Tillitonse - A Transformational Journey Together

  Flow… Just that. Simple yet continuous…… About 10 years ago, my paths crossed DIvya’s and Shantanu’s. I was going through a period of transition. The old was not yet over and the new was not yet born. It is in these periods that the company of like-minded souls is particularly vital. Divya has always been the gust of fresh air while Shantanu, the rock, that so many of us anchor on to. Over the years, our lives twisted and turned. We started as a teacher and two students. Soon, we formed a bond that was more than that. Over time, their relationship grew as they came together as a couple. For me, its been so wonderful watching and participating from the banks as these two fiercely independent forces of nature straddling contradictions, somehow flowed together seamlessly! So about a month ago, when they asked me to join them to Rishikesh, I immediately said YES! And much to my surprise (and their’s too!), I actually made the trip! And over the past five days, we just flowed, ala th...

  'POOJAK' – Three Insights From a GRAND Celebration   Amar and Swetha, our dear friends for over 30 years, hosted an exquisite and warm wedding celebration for their daughter Pooja. Many have expressed the many aspects of what made this event special. In this piece, I highlight three themes that have left a mark on me. A Dance of Emotions:   A Dance of Emotions: I saw a father give his daughter away in a simple choreographed dance and my mind went instantly to the other Sanjana, my daughter…She had left a week earlier to the US for college and watching this dance, just brought back all the emotions. But the mind did not just stop from going back, it raced into the future, fast-forwarding  to an image of Sanjana and me repeating this dance. And I felt a lump in the throat.   Over the next two days, I had opportunity to observe the dance of emotions for the family members and the rest of us. Weddings provide the ultimate canvass for a riot of colourful emotions –...

It’s been quite a week. No, in fact, it’s been an eventful few weeks. This note captures my journey and insights on four key themes.  I write this note mainly for myself and will share with a few.   My Little Gal Flew Away    Obviously, the most significant happening was dropping Sanjana at the international airport in Mumbai as she boarded a flight to the US to begin college. But I have to go back a few days. On Thursday, five days ago, Sanjana’s closest friends came by. As I walked past her room, I heard them singing…a poignant moment. Music, particularly in a group, captures sentiments that words can never express!   Then, as they said their goodbyes, each of them hugged her. I was walking by and when her closest friend NB hung on for a while, tears rolling down her cheek, I broke too. I quickly moved to another room. My little gal was going away…..I had been carrying this load for a while, and this incident was a catalyst.   Next morning, the day of our...