Birthday Gift

Visit to Mahsoba temple with my husband, flowers and cake from children, diligently made, with the labor of love the birthday card by Mihika, Ajay calling and singing lovely birthday song for me while on the way to school in Chicago, blessings from elders and warm wishes from friends were highlight of my this birthday.

But what blew me away completely is this article which today I am sharing with you all. It was written and sent as birthday gift to me by Vir, eldest of my three grandchildren, Vir, Mihika and Ajay.

*Pyaari Naani *

Seven decades  ago, in a quiet lane of Almora in Uttarakhand there was a girl born who was named Jyoti. She was the kind of child whose report card made the whole neighborhood proud. While other kids were busy flying kites on the rooftop, Jyoti was buried in science books,

But she wasn’t just a bookworm. Once she hit her teens, the serious student turned into the most mischievous kid on the block. 

Academics still called to her though. She finished her BSc in  with top marks, then her MSc Chemistry. She didn’t stop there — she dove into a PhD, spending long nights in the lab surrounded by flasks and the sharp smell of chemicals with the invigorating smell of chai and samosas on which very often debates and gauntlets were based  The lab became her second home, and chemistry became her language.

Life moved forward. Jyoti married and had two children, Uday and Namita. Both were academically excellent, Uday was steady and quiet, like his father but Namita had Jyoti’s spark — funny, naughty, silly   Jyoti balanced home life, studies and bedtime stories of her both children. She became busy with work and learning technology , equations experiments and earthen pots of mango pickle.

Years passed, and Namita grew up and had a son of her own — Vir. From the moment Vir was born, Jyoti’s eyes softened in a way no one had seen before. She was “Nani” now, and Vir was her favorite partner in crime. For twelve years she spoiled him with secret cheese parathas before dinner, taught him how to solve chemistry equations in seconds, and told him stories of her own childhood in the 1970s — of lantern-lit evenings, her mischievousness in Msc while she stole samosas and sang songs at most serious moments when HOD sahab was serious , and funny takes of Namita and Uday. 

Then, when Vir was twelve, nani fell ill. Cancer. The word hit the family like a storm. But if you knew Jyoti, you knew she didn’t give up easily. She fought it with the same fire she had in the lab. There were painful days, hospital visits, and quiet nights, but she never let it dim her spirit. 

She beat it. Not just for herself, but to show the world what Jyoti Pant really means — resilience, laughter, and stubborn hope.

Now, every summer, when the heat in Pune  becomes unbearable, Jyoti packs a small suitcase and comes to Vir’s house. The house fills with the smell of old stories, chaat, cheese paranthas and fresh ice cream. 

She sits on the table with Vir , teaching him simple chemistry and telling  tales of her mischievous days, and yes — buying buckets of ice cream till the freezer overflows.

Vir still waits for those summers. Because to him, Nani  isn’t just his grandmother. She’s proof that a person can be serious and playful, a scholar and a storyteller, fragile and fiery — all at once.

And every evening, when the sun sets and the house glows warm, Jyoti still shines the brightest.

Love you Naani

❤️❤️❤️

Vir Sinha

पीले पत्ते

 वृद्ध मनुष्य पीले पत्तों के समान होते हैं। निर्भर। क्यूँ कि हरे पत्तों के ऊपर पूर्णतः निर्भर होते हैं इसलिए तोड़ कर फेंक दिए जाते हैं। आज जब पीले पत्तों को तोड़ने के लिए हाथ बढ़ाया ही था कि लगा वह कुछ बुदबुदाए।

धुंधलाई दृष्टि से नयनों ने, 

पीले पीले पत्तों को निहारा, 

विस्मृतिशील मस्तिष्क सोचे, 

बूटा मेरा अद्भुत प्यारा, 

ग्रहण लगाएं सुन्दरता को, 

पीले चितकबरे ये पत्ते, 

आज तो इनको तोंड़ दूं। 

          झुर्रियों भरे हाथ आगे बढ़े, 

          चितकबरे हाथों की कंपन देख, 

          उनपर झुर्रियों की झमाझम देख, 

          पत्ते मुस्काये कुछ व्यंग औ 'खुशी से, 

          हाथ थम गये हस्तब्ध थे। 

          

