My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
I couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to the Tamil New Year…… The day started off just as usual, except that we woke up late, thanks to Samhith’s school being off…… and before you ask, the holiday was not for the Tamil New Year, but Ambedkar Jayanti! The doorbell kept ringing all through the morning, and we were frankly irritated by the number of people who turned up asking for old clothes, and the inevitable salesmen. When the bell rang again for the umpteenth time, I opened the door muttering under my breath, but I was in for a surprise – a courier chap stood there, a new one. First of all, I was surprised that the chap was working on a public holiday, but even more surprising was what he brought – books for me from Club Mahindra!
Now, anyone who knows me knows that the best gifts to give me are books! Doesn’t matter if I have read them before, or even have another copy of the same book! I just love them, and can never have enough of them! But why would I get books from Club Mahindra?????
Well, about a month back, they were looking for travelogues for their blog CLAY, and came up with the wonderful idea of giving away books to selected entries. While one of my travelogues had already been published earlier on the blog, the mention of books made me prick up my ears, and Lakshmi encouraged me to send in my contribution. Some time back, they accepted my Poovar article and put it up. You can take a look at it here. And now, suddenly, I got this wonderful gift. Here are the two books I have received –
No Full Stops in India
And
I have heard of both these books, though I haven’t read them before….. as to why, well, they simply weren’t there in any of the libraries I have been visiting! Again, if you know me, you would know that I buy very few books for myself…. Am addicted to libraries….
Now, I am just waiting to complete the books I have in hand right now, so I can read these new ones. And when I do, you will surely know about it, for I shall review them too!
As of now, thanks a lot to Club Mahindra and Lakshmi for giving me the best Tamil New Year gift of all! Here’s hoping that this year brings much more J
enjoy reading them Anu ...i liked both books..hope to read yr review soon and thanks for the post :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful way to start the New year. Belated New year wishes.
ReplyDeleteI am happy for you.
wow... tats nice... nice new year gift...am off to read the post :)
ReplyDeletewow !!!!
ReplyDeletewonderful :) books (that too as a surprise gift) is always exciting :)
@Lakshmi: thanks again! cant wait to get started!
ReplyDelete@Chitra: thanks a lot!
@Shilpa: thanks.. tell me what you think...
@Lavanya: Absolutely!!! we used to get books as prizes in school, and even when someone gave me some money, i used to spend it on books...
hey thats great
ReplyDeletea lovely surprise to usher in the new year
heres to many more!
*Slowly tiptoes in but cant hold back excitment*... Woohooo.. Books and books ..Awesome
ReplyDeleteInfact Lakshmi's been asking me to write and send to CLAy,but am yet
to.. :(( shd get around to it soon.. esp since they are giving away books! :D
Both are good books..enjoy reading
Good to hear that Anu and I too got a book for them but life at the moment is so incredibly busy that I am struggling to finish it.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Anu...Thomas
ReplyDeletehave fun! both are good reads, the latter is better but i like the former on account of my liking mark tully. had met him once,when i was a student, and he had no airs at all! that is always a pleasant surprise when noticed in famous ppl.
ReplyDeleteRich culture and festive holidays are some of the main aspects that draw me into Indian holidays and other nation's holidays. And this one is no exception. Sending my best tamil new year greetings to each and everyone. Be blessed this new year!
ReplyDelete