WCTC!

"Organize the World Classical Tamil Conference"- the judge of an event in my college sprung a surprise on the finalists, sometime last September. With no clue whatsoever regarding the magnitude of the event, we started planning, discussing, drawing up lists and charts. It was fun!
But now as I see the city all decked up for the five-day fest, with people actually organizing it and working round the clock, I sense an overwhelming amount of skepticism all over. This is no fun event and those who execute the organizational plans are all but happy. The newspapers carry ads wishing the conference success and show pictures with smiling faces all over. Are the smiles genuine? Happiness is worthless if it is shown just because it is required of us. Look at the face of any of the several Policemen standing on duty in the scorching sun throughout the day, and you will know how much they enjoy working for and being a vital part of the conference.
Avinashi Road looks good (despite the long-forgotten and messed-up six-lane system). The traffic signals and streetlights are good; let's hope they last for quite a few years. The VOC Ground is as unrecognizably cool as obviously artificial and temporary. I haven't seen Codissia complex in person; its glittering photo in 'The Hindu' is attractive, but why does it remind me of the several hours of power cut (occasionally even 5 hours a day)we had to endure over these past few months??
While we were drawing up the list of dignitaries to be invited in that mock WCTC, Dr. Abdul Kalam was somewhere at the top. Whereas the actual organizers (who apparently know better than us) have rather invited The current President of India, whose knowledge of Tamil, I am ignorant of. Well, there do seem to be some heartening things like the arrival of several International Tamil scholars which shows how popular this language of ours is (atleast outside Tamilnadu).
The one most significant advantage of this WCTC is the employment (and hopefully a considerable remuneration) provided to hundreds of skilled and unskilled laborers, occupied with painting of walls, laying of roads, pavements, etc.
The Tamil anthem, though famous now due to its frequent playing almost everywhere, has failed to become an ear-worm for many.
Well, let us see. Skepticism, Fake enjoyment and mounting tension (on the organizers) apart, let us just hope that this event ends peacefully (successfully would be a hollow term, coming from me!) without any form of harm to any human life.
P.S: I am Absolutely happy with the conference for the sole reason of the miraculous nine-day break in the semester :)

Tribute to the Bravest and Most Lovable Woman in my life

Manni.

That is how a baby born in 1990 was taught (by her naughty little cousins) to call her maternal Grandmother. The baby has now grown up and she still can't think of calling Her Paati or anything else. She is just that. My Manni. A very special Person in my life.
It was a poem that I wanted to write on Her. But I am not good enough to write a poem on a Poem.
Born in an orthodox Brahmin family, She was steeped in tradition; She followed every custom and performed every ritual religiously. She lost her father when She was five. Yet, She managed to finish Primary schooling even in those days. Married to my Thatha who was then in the Air Force, She multi-tasked easily, keeping every one of her brothers and sisters-in-law happy and rearing five children with the meager salary from thatha who would be posted in some far away regiment. She was possibly unaware of the word 'finance' but she managed the finances of the family very well. All her kids were well-fed and very well-educated. I remember Her telling me, a week ago, that She used to feel proud when she saw Her five children study harmoniously under a single light bulb.
She was the Best Wife. The Best Mother. The Best Mother-in-law. The Most Best Grandmother. Always ready with a welcoming smile, She was the embodiment of Hospitality and Goodwill.
"Nee aathukulla vandhaley galagalappa irukum. Enaku athu romba pidikum."- Her evergreen words to me. She loved my constant chatter and I always sat beside Her, listening and nodding, for her stories were always amusing. We did have our differences. I never believed in rituals, constantly questioned their relevance and showed reluctance in obeying them. She used to dislike my wearing pants and shirts, for She was taught to believe that those were inappropriate for girls. But, over the time, She got used to them and She herself bought jeans for me once. A Navarathri gift. That was a festival She always celebrated with passion. And I, without knowing much of the reasons behind the fest, just followed everything to please Her. Our Love and Bond matters more to me than the reasons behind rituals do.
Her Cooking- The Best on Earth. My mom's great culinary skills are just a reflection of the original Genius in Manni.
The past two weeks have been a gift to me. An opportunity to serve Manni. I shouldn't probably ask for more. But, all I need is just one minute- in the morning of last Saturday. One minute where I could have spoken to her; told her where I am leaving for and heard those wonderful words I always craved- "Maharaajiya Poittu Va"
P.S.- I am no longer an Agnostic. I am no longer confused about the existence of God. For I now know my God's identity. I have seen God-with all the virtues required of a God. I have grown in Her hands. I have slept in Her lap. I feel Her Heavenly Love. Here and Wherever I go.