his room. The staircase was a novelty for him. He was forever running up and down, even sliding down the stair-case in great delight.

Grandma’s room was still empty and needed attention. “I’ll attend to it in a week’s time” said Mother who had now to catch up with her office work.

A week later, the parents found time to go shopping to pick up things for Grandma’s room- a new cot, a mattress, curtains, some linen, a table and chair and a doormat. When Grandma’s room was ready Saroja went to inspect it- a comment followed.

 “Everything new, here!” she said, rolling her eyes. Observing her, her Mother asked: “Why are you after Grandma? We are very happy she is coming.”

 Father said “This girl has a big heart but a sharp tongue.”

“Mind your tongue when Grandma comes!” said Mother. “It scares me. She might pick up fights with her.”

Father said “She won’t.” Turning to Saroja, he said curtly, “I don’t understand why you pick on people. That’s not good. You will simply pile up bad karma. I know you don’t mean most of what you say when you talk like that. As parents, we can put up with it but not everyone is going to do that! So check your tongue or it is sure to get you into trouble.”

Saroja scowled and put out her tongue. She said with a touch of sarcasm.

“In this house, everyone oozes honey especially when others are around. I’ve decided to be different. I think I’ll spar with Grandma when she comes. That would be fun!”

Father was alarmed. “You will do no such thing. Remember, she is going to make her home with us. We have to make her feel welcome. She’s a nice person, wise and so affectionate. If you don’t behave, I’ll send you to boarding school! Take it from me!”

Saroja was stumped. She saw her father’s livid face and knew she had gone too far. She quietly slipped off to her room upstairs. There, her grouchiness vanished, for she simply loved her room. Now, who would give up this nice room and go to live in a hostel? Not she. She also knew her father. While being very nice and soft on the outside, could be tough. Who knew, he might even put her in a hostel to teach her some manners. She had better behave, she thought to herself. Then, opening a book she got busy with her homework.

CHAPTER 3 

Grandma Arrives

The house was in perfect order. Mother was in great spirits. So was everybody except of course Saroja who had to catch a new bus for the school bus did not come to this area. “What a bore!” she said cursing under her breath morning and evening.  Nobody paid her much attention. Everybody had their problems, anyway!

Mother concentrated about getting things going. In a new place she had to figure out many things- Getting milk from the new milk booth, getting a new maid and gardener, locating the grocery stores. Even for all of them to go to school and workplace she had to locate the bus stops and the transport. This took a fortnight with help from friends and neighbours.

Then she turned her attention to the garden. Thank God! There was very little space in front of the house- just a long strip. The mali spruced it up with some potted plants and flowering shrubs. Now all that remained was the space at the back of the house which could be turned into a kitchen garden. This was a little wider strip.

Mother said “I think I will wait for Grandma to do something here. She knows about plants whereas I am a big zero in that regard!”

“Yes, Amma will be glad to occupy herself with that activity. She was missing a garden in that Chennai flat of hers!” said Father.

With the house now ready to receive Grandma, Father left for Chennai to settle Grandma’s affairs there and bring her over. A friend arranged the sale of her house and all her other belongings. The things she needed were neatly packed in a few suitcases and cartons.

From Chennai, they took the night Mail train which arrived at Bangalore at break of dawn. It happened to be a weekend.

Grandma was thrilled at the sight of the house. She liked her room and rushed to the window with the enthusiasm of a child, exclaiming “What a lovely view! What a beautiful tree! This is what I missed in my Chennai flat.”

“Wait for it to bloom. You will go into raptures! It’s a cassia tree.” said Father.

Grandma was overjoyed. “A cassia tree! That is going to be a dream!” she exclaimed happily.

Father brought in all her baggage and he and Mother arranged it in Grandma’s room. While Grandma bustled about her room happily, Mother came in with a tumbler of freshly brewed hot coffee for her. She said, “Amma, I hope you are going to like it here!” 

“Sure! Sure!” said Grandma, sitting on her cot and sipping the coffee. “Lovely coffee, Vimala, as only you can make it!”
“Thank you, Amma!” said Mother happily.

Saroja and Shankar came to greet her. “How the kids have grown!” remarked Grandma.
“We are glad you are going to be with us, Paati!” said Shankar. “Have you brought some murukku for me?” 

Saroja could not help asking for her favourite Mysore Pak. “I’ve brought all the things you people like. It’s all in that canvas bag. I’ll unpack it the moment I’m done with the coffee.”

“Goodness! Children! Can’t you wait for Paati to finish her coffee? Must you rush her like this the moment she arrives? ”asked Mother.

Grandma laughed heartily. “Children are like that. I’m glad they are so. Wait, dears!”

She finished her coffee and set to unpack her bag. 

“This bag contains all the goodies I have been making for a whole week in Chennai before coming here.” She declared happily as she handed the packets to the kids which they simply grabbed and vanished, saying a hurried thanks. Grandma handed over the bag to Mother saying, “Now you can do the sorting. All the masalas, powders, snacks and sweets are in here- some home-made pickles and vadams, too!”

Father said. “It’s ages since we ate home-made stuff.  Amma’s snacks are famous in the family!”

 The children were gorging on the snacks when Mother pounced on them and retrieved the packets just in time with a reprimand. “Who, do you think is going to eat all those idlis I’ve made for breakfast, if you gorge on those snacks now?” 

Father came in and said “Amma, you have two whole cupboards for your books and things.”

“Thanks” said Grandma, “I’ll unpack later, today. I’ve an overnight bag which contains some fresh clothes. I’ll have a bath now and then join all of you for breakfast.”

Soon breakfast was over and Grandma was taken on a tour of the house.

“What a lovely house!” cried Grandma over and over again to Saroja’s surprise. This grandma is quite easy to please, it seems, she thought to herself. Grandma liked the layout of the house including the kitchen with enough space for everything.

She peeped into the back yard and exclaimed with delight. “Oh! You have a little space here for a kitchen garden!”
Shankar who had been following her said “Paati! Amma is waiting for you to plant some vegetables there!”

Grandma said happily “Sure! Sure! Even I have to find something useful to do!”

Grandma was escorted back to her room and left to take rest. She slept soundly as if she hadn’t slept a long time. Later, in the evening she unpacked her suitcases. “When you are done with all your unpacking and rested, may be next week, I will take you to our bank, and open an account in your name, Amma!” said Father to Grandma.“Yes! Yes!” agreed the old lady, “I need to get started here-the sooner the better. I have to resume my morning walks. I have to set a routine for myself! I think I am going to like it here!”

Grandma took a fortnight to settle down. The bank was a ten minute walk. The park was also across the street. Here, she met some of their neighbours. This brought in some excitement to the family. “We would never have found time to meet them.”  remarked Vimala. “With Amma, here, we shall get to know all our neighbours.”

There was a temple of Lord Muruga next to the park. Here, too Grandma got to meet some ladies. Some of them invited her to their homes. What made practical Grandma very happy was the fact that the market was also situated near the temple. So, whenever she went to the temple, on her way back, she could shop for things with her new friends who knew a thing or two about the place. All this information came handy. In the market, was a nice bakery, several grocery shops, a hotel or two, a dry cleaner, even a tailoring  shop. What more did one want?

As for Saroja, she was very busy these days, what with her school, homework and special tuition classes in the evenings. So Grandma hardly spoke to the girl. Any way she seemed quite preoccupied with herself. Shankar always greeted her when he got back from school and before he went to play games on his computer.

Grandma loved to keep herself busy and found it was pretty easy to fit in here and the family was very glad to have her. Soon, she got to know all about the people in the building. The family was glad they had such good neighbours. Grandma told the family them about them when they sat down together to eat the one meal- dinner, together. It was a simple meal, delicious cooked by both Saroja’s mother and Grandma giving a hand.

Weekends were hectic for the family what with the shopping trips, visiting friends or relatives and entertaining guests or spending time with those dropping by. Where was the time for the family to relax, ever? Mother bought a lot of food stuff from the bakeries. There was a wide variety of things to choose from- convenient for packing in children’s lunch boxes and for serving as evening snacks. But, she, while on the lookout for new and exciting things was also aware that processed foods were not good in the long run. So were all those rich and scrumptious stuff, oozing with fat. What, with children fed on such high fat diets becoming victims of obesity and diabetes, it was getting to be a problem for working women like her to plan meals and school lunches. Ultimately, as one friend put it, life, it seemed for most people revolved around the dining table! Indeed, one of the greatest joys of life was to eat nice, homely, healthy food! Could anything equal that?  With Grandma there for good the food situation was sure to improve! That was for sure! Mother thought.

CHAPTER 4 

Grandma in the House

Grandma set her own routine. She woke up early had her bath did her morning puja. After the family had left, she sat down to eat her oatmeal porridge for breakfast.

