The First Ray of Dawn (VIHAAN)

                Around 2009, somewhere in Central India, two friends Anvith (from Southern India, Anakapalle near Vizag) and Prateek (from Northern India, Agra) had acquainted each other during the first year of graduation. In spite of their totally different cultural background, they had become buddies. The flavor of education backed by the concept of modern Gurukul (modern day college / education system) had made their bond solid like a rock. This story has its own twists and turns, similar to a curry, which has its own aroma and preparation style.          As both these friends graduated, they got jobs in their native places, albeit not in their own but exactly opposite cities. Prateek ( from Northern India) got placed in a company at Vizag ( Southern India) in AP , whereas Anvith (from Southern India) had to join Raebareli in UP ( Northern India) . They both had their own challenges while starting their new phas...

 लिखना तो बहुत कुछ है मम्मी आपके लिये, पता नहीं स्याही कम पड़ेगी या शब्द । ख़ुद के लिए भले कुछ कम पड़ गया हो , लेकिन हमें दिया तुमने सब कुछ बेहिसाब ।। कितनी सरल हो ना तुम माँ, ना कभी हमें फटकारती ना कभी अपने आंसू दिखाती।  हंसते खेलते हमें बड़ा किया अब हमारे Kabir को भी बिलकुल वैसे ही ललकता से हो संवारती।। अब बहुत कर लिया तूने माँ हम सब के लिये अब तू अपने मन की करना । जहां भी तुझे जाना हो या जो भी तुझे करना हो बेझिझक हम सब से कहना ।। कमबख़्त इस नौकरी ने कर दिया है हमें तुझसे अलग लेकिन मन हमेशा बना रहता है तेरी तरफ़ । मन करता है तुम्हें आज तृप्ति का डोसा ही खिला लाऊँ, तेरी ख़ुशी भी तो है कितनी छोटी सी और अलग ।। पूछ लेती हो जब कि “बेटा खाना खाया या नहीं” मिल जाता है जैसे उस खाने में भी प्यार तुम्हारा । कभी मैं रूठ जाऊँ, तो कह देता हूँ दो बात जो, समझना उसको मेरे नामसमझी की ओर इशारा । हो गया हूँ शायद Papa Kabir का लेकिन रहूँगा हमेशा Monu तुम्हारा ।। जन्मदिन की असीम शुभकामनाएँ mummy 🎂 आप सदा स्वस्थ और प्रसन्न रहें 💐

          I am not sure if that's only with Kabir or with every kid out there, but they seem to be very much fascinated by trains. As Kabir's daadu (grandfather) is building a new home for his youngest bestie, we often travel to our native place to help him out and obviously, let Kabir enjoy the trains . But, this time it was a different experience altogether for all three of us. If you want to find out how, read along. You can even ignore the rest of it, if it seems boring !!           The journey was planned as usual with me visiting home, but things got spiced up when Kabir's mom suggested to take along Kabir with me. I believe most of you (fathers and mothers) may not be ok with this idea of taking a 3.5 year old on a 2 day trip without his mom. But, when it comes to Kabir, we try to take the unconventional path, specially if it helps in his growth and development. So, we all embarked upon the first of a kind experience in ...