Fan Mail to Self 3

 Now I am really getting addicted- Nishka is to be blamed for this idea! The third fan mail to myself, in as many days- 

Dear Raj,

One thing I like about you is that you steer clear of controversial (read political/religious) stuff like those WhatsApp members who try and provoke (internet) breakups. Except with close members of your circle, where you might express yourself in person, without acrimony.

Your travel pics are amazing! Also your really old pics - I mean, when you were young. Or your kids were really kids. I can never get enough of those. I understand your parents were avid readers and photographers, and these traits have rubbed off, obviously. 

Your interest in music is something I share, and also interest in singing, in the right company. It relaxes the mind, and also celebrates life. Sports are also something I have always tried out, and I like the fact that you picked up Golf and stayed with it, and you try and make it look easy by training novices who may not have access to it elsewhere. Helps you stay young, I am sure. 

Ok, more next time, Chow!

Yours truly..

Fan Mail to Self 2

 Why stop with one? Now that I have got started, let me write about other good qualities. (Ahem!). 

Dear Raj,

You always try and keep in touch. I like this quality in you. It's very old world, like the media you use - facebook, for instance, which nobody of the young generation uses any more. But I must say you use it to good effect on those who count. I realise you have managed to engage people by some really creative means, like your DP Awards, and Awards for Quizzes that you seem to have almost on a daily basis.

Not just that, you are available for chats on Messenger at various times of the day, even if it's a simple hello or an answer to a question that someone has. Also, to meet, when you travel. You seek out old students, friends and share a chat over chai (will not say Chai pe charcha, it's copyrighted :) )

You are also quite funny with your posts, and routinely bring a smile to my face, and many others too, I am sure. In a world full of gun shots, migrants and wars over nothing, we need a calming influence of some kind to keep us sane. I am glad you are doing your bit. It might not change the world, but it helps.

I am happy to be connected, and occasionally, meet up. 

Yours truly..

Fan-mail to Self

 This is an idea from Nishka, a former student and friend who writes stuff. So let me try this out. This one's restricted to blogging, one of many things I may have fans for - sounds conceited? Ha, ha,.. anyway, here goes..

Dear Raj,

I have followed your blog ever since you started it-around 12 years, I believe. Plenty of people blog, and some write about food, or plants, or poetry. Some use a lot of photographs, and some are bare. Some have serious content bordering on proselytising (not sure if that's the right word, but I wanted to use it), and some are full of humour.

I can't really categorise your blog, because it's all over the place, like life itself. Not a tear-jerker, fortunately, because I hate that kind of stuff. Even when you have some "learnings" that you share, it's in palatable doses, and I am thankful for that.

What I most like about it, is each piece is short, so even if I dislike it, there's not much to dislike. Of course, mostly I veer towards liking them. Just wanted to let you know. If possible, keep writing. You know you have at least one reader who looks forward to it.

Yours truly..