Then she adjourned to her room to take a glance at the newspaper. She liked to be up-to-date on what was happening in India as well as the outside world. She never missed the news programme on the TV. She also watched one or two favourite serials. She had her own television set which she had brought from Chennai. 

Grandma supervised the maid and mali. Grandma got him to lay out a nice little lawn in front of the house. It made the frontage look good. Grandma also got a very pretty creeper planted along the porch so it would provide some greenery and colour in course of time, when the flowers bloomed.

The kitchen garden came up rather fast. Mother was thrilled with the fresh coriander leaves for their meals. The mint was coming up, too and a couple of tomato shrubs and a curry leaf plant. A climbing jasmine plant was planted along the compound wall. The flowers would come handy for the daily pooja. The daily watering would help them bloom in no time. 

One day after a month of her coming Grandma said to herself. ‘Today, I am going to surprise the family by cooking something special for dinner.’ She remembered that the family vastly enjoyed the north Indian dishes when they had come to her Chennai flat.  She knew Bhaskar like food with a north Indian touch. So she set to cooking dinner and it gave her a sense of joy and purpose. The house smelled heavenly when Saroja and Shankar got back from school. Saroja couldn’t help asking Grandma, “Paati! What are you cooking -smells heavenly?”

 Shankar jumped with joy. “Paati, are we having pulav and vegetable Khorma for dinner?” he asked. “You bet!” said Grandma beaming at the kids. “Today, I wanted to give you all a little surprise!” “Paati, can I eat it now?” asked Shankar hopping on one leg. “Silly!” scolded Saroja. “That is for dinner. You yourself said so. How can you eat it now?”

“I can!” said Shankar smacking his lips. “I can eat it with buttered toast, now.”

“Mmmmm-sounds good!” agreed Saroja. “ Paati, what is for snack today?” asked Shankar. “I don’t know what your mother has planned for today. Check in the fridge. If you wish, I can certainly give you some toast with the gravy. That seems a great idea!”

Saroja opened the fridge to check. “Oh! There is palak bun- we’ll eat the bun now and have the khorma with pulav for dinner.” She said quietly.

That settled, the kids ran up to put their bags in their rooms, washed changed and came back for the snack. They were used to snacking on their own so Grandma did not want to change the system. They micro- waved their buns them washing them down with a glass of milk and dashed back upstairs to do their homework. Shankar however remarked to Paati. “I can’t wait to eat dinner, tonight!” and ran off.

In the evening, when Bhaskar and Vimala got back from work, they too were full of joy sniffing the air smelling of the dinner dishes.  Dinner was wonderful with everyone heaping praise on Grandma. She for her part was very happy! 

The left-overs were packed in the office and school lunch boxes for the next day. Grandma grinned from ear to ear as Shankar gave her a big hug saying.

 “Now, with Paati here, we don’t have to go to a restaurant to eat north Indian food, ever!”

“Yes!” agreed exclaimed everybody.

One weekend, Grandma made idlis grinding the dough to perfection in her wet grinder. She made sambar, chutney even medu vadais to go with it.

“Paati is spoiling us!” said Mother. “I can’t remember when we last had such a perfect breakfast.”

Bhaskar said “Last week’s Hindu newspaper carried an article on fermented foods. Nutritionists are saying that bacteria in the fermented foods are excellent for health. So, that means all our tiffins like idlis, adais and dosais are excellent for health. There was a whole section on curds! Ancient cooking has stood the test of time is what the world is discovering all over, again.”

One day, Bhaskar said at dinner time, “Vimala, my boss told me that he will be on a visit to our neighbourhood next Thursday. I took the cue and invited him for dinner to our place. He told me that he would be bringing an American visitor along, if we didn’t mind. I said we would be glad to have him over. Are you ok with the programme?”

Vimala looked alarmed. She said a little flustered. “Oh! No! I can’t get back home the coming Thursday before 7 o’clock. We are launching a new product and there is going to be a press meet. I could try to come by eight o’clock”.

Bhaskar said “In that case, I’ll take them out. But, the boss, I could sense wanted to meet you.”

Grandma said “Why must you worry, when I am here? I’m sure I can manage that dinner.”

Bhaskar grinned from ear to ear. He said happily, “I know! I know!  With Amma, we should not worry our heads over such things.  But, Amma, I don’t want you to strain yourself, unduly. There’s a nice joint where they make continental stuff. I can always pick up something on my way home. And I shall be home a little early on Thursday though our guests  will arrive only at half past eight in the evening.”

Grandma said reassuringly “Don’t worry Bhaskar I shall handle everything. I know, this dinner is important for you. You know how much I enjoy cooking!”

Came Thursday, and Grandma was busy as a bee. She had taken out her lovely china which she had brought from Chennai. Oh! Did it look grand? It gleamed on the table, set with a bowl of fresh roses which Grandma had picked up from the florist that very morning!  How pretty everything looked! When the kids got back from school their eyes popped out of their heads!

“Oh! Paati!” Shankar exclaimed stopping by to admire the dining table. “It looks like a five-star hotel setting! Are Saroja and I allowed to eat with the guests?”      

Grandma said “No, kanna (darling), I will feed you kids a little earlier in the kitchen. The guests will be here only at half past eight. Dinner would be a little after that. That may be too late for you. You have school tomorrow!”

Saroja said tossing her head. “That’s ok by me. Who wants to eat with guests? Appa may not like us around, anyway.”

Shankar was a little disappointed, but said nothing and ran up the stairs to deposit his school bag.

The dinner was a great success. Even Bhaskar was in for a surprise. His mother had outdone herself! The guests  loved the food and took big helpings to Bhaskar’s great delight. Bhaskar’s boss was ecstatic. Even the American was impressed. He said,

“The food is awesome! This is the first time I am eating in an Indian home!”

“My mother is a great cook!” said Bhaskar happily.

Grandma’s day was made. In fact, after the guests left Vimala and Bhaskar cleared away the table and wouldn’t let Grandma any where near the kitchen or table.

Saroja and Shankar came down after the guests were gone for another helping of the dessert- fresh fruit with custard and ice cream. Shankar was very happy.

He said “The soup was great! So was the baked dish. I have never eaten anything so wonderful! Thanks! Paati!                                                                

Saroja said “I liked the salad. The cheese rolls were pretty good, too!”

Again, lots of food from the dinner went into the school and office lunch boxes. Vimala said “What a wonderful dinner you gave us.  In fact when I came in, I thought I had got into somebody else’s house! You had transformed the place. You did us proud today! This was important for Bhaskar! I could sense the whole thing! Thank you, Amma!”

Grandma looked abashed. She asked simply, “Yes, I have spent a lifetime handling my pots and pans-shouldn’t I be good at cooking?”

Bhaskar said, “Don’t under estimate yourself, Amma! We often have top hotels supplying us stuff when big shots are invited for those business lunches! The whole table groans with food- so much cream and cheese and costing a fortune, yet comes nowhere near yours!”

Grandma looked abashed again “I guess there is a difference! Cooking is something I love.” 

Vimala said, “Any way, some day, you have to teach me to make these dishes. By the way, Amma, I never knew you brought your crockery from Chennai. I have only a stainless set for dinner when people come. The last few years have been so bad I had no time even to sit and reflect on things! You are so good at all these things! But your crockery made such an impression. And the roses were exquisite! The whole thing was divine is all I can say!”

Shankar said, “Paati is a wizard.” He went across and gave her a big hug!

“Paati” he said “We will also have dinner, one day, with your crockery and all that. The same dishes, too!” added the little boy!

“Sure!” said Grandma kindly” On your birthday, next month we will have dinner in style!” 

Shankar was thrilled no end. “Promise!” he said stretching out an open palm for Grandma. Grandma put her palm on his. “Promise!” she said  assuring him. The deal was made.

The child ran off with a glow on his face. The tender scene was not lost on the smart girl. Saroja thought life was made of such lovely moments. Shankar was such a small kid- so happy and trusting. His life was simple, uncomplicated and there was Grandma, all ready and willing to help him work out his little dream!

On another day, when Mother invited a friend’s daughter, a new bride with her husband for a Sunday morning lunch, Grandma suggested they eat on banana leaves. So it was a traditional meal served on fresh banana leaves. The newly married couple simply loved the food and said “This is a meal we can never forget!”

Vimala said to Grandma after the guests left. “I never seem to remember these little details. What, with my weekends so rushed, too!”

“I know! I know!” said Grandma, “I sit at home all day and so, I have time to plan a lot of things. For working women, having to run the household while holding a fulltime job can be pretty tiring and your mind is occupied with so many things to be done!”

“Paati!” A hundred things! That is my mother’s favourite expression.” Laughed Saroja who had come in just then and overheard them.

