DIWALI DIARY

26.10.2008 : 4 am : Chhota Bhai Raju, his wife Renu, Kids-Kartik and Nandini reached at our place by taxi from Ambala. We were eagerly waiting for them. Today being sunday, we had great time enjoyoing together. Today is also Dhan teras, my birthday. Kartik Birthday is on 31st october. We jointly celebrated. In the evening we went to sector 46 market and thrilled to see the vibranrancy of festival.

27.10.2008 : Today is my working day. Behnji got up early morning, took bath, wore new sari and dressed up in the most traditional way. She was looking exteremly beautiful, as today is also celebrated as Roop Chahudas. I came back from office at 6 pm and had great evening.

28.10.2008 : Today is Diwali. We had lot of visitors at our place for wishing Happy Diwali. Behanji prepared lot of sweets, deshi methai etc on this occastion. Interior and exterior decoration was adding extra happiness on this day. We performed Puja by 8.30 pm. Then with all neighbours we burst crackers for about 2 hours. Kartik played Casio and sang a few melodious songs. The neighbours were surprised to see a boy of 9 years singing best of Bollywood and Marwari songs with instrument. Our neighbour Mr. Thakur, an IAS officer also sang a beautiful fok song : dil bhoom bhoom kare...

We went to bed at 1 am and got up at 6 am in the next morning.

29.10.2008. Gopi was complaining about non supply of municipal water and there was virtually no drinking water. In the last night we bought a few mineral water bottles from market. So I searched the mobile no of MC officers from internet. Telephoned SC Mr. Bedi at 6 am and told him about the problem. He was very receptive and asked me to give him some time. Within minutes he organised his team to see why water supply had disturbed. Then I got call from SDO to see whether water supply was normal in the neighbourhood. I verified and found that no where was any problem. I went to security guard of the society and asked him to recheck the operation of internal valve. And to utter my shock, it was a mistke on the part of the guard, who could not operate Valves properly and water supply was disturbed for about 24 hours. But by this time, I saw Over Sear from Engg deptt was there at my society to help us. It was really a nice experience to see that all govt officers were on their toes at 6 am and nobody felt irritated on my complaint but instantly tried to help us. India has great future in the hands of such officers.

We went to York Resort in the afternoon. Had very scrumptious lunch, enjoyed the beauty of nature in the lap of great Shivalik range, came back by 7 pm and at 9 pm Raju took his train from Railway station and went back to his home place Bhilwara.

We had wonderful Diwali. Wishing all readers a very happy diwali and prosperous new year.