On the mid 1960’s Flower Power meant meant countering war with peace – offering flowers during peace protests . It meant Peace and Freedom . This eventually led to a completely new culture of youth that challenged the old order yet peace still remains in many parts of the world where there are insurgences, uprisings, instances of social unrest and violence almost every day not to mention all out war in modern day Europe .
Yet Flower Power is in full bloom in our garden. Thanks to the member in charge of the garden, ours is one of the few high rise societies in Mumbai that actually has a garden. And everyday as I get into my car , I am assailed by the fragrance of Sweet Clematis. It’s amazing how these tiny almost insignificant looking flowers can set off such a strong and cloying smell! But I’m not grumbling .
Last week the beds were laid with Geraniums, Pentas and Begonia . Pots of petunias some already in bloom will soon overflow in riot of colours.
In another bed there are vibrant hibiscus and blue Hydrangea that nod to all the walkers passing by. And with the lawn lush and green it is indeed a pleasure to sit on the benches and watch the sun go down .
Our weekend brings some cheer as Prima Donna is celebrating a birthday. Growing older is fun but not without its fears of what the new year will bring.
This afternoon Ms Papaya was complaining that someone at school was copying her business idea so now they have to be very careful with their ‘prototype’. I told her that she could secure her position by having a ‘copyright’ or ‘patent’ for her idea so that anyone who wants her idea will have to pay for the copyright. She stared at me and said that they do copywriting in school but does that mean they will get paid to copywrite?
Way back in the early 90’s when the Iron Curtain had just lifted, on a warm summer’s day in Warsaw, the chambermaid of the Victoria hotel where we were staying was horrified when she saw me zipping up my baby pink windcheater before stepping out for the day.
Not only were my clothes terribly un-chic, but also terribly inappropriate. All those around me, including the chambermaid, were stripped down to their tank tops and shorts! Except of course the poor soldier on the Square keeping company to the unknown soldier lying in the tomb across .
The chambermaid couldn’t contain herself and asked me where I came from because I seemed so cold and uncomfortable on such a lovely hot day like this .
When I told her that her hot summer day ( 25 ° C that day) in Warsaw was probably the coldest day in Mumbai, from where I came, she rolled her eyes in disbelief.
I realised then, that we in Mumbai are truly blessed when it comes to winter and the cold weather. It’s not really cold to those who’ve experienced cold, but it’s cold enough for us to want to stand in the sun yet we can get by with just a shawl or light denim jacket or a fleece T.
You know it’s winter in Mumbai when
It’s pitch dark outside when you get up at 6.00 a.m.
You start an evening walk at 4 pm because it gets dark by 6.
The smog outside dims the lights of the Queen’s Necklace.
Hordes of Tibetan sweater sellers take up half the pavement in Nana’s Chowk and other pavements near local stations.
The grannies in the building sit around together bundled up in assorted shawls.
When you come home late at night and find the watchman in his trench coat and balaclava rubbing his hands to keep warm.
Traffic light vendors shove boxes of strawberries under your nose by while you wait for the light to turn green.
When cotton wool snow and tinsel and red feature in decorations in shops and hotels
And it’s here !
I saw a young mother taking her children home. While she like me, was dressed in regular clothes, but her toddler togged out in warm winter woollies– warm woollens to keep out the cold, like an Eskimo wrapped in a “furry” hoody.
Yes! Our Mumbai Winter is finally here. Early and actually cold. For those living in colder climes it would seem strange to see a populace shiver so because in another part of the world it would be warmer than a warm Spring day.
The air is distinctly chilly And late at night and early morning a smoggy fog descends, enshrouding the city in a mist of sorts while we cuddle under blankets brought out from lofts.
It is the perfect weather for morning walks Or strolling in the afternoon Drinking cups of tea all day long, Or munching biscuits dipped In hot chocolate.
