Journey to "FATHERHOOD"

The good news of promotion to next level came last November; it was a Sunday evening when we went to meet the doctor. The gynecologist confirmed that I and Su are going to progress to next level very soon. From spouse to parents, this transition was now not very far away. The news brought a new wave of happiness and excitement to the entire Rathi family. Every one started waiting for the moment when we can have first glimpse of the little one. I was a bit luckier with this aspect; managed to see the first pictures of my baby on a sonogram machine screen.

To the D Day: First trimester was a difficult for Su with nausea, heart burn and dizziness accompanying her all the time. Doctor advised cut down on caffeine intake, follow few exercises, prescribed few medication and described these as difficult times before the larger happiness. Time passed and the excitement kept on increasing to see the little one. To make things more exciting, we decided to have a small baby-moon trip to Kodaikanal. It was the month of April with heat waves in whole of southern India, vacation to a hill station was a welcome relief. With this romantic weather and small baby bump on Su's tummy, things could not have been better than this. In true sense, this was the first trip with all three of us together- me, mother to be and the little one.

Second Trimester went smoothly and apprehensions starting to mount with the start of third trimester. All the changes were to new to us and we were learning to deal with them.  By start of June, Su moved to Kolkata to be with other family members and the final approach to D day started.

Arrival of GOD send gift: It was 18 day of July, a Friday morning and I took a morning flight to Kolkata. We knew the time was near but we never expected it was that very day. A routine gynecologist visit was followed by an emergency admission to hospital and immediate operation. Everything thing went well and at 7 minutes to midnight, our prince came to this world.  The time has come for which we have been waiting for so long. Gorgeous, cheeky, beautiful and bright little bundle of joy came into our life. Picking him up into my arms and kissing him on his forehead, I thanked GOD for HIS greatest gift. Having the sweet little baby in my arms was the greatest feeling I had in my entire life.

It has been month and half since the birth, but I have not been able to spend much time with Laddu. He is far off to his dadi/nani’s place and I am lonely waiting here in Chennai. My real test of fatherhood will start early next month when Laddu, along with his mumma, dadi, dada and bhua, is here. Sleepless nights are on their way but I am sure it will be fun. One smile of Laddu and the joy of raising him is everything we will live for.

PS: Our prince is coronated with the name “Samarth”. For us, he is “ Laddu”- little bundle of sweetness in our life.

The new destination – Chennai

Though it has been quite some time since I have written anything, this idle Sunday afternoon reminded me of one of my old interest- Blogging.  It has been long time since I shared my feelings through this blog; hence there is lot which I want to speak of.

My Life: Life is moved into a new phase- from being just a bachelor to better half of Sucheta and now a father to be (Yipeeeeee). I feel like many things have changed in so little time, and I am rest assured that they have changed only for good. I can see a great future standing in front of me.

Opportunity: As they say opportunities keep coming in life. One has to keep its eyes wide open to recognize one and to make the most out of it. Such happened to me around a year back. An opportunity to work with an investment bank came by my way and I instantly grabbed it. However, this new stint was supposed to be in a different city- Chennai. Not very sure of what was waiting for me in store of future; I took up this challenge and decided to shift my base to cultural capital of India.

Chennai: I landed in this city in September last year and my first impression was not very good. On my way to hotel, I could see unfinished flyovers, clattered roads, unforgiving traffic and much congestion all along. My first interaction with a tamilian – the cab driver- was also not very pleasant. Neither could he make out of a single word I spoke, nor could I make out of what ever he spoke. We kept on guessing all along the way. That’s Chennai- You got to know the local language.

Days, weeks, months passed by as I began exploring different parts of city and other major tourists spots in Tamil Nadu. I travelled from Marina beach in the east to madras war cemetery in the west and from Sowcarpet in north to Mahabalipuram in the south. My experiences at all these places were completely different. Rock-cut ancient temples at Mahabalipuram speaks of great Tamil lineage, association of French and Tamil is notable at Puducherry and handicraft industry at Kodaikanal is worth mentioning, leave aside the natural beauty all these places have to offer.

I am still at my journey to explore this part of the world and to experience its rich heritage. A lot still to be explored. I will keep on sharing as the journey progress. However, with experiences I had over last one year, my opinion about the city and its inhabitants is now some-what softened. Of all the parts of India I have travelled, this is the place where culture and traditions are given utmost importance. Even in the current world of glitterati, this is the place where inner self is still valued. “Dhotis” and “gajras” is the way of life here- simple living and high thinking. Of course you can contradict me by asking - “What about yearning for gold ornaments?” On this I would say they are investing in the asset in which governments of almost all the countries invest. Isn’t that intelligent!!

You got to live here for sometime to experience the city. Am sure you will much safer than other metros of India. BTW there are other benefits of living in this city- you get to eat lots of dosas/ idly/wadas- experience lots of Rajnikanth/ Amma’s frenzy…

….MIND IT!!