(January 14, 11:58am)

The Sr*******ns are such powerful people...On my courtesy visit to the couple yesterday, they inquired if I'd like them to do anything..

I politely thanked them and told them everything was okay..He was furious that the uni had made "him" mumma's nominee and not the us two..He was just about to call a big shot before i told him this was not needed, as our lawyer was already looking into it.

He yet assured me he'd be there always should we need any interference..I actually sought his guidance on something else..about my career...and man, though i had asked him for just some counselling, within a span of seconds he buzzed up the Resident Editors of both HT and TOI..and the two fellows were actually such polite and obliging to me..it was flattering..more than that, it was funny..

They also counted some names who could help me in unwelcome situations, and said things would be alright..They have been mumma's very good friends...big names in academic circles..even the roads and lanes around their old bungalow are all named after their forefathers..

And yet, there's such humility in their conduct!

XXX

Mokidi is no more...read the news in the paper today..she died in her village..To the world she is Latika Renu, widow of the famous Phanishwarnath Renu..rung a bell?

If not, voyage back to your old Hindi textbooks...it's next to impossible they hadn't had a Renu contribution..and if you still cant figure that out, which is quite possible given our obsession with everything English, I tell you he's the creator of epics Maila AAnchal, Teesri Kasam and the like...

For us Mikidi was just Mokidi, sans the legends..Phanishwarnath was our nanu's dearest friend..he liked mumma a lot...Mokidi too..When Teesri Kasam released, the couple had taken mom and her three sisters for the premiere..they even walked the carpet with him..

XXX

It's four months now.

XXX

I dint do anything special on Jan 12th..mumma would be so enthusiastic about Youth Day...and about everything that was youthful..by which she suggested vigour, hope and the keenness to combine the two and be zestful in life!

She didn't crib to be the winner..she would just want her students to be zestful, enthusiastic, giving everything their best shots..she felt, even a defeat would emanate a lot of respect then..and mostly, you'd win too..

There's this huge cultural event everyyear in Patna on the 12th..Don Bosco, st Miachael's, St Xaviers', Convent all flock at the Ramkrishna Mission premoises..She would be the Judge for Debates and other events..or on other times, when she refused, they would make her Guest of Honour..I loved accompanying her..days before, we'd plan our dress, contrast it..it felt such special!

XXX