Mother laughed. She said to Grandma. “No, Amma! What I was going to say was that I have friends whose mothers are around, but they are bored doing nothing. Some of them won’t even read a newspaper, let alone plan a meal!”

Grandma heard her and thought that some of her friends in Chennai were also like that. But she did not say anything. Thank God! She liked doing things making life interesting for herself and for others around her.

One morning Grandma went upstairs to supervise the maid. She noted that the bedspreads and the sheets were old and frayed. That very noon she went shopping. She went to a handloom shop and picked up linen for all their beds- nice and matching their rooms and the walls and also in their favourite colours.

The next morning, with the help of Janaki, the maid, she got the beds made nicely with the new stuff surprising the family in the evening when they got back home.

Saroja asked her mother when the latter got back from work. “Amma! Did you buy new bed- spreads and sheets for my bed? They are so nice!”

Mother said “That must be Grandma’s doing! Oh! The things she keeps doing for us!”

Soon Mother, Saroja and Shankar made a beeline to Grandma’s room to hug her and thank her.

Vimala said “Every morning when I make my bed, I plan to and go and pick up bed sheets and bed spreads but once I get home I don’t remember a thing! In the week end I don’t know what happens. There are so many things waiting to be done, these things slip my mind. Amma, how do we thank you for all the things you do for us, day after day? Words fail me really!” 

 When Bhaskar got home, he too was in for a surprise. 

 “This weekend, I’m taking you all out for dinner. You choose which restaurant you want to go to. I’ve no idea about the eateries here.” announced Grandma.

“Hurrah!” cried the kids. “We haven’t gone out to eat for a long time!”

So, on Friday evening an excited family went out to eat. They settled for the nearest restaurant, because getting auto-rikshaws at night would be a problem. 

“After we moved in here” said Bhaskar, “We haven’t dined out. So, it’s a nice change. We need to give Amma a treat. Instead she’s forever doing things for us!”

“How does it matter who treats whom? Let’s all have a good time!” said Grandma.

CHAPTER 5

Great Gifts

  As the days passed by, Grandma had more time to observe things. She found the kids coming back from tuition class hunched over the computer till dinner time with no one to supervise them. Grandma wondered if they should spend so much time in their rooms. Too much of anything was bad-even technology!

Grandma also guessed that Vimala had to do a tight rope walking with the family budget, now that a big chunk of their income was going towards repaying the house loan. Now was the time to speak up, she thought. She did that week-end.

 So, on Saturday she caught  Bhaskar and Vimala discussing something very softly in hushed tones in the living room. She knew it had to be the household budget! This was the moment she had been waiting for. She took her place quietly on the sofa, opposite them.  “Bhaskar and Vimala” she began, “I have been here awhile and I think I have a feel of things here. Now listen and don’t raise objections, right away!  I know my coming here, on top of the zooming prices and the house loan repayment has put a strain on the family budget”

“Amma!” interrupted Bhaskar aghast, “On the other hand…”

“No, no, listen,” said Grandma with quiet authority “I wanted to make this offer long ago but I waited so I could settle down and study things. Now, you know I get a fairly decent amount by way of pension which I hardly use. Also the fixed deposits I have are laying eggs if I may use that expression and they too are simply lying around building more nest-eggs. So, I was wondering, Bhaskar, if that can take care of the monthly instalments towards repayment of the house building loan. I know, the loan repayment is quite a big drain on your purse.”

Bhaskar said “Amma, you are very clever! I know you find me and Vimala squabbling over the budget. Yes, it is rather tight at the moment because the raise which I had expected hasn’t yet materialized. Yes, we can make do with your help till the raise comes through”

“No, no” said Grandma. “Keep the raise when it comes, in your savings. You‘ll need it for the children’s education and their marriage.”

The kids came into the room and joined them at this juncture. Grandma said:

“So, with that settled, I have another proposal, Bhaskar. You know, how fond I was of the December music concerts in Chennai. I never ever missed any season of music. From the papers, I find that here, too there are quite a number of music concerts, dance and dance-dramas here all through the year -some of them not too far from here. I would love to attend them, especially when good artistes perform. We could all go during the week-end or during the holidays. She paused a little then resumed, 

“I was wondering if we should go in for a car, then we don’t have to run for auto-rikshaws at night when we return home. The car will come in handy for dropping the kids to school and picking them up in the evenings and for  Saroja’s evening tuitions, too. At present they expend so much time and energy commuting. Travelling by bus can be quite a drain on them every day. With the buses getting more and more crowded in the evening the kids must be finding it quite tough!

“If you don’t mind, I can finance the buying of a good family car for us. We can employ a chauffer, too. Please think over what I’ve said and then decide.”

The two kids were listening intently to all this.  “Paati!” cried Shankar jumping up and running to hug her. 

‘That would be great!’ thought Saroja nodding appreciatively but remaining silent otherwise.  She was trying to understand the situation.

Bhaskar said, “Amma, whatever you say makes sense but I feel that you  shouldn’t  worry over all these things.”

Grandma said, “The money is gathering dust, as they say, sitting in the bank! We are only spending it on what has become a necessity for families such as ours. A car. If we don’t buy it now when we need it, of what use having that money?”

 Vimala said, “Amma, you are a veritable Santa Claus!”

Shankar added quickly, “Santa Claus gives gifts only during Christmas. Paati is giving us gifts, everyday!”

That week end, a brand new Tata Sumo stood in their porch. Bhaskar was lucky in the matter of getting a good chauffeur. They found a good driver. This man was a very good fellow. Thus, Thangavelu came to work for them. He was a nice man who spoke both Tamil and Kannada, knew Bangalore roads and was a great asset. Grandma liked him a lot. Bhaskar went to work in the company car. Vimala was picked up and dropped back by her company bus. For the kids though, the car was a wonderful surprise. They did not have to rush to catch the public bus every morning, carrying their huge school bags. They did not have to wait in the evening and waste time. They came home half an hour early in the evenings. Saroja could take the car for her daily tuition class. What luxury! On the week ends, the car came handy for all their outings-visiting relatives and friends, attending weddings and music concerts. Bhaskar knew driving and now Vimala was taking driving lessons. 

Bhaskar said, “I am happy we have a chauffer. Today, it is impossible to drive a car on Bangalore roads. The traffic has increased a hundred times! It is sheer chaos.”

Vimala said,  “In those days only some people had cars. There was no traffic. Now every family has a car. Now in some houses every adult has a car! America has arrived here! But without proper roads!”

Shankar said “Paati, my friend has four cars . They have problems parking. Two of them are always parked on the road!”

Bhaskar said, “There is no parking space in front of our office. It’s a problem parking on some roads! In a way, Amma is right- a car has become a necessity.”

All said and done life was a lot better with a car, thought the happy kids giving them some time for themselves every day. What luxury!

CHAPTER 6

More Surprises

One evening Saroja came back from school in a sour mood. Her face had a pinched look. Her lunch box had slipped from her bag in the class room and opened out and the sandwiches had fallen on the floor and she had to throw them into the garbage can. She was awfully hungry and though her class mates had asked her to share their lunch, Saroja had said no. Now, she was hungry and it had been particularly a trying day, a maths test, of all things! To cap it all, she had picked a quarrel with a girl. Now she looked like a volcano about to erupt!

But as she rang the doorbell and Grandma came hurrying to answer, Saroja took one look at her and her anger vanished. Shankar bounded up the stairs, but Saroja paused near the doorway and said softly,

“Paati, I’m very hungry. My lunch-sandwiches fell out on the class room floor and I had to throw them away. Can you make me some tiffin?”

“Sure” said Grandma kindly. “Have a wash and come down .I’ll make something hot and nice for you!” 

Grandma bustled off to the kitchen. Poor kid! She could see how hungry the child was! 

 She would make instant wheat dosais in a jiffy! She mixed the dough in seconds and started spreading the thin, lacy dosais on the non-stick tava. She took out some left-over sambhar from the fridge and heated it to go with the dosai. 

When the children came down and took their places at the table, hot crisp dosais awaited them.

“Wow!” cried Saroja, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the golden, lacy dosais. “Paati, godhumai dosai! (wheat dosais) How lovely! I remember you used to make them for us in Chennai. Appa’s favourite!”

“Mine, too!” cried Shankar happily tucking into his share. Saroja’s headache and anger vanished after eating the hot tiffin. She asked 

“Paati, is it possible to make dosais without grinding rice and dhal and getting the dough ready in advance?”

“Of course!” said Grandma “There are some instant dosais which need only some flours and buttermilk!”

  The happy kids were off upstairs to do their homework.

“Thanks, Paati!” It was ages since we have been treated to a tiffin like this!” said Saroja quietly and with great gratitude.

