My mind flashed back to a couple of years, as I saw the elderly couple, grandparents to the lovely naughty kids that they so lovingly tended to.
They looked liked a pair of twins, both boys and adorable, every evening accompanied by their grandparents they come to the playground here bat, ball and a spring in their step. The grandparents always running behind them trying their best to keep up with the Little Rascals.
Flash..Flash..Flash... I am reminded of the years, when I was a working lady we needed help ..a whole lot of maids came and went off faster than they came none of them had a genuine liking for kids just an artifical one all set up to seem like they did.Our parents were there ever willing to help out any time of the day or night. We would take the kids and leave them in their care, secure in the knowledge that they would be looked after, very well . Their schedules always revolved around the kids vacations and it used to rattle us that during the days when our parents, needed to relax and have THEIR TIME, here we were literally piling our problems on them. Not once did they whimper or groan, instead whenever the kids were kept back at our home, they would call to say they miss them and that the day is soooo long..without the little darlings. going to work was so much easier, with not a worry about the kids .
I have read, an article where it is said that Grandparents are toys in kids hands and I do believe that. My kids would be spoilt rotten, every wish was granted and every dish that they wanted was made, Coming home to us after my job finished was a military camp for them, they would cry to go to Mama & Papa(Thats what they call them).. it took a little over a year to get them to change and it is with gratitude that I write this article gratitude to all parents who give selflessly, and make it seem like it is their duty to look after our kids...GOD BLESS THEM.

Diwali is seven days away and the effects of the global meltdown can be seen and felt in every place. The shopping frenzy has not yet begun here, if at all,walking on the main Dadar TT road one can sense the feeling of cut paypackets, no bonuses etc, as everyone is only window shopping.

The shopkeepers and the vendors are doing their best to pitch their sales and literally grab you if you as much as just look in their direction. One can see the look of sadness in their eyes when they do not get a sale.

Earlier Diwali would begun with a gusto; people shopping at least a couple of weeks ahead of time and the sweetmeat shops would be doing brisk business. They still are doing business as we Indians are a SWEET LOT , and they will never go out of style for us .

The night skies would be illuminated with the sound and light of the firecrackers...not so...maybe we need to think and turn these hard times that have come to positive happenings .

Give more time to the spiritual aspect of our lives, give more time to our loved ones and more importantly admire the beautiful stars in the night skies . There are no charges for all of this and will bring so much of peace and happiness ...instead of fretting ...Lets all make the best of our time with our loved ones, maybe come together to make the famous "Besan Ladoos" and the chaklis not forgetting my fav Til Ladoos. So people, have a wonderful and safe Diwali!