क्यों हो तुम मुस्काते इतना, 

संशय से विस्मित मैं पूछूं, 

क्यों है इतना व्यंग और खुशी, 

तुम्हारी मंद मंद मुस्कान में।   

      

             हंस कर बोले वे, 

             समत्व है साम्य है, 

             हम तुम में समतुल्यता है, 

             आभास नहीं क्या तुमको, 

             मनुष्य हो  बुद्धिमान हो, 

             गहन विचार कर सोचो।          

मत तोड़ो हम पीले पत्तों को, 

रंगीन बनाते दुनिया को हम, 

आज हरा कल पीला सबको होना है, 

बूटे से या संसार के विशाल वृक्ष से, 

टूट कर स्वतः सबको गिरना है, 

गहन विचार कर सोचो। 

       सकुचाए घबराये हाथ कंपकंपाए, 

       पीले पत्तों को बूटे के अंक में छोड़, 

       किशमिश के समान, 

       समय की रेखाओं से अंकित, 

       चेहरे पर टिके गए, 

       गहन चिंतन में मग्न हो गए। 

   🌿🌾🪾☘️🌾🪾☘️🌾🪾☘️🌾🪾☘️    

   ज्योत्स्ना पंत      

From Grandmother's Diary Part - 6

 My dear Vir, Miku and Ajay today your grandmother is going to tell you about one daring funny incident of her college life in jaipur where she did her PhD. 

In our MSc first year external examiner was Dr.Tondon (Proffesor chemistry department Jaipur University of Rajasthan). After Viva voce was over he casually asked me what I want to do after MSc? 

Doing PhD was always my dream and I told him so. All went well. I cleared my exams with 68% marks. (great achievement in 1976)

Those were the days when 60 % and above marks were tough to get. 

The real thing starts in jaipur where I went to do PhD under the guidance of Dr. B. C. Joshi. Why I gave you all the introduction to Dr. Tondon will be clear later.

It was one of the rare idyllic day in lab. Our chemical reaction were set up and they continue for 24-48 hrs or more. So except being in lab and occasionally checking the temperature, water flow etc nothing much was to be done. I picked my register and pen and was about to head for library when I heard some one saying "Miss Pant where are you going". He was one of my senior. I told him "I am going to library to do literature survey on the review I have to publish".Wait please he said and announced to all in lab अरे boss (Dr. Joshi) आज नहीं आने वाले, आज मस्ती करते हैं (Boss is not going to come today so let us have some fun).I was all smiles at their suggestion.

Four seniors who had finished their PhD and were perusing post doctoral put ₹100 each on the table and said Miss Pant are you ready to take a challenge?

I naturally asked what challenge? No no first you tell if you are ready? If you do the task we give we will give you all this money ₹400! Big sum in 1977, just ₹ 50 short of my monthly scholarship. But if you fail you will have to give treat to whole lab (13 person in all). 

I weighed both option without having an inkling of what the task would be. Treat would cost me maximum 150 (1samosa +1 pastry tea from our lab tea club stock), but if I finish I get ₹400!. I agreed. May be it was my daredevil nature and fun of seeing senior most person losing ₹100 each made me do that. But certainly it was not greed.

Then came the bombshell! चलो बाहर, अब passage way में बैठ कर सामने के कमरे की ओर देख कर जोर जोर से 3 बार बोलो HOD मुर्दाबाद ( come out, sit in the passageway, face the room in the front end and say thrice loudly HOD murdabad). I was stunned. Blood drained from my face, because I knew that room is of senior proffesor and I Wil be in thick sizzling hot soup. I thought for a moment of accepting defeat.

Looking at me they laughed which made me angry and I sat cross legged in the middle of the passage and shouted as loudly as possible raising my fist "HOD murdabad".

Now it was their turn to be stunned. They all vanished inside lab and before I could get up go inside to collect my winning a peon came and said Sir is calling you.