On Pooja days, Grandma had surprises for them in the evenings or at dinner time. 

That year they had a memorable Deepavali - the festival of Lights. Grandma took a whole week to make the delicious savouries - jar after jar of ‘mixture’ and ‘murukku’, golden wheat halwa and ‘kunja laddoo,’ all favourites of Bhaskar. Little Shankar took huge took swipes at them when he happened to set eyes on them! He said “Paati, Amma always buys them but they don’t taste half as good.”

Grandma felt abashed when she heard such comments. She would always say 

“If I was as busy as your mother, even I would have done the same. Any way, people of my generation like to make them because our mothers did so- and there were very few shops selling these snacks, then. They were finicky and would not eat shop stuff. Now my generation people are happily eating them. They enjoy dining at restaurants, too! Times have changed! But, all said and done. Nothing  like home food - so clean and wholesome!”

On Deepavali eve, Grandma had taken great pains to arrange a pretty Deepavali corner. On the living room floor, she had set a lovely tall brass lamp, right in the middle of a beautiful kolam done with ground rice paste. This was highlighted with a red border called ‘kavi’ which was supposed to be auspicious. At the doorway, was another elaborate kolam, again with kavi along its  edges. Goddess Lakshmi was supposed to visit one’s house on Deepavali day and she loved to see the kolam done in her honour, went the belief!  If she stepped in, she would bring prosperity to the family. 

A string of fresh, green mango leaves also went up the doorway. All these lent the house a festive look. The whole household observed these little things and their hearts filled with happiness. A week before the festival Father and Mother found the time to buy new clothes for the family and crackers as well. Shankar danced with joy making a note of everything especially the snacks, sweets and the crackers and the brand new outfit for him.

On Deepavali day the household was up at the crack of dawn. Grandma hustled them all off for the traditional oil-bath symbolizing the ritual bath in the Ganges!  Every one wore new clothes and the kids and their father went off to light crackers in the porch. In the meanwhile, the whole frontage was lit up with oil-lamps and the electric lights in the entire house were switched on of course! Screams of joyous kids filled the air and in many neighbouring houses the children were having a field day bursting the crackers. Saroja did not like the noisy crackers but Shankar was different. The more sounds the crackers made, the higher he jumped in delight!

Later, they sat down to an early breakfast of steaming hot idlis, chutney and sambhar. There was vellai appam too - a surprise dish Grandma had made and, of course, the mouth watering, melting, wheat halwa. It was a non-stop eating fest –not only was every meal a feast, but, in between too, the pearlpet jars containing the snacks were raided! After all, Deepavali came only once a year and why not make the most of it, particularly when Grandma had made such delectable eats?

In the evening, a few friends in the neighbourhood dropped in to exchange greetings and sweets. The phone kept ringing the whole day, with greetings being conveyed to and fro with those living far away. E-mails too came in handy.

It was a day to remember with happiness all around. Vimala said, “For the first time, I felt it was like Deepavali at my mother’s place! Paati being here made all the difference! Every thing was so authentic.”

“Yes” nodded Bhaskar, “It was great. As parents we have to do our bit to keep up traditions in order to pass them on to the next generation or, life will become rootless and meaningless.”

“Thank you, Paati!” said the two kids giving Grandma a big hug. 

Grandma was happy - all the hard work she put in was worth it. Life, she thought to herself, was full of such happy, joyous moments. Is that why we had so many interesting festivals, each with its own distinct rituals, traditions and food? They certainly gave one a sense of belonging. 

 

CHAPTER 7

Talking it over

As the days went by, Saroja began to observe Grandma and was surprised to find that she had misjudged the old lady. Now, she began to look at her with new eyes. Grandma was kind, generous, firm yet resilient, ever ready to do her bit, getting along nicely with every one. She tried to keep herself well informed. She had a laptop computer which she learnt to operate to the amusement of the kids. She was not only traditional but also modern in many respects. She seemed a perfect bridge between the old and the new. She did cling to tradition in her own personal life but did not foist it on others. She did all her poojas without fail, observing all the many rituals, but was ever ready to absorb new ways of doing things. She was very tolerant when it came to others, letting them live their life the way they wished. She loved mixing with people of all generations. She read newspapers and magazines and books she liked. She was up-to-date on the politics of the day! She took care of her health. In so far as it lay in her power, she did not want to fall ill and be a trouble to anybody. She did Pranayama regularly everyday. She went for walks, regularly. She had made her circle of friends in the temples she visited in the neighbourhood and in the park where she went for her daily walk. She knew all the shops in the locality. 

Once in a way, when guests were to come, she would stop at the florist’s to pick up fresh roses or other lovely cut flowers. Once home, she would arrange them in the vases she had so carefully preserved over the years and brought from Chennai. “Flowers can do things to the spirit” she would say to no one in particular, but everyone heard it and admired her flower arrangements.

One day, with Vimala’s permission Grandma rearranged the living room furniture. She put some lovely pictures on the walls, the ones she had brought from her old house. One was a famous Ravi Varma painting, the others were landscapes. They looked good in their new setting. One picture caught the sunlight and the other added depth and beauty to the room. A third - a forest scene caught the interplay of light and shadow from the window so the eyes could linger and rest a while. The room took on a new look.

Certainly, the house now had an elegance taking on an aura difficult to describe breathing a different air, as it were! There was a new sense of peace, harmony and quiet.

Grandma loved her prayer time and would spend a lot of time reciting long slokas. One day, Saroja came to her and said on an impulse. “Paati, you are so clever! You know so many things.”

Paati was thrown off guard. She said affectionately to Saroja. “Not at all, I think you children are very bright. At your age, my dear, I was quite dumb!” she said. “No, Paati, you might have been innocent, not dumb!”

“You are very intelligent girl, Saroja!” said Grandma. 

Saroja couldn’t believe her ears! Paati was so kind saying such nice things about her when all she did was sulk in her room. She was perfect grouch, really.

Many a time, Saroja wondered what made her Grandma such a happy person. She seemed to like everybody and everything. She never found fault with anyone. 

“Look at me!” she thought.  ‘At my age, I am so full of anger. I need to take a leaf from Paati’s book. I can’t stand anybody-not even my classmates or my teacher. Is something wrong with me or them?’ She got into spats with everybody-over issues big and small, sometimes even silly issues. She had to hurt somebody all the time with her tongue-lashing. She was so intolerant, picking holes with everyone. She knew it was bad, but she couldn’t help it. She was not in control of herself which was very bad, too.  

One day, she was so rude to the class teacher, that the class teacher told her that if she behaved so badly she would report to the Principal. Saroja was aghast. Things had reached such a pitch that she didn’t know how to check herself.  When she went home she kept to her room, even cried a little in the bathroom and went on as if nothing had happened. She was bottling things up which would boomerang some day.  She was sure her classmates envied her. But the next moment she asked herself what was there to envy? Was she so exceptionally clever, beautiful or talented? The class monitor was all that and she was such a nice person. I suppose, she told herself, if one is clever, or talented or very good-looking then one can be quite content and it is then easy to be nice to people, unlike her! Do I have an inferiority complex or superiority complex?  She felt miserable simply thinking things out. 

She was desperate and needed help. She had never been so unsure of herself as now. She had no one to talk to, to pour out her woes. Her parents were wonderful but right now they were awfully busy. Her father came home late, at dinner time and seemed exhausted. Her mother was tied up with her new job and the housework. She could draw her mother into a conversation during the week-ends but the week-ends seemed equally rushed, what with the weekly shopping, functions to attend and people dropping in. There never seemed any time to sit down and hold those conversations discussing her problems. So she had no heart to disturb her mother. With Grandma there, things had improved quite a lot. She could talk things over with Grandma- she must. She was sure Grandma would listen. Grandma was gentle, patient and wise but Saroja had never opened out to any one- she thought she had to manage her problems herself but as things stood she could hardly think clearly. She knew she was impatient and the one thing she could never get to doing was to listen to anybody. So she had fits of despair. She was willful, even rebellious. Now she was literally driven to the wall, as it were. She knew she had to speak to some one or her head would split. 

 One day, things had reached a boiling point at school. Saroja knew that this was the moment of no return-if she didn’t talk to Grandma today she would lose her balance. So the moment she reached home she had made up her mind to talk to Grandma. Only then would her head clear a little. The weekend would be the ideal time.

 She washed, changed, ate her snack and gulped down her glass of milk. It was Friday evening-the ideal time for a chat with Grandma.

She tip-toed to the doorway, peeped into Grandma’s room. “Paati!” she called in the softest voice she could muster “Can I come in?”

Grandma was sitting in her armchair reading a book. At the sound of her voice she put the book down on a small side table beside her chair, and said happily. “Come in! Come in!” What a lovely surprise!”

