Celebrations

There is something about Ganeshotsav, something that fills you with immense energy. And if you are in Mumbai - the energy intensifies! Even when you are not a part of the action, even when you are standing on the sidelines, you can feel the city flow around you.

I happened to call a colleague today who works in our Vikhroli office. I could barely hear her! All I could hear were sounds of drums and people shouting 'Ganpati Bappa Morya'. What did not reach me through the mobile however, (but I can very well imagine) were the brilliance of gigantic Ganesh statues and people dancing around, aaratis, decoations, fancy lights, offerings, and people dressed in ethnic best! And why not? Afterall in India we breathe celebrations!

Every time I think of 'celebrations', I think of an interesting ad that once caught my eyes in The Times of India (and continues to be stapled in my diary).

Below is what it reads...

What does it cost

to have a celebration?

A winter evening

Four friends

One barsaati

Four glasses of chai

Hundred bucks of gas

A rusty old bike

And an open road

Maggi noodles

A hostel room

4.25 am

3 old friends

3 separate cities

3 coffee mugs

1 Indiatimes Messenger

Rain on a hot tin roof

Pakoras deep frying

Neighbours dropping in

An impromptu party

You and mom

A summer night

A bottle of coconut oil

A head massage

Gossiping about absent family members

You can spend

hundreds on birthdays

thousands on festivals

lakhs on weddings

but to celebrate

all you have to spend

is your time

Thought-provoking, isn't it? Celebrations, in various forms and ways, are up for grabs every moment! All we need to spend (read spend well) is our time!