Welcome to Quarter-Century Club! Happy 25 Vishnu

Dear Vishnu,

Today marks a very special day as we celebrate your 25th birthday! It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. This year is even more special because we get to celebrate together after three long years.

From the moment you were born, you brought immense joy and love into our lives. Watching you grow from a curious child into a remarkable young man has been a privilege. Your determination, kindness, and passion for life continue to inspire everyone around you.

Remember the countless hours spent getting dragged along by Di, stealing some coins for a neighbourhood servant, getting emotionally blackmailed by Amma, crying your heart out saying you don’t want to go to boarding school (after watching Tare Zameen par) and most importantly the blabber about Honda Makiva – wondering where you even conjured up this name (Have posted this video towards the end), Looking back, amazed that you were able to create an audio content out of nothing and quite decent language for that age. Cannot forget after a nice treatment innocently asking if you can join me for an evening walk or asking if we can go to the beach (taking me on guilt trip).

Those were the days filled with laughter and endless curiosity. Somethings that stood out

Academic Achievements: Your dedication to your studies has always been commendable. Especially your uncanny ability to set expectations very low (to the extent, saying you may even flunk the exams and then getting highest marks in the school in some subjects (BTW! Did you meet the teacher who said she will jump off the terrace if you score highest?) From excelling in school to pursuing higher education, your hard work has paid off in so many ways. To appearing on the University BEST board and reserved to the extent you did not want to sign consent for use of your photograph on the promos. Being humble to the degree of fault?

Moment that would make any parent very Proud

Yes! I am talking about this banner

On a serious note! You have made us extremely proud at all steps and we thank the the Divine for this wonderful gift. Returning to India to meet me after 2 years to pursue your internship here to me personally was the Biggest Gift that I could ever ask for!

Welcome Back!!! Motherland and Mother calling

Over the years, you’ve faced challenges with resilience and grace. Your ability to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger is truly admirable. Landing up two opportunities as you you returned must have done a world of good to your already soaring confidence – a luxury to reject an offer is something not many aspirants can dream of in these days. You are worth tons of gold for anyone.

Today, we celebrate not just your birthday, but the incredible person you have become. As we celebrate this milestone, let’s cherish the memories we’ve created and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead.

As you step into this new chapter of your life, may you continue to pursue your dreams with the same passion and determination. May you find happiness in every moment and success in all your endeavors. Remember, no matter where life takes you, you will always have a home filled with love and support.

Here’s to you, Vishnu! May your 25th year be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. Happy Birthday! May God and Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji’s blessings be upon you at every moment of your life ahead.

From all of us!!!

Don’t miss this folks!

Signing off with yet another one! He must be enjoying watch these

How do we Begin… Reflections of a Lovely Day

No words for a lady like you because there is no adjective that can describe a lovely woman like you! But I just want to say that, Amma, you have been such an inspiration and such a support for us throughout.. Just be there for us as always ma, and Im sure and I assure we’ll reach such great heights and make you proud!!

Love you really lots my mummmaaa!!! J J

Many many moooore Happy Returns of the day ma!!

edited V-A
From Vishnu to Amma with love

Ma n me
From Divya to Amma with love

Well! It is my turn now – When it comes to expressing a few word in appreciation of this Amazing lady…an otherwise verbose me will find words choking at my throat…errr.. fingers. Natural choice  is to head to the latest dictionary. If only, dictionaries or thesaurus could include feeling with those words, I would have had a quick template to finish this piece in a jiffy.  Here I go, digging into the depth of my vocabulary to find an expression and I am sure no word would justify what she really means to each one of us who know her.

So here I go…

Why here? It could have been a very personal letter or even a “careful whisper” into this ear that is always “ready to hear” our woes. Keeping in line with our image as a very social family (and for me to show off 😉 I guess it was worth putting this for the world to see. Only in the fond hope that an expression of an intention is as much needed as the intention for that loved one to visit here and cherish.