Saroja said, “I came for a little chat, Paati. Are you reading? Am I disturbing you?”

“Not at all, Kanna! ( a term of endearment also meaning darling)

“What are you reading?” asked Saroja wanting to draw her into conversation and not wanting to pour out her problems right away. Grandma was delighted with her question. She said brightly,

“I’m reading the biography of a great saint called Sri Ramana Maharishi who lived in Tiruvannamalai.”

“What does he say, Paati?”

“Nothing!” said Grandma quietly. “His message was silence!”

“Silence?” asked Saroja, incredulity writ large on her face. “How can silence be a message, Paati?”

Grandma said, “It was so with Ramana Maharishi. He hardly ever spoke. Mostly, he conveyed his thoughts by just looking at you!”

“How is it possible, Paati?”

“It is possible.” said Grandma with great conviction. “God finds the strangest ways to convey His messages and gather His devotees to Him. Now, many people went to this great saint with their doubts, questions and problems. He looked straight at them and lo! To their utter surprise and delight their doubts got cleared at that very moment and they got their answers!”

Saroja was dumbstruck. “Can I take a look at the book, Paati? I am also in dire need of such a miracle in my life! And I need lessons in silence.”

Grandma sensed at once that the child was having problems. She waited so the girl would divulge them. Saroja paused and went on, “I always shoot my mouth in any situation and get into everybody’s hair. Silence is not my strong point. Neither is patience. I’m so intolerant with people. I never see their view point. I pick quarrels with everybody. I am sure nobody in my school likes me. Am I a bad girl, Paati?”

Grandma was taken aback. Saroja looked so desperate and unhappy that her heart went out to the little girl. She got up from her chair, went up to her and put her arms around the little girl enveloping her in a warm embrace. She said kindly and with immense concern and love. 

“You, a bad girl? Not at all. I think you are wonderful, warm, intelligent and a forthright kid, from what I have seen of you.”

“Paati, you are the only one who thinks so, I’m sure even my parents find me a handful. I guess they- kind of- put up with me.”

“But I have never seen you behave badly.” said Grandma gently.

Saroja said “That is because I was asked to behave nicely by my parents. I have kept my promise. Not because my parents said so but, because I found you so good and caring. I have great respect for you, Paati. Now, I wouldn’t say that of many people. In fact, when my parents told me that you were coming to stay with us, I blew my top. Now, I am glad you came. I’m sorry to be saying these things.”

“Not at all” said Grandma, laughing. “I’m glad you came to chat with me. Remember, I’m always here for you when you need me.”

Saroja said “Paati, I knew that. That is why I found the courage to come to you. I am sorry to have gone off track. Now, tell me about the saint Sri Ramana Maharishi.”

“Yes, I told you that silence was his mission and message. But such silence can be great eloquence, you see. Silence is a great thing. You withdraw from all the noise and cares of the world and are absorbed into this great state of mind in meditation. In this silence you discover who you are. You connect with your Creator. In this silence, are all the answers to your problems, your doubts  and  questions. That is the secret of this great saint’s message!”

“Wow!” said Saroja, her thoughts far away.

On another day, she dragged Grandma to her room to show her some books. Grandma went through the small collection. “Paati, these are my favourite books! Do you like poetry?”

“Sure!” said Grandma, “Poetry is my second love.”

“Your first love?” asked the girl

“Cooking.” said Paati with a soft chuckle.

“Oh!” said Saroja, “Your cooking is like poetry, Paati!”

Grandma laughed. She said “The same creative spirit expressing itself in different ways as my aunt would say!”

“Who was your favourite poet?” asked the girl.

“I was fond of a number of poets” said Grandma “Wordsworth, Tennyson, Keats, Shelley, even our own Rabindranath Tagore and Sarojini Naidu. I liked them all and memorized all their poems when I was a young girl.”

“Do you remember them, still?”

Grandma laughed again.” Of course, I do!”

Saroja asked suddenly “Don’t you dislike anyone? Don’t you  argue with anyone?”

Grandma said, “I did all that at your age. The adult world is pretty complicated for a teenager. The adults themselves have feet of clay and are full of doubts and faults. At your age, you feel bombarded by doubts, contrary opinions and feelings. The world around you can’t give all the answers right away, so you listen, weigh things in your mind and work it out slowly. It is pretty frustrating, I know. The problems stare you in the face, day after day. How do you cope? Try not to react to everything. Absorb quietly and reflect over everything. Ask adults you trust, questions if you find something that   bothers you. The teens are a difficult time. The body is undergoing changes. The kid is growing into an adult. It can be traumatic if you don’t have somebody to lean on.”

“Paati,” cried Saroja, “You said it all! That’s exactly what I am undergoing now! It frightens me. I feel so terrible, sometimes. I don’t know where I stand. I’m unable to cope with so many things happening all at once! I had a nice friend and she was my confidante. She left a year ago as her parents moved to Mumbai. I’m lost without her. She was the only friend I had. I’ve nobody now. The girls around me are not a steady influence, so I hardly mix with them. Maybe, I’m to blame. I would have discussed with Amma but she is very busy and, in the evenings when I see her face I don’t have the heart to pass on my problems to her. Will she listen? I wonder. Poor Amma, she might. But she is up to her eyes with her cooking and all the other household chores. That’s not the time to chat anyway. The last few years, Appa and Amma have been awfully busy getting this house built. I have been quite a problem talking back to them like I do at school. My parents are having a hundred things to do as my mother says-she told me to shut up.”

She looked lost and then brightened up a bit and added. “But then you came and things instead of getting worse only got better! Paati, you are so nice, just like Appa. Even if I pick a quarrel with him, he won’t argue. He is so nice. Shankar has taken after him. I wonder whom I have taken after. Sorry, Paati, for pouring my heart out like this to you. I needed to get it all out of my chest!”

Grandma said quietly “No, I’m glad you came to me. You can tell me all your problems and I shall be only too happy to listen, if it is going to help you.”

Saroja said “Actually, going to school by public transport was awful. When we were in the old house we would take the school bus. But it doesn’t come to this area. Going by auto was out of question, not safe and costly, too. So we had to take the public bus. The buses are so overcrowded that Shankar and I would stand all the way to school and back. Evenings were more terrible than mornings. The men in the bus were ruffians and I hated boarding the public bus. Then you came up with this idea of a car for us to go to school. Now, Paati, I go like a queen! That problem got solved so nicely. Paati, how can we thank you enough?”

Saroja came over to where Grandma was sitting and, in a sudden rush of emotion, gave her a big hug. Grandma held her quietly in a gentle embrace. 

“I’ve done nothing, my dear!” She said softly “You people can’t imagine how happy I am to be with all of you. Many of my Chennai friends are finding it tough to cope on their own.”

Saroja, clever for her age said “Paati, maybe, they still want to have their own way, or can’t make a change in their lives, now. May be they are different from you! You made a clean break with the past. You are different. You are happy with whatever you have. You are so generous! You are a giver, Paati. Many people are takers! They will never be happy anywhere! Take it from me!”

“For your age, you are a very clever girl. With your observations on life you will go far, I assure you!” Said Grandma.

Saroja laughed and said, “I hope so. I hope so. Right now, I suffer from low self-esteem. I think I brought it all on myself by being quite churlish and negative. It has made nobody happy, least of all me!”

“Kanna!” said Paati pausing. Saroja loved the way Grandma said the word so endearingly. “Shall I tell you something? You are being harsh on yourself. That’s not fair to you! And, the best thing is you know and have analyzed yourself well. Not many people know their faults and, even if they do, they won’t admit them. Such awareness on your part will certainly help you to make a change. I am sure you’re going to be a fine girl!”

“I hope I change over a new leaf, as they say.” Saroja said and added, “Thank you, Paati! You don’t know how happy and relieved I am now! Opening out to you like this has made such a difference to me. I feel a big load is off my mind! Now, I’d better put in some work - I have an English test, tomorrow!” 

She gave Grandma another hug and ran upstairs with a spring in her step!

CHAPTER 8

More Conversations

One day, Saroja came back from school, looking very disturbed. She was withdrawn and quiet, too.  Grandma did not ask her what was wrong. If the child wanted to discuss it, she would find a way, she thought to herself. Right enough after eating the evening snack, while Shankar bounded upstairs to tackle homework, Saroja stayed back.  She said, 

“Paati, today, something terrible happened to one of my classmates. This boy was very sick. He was finding it so difficult to cope and the teachers did not know he had some strange viral fever. Even the doctors could not diagnose properly. Our teachers say that even as old diseases are being controlled new ones are rearing their heads. What does on do in such a situation? His parents are from a village. They did not know he was so ill. He died a week ago.”

“Oh! Dear!” said Grandma. Saroja continued, shaken to the core. 

