#Metoo....

         When the social media is preponderating with #metoo, let me reveal mine. My first...even before adolescence, when I hardly knew that there are sexual perverts pervasive in this society....
         It was during my 6th grade summer vacations. Due to my keen interest in sketching and painting, my parents enrolled me in an art class for a period of two months. They were very insistent that I ought to travel alone by a bus to get there. Though initially reluctant, finally I agreed. It was advised that this was the first step towards being strong and independent. Myself, very shy and reserved, had lot of inhibitions back then....The scenario is different today. Period.
         With lot of anxiety, I started my daily rides alone. Though hesitant, I enjoyed it as days passed by....
         Finally the day arrived. The bus was packed. There was no room for an apple to fall. The short and stout me was sandwiched among the co-passengers. Suddenly I realized that an elderly man has placed his hands on my body. That moment!!....I neither could cry nor scream. I only felt an uneasiness because I didn't understand it's extent at that split second....Good Lord!...After alighting from the bus, this man walked beside me with his hands on my shoulder and later walked away. I was literally dumbstruck! Who the hell was he?...a stranger or someone familiar was the only thought in my mind. As usual I attended the class with a disturbed mind...
         Back home, after returning I cried my hearts out. I narrated everything happened to them and warned them not to publicize the incident even to our well wishers. The only feeling I had then was a sense of shame and awkwardness!....
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       Years passed. Today, I have come through many such situations....some retorted;some silent. They have all made me robust and impregnable.
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       Though there are many hash tags with 'me too' movement engulfing the media, Women are we safe tomorrow?...including my toddler daughter!!

The Talc Affair....

          It was a usual day at work. Suddenly I got a whiff of a scent..that mellow fragrance.....the scent which holds vivid memories....'Yardley'!...the centuries old talcum powder. It still didn't change a bit...that same passionate smell!
          My earliest memory of that merchandise goes to my 'P Amma'(let us call her so for the time being), my Amma's Aunt. She resided along with her husband beside our house. Their house was more of mine, rather than a neighbour. Then, when I was a shy and reserved child, P Amma always came to my rescue being my playmate. There were days when I used to play even the game 'Catch the Ball' with the lady in her late sixties!
         'Yardley' was her constant companion. Everyday after bath her wrinkled face was adorned in the white talc.It's application was too unconcealed that it often made us laugh looking at her. The powder, the red bindi and the oiled tresses, these three attributes made her looks distinct and genuine. Her age beguiling looks were really an asset.
        This 'Yardley' in a similar manner is very much associated to Amma. Like her Aunt, Amma is also very much in companionship with this product unlike myself who uses it only when I get those bizarre stares from her which often means "No talc?!"...Dear concealer....u never win!
        Perhaps in Kerala I believe there are many such Ammas and P Ammas who have a fervent relationship with this after shower product. Though 'Yardley' is prevalent among the best sellers, there are many other talcum powder brands which are still reigning in the market to enhance the beauty of the women generations of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Period.
        Some things inherited are so. Even if we feel like discarding we keep them close to our heart and continue to use them. At times it helps in cherishing the good old memories of some beautiful people and relishing their presence even in their absence.

Travel....

        Finally or surprisingly I got a job...all of a sudden! After much hype, the posting is at New Delhi, the capital of India. From the Southern tip of India I'm gonna travel to the Northern part of India...A hectic 3 days travel by train or 9 hours journey by flight (unavailability of  direct flight is a point to be noted). Despite of the hour bound journey, I enjoy travelling. My profound gratitude to my father for instilling this interest in me.
                                                     
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         Those school summer vacations, the long gap of 2 months..........Luckily, we have our father who plans a tour prior to our holidays. Evey year before our Annual Examination, Dad will orate us a proforma of tasks to be done during the vacation. A family excursion or tour is mostly a mandatory one. The others included are sending my brother and myself to educational camps, creative classes, things to be done at home, etc. Amma is also included in the process of decision making... A vague idea of the place to be visited will be provided before the examination. As soon as it commences Dad will announce the complete itinerary of the tour programme. I still remember the inquisitiveness we had till that day arrives.....and then the total excitement begins!...We are ready for an expedition together as a family to a new place to explore, seek and learn.
         In this manner, we have travelled to umpteen places; at least when compared to my friends who had no much chances during childhood to travel with their family. Dad used to plan everything in advance so that the travel expenses will not exceed our financial budget. Then when we had to keep in mind that our 'Royal CHETAK' scooter's petrol has to be filled full!! So most of the journeys were constricted within the country.
         Not only these journeys had given me an opportunity to spend quality time with my family and nurture our bonding with each other, but also understand the culture, language, food habits, values, etc of each State I had visited.
        Cities like Bengaluru which taught me how serenity and progression can move side by side..the double decker buses, the peaceful gardens!....Ooty/Kodiakanal for how weather changes according to topography, when back in Kerala there is a different climate...and the mesmerising tea plantations spread over there!........Trichi/Tanjavur where the sun can be too piercing , the enchanting temple architecture to the finger licking sambhar vadas!......Idukki/Munnar, the pride of Kerala, the most sought after tourist destination in South India!....Lakshadweep, my first visit to an island, to understand what a lagoon is and to feel the exhilarating sea breeze!....many such travel destinations to the list!!
        By enjoying these journeys together Dad has ingrained in me the interest of travelling and exploring new zones.

              "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." - Anonymous

     Just like my father, let me entrench this pleasure in my daughter too!