किस्मत वालों को ही मिलते हैं जीवन में  प्यारे मनचाहे दोस्त/सखा,

 यारी का मज़ा है कितना मीठा जाने वही हो जिसने इसका स्वाद चखा I

 है लिखा इसी विषय पर मैंने ब्लॉग, बिना हिचक व खौफ से,

 उम्मीद है पढ़ोगे आप भी इसको दिलचस्पी और पूरे शौक से I

                                   And

जीना है एक कला अनोखी, यह तो है शायद तुम सबको मालूम,

फिर भी दे रहा  हूँ कुछ अपने नुस्खे- नन्हे, नटखट और मासूम I 

                    Like diamonds, friends are forever              

“Friendship  redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in half,” said Francis Bacon. Knowing that this is true, I drove off to my dear old friend last Saturday along with my better half to celebrate the joy of having offloaded my weekend blog. Before setting off, I duly told him on phone that we are calling on him for some gupshup over sips of Vodka which I said I would carry along. (A helpful tip from another seasoned friend of mine that Vodka is best enjoyed when mixed with ‘tonic water’ and slices of lemon was uppermost in my mind.)  As expected, he was glad and asked us to come over. When we entered the gate, while going past the driveway, we were greeted by blossoms of red and white roses on both the sides all along the well-trimmed green hedge. The courtyard had more in store for our welcome:  larkspurs, azaleas, (more) roses, pansies, antirrhinums, camellias, begonias, geraniums and some unknown ones that were blooming merrily in myriad shades of red, yellow and white.  What a warm and grand entry, I said to myself.

After hugs and mutual greetings we quickly settled down in their drawing room for our usual chit chat laced with humour and unrestrained laughter over pithy exchanges in chaste Pahari. We both gel extremely well with this fabulous friend-couple and our meetings are always marked by instant informality, hilarity and joviality. And so it was this time too. But when it came to drinks, he didn’t let me bring out the stuff I was carrying.  He had a pleasant surprise instead: homemade, exquisite 'health drink' made from imported grapes. Over small little sips, we shared our joys and sorrows and discussed other existential matters in a light-hearted and at times serious banter. Hours turned into minutes and minutes into seconds. And then we returned home in a state of bliss- yours truly a bit tipsy with the fine taste and aroma of the 'elixir' lingering for long many hours.

                           

This friend of mine lives in serene, sylvan environs not too far from Palampur in a lovely, tastefully done up and inviting home with open, spacious sun-lit outdoors. He and his charming wife lead a life of relaxed but busy work-a-day schedule…which makes me so jealous. They grow flowers, vegetables, mushrooms and fruits in abundance. The variety of fruit trees they have is amazing: peaches, papayas, pecan-nuts, mangoes, apple, cherry, strawberry and perhaps a few more. Then they make pickles, jams and juices of high quality making full use of their professional expertise. My friend is a qualified and seasoned microbiologist with specialization in wine-making and his wife a trained and experienced hand in the art and craft of fruit-processing. That’s why their services are used to exclusive advantage by reputed juice/jam making units around Shimla. Perhaps living amongst flowers and fruit-trees and tending them with loving care is the reason behind their youthful looks, ready smiles and warm hearts.

                             

                               

And here is good news:

They are toying with the idea of setting up a small unit at their residence that would cater to processing various kinds of fruits into desired good quality products charging just the minimal amount for their labour and service. Not a commercial venture they insist but just a labour of love. I have lauded and supported the idea. So those of you who are growing fruits and veggies enough and to spare, this would be a Godsend. Let’s hope and pray that this idea translates into reality sooner than later. For, a fulsome mango season with the promise of a bumper harvest is near at hand.

Who is this lovely, unassuming couple, you might be wondering? Well, my friend is none other than K K Vyas who retired as Joint Director Horticulture and now lives at Banuri just about 5 kilometers from Palampur and his wife is Sneh (the name and her nature are a perfect fit!). A made-for each-other couple.

                                                       

                

                                     
                                       

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Recipe for 'good life'

A teacher once and now a senior citizen…can I therefore turn a bit preachy please? Well then here is my little piece of advice prompted by my visit to a friend narrated above, and a book I am reading these days:

Do try to get out of the rut of dull, daily routine. Break free from existential knots and shackles as often as you can. Step out of the four walls of your homes, howsoever cosy and luxurious. Too much of confinement breeds monotony and ennui. Step out, breathe the free air, feel and savour the various hues and flavours of nature and of the world. Cultivate friends, surprise them some times and let your hair down in an air of total informality. Alcohol is injurious, I know. But an occasional swig is not going to kill you, I assure you...your boredom/ennui may. Don’t be stifled by silly, man-made rules always. Didn’t we have had enough of this life-by-the-rulebook already? I personally feel that a well-groomed, sensitive, rational mind hardly needs to straitjacket itself by codes and commandments…it knows where to draw the line. Show more understanding than your Goddamn ‘judgement’ when you interact with friends and people. And…hold your breath…flirt a little. That would add spark and sparkle to your life.  Yes I mean it: flirt with new ideas, dreams, fantasies and whatever is worth flirting about…but be mindful of not crossing the ‘lakhshmanrekha’. If however perchance you do – after all, to err is human – do step back as soon as you can. 
In short, don’t shy away from romancing with your life….

Well I have very many more tips up my sleeve for a good, fulfilling life, but for that you will have to seek me out. I am always accessible to the desirous and the deserving! Young and old, men and women!

                                

          

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