“Paati, this boy joined school only this year. He hails from a small town in Karnataka. He knew only Kannada. He couldn’t cope, because all classes are in English. We tried to help him all we could. But perhaps he was unable to stand the strain- He was such a nice guy!”

“What a terrible tragedy!” exclaimed Grandma, “The parents must be devastated?”

“Yes, his parents were shocked. Sometime ago another girl had a nervous breakdown.  She had a problem coming from a different background. She saw the girls in our class coming in fancy cars, wearing designer clothes and using costly cell phones! Another coming from a small town doesn’t know enough English. The girls keep teasing her. The girls are having all kinds of problems, really! We girls have gone into a huddle. We don’t know how to help one another.”

“What do the teachers say?” asked Grandma. 

“The teachers blame the parents for not spending enough time with their children. They think that parents should be talking things over and understanding their problems. After all, they have only one or two kids to take care of - and what is more important to them than their own children? The teachers have a whole class to take care of. The parents blame the teachers for not doing enough. The arguments go back and forth. But of what use is all that, now? We are going through difficult times, Paati. Everyone is having problems, I guess.”

“I understand,” said Grandma “Some of my friends keep talking about such things. The newspapers are also full of them. It’s not the youth alone facing problems. Even the adults are confused and helpless in the face of so many problems. They also are in need of guidance- even the ones who have done well!”

“Why should successful people have problems, Paati?”

Grandma said,

“They face so much competition and can’t sustain their position! That’s why! I think people don’t have roots, any more. They don’t have the inner strength to cope in a crisis. In our time, people had large families, and umpteen problems. They had many commitments-looking after their parents, marrying their siblings in addition to bringing up their own children. All this without much bank balance! Now is that not enough baggage to carry? They did it, somehow keeping their body and soul together knowing that God would help. It was the deep, inner faith that helped them surmount all obstacles other wise, they might have gone berserk.  Everything was a hurdle and a challenge because money was scarce. In those times everything-building a house, buying a car, educating the children and performing a marriage were all such big issues. Now look at what is happening! People are buying cars as if they are toys. They are buying and selling houses every now and then as in a game of Monopoly! There is so much money floating around- it is going to their heads. They are used to having so much that they think it is their right! They want more and more of it! In a crisis they simply collapse!”

“Paati, yes, both the rich and the poor are facing problems. When a poor girl sees the well-to-do-persons flaunting their wealth she gets a complex!” said the girl. “The rich have their problems. Nobody seems to be contented or at peace.”

“You said it!” said Grandma. “Lack of money or too much money – both can create problems. In our time, the rich did not flaunt their wealth like they do today.  Today people are quick to envy, hate, kill or take lives! Growing up is getting complicated now. Every one wants to be an achiever-nothing wrong in that. But too much pressure from parents can boomerang. Every one is given certain skills and it is not as though all students, who top the class, are successful in life. Many of my friends in the park keep harping about the violence portrayed in movies and on television. The violent computer games are blamed. Children should be playing outdoor games but where is the space? In our time every house had a small garden where we played group games. Now, many children are left to themselves while their parents are working hard to give them a better life - lack of supervision is the single most cause for many a child going astray.”

Grandma said “I am sorry to be making such a big speech. I am sure you have plenty of work on hand!”

Saroja laughed. “Paati, I started it all, remember! Sometimes, I need other people’s versions, too. That way, I get the complete picture. With you, I glimpse the reaction of another generation to get a balanced view of things happening now.”

        Grandma said “If you have something to say, remember I am always there! If you have a problem you can tell me about it. I don’t know if I can solve it. But I can certainly listen!”

“That’s all for now, Paati” said Saroja dashing off in the direction of the stairs. She had plenty of work to complete- but she had no problem about that. She was beginning to enjoy her school-work. 

          That weekend she told Grandma. “I like writing essays, but however hard I try, I can’t beat a girl in my class. So, I get worked up and angry and envious. I blame the teacher for being partial. I say nasty things to the girl who gives me back a mouthful. Other girls stop and watch the fun. They love scenes. Why do I do it, Paati? I hate myself, later for it-for having drawn attention to myself, this way! All for the wrong reasons!”

          Grandma said, “Don’t react like that. Be calm. May be, your work is not up to the mark. Read books. Improve your knowledge and language skills. Then who can stop you?”

She took Saroja to the pooja room. “Look, every morning before you go to school, stop here and spend a minute or two. Pray to Lord Ganesh. Recite this mantra eleven times. ‘Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha!’  It will take care of your day.” She made the girl repeat the mantra. “That is all. Watch the transformation within yourself. Lord Ganesh is God of Wisdom as well as Remover of all obstacles. I or your parents may not be around when you are facing a crisis in school or elsewhere. God, the unseen power is always there. If you believe deeply, you will begin to feel His presence. Strength and help will come to you in mysterious ways. All stories of saints and sages emphasize this.”

            Saroja nodded. “I feel a good deal better already. Now, I should go. I have a project to complete this week end.”

           Grandma was happy the girl was slowly opening up. In the beginning, when she had come from Chennai, Saroja had been cool, distant, withdrawn- even indifferent. Now, she laughed, asked questions and listened eagerly for answers. A good sign, really.

Father and mother also observed the girl. There was an unmistakable change in her. What a relief that was!

One night, at dinner time Saroja said “I think I’ve a stomach upset. I don’t want any dinner. I’ve an important test tomorrow. A math’s test!”

Mother looked worried. “Try and eat something. You should not go to sleep on an empty stomach. I’ll give you some medicine.”

Grandma said, “Eat curd rice. It is best for an upset stomach. I shall give you a table spoonful of methi seeds mixed with curd in the morning. You’ll be fine, I assure you.”

Grandma soaked a pinch of methi( fenugreek) seeds in water. She mixed it with a tablespoonful of curd and made Saroja swallow it, first thing in the morning. Mother worried about her the whole day. In the evening, when Saroja got back from school, Grandma asked “How did you fare in your maths test?”

“Pretty good, Paati. Tomorrow, I will know the result.”

“How is your stomach?”

“Oh! My stomach upset? I’m so well I forgot all about it! Normally, it keeps me stressed up, my stomach. But your methi-in-curd worked so well.”

On another day, she complained of red, watery eyes and a burning sensation in them. Grandma said, “Your system has got heated. You skipped two weeks of oil bath. And it is now summer. With the annual exams ahead, you’re also reading a lot. And that’s why the eyes are strained. So, off you go for your oil bath now!”

Saroja ran off, with her anxious mother in tow, with a katori (a small vessel) of gingelly oil and another of soapnut powder. Anyway, it was Saturday, traditionally the day of the week set for oil bath and Saroja felt nice and relaxed in the evening.

Mother looked very pleased. “Amma, I am happy you are teaching us all these things, all over again. Even I used to take oil baths regularly at my mother’s. Now, I find it difficult to keep up that routine or enforce it “

Grandma said, “See, in my time we didn’t know why things were done, but we simply obeyed our elders because they said so. It was the done thing. It cost us next to nothing and did us a world of good. Now, look how beauty therapy is being practiced in the health parlours! Sauna baths, and oil massages cost a fortune! Somehow people find the time and money to visit these places. Are these systems better than the old ones? Not really.

A week ago, there was an article in The Hindu about the oil baths. I believe researchers have found that oil baths delay ageing, improve vision and increase stamina. Our body needs the oil bath to function like a well-oiled machine. Even if we apply oil only on the scalp and on the soles of our feet, that itself can strengthen and stimulate the central nervous system as well as the optic nerve. Good old gingelly oil is the best. Our ancients knew the secrets of good health, using things available in the house. They have stood the test of time. Today, health claims are made by companies to make profits and last only until new claims turn them on their heads!”

         Saroja who had been listening to all this said.  “This Paati is an encyclopedia!”

         Grandma laughed. She said. “At my age even you will become one!”

         Vimala said; “But, Amma, you remember every thing you read. My mind is like a sieve. I don’t remember a thing after I put down a newspaper or magazine!”

         Grandma said, “I had better remember things of interest to me. This is the only way to stimulate my old brain cells or they will go to seed. Oh! Speaking of brain cells, Vimala, we need to eat more white pumpkin or ‘pushni’ for they are supposed to improve memory power and stimulate grey cells. Thank God, we south Indians have always used this vegetable in our daily diet.” This is so light on the stomach that you hardly feel you’ve eaten it, unlike potatoes!”

          One day, at dinner-time Saroja said, “Our principal has a plan of introducing yoga in school. We have to sign up for it - two classes a week. In fact, our teacher took time off to speak of health. I believe the Principal is very concerned because children are putting on weight. In our class there are half a dozen overweight girls and boys. Our class teacher insists we bring home- cooked food instead of rushing to the canteen and gorging on fast food every day! In fact, some stuff in the canteen is going to be banned as these are highly processed, contain preservatives and ooze fats! Is it difficult for you to bring simple curd rice?” She asks.

