Happy Valentine Day, blogger friends

Dear Friends,

I guess cards and candies cannot convey what love means. It means being there when needed. So I am taking this opportunity to thank all my blogger friends for being there for me. For providing their comments: Their insightful comments on those posts when I needed insights,for their pep talks and motivation on those posts when I cribbed, for their wishes on joyous occasions and for their empathy in times of trouble.

While my blog is not exactly an open book, I have on more than one occasion shared my deepest fears, my turbulence, my thoughts and was surrounded by love. So thank you for being there.

Wish you all a Happy Valentine Day surrounded by the warmth of family, friends and pets, all through the year.

PS: Timesgroup is running a contest: A Day in the Life of India. One of my photographs has been uploaded so far. If you are on FB or have a Indiatimes email account, you can vote for me. Else, do hop over to have a look. This photograph was taken on Chowpatty beach bang in the city of Mumbai. Click here.

A Quiet Mind, by Ruskin Bond

Dear Readers,

It is so sad to walk into bookstores and find it manned by people who are not interested in books. Guess, they haven't been exposed to books, while growing up, owing to economic conditions and they would be ready to move on from their current job at the book store to another better paying one at the drop of a hat.

Oxford, near Churchgate (Close to my office at Nariman Point) is getting worse. I can't seem to find anything I want. If I ask for a particular book, the answer almost always is, it isn't there and then after a hunt, I find it lying all dusty in some nook or corner.

When I am down, I love to read Ruskin Bond. It is so peaceful reading his books. I find myself transported to quiet lands and find peace.
Fortunately, "Rain in the Mountains: Notes from Himalayas" was lying neglected on the lowest shelf in one corner and I picked it up with delight.
Here is a poem from this book.

A Quiet Mind: Ruskin Bond
Lord, give me a quiet mind,
That I might listen;
A gentle tone of voice,
That I might comfort others;
A sound and healthy body;
That I might share
In the joy of walking
And leaping and running;
And a good sense of direction
So I might know just whee I'm going!

Photograph: Taken at Ooty, in the wee hours of the morning. I wish I lived near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in Mumbai. Out here, there are no green places to walk in. Sad.....