For few seconds I was terrified and so were rest of the collegues inside lab. Then I thought जो होगा देखा जाएगा and remembered the saying जब ओखली में सर ड़ाला तो मूसली से क्या डर (when decided to put head in mortar then why fear the pestle). I went near proffesor room and knocked "Come in came booming voice". I went in and was shocked to see proffesor Dr. Tondon yes the same Prof. Tondon who took my viva-voce in MSc sitting there.

Why is He here, He should have been in HOD room. I was petrified, went cold, but put a bold face and smiled. Morning sir I said.

You are the same girl who told me "I want to do PhD", during viva-voce in Almora isn't it. I noded my head in assertion. 

क्या कहा तुमने वहाँ बैठ कर? He asked seriously.

Sir ssir I  I said "HOD murdabad " I blurted hurriedly.

Why? But why are so angry with me, he asked?

No sir न नहीं. नाराज नहीं। It was a challenge sir?

Now it was he who was shocked. कैसा challenge? Who gave?

I told him everything.

Lo and behold  he started laughing and I started looking at him quizically.

Then he said एक बार और जोर से कहो HOD murdabad outside my room and I will also give you ₹100. 

I was like is it really happening?

By this time students from other labs had also come out to see what is happening.

I came out sat facing HOD's room and shouted to my loudest "HOD murdabad " and got up rushed to HOD's room to collect my ₹100.

When I came out dancing with joy waiving ₹100 note my seniors had no option but to give me ₹400. The expression on their face made me have hearty laugh.

We all laughed. I was richer by ₹500. I was, dancing with joy, till I got a message that I have got a call from my Boss (guide). He wants me at his home ASAP.

All the joy evaporated like ether from bottle in summer days. Dr. Tondon had told him whole episode.

Instead of angry outburst I got home cooked food (I was a, hosteler ) and just an advise "अब तो serious हो जा" Tondon Sir is a happy go lucky person कोई और होता तो disciplinary action हो जाता beta " (Atleast now become serious beta. Tondon sir is happy go lucky gentleman, if someone else would have been in his place surely he would have taken disciplinary action).

I decided to treat my lab collegues and seniors to 2 samosas each. So while on the way back took samosa.When I reached the lab they were expecting a teary eyed girl instead got smile and samosas. चाय बनाऊं (shall I make tea) I said.

Indeed what I did or was tricked to do was reckless. But not being defeatist is my nature and I am incredibly lucky.

We all enjoyed chai and samosas. I was richer and satiated with home cooked tasty food and Samosas.

Mumbai Meri Jaan

Breakfast at Cafe Mondegar 

My life after marriage has always revolved around my husband, children and then grandchildren. Visiting Mumbai during school vacations twice a year has been always been a ritual for us. Being with grandchildren makes me happy and at peace. This year visit in December was very special. Firstly it was a visit in December after two years. Secondly we were to attend the Grandparents day on 24 th December in Vir and Mihika's school. 

The excitement was on both side. Vir and Mihika were also thrilled that we would be in their school attending Grandparents day. I wish I could have done the same for Ajay. 

After my cancer treatment I was not sure of myself going on stage, so did not enlist for any competition. 

What an atmosphere! Hall full of excited Grandparents with small children singing, playing instruments  on stage.

Grandparents participating in cooking competition, fashion show and many stage performances. It seemed  grandparents were revisiting their childhood. I really regret my decision of not participating. I could have read poems written by me for my grandchildren. May be next time. 

Each grandparents were given cards and chocolate in paper box made by school children. It all was so touching to see the meticulous planning and execution. Reading the messages in card filled my eyes with tear and heart with pride and love. 

These gifts got added to my collection of cards, drawings, craft made by Vir, Mihika and Ajay. 

Thank you Principal, teachers children and other staff members of Smt. RamaDevi Shobhraj Bajaj Arya Vidya Mandir Juhu (where my two grandchildren Vir and Mihika study) for making it a memorable day.

Early morning from Andheri to Marine drive, through costal road connecting Worli to Marine drive was delightful. Bikers group gathering to go. I love bikes (I had taken Thunderbird and my son's Pulsar bike for ride in IAT campus), so seeing different racing bikes one after another zooming by was exhilarating. Coastal road is indeed human marvel.