  Grandma was very pleased. So was Father. He said.  “What an aware Principal and teacher! The school is in safe hands! But let us see the reaction of the parents if they are working mothers. Canteen food is an easy option for them!”

         Vimala said happily. “I like the idea. We have to be concerned about our children’s health. Curd rice is good and so easy to make. Amma, you know what? Every evening we will cook some extra rice, and that’s all. After dinner I can make the curd rice and pack the lunch boxes right then and there and put them in the refrigerator and hey presto! The school lunch for the morrow is ready in no time! We can add a dollop of koottu or sambar to make it more tasty and interesting!”

         Grandma said, “That would make a healthy lunch. I remember carrying curd rice quite often to school for lunch or even a mixed vegetable rice!”

           Grandma added a suggestion. “I could make an uppuma. There are so many varieties of them- with rava, vermicelli, broken wheat, rice and aval. One can add vegetables to make it all  more healthy.”

  Shankar who had been listening raptly was grinning from ear to ear. “So, Paati is going to give us some nice tiffin” he said. “I can’t wait to go to school and open that lunch box.”

           Saroja also said happily.  “Wonderful- so we can expect a variety of tasty lunches in the future! Thayir sadam (Curd Rice) is fine for me! I don’t like greasy food! And thank God! I don’t snack so much or sit in front of the television! I am on my feet all the time, what with running up and down the stairs in this two-storied house!”

CHAPTER 9

The New Saroja

A whole month went past. One evening, the kids got back from school. Grandma heard the click of the gate and the car drive up the porch. She opened the front door to find the two kids grinning. Saroja waved a sheaf of papers in the air with great joy. 

“Paati! Guess what?” she asked, her face pink with excitement.

“My essay won the first prize in a competition. My teacher read it out in class. “Oh! She showered praises on me. I can’t believe this is happening to me!”

            Grandma was thrilled. She asked. “What did you write about?”

            Saroja said, “The topic was –‘Noise Pollution. Is there a solution?’ It was tailor-made for me!”

 In the first half, I wrote about all the din and high decibel level we confront every day- loud music, fire crackers, festivals, partying, weddings, noisy election speeches, blaring traffic,  house- building activity with Bangalore being the IT destination hub today, and the dogs in the neighbourhood, now that every house has a dog. I also added that we Indians are the noisiest and the most vocal people on earth. All of us are in the habit of speaking all at once and that includes me! Confronted by such noise I am sure by the time we are forty we are going to suffer hearing loss- I wrote.”

             She paused and went on.

 

“Paati, in the second half of the essay came my solution. I said, being born in this country, guided by great saints like Sri Ramana Maharishi, shouldn’t we take a leaf from his book? By simply observing silence- a few minutes every day, we can maintain our sanity. How else does one cope? We can’t change the world around us or stop the noise-it is for the law enforcement agencies to punish the offenders or pass strict laws to stop such behavior. Since we have to work out our own solution to counter the bombardment, I wrote about what you told me about silence- that this great saint had this message of silence, more powerful than speech. Speech is silver, but silence is golden, so goes a proverb. I quoted this and wrote about how to silence the mind by learning to sit still.

 

“In silence, I added, are all the answers to our problems. That was the secret. I also wrote about Gandhiji observing a day of ‘mounam’ (silence) in order to be in touch with the divine and also to recharge his energy. All the powers are in that one source. I concluded with a quotation you told me, one day.

            “Which one?” asked Grandma.

            “The Tao teaching!” said Saroja, quoting, nicely to Grandma’s great surprise and wonder.

 “Appreciate in silence the life that is meeting you at every moment. With this silent acceptance comes the tremendous energy that is hidden in the present, and in that energy are abundance, peace, intelligence and creativity. All these are gifts of silence wrapped inside the spirit of the earth.”

“Great!” exclaimed Grandma. She was deeply moved by the quote as well as the girl’s skill and her impeccable diction.

“Paati!” exclaimed Saroja, 

“The teacher was in ecstasies reading it. She copied it in her note pad. She said the essay was too good and that she was taking me to meet the Principal. To be able to grasp all that at this age is remarkable, she kept saying again and again to my great embarrassment.”

“She called me after class and asked me from where I had got all the material from. I told her that you had inspired me and shared your vast fund of knowledge with me. She is keen on meeting you, Paati. She said we need people of your generation to transmit the traditional knowledge and wisdom of our ancients to the young, modern generation immersed in technology-a bridging of the gap between tradition and technology, so to speak! She said both are important, no doubt, to build a new India- a nation that is rediscovering itself. She is a wonderful teacher, Paati” Saroja concluded, and this is the happiest day in my life!”

Grandma said “What a nice teacher! Praise and recognition from a teacher can do wonders to a student!”

“Yes, Paati, I feel so good today! The whole class was so impressed that I was overwhelmed!”

 So saying, Saroja gave her Grandma a hug. Even Shankar had stopped by to listen to all this. “Congrats, Saro!” he said beaming with happiness. The happy duo bounded up the stairs to their rooms for a wash. Grandma noted the new air of confidence in Saroja.

When the children came down they had their evening snack and Shankar ran off to play computer games but, Saroja lingered behind. She said “Paati, I need to talk to you. I have something to get off my chest, again.”

“Sure” said Grandma, going to her room. Saroja followed her. They sat on Grandma’s bed facing each other. 

           “Paati, you shouldn’t breathe a word about it to any one, not even my parents”

           “I won’t” said Grandma.

           Saroja said very softly, “This happened a week before you came. I was in real trouble in those days. I was a handful and very a very confused person. I was also in the awful habit of talking back to my teachers! One day, I was quite rude. My class teacher, who takes both mathematics and geography marched me off to the Principal’s room and told her about me. The Principal looked stern and unforgiving. And yet she was good enough to let me off with a warning. She said,

 “I will give you a month’s time. If you continue to behave like this I will be forced to expel you from school. I don’t mind low grades-we can manage that- but I won’t brook any indiscipline.”

 I am sure the Principal had seen many girls like me and so understood my predicament and so gave me a chance to correct myself.”

            Saroja paused and continued. 

“Paati, that was the time you arrived! I was angry and confused. I even asked my parents why you were coming. I was so ashamed of myself and didn’t want any one to know about my bad behavior. I didn’t tell my parents about the Principal’s warning. I was thankful to her for giving me a chance to turn over a new leaf. Oh! That was the worst period of my life! I was going to pieces! I had to keep that awful warning to myself and it made things so difficult for me.” She paused as if about to choke, but went on bravely;

“And then, you came. I saw you, but didn’t interact with you at all. I had to pull myself together. I watched you. I observed you doing things for us day after day cheerfully, happily spreading happiness and heaping compliments whether we deserved them or not. I told myself-look at Paati, how kind and nice she is, left to herself all day, expecting nothing from us-not even our time! How could some one be like that? I wondered. Before I did some thing I needed praise and appreciation. I thought you were an angel sent from Heaven to guide me. So, I relaxed my guard and sought your company. We had those wonderful conversations. You didn’t shoo me away. You took me seriously and shared your knowledge with me. Best of all, you listened and understood my predicament. You praised me. That boosted my self-esteem. I became a different person.”

Grandma said “All the beautiful things were inside you waiting to come out, that’s all.”

“But you brought it all out, Paati. You were the catalyst. I used to hurt people thinking every one was out to hurt me. I was so full of anger and hate and envy, too. I was quite mean. And what a temper I had! I didn’t know how to control it. Now, I find all that is gone. I’ve learnt not to react right away, without thinking, like you told me. I pray to Lord Ganesh every morning before I go to school and I’m sure He takes care of my day! You taught me the power of silence. So, every evening just before I begin my homework, I give myself a break from the hectic day. I try and sit as still as I can. It is helping me, as you can see. It may not be meditation in the real sense, not even like prayer, but I know I am gathering energy from some divine source, for I feel strong inside!”

“It’s the same thing!” said Grandma admiringly.

“Paati, you know what. If the girls try to tell me anything nasty now I don’t react. I just smile and move on. So, they too simply go away and leave me alone. I feel as if I’ve turned over a new leaf. Suddenly, I find everyone around me different, even nice-decent.”

“Now, I’m sure you are happy with yourself.”

“Yes, Paati, I’m happy with myself” Saroja paused. She put the papers she had brought on the side table. “That’s my essay, Paati. I want you to read it. I want Amma and Appa also to read it. I want to see their reaction. It’s a long time since I made them happy. They have always been put to worry on my account. Shankar is a nice, bright and positive kid. I was just the opposite- the black sheep in the family.” She stopped and said, 

“Thanks, Paati, you know what? I have to tell you something else, too. The house has changed so much after you came-for me specially. I can sense it. All your prayers and good thoughts are radiating around. I feel peace, security and harmony as if I am in tune with things here. When I step in I feel I am in a haven as if the house has a spirit of its own and is holding me in an embrace!” 