And the Tibetan sweater sellers are back once again. On street corners by the station. They do brisk business as they sit in packs Unwrapping bundles of coloured sweaters. Their bronze cheeked faces crinkling Up in Mumbai’s unfamiliar blazing sun. They stay here a few days more
Visitors like our capricious Winter season. And when the kites fill up our sky The Tibetan sweater sellers bid us good bye To come again another year Another Winter season.
Change is always disruptive be it for the better or worse. Yes, even good tidings mean adjustments to the change that they bring. While a change for the good is any day better than a change for the worse, one cannot choose what the change can be. But one can definitely decide how to react to the change. The choice that one makes determines one’s destiny even though one’s destiny itself is pre-determined.
This thought was reiterated in Gen Cardozo’s book ‘Cartoos Saab’ that I stumbled upon at Crossword. Always intrigued by the story of a mn who chopped off his own injured leg, I succumbed to the temptation of flicking through the book. And within pages, I was hooked . This book deals with more than that. It is the story of a young man who shows exemplary courage in standing up for his beliefs in a system that demands unquestioning obedience. It is the story of that rare breed of Gentlemen Officer that is unknown to many. It is also a brief introduction to modern Indian military history. It is that rare biography that is crisp, entertaining and informative. I particularly found many names that were familiar, names and places that took me back to the days of my childhood. And finally, it is an inspiring story of how to deal with change.
Going to Crosswords itself was a lucky chance.
My intention of walking out in the mid day sun was to scour the nearby shops for suitable gifts for the Little Ones. Now that Diwali is over and the Christmas season is upon us, our Little Ones will be joined by cousins from overseas and in January we will have four little girls running around the place whenever they come to visit. So it is always handy to have gifts picked out and packed well before the children actually come because last-minute shopping never really works.
I went to my regular shop Funskool, a tiny little shop across the road which somehow has the pulse of the market. Oftentimes I get the best toys at the best price from this hole-in-the-wall. Buying gifts these days is difficult simply because of the innumerable choices. You can buy cheap gifts, expensive gifts, crafty gifts, playful gifts, gag gifts, useful gifts and the list goes on and on.
To make gifting for children easier, I have a simple list of what not to gift.
CRAFTY gifts or DIY Kits: These are an absolute NONO. No matter how clear the instructions and how easy the execution. Most little fingers need the help of Big fingers that also have an unlimited supply of patience.
CLOTHES: Mothers these days are very fussy and particular about what their children are wearing and it is pointless to give clothes that do not fit in their scheme of things.
SOFT TOYS & GAG TOYS: These are dust collectors or potential destroyers of peace of mind and property. A case in point is SLIME.
BOOKS THAT ARE CURRENTLY POPULAR AMONG YOUNG READERS BOOKS. I find most modern books for little kids extremely unsuitable. For instance, the series of books called ‘The Trouble with DAISY …’ which is supposedly funny actually makes little girls into little whiners. Daisy is NEVER wrong and little readers soon learn to shift responsibility for their actions to someone or something else. Another series of books for boys about a boy called TOM GATES, the adventures of a little boy who I find more obnoxious than naughty is equally subversive. So you are left with books about mice and dogs and other animals ( Geronimo Stilton for example). Or then badly written books on Indian mythology ……
But I still find gifting a book far more rewarding than gifting a toy so when I went to Crossword, I quickly gravitated towards the books and ……I was attracted by the title “Cartoos Saab’.
Believe it or not, I actually read the entire book in the bookshop over the two hours I spent there. Finally, I came away with a copy which I thought would be a fitting Christmas gift for Wow Dinga who is all into superheroes in real life. I know the book is slightly difficult for him but apart from the Military jargon with which he will need a little help, its simple language and stories of derring-do will definitely appeal to him.
So if you are looking for a Christmas gift do hop across to Amazon or the local bookstore and buy this book. I assure you it is a book worth keeping if you are interested in military history and stories of courage.
And as for the changes that December will bring – embrace them however unwelcome they may be.
“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”William Jennings Bryan AMERICAN POLITICIAN
Twenty- five Seven 