I want to thank all the women who have made me who I am. Not
that men have not played the role to shape me but it would not be exaggeration
to say that I am a women shaped man. As the old saying goes “It takes the whole
village/community to raise a child”. I think we are shaped by a lot of people
we meet in our lives, how they talk to us, how they relate to us, how they have
encouraged us, how they have held us accountable, how they have guided us. More
importantly how they have stood strong beside me, given a shoulder to cry,
helped carry my emotional burden and fed me.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the women,
starting with my hero – my mom. The superwomen who single handedly played the
role of my father, mother, brother, sister, friend, teacher and so on and so
forth. The person who knows me inside out and still loves me so deeply. If I
were to tell in depth, this blog will become never ending, but if you are
interested to know more – read here.
Then I have my grandmother who is no more, but her
contribution lives in me. I remember here so fondly with all the stories she
told to my cousins and me. She was the real “Thakuma” from “Thakumar jhuli
khulbe” (Bengali story reference) She laid a very strong foundation in my life,
of imagination and love for poems and stories. I wish I could pick up the
reading habit from her. But having said that she was a brilliant teacher and
somewhere I also got those traits. So, I often wish, she lived a little more to
see me give a speech or write a blog. Then comes my aunties, my masis, mamis,
buas and my mom’s friends. One particular friend who was more than family to
us, I know their extended family and almost raised by them in many
circumstances. Coming back to my aunties – we have a strong bond of story
telling got that in heritage from Grandma.
When it
comes to teachers, we know how they shape us, I am not naming anyone here but I
will mention the name of my favourite teacher Naidu Mam, (she no longer uses
that name after marriage). She inspired me big time, I owe a lot to here. She
fondly called me “Babu moshai”. And amount of confidence she had in her
students, including me, have transformed us and still inspires us to become
better person every day.
Then
comes my Church family, all the didi’s and bhabhi’s I have had. From helping
them in kitchen and sharing endless stories in the kitchen to practically work
with some of the finest women I have known. The amount of love, grace,
compassion and forgiveness I witnessed in my church community is surely
something that keeps me going. Then there are artist women, some good at
singing, some at hospitality, some painters and other writers who inspired me
to take art seriously.
A special mention of my Pastor’s wife, you have been a
support system for me, my spiritual mother. By mere words, by my mere actions
you know what is going on in my life. And with just few encouraging words you
have changed my course of action. You have been a trusted councillor, a healer,
a guide, most importantly someone who never gave up on me and keeps guiding in
right direction. You are the person who never thought twice before correcting
me, even for small things or big things. Your endless trust and input are
deeply valued and have shaped me in who I am.
Then I have my youth group friends, and younger girls who
have turned into powerful women now, who challenged me a lot. My peers who
asked difficult question, prayed for me. Pushed me, challenged me to do things,
which I generally would not do. From having open discussion about difficult
topics to just giving their perspective, I have learnt a lot from them. Without
which I would have had only a lopsided understanding of life and relationships.
A special mention to a foreigner friend who became a very
close friend. You know who you are, thanks for adding me to your “Weird club”
sharing your bestie with me. And to that bestie who taught me so many things,
from chivalry to a lot more things about relationship, about writing and about
life in whole. Someone who wrote a song for me, you know you have played a very
vital role in shaping me, for the person I am. Thank you for teaching me to
value and cherish small talks, talks that are not very important. Thanks for
teaching me the art of sharing the story in full context and so many other
things you taught me.
Also want
to thank my other foreign friends, who are my pen pals, thanks for writing to
me, and sharing your life over letters, mails and sometimes via calls too.
Towards
the end I would also like to mention about my colleagues who have turned into
friends, and some into best friend. I never imagined having such close
relationship with colleagues. Forget close relationship, I lived in the dilemma
whether a boy and girl be a good friend, and came from a school of thought,
that “no” it is not possible. But having friends who are as crazy as you and
having the same wavelength as you are incredible. I have found a friend, a
sister in a colleague, you know who are I don’t have to mention your name here.
You helped me relive my life again, you helped me to be a kid again and perhaps
all those year where I earned to have a sibling, specially a sister to fight
with, or make moments like “Gadi nikal, gadi nikal… “Oh man if I were to write
all the “kands” we have done together, the blog will become too lengthy, so
please bear with me.
This list
will be incomplete if I don’t mention my zabardasti ka friend, who came in my
life like a surprise. From starting on a bad interrogatory mode to become very
good friends, what a journey we have travelled together. I am grateful for this
friend, who never failed to give me titles on titles and was a very keen
listeners to all my gibberish chatter. And would share endless gibberish
chatter. Thank you for shaping me, and teaching me about swimming principle of
shallow and deep. One who is helping me to face my emotions better, who have
helped me to think with heart as much as from the brain. Thank you for
chiselling me.
I know this is more like a page of my diary but hope it does
give you a window to think about all the women in who would have impacted and
shaped you. How they walk with you, taught you to talk, walk, eat, sing and do
all that you do. For the women who work selflessly and tirelessly to make this
world a better place, I think every man would agree with me saying that the
world would be mess without women. A natural instinct for caring and nurturing
for others. Strong men are created by strong women, cultured, graced and one
taught and raised like a prince. I am writing this to thank every woman, and inspire
you to do so. So, here is my small thank you note to all the women.
