Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas in Visakhapatanam
Last year I was in the beautiful city of Visakhapatanam on East Coast of India. We Mumbaikar's coming from West Coast are normally accustomed to see only sunset on a beach whereas here in Visakha we can see the sunrise and not the sunset on beach. This is the main beauty. Otherwise it is like Goa on East Coast with good people and good food.
As I had some Christian friends with me on Christmas morning I went to Church with them and attended the rituals.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity of our great nation here. The ladies who came to Church were dressed in typical South Indian Silk sarees. Next, when they approached Church they covered head with Pallu. Although they chose to pray to a different Prophet they had maintained their own culture.
The next shock was difficult for me to digest as they removed footwear before entering the Church just like we enter Temple, a holy place. In our rush of daily life we do not notice and appreciate these small things which make our Nation the best in the world.
Merry Christmas
Nowadays my travel to CST is not regular, although I have regular pass on quarterly basis. Yesterday I had to handover a gift to a special person and also needed to buy some holy water for the celebrating festive season.
This season of Christmas and New Year is full of love, hope and giving which brings cheer and joy to all irrespective of who you are and what you do. We as family and our close circuit of friends plan well in advance various activities and make the most of it.
So coming back to yesterday story. I took 11:36 Ambernath from CST and relaxed myself enjoying some reading material which is always with me. As the train moved out of Nahur, I noticed two Telugu preteen girls politely and smilingly approached very few passengers. They carried a Stainless steel tray with an idol of Durgamba. They had put some Kumkum and flowers to decorate.
The train was bit late and it must have been 12:30 and I was feeling hungry too. So these girls approached me asking for my contribution. I was in Christmas mood so opened my bag and about to give them a tenner. But something came to my mind and instead of giving them cash, I took out Nestle Milky Bar and gave it to them.
They we shocked and happy and both of them sat down and for few minutes were just admiring the packing and the color as it must have been first time for them to handle the product. After discussing something in Telugu they decided to go 50:50.
They removed the wrapper and made two equal pieces. Then slowly the enjoyed and when finished looked at me and gave a million dollar smile. This can not be described in words. I asked 'Achha Laga ? The nodded head in unison and one big smile again. As they got down at Mulund to catch the next compartment they looked back and smiled again.
I muttered to myself 'Merry Christmas'. The joy of giving is everything and we get opportunity to give every day. But Christmas and New Year are special.
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