At the outset, the greatest reason to appreciate this wonderful soul is that Himalayan patience she has. Remember she has to deal and live with a very difficult husband like me. It would be an understatement if I just say that her love and patience increased proportionally with every passing year as my crankiness increased. No! even exponentially increased would be an understatement – that is Aparna for you.

On a serious note – this post is not really for more hits on my website, nor is it for show-off. It is just for YOU – APARNA. Just for you.

SAM_1887

Okay! Let me also confess, it is for me 🙂 As a reminder to myself, that it is not enough to love, but also show that love. As a gentle nudge for myself whenever needed.

You are the best person any person could hope to have around. We (me specifically) feel so blessed and completely grateful to Divine to have you in our lives. It is a visual treat to watch you teach like none else, our kids (and those who come across in our lives) much valuable lessons and virtues. I am not sure I know or even understand everything in this life, but I know Divine got us united to accomplish great things. I have to concede that you indeed and definitely are the better half. I cherish you. FOREVER!

The Gang of Four
The Gang of Four

I am so grateful to His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who has blessed me (and us) with happiness that are just dreams for many on this planet. Thank you, Aparna for walking and make me walk that path shown by HIM.

Finally, I am so happy and on top of the world to realize I am so dependent on you and happily so. Today as you turn an year wiser and while deep sea divers try to discover the pearls under the sea, I shout from the roof top that here is “MY precious jewel not deep under the sea to be discovered, but right next to me, every step of my life”

As some wise man said – you proved this adage so true for me.

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” –

That is YOU for me 🙂 dearest Aparna

From all of us – a lot of them sent me messages to put their names to wish you here) and since it is you, there are so many, far too many that I need a separate piece to just mention them – A very Happy Birthday to you. Have a wonderful day and a great year ahead. We will make sure every day of the year ahead would be as special or better than today.

LOVE YOU LOADS!!!

Signing off… with a lovely verse,  Thanks to Emlyn Tisdale

Day by day, months pass by,
Month by month, years go by.
You’ve always been when I needed you or otherwise,
Today is your birthday and to the occasion I must rise.
To bring a smile to your lips all day,
Is my goal in every possible way.
Happy Birthday 

Walking and Leading my Path

On my wife Aparna’s  _th birthday (I dare not fill that up) my thoughts on what makes her very special. Let me start with a few words about her. A great thing about her is her over-riding desire to just give , give and give. Amazing lady who simply loves doing for others giving her 100% Ask any of our friends and relatives for endorsement – I am sure she would get overwhelming votes to beat Pranabda if it were for Presidential Elections.

With our Children

I always know she is my greatest supporter yet not afraid to challenge me and help me grow into a better person. Her faith in our chosen path I feel far exceeds mine, many a times and in the path some giant leaps that we have taken together successfully as a couple would have never happened without her support, willingness and strength.

To our children, she is the best mom one can hope or even imagine to get. She has created a wonderful home out of this house, that we all look forward to come back and chill.

Today, on her _th birthday (no, I still don’t dare to fill that blank despite the good words written earlier), I want to honor Aparna for being my wife. She is my best friend and mate that I could ever get. The Divine as always knew that my destiny is with her and led me to Aparna. And most importantly boy! I am extremely elated that I listened to Him!

Here is how her birthday began – blessed by whom we adore, respect and follow. His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji or the Art of Living Foundation

With HH Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji

Happy Birthday, Dearest Aparna and thanks for everything (and the delicious food that you always cook, I have to say this in anything that I write). We love you just the way you are! Wishing you a wonderful day which we surely would try to make. May this day which started on a great note, get better and better through the day and the year ahead.

Raising the toast on your Birthday – here we are… with Love

Me with the Birthday Girl

PS: The occasion sweetened due to the presence of Ashwin, Aparna (Addanki), Deepika, Bhanu akka and many senior Swamis and Teachers of AOL