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

Happy Birthday Vishnu – Threshold of Jordan Year

For the uninitiated, Jordan year is the year of being 23 years old (especially in the USA). Basket Superhero Michael Jordan wore number 23 for the Chicago Bulls and hence the reference.

It helps to do what I just did (to start with some Tidbit like the paragraph above) when one is lost for word to begin writing and looking for that creative juices to flow to start the opening lines about someone about whom anyone has so much to write.

It may be passe to keep repeating that time just flew away, but it remains a fact. When we held him for the first time on a chilly January morning in Bengaluru, India, 23 winters ago – we were excited no doubt, but never knew he would turn out to be such an amazing young man, a hero, fending for himself, all alone, far away, across Seven seas, one who keeps us excited every moment (on tenterhooks and on our feet sometimes). Whole lot of things is now ticked off his “Life’s To-do” bucket list. While on this amazing journey, he has made us all very proud presenting us with pleasant surprises galore (sometimes shockingly pleasant, like his scores in 10th or 12th Grade), today you have arrived at the threshold of an important phase of your life (not the kind that Amma keeps telling during your examination of every grade in School). And yes while you hit that milestone and as has become the norm – another pleasant surprise awaited us. Thank you Vishnu, you made us all very proud and soared to cloud nine with this one.

Congratulations on adding yet another feather in your cap and another stripe on the shoulders of every member of the family and a reason for celebration. Contrary to what you keep saying, it is not just another day in the University. This is no mean achievement. It was indeed such a Cloud-Nice moment was when Di spotted this on the University Portal

The Eureka Moment when Di Spotted this on University Website
Proud (is an understatement) to see you here on the 55-foot display in the CSU Hearth Lounge created for Boasting Exceptional StudentTalent.

Lest the significance not be lost on all of us (including you), I am reproducing the background of what this achievement means (in the University’s words)
Centennial Student Union crafted the means for Boasting Exceptional Student Talent among those evolving leaders. Each semester since then, the BEST Board display in the CSU Hearth Lounge spotlights eight students selected for campus student leadership and CSU student staff excellence.
The faces and words of these BEST students exemplify both active and quiet leadership that enhances campus life at Minnesota State Mankato.
This site is dedicated to the continuing BEST Board tradition. It recognizes those students who, each semester, graced the BEST Board and welcomed visitors to the CSU. Each became the face of leadership and the example of personal reward that comes from accepting the challenge.
As the tradition continues so does exemplary leadership for other students to emulate”

It is not that everyday, anyone gets to be there. You have made us all very Proud and your Jordan Birthday become even more special for us

As you head towards the home run in this phase of your Education – as always a heartfelt wishes to you and a sincere prayer to the Divine to bless you in abundance ensuring success in your chosen path.

While most would end up dishing out unwarranted advises when you turn 23, I envy the maturity you show at every step and any advice is misplaced one. You know what is to be done better than most of us and I only repeat what I said when you turned 21
“It is reassuring that you are also past advises that we can give. You grew up, learnt many lessons the hard way and any advice to you would be almost redundant. It is a happy feeling for any parent or elder sisters, to get wise counsel from the apple of their eyes who grew right from baby in cradle to a handsome 23 year old, gym going, sports loving lad”

No advice to the one who has a great head on his shoulder and stands shoulder to shoulder with his Dad.
Happy Birthday Dude!

Happy Birthday Vishnu (Ashrit), Young Handsome Man, We have tremendous faith in your abilities and you will make it big. May the year ahead bring you great news, oodles of opportunities, meaningful friendships, and a great network to help you achieve big things in life. We pray you continue to be the Gentle, every Helpful and Great Human Being. Keep exploring, stay curious, and enjoy the journey ahead.

Let me tell you, it is not easy to bid goodbye when you go back after every holiday. I am sure it is equally bad for you too. Notwithstanding technological advances that helps us be in touch unlike our days, nothing like having you around in flesh and blood. It is a huge consolation having that shoulder around us

Tough moment after previous Holiday. Miss you Dear One
Happy Birthday Mama – I am missing you