Grandma said, “Yes, It happens. God sends a person or persons to keep a family together. There is a lovely story in the Shirdi Baba serial which I will tell you, someday.”

Saroja said “Thanks for every thing, Paati. Now, I had better go and put in some work.” She bounded up the stairs, happy and full of spirits.

That night, when the family assembled for dinner, Saroja’s parents were simply delighted. They were proud of the way she was shaping. 

“It’s all Paati’s doing!” Saroja said flushing with happiness. “She has transformed me completely. I have changed so much! I used to wonder why the world was so bad. Now I know I was to blame. Not the world.”

         Grandma said, “There is a nice story in the Mahabharata. One day, Sri Krishna told Duryodhana to go around Hastinapura, the capital. “Find out how many good people there are in the city.” He said.

         Duryodhana took a tour of the city. He came back and reported “I’ve gone round the whole city but I can’t find a single good man!”

           Sri Krishna told Yudhishtira to take a tour of the city “Go and find out how many bad people there are!” he said.

Yudhishtira came back and said. “Krishna, I went every where, but I could not find a single bad man!!”

“What is in the heart gets reflected in the out side world!” said Father.

Saroja said, “That’s a nice story, Paati. I used to wonder whether I have changed or the world around me has! Now, I know!”

Now, Saroja used up all her weekends reading up things. She continued her discussions with Grandma. In fact, every time she had a conversation with Grandma the first thing she did on getting back to her room was to go to her computer. She had opened a folder and she had several files in which to jot down material, comments, quotes, poems and observations without Grandma knowing about it! This done, she got it all into her head. This came handy when she had those compositions or essays to write in school or debates to prepare. Now, she began to take part in school debates, elocution contests, wrote for the school magazine and even joined writing contests.

Grandma loved Nature and passed on the love to Saroja. She often told the girl.

“Observe Nature. She will teach you things you can’t find in books- doesn’t matter if we have to live in concrete jungles. You can observe that tiny patch of grass in your garden, that one tree in your lane, the blue sky above, a freshly opened flower. Can man replicate such perfection? It’s all God’s handiwork which we have taken for granted.”

Saroja who had believed that she was just an ordinary girl was beginning to be noticed by her teachers, class-mates, and even the Principal! She became the school star-speaker! She won many prizes in essay competitions and debates!

          “How do you know so much?” asked her friends in awe. Now, she had a huge fan following!

         “I remember what I read!” she said simply. ”I make a note of a lot of things my Grandma tells me. She is my guide and inspiration!”

        “We are unable to finish our home work. There is so much to tackle every day. We don’t know how you find time to read so much extra stuff!” they said.

        She told them how her Grandma had taught her to meditate or sit in silence every day. “You get your batteries recharged that way,” she said. “It increases one’s concentration. Then you need to read things only once and it sticks in one’s head!”

        They heard her and went away wondering what she was talking about. They could make no sense of it, any way! As for her, she knew how one could accomplish many things if one was happy and focused. Hadn’t Grandma told her that if she enjoyed what she was doing then she was sure to do her best? And, Oh! Yes, one never stops learning!

When Saroja was in tenth class she topped in the Board exams. She also won the Best Student Trophy that year. The whole family went to school to see her receive the award. The Principal was all praise for the bright and hard-working girl who had won such laurels for the school! She spoke in the school auditorium facing a huge audience.

“I am sure Saroja’s family is just as proud of her as we in the school are. One day, this girl is sure to make her mark and serve the country and bring it glory! I foresee that. Saroja has imbibed all the right values and is our model student.”

Once home, there was great rejoicing in the family as well as in the neighbourhood. Friends and relatives came to congratulate the family as well as Saroja. How word had spread! Mother said after every body had left, 

“Saro! You have done us proud, today!”

 Father added, “Saro! I can’t believe you have done so wonderfully well. I can’t recognize my own daughter!”

            Vimala admitted, “Yes, I should take the blame if Saro had become difficult to handle. I took on this new job, and it simply exhausted me! I had no time to spend with the kids. I could see Saro had problems but I didn’t have the energy to sit down and discuss them with her. I swept the whole problem under the carpet hoping it would simply go away! The house-building took a lot of time as well and of course, the house-work. I could do just so much and no more!”

       Father said, “I could have helped too! But, I had my own problems. But, time won’t stop and kids can’t wait and Amma’s coming solved all our problems nicely! She has handled her better than we could have ever done!”

       Saroja said, “Imagine, I objected to her coming! Appa and Amma, you don’t have to glare at me! I’ve told Paati, every thing! One day. I thought I’d go nuts and opened out to her and from that moment things began to improve for me. On some days I thought my head would burst –so I would go to her. She was so kind, so patient, so gentle and understanding. She listened to all that I said. I was such an awful kid in those days. Paati taught me by example. She never picked holes. She always praised me. She made me feel good about myself. She changed me inside out. We had some wonderful conversations. I think she deserves the trophy, not me!”

       Father was very happy. “Remember what I told you! Your Paati inspired me, too!”

       Grandma was very embarrassed. She said. “I did what any grandma would have done! If you people keep paying me so many compliments I might start believing them!”

        Father said, “While on this topic of Grandma I’d like to tell you what  an ex-British Prime Minister said some years ago when that country was having problems of juvenile delinquency due to lack of supervision by adults. “Bring back the Grandma into the house!” he said, and I did just that!”

      “We are lucky to have such a nice Grandma!” piped in Shankar, long-time admirer of Grandma.

      Saroja went over to where Grandma stood and gave her a big hug. She said with much feeling. “Paati, thanks for every thing!” she stopped and added after a moment. “It’s been quite a day for me .All we gave you was a little room and look what you have done for us, for me specially!”

     Suddenly, she broke into sobs. Grandma didn’t say anything. She simply held the girl in her arms while her parents stood silent not knowing how to react. 

Grandma said, 

“Things have not been easy for Saroja the last couple of years- she has worked so hard to get these awards. Today, she is the envy of all her class-mates. It is natural to show emotion on a day like this, overwhelmed by events!”

‘Just like Paati to divert attention from my lack of composure and drawing attention to my achievements!’ Saroja thought to herself, wiping her face. Looking up she added brightly, “Yes, Grandma is right in a way. I am so overwhelmed. Even in my wildest dream, I didn’t expect to achieve so much. Thanks, again Paati! Now, let me go and get some sleep.” she said taking leave of all of them by giving them a round of hugs. Then she went up the stairs with a much relieved, and relaxed, family lingering a little longer to discuss the happenings of the day.   

Soon, Saroja was in bed turning in for the night. And as usual, she said a little prayer, closed her eyes and tried to sleep. But sleep wouldn’t come. How could she sleep without composing herself? And what a day it had been, crowded with events! From the moment she had got out of bed, she had been caught up in a whirl of activities, surrounded by friends, teachers and well wishers. She made a quick review of the past- in a flash it all came to her- the highs and the lows, the despair, the failures, the disappointments and the utter chaos of those times and today she had  reached  here-the high-point of her young adult life!  She basked for a few moments in the glow of the moment.

Who could have thought that all this was possible? How Grandma had changed her, leading her with a sure guiding hand, bringing order, beauty and perfection where there had been only confusion and chaos and negativity! With her wisdom and deep insights into things ordinary and Divine, Grandma had woven them all nicely into her life, enriching it and connecting her in a wonderful way with the world around her! Saroja had now been able to win the praise of her teachers and elders, the good-will of her class-mates and well wishers-with all this working for her, there was no stopping her!

But, one couldn’t live in the past. That was over. She was just getting into another phase of her life and yes, it was time to move on.

The future was not far away-it was already knocking at her door, and she must prepare herself for it. Some things her Grandma had instilled in her mind came rushing back to her at that moment. Nothing was easy to come by and one must work at every step of the way. That it was not enough if one was merely clever. One should be focused and manage one’s time well, be organized in one’s mind  and then transfer it on to one’s  every day life.

 But, best of all, Grandma had kept harping upon it all the time, that though school, college, health and career mattered, life was- about faith, character, values, health,  education, career and in that order. So ,the first mentioned  were mere sign-posts  on this remarkable journey and one must ultimately aim for a beautiful life, rich and rewarding in all the things that had eternal value, and which would bring inner peace, joy  and harmony.

Tomorrow, is another day, she thought, as waves of sleep swept over her, drawing her into those silken depths and she sank into a deep and dreamless slumber, happy, joyous and at peace with the world.