It was hazy morning, so sea and horizon was not that shimmering bright, but the view was mesmerising. Weather was perfect. Morning walkers, joggers were enjoying the cool breeze. Lazy walkers like us were not only soaking in the the vibrant atmosphere but also enjoying cool breeze and calm sea. 

A man comes with his furry girls all decked up in frock and scarves with a professional photographer in toe. We and many other also clicked few photos.

Now it was time for breakfast.. So we headed for Cafe Mondegar.

Cafe Mondegar a nice cozy place with contemporary deco and good food. It was the beffiting end to a delightful morning outing. 

Kitchen 

For first time I ate my one full meal outside. Grilled sandwich and a glass of Mango shake. One more barrier was broken. Now I have developed confidence of eating out. 

Need I say we enjoyed it? Oh no! We not only enjoyed it, but enjoyed to hilt. Big thanks to Saurabh for planning this coastal road drive, Maine drive walk and breakfast. 

Though this plate looks empty but for me it a plate of hope and confidence. 

From Grandmother's Diary Part - 5

Sandwiched between two loving grandchildren, narrating my college escapades, giggling away instead of sleeping is great fun. It was really fascinating to see expressions of surprise on their face "How can naani a no nonsense, disciplinarian can be mischievous in college". 

I told them scratch the skin as thick as it may be finally blood is going to ooze isn't it. So like you, your naani  also had mischievous streak.

बताओ ना नानी (naani please tell). They would urge. How can I resist these lovely two faces looking at me. So I say OK. First bed time prayers then...... 

Prayers said I start. Hmm from my MSc chemistry lab time in Almora OK. 

In winters it was  biting cold and rains had added to it's severity. We were wanting to have hot cup of tea while doing our practicals, but could not go to canteen because of the reactions of practical which needed constant observation. Sigh! We had to wait till evening to go to canteen (4hrs practicals). 

Next day I came armed with Tea leafs, Sugar, milk powder and ginger powder. When we all came to lab someone suggested let us go to canteen one by one. 

But there was no taste in tea, as good as it may be without friends around. 

I said अगर मैं यहीं ले आऊं तो! (if I bring for all of us, here itself)! 

Everyone in unison "कैसे? (How?). 

I showed them my stock and 

They were for shock. 

The question was now "Who will bell the cat or more appropriately who will brew the tea? "

Again your truly accepted the challenge (safety says  that lab apparatus are not supposed to be used for any purpose except for chemicals). 

I boiled water in 1lt beaker rinsed it thoroughly, sterilised it with ethanol and heated in oven at 100 degree centigrade. Now it was fit for making tea. While I was busy making tea, ten 100 ml beakers were sterilised. Hot tea was poured in small beakers and while we were enjoying hot cuppa, the heavenly smell wafted along with chill wind to HOD's office. Lo and behold next moment like a cat he came and was standing there. चाय किसने बनाई (who made the tea)? He asked. All were like sir ah eh sir as if cat had taken their tongue. So I turned raised my hand and said sir मैंने। सबको चाहिए थी तो मैंने बना दी। (sir I, everyone wanted so I made it). Everyone was stunned by my not being apologetic and rather being brash.

Sir glared at me like in Hindi we would say खा जाने वाली नजरों से देखा (as if he will eat me alive), and left in a huff. I knew I am going to be reprimanded so I thought why spoil such good tea? Drink it before I get summons, so we all started sipping the delicious brew  while it was still hot. We all were laughing. 

My cup oops sorry beaker in my hand I looked triumphantly around and my eyes met two big eyes through the window. Our HOD Dr. Sharma had turned back and was again glaring at us in anger through window. 

What icy cold wind could not do, those two eyes did. The whole lab was frozen to stillness. Then what came to me suddenly I do not know, but I started singing aloud :

"मुड़ मुड़ के ना देख मुड़ मुड़ के, 

"मुड़ मुड़ के ना देख मुड़ मुड़ के " 

students were stunned and HOD started laughing. He went away saying "Pant तुझको कोई नहीं सुधार सकता" 🤣.

I made another beaker tea and quietly placed on HOD's table. 

Yes I was बिंदास (brash and cool) but not disrespectful, so I always got away with my  mischiefs.

Good night sweethearts. Next time an incident while doing PhD OK.