To end April, we assembled for a party at our place, with many people in attendance. The oldest was 90, an aunt, and the youngest, around 6. The karaoke added a lot of fun to the proceedings, with everyone participating- with the mic, or in the chorus. The amazing food and drinks meant that we closed pretty late.
Ok, remember to sign cheques with 2025 as the year- if you sign any. Our party heralding the year was with cousins and their kids, or some grandkids. Held at Pune, we had participation from Mumbai and Australia, and the US.
I hate winters, in general. The worst ones I remember were at Delhi and Lucknow, during my stay there. I barely survived.
But good things can happen in winter too. You can snuggle under your quilt, endlessly drink cups of spiced tea, or brandy to keep the cold away, have New Year/Christmas parties, or sit and brood- not necessarily a good thing, depends on what you brood about.
You can always go to places that have no winters- like Chennai, Mumbai, or any coastal places.
Snow is good from a distance, if you are warm and cozy.
Ever since I got a karaoke mic as a 50th birthday present, I have enjoyed it immensely, and broke the ice in many a gathering with its help too. It's a great tool for having unadulterated fun, and in small and large groups-family, students, music groups, anyone .. we have done this at MDP groups with executives! . Just like antakshari, which we did without any accompanying technology. These pics over the years might show you what I am talking about..
Ok, one such meetup happened yesterday, with old friends, Prachi Jain and Pratishtha Batra, of IIM Indore fame. There was a new member too in the party, new to me- Mayank. And it was a memorable evening, with all the right ingredients, from different parts of the world-will not mention all of them, lest I make you jealous.
The conversation ranged from Pratishtha's intro to Japanese refreshments (including their Single Malts), and Chinese colleagues, while she worked at the U.N. in Manhattan, no less. Her trysts with snowy work-days too. I countered with stories of my adventures at midnight on 42nd Street, and coming out unmugged. From long ago, of course.
We also remembered funny incidents, not all of which can be quoted here, from their life at Indore as Doctoral students. Seems to have been a fun life, including some special experiences of the faculty there. Reminded me of my MBA days, when we used to draw cartoons about some of our classes and profs.
We also dissected the 'Delhi boys,' and the guys who eat things that grow over the ground- you can draw your own conclusions. The missing team members- Akansh, Neeti Ingole, Geeti, and Vartika and hubby were fondly remembered. Had just met a few of them at Indore at their coming out party..coming out of IIM Indore, I mean..
Those are the doctors I like to meet. Have met Payal Kapoor and a couple of others at MDI recently too. But these were a fresh crop from IIM Indore, and we have been meeting regularly over the last year or more. Prachi and Akansh also made it to a karaoke party at home earlier. The biggest meet was at Pind Balluchi, before some of them were formally 'doctored.' Now, having worn that graduation cap, two of them were in a euphoric state, and though we missed a couple of regulars, one was represented by her parents-Pratishtha. Neeti had just spoken on the phone, and was going off to Amritsar- maybe our (IIM's) fifth contribution. So I told her her future boss was a cool guy, and she replied, " But not as cool as you." That was like a breath of fresh air! Anyway, I don't want to sound too narcissistic-we decided it was somebody else's domain. However, I have to prove we had fun, so here's social proof-
Cousins from two Nargundkar brothers' families gathered for a party after a while. Some of us, including Nargundkar-Pai family and Nargundkar-Paruvus. Pratap, Pramila, Lakshmi, Virendra, Rajendra (me), Hari, Anjali, Madhuri, Shobha, Satish.
Some of us cousins met up in a place called Barometer. Some have been in Pune, and some more have just moved. My brother and sister were visiting, from USA and Hyderabad, respectively. Enough excuses to party..
