To our Gang Leader

My sister, Ananya.

It is said that God sieves out the good people and beckons them, irrespective of age or any aspect. On January 8th, 2014, God freed her of all earthly ties.

Just under 40, she was suffering from Cancer, a disease whose very mention shakes us up. But not her. She was someone who could face every challenge head on, and had emerged victorious every time. When we came to know her cancer had metastasized, I was encouraging her not to be afraid, when she said, "I am not scared. You all are."

Indeed, we were the weak ones. We cried, worried, got tensed, feared the worst everytime she went through rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, medication and intense pain. If we would ask her how she felt, the answer would always be, "Recovering.".... knowing fully well that she was doing no such thing.

She was named Dihing after a river in Assam. And so much like her name, she lived a life on her own terms. Never afraid to break the rules, she was incredibly smart and intelligent. She was a great dancer, and had a flair for language. Do you think South Indian languages are difficult to learn for someone who was born and brought up in Calcutta? She not only picked Tamil up, she used to converse fluently with her Tamilian maid, run a business in South India, and went on to marry a Tamil guy.

All through our lives, she stood by her younger brothers and sisters - guiding us, sharing our deepest secrets and yet, leading from the front while playing pranks. She was the darling of everyone in the family, for beneath her "I-dont-care-a-bit" attitude, was a caring and loving girl.

She wrote her destiny herself until this dreadful disease got the better of her. While we are happy that she has been relieved of inhuman physical pain, her sudden disappearance from our lives have created a void that nothing can ever fill.

We love you, Dihing-Di.

Too much work? Who cares?

Overloaded at work and household responsibilities, I seemed to have lost all vigour. A friend of mine, having had enough of my complains about it, literally dragged me to South Ex Market - afterall, the best way to relax known to women is shopping. Strolling around, we chanced upon a sign that pointed to Four Fountains De-stress Spa.

"This is where I wanted to bring you", said my friend, grinning.

I had never been to a spa before, and I had many apprehensions. She literally shoved me up the staircase. Upon entering a dimly lit soothing reception area, I felt much better. There was a welcoming aroma lingering around, that soothed me. The staff were friendly, and they helped me choose the Ayurvedic Oil De-stressing session with Swedish Massage.

I was led to a chamber that was laid out in a welcoming fashion. The session that followed was simply out of the world - one feels like a queen while experienced hands of the therapist massage hot oil all over your body. I had a lingering low back pain that is common to all who have desk jobs - the massage relaxed each body part and took away all sorts of body ache.

It was a good overall experience. Now whenever I am stressed, I know where to go to.   

A small piece of advice from me: 

However relaxing this experience may have been, I feel one can avoid such sessions in winter. The oil is warm, and can be applied on only one part of your body - so the rest of the body tends to go cold, inspite of the covers.

Here's wishing you all a very happy 2014!!