Asha for Education-Bringing hope through education

I spend this saturday afternoon attending the general body meeting of Asha-New-York chapter.Asha is a group of volunteers who raise money here in the city of New -York by organising various events and then fund education projects in India.

I must admit i was amazed by this dynamic group-Most of them are in their 20's-young professionals working with Lehman Bros,Meryll Lynch,some doing their MS in noted universities ,some are software professionals and some are architects.

This enthusiastic group had met on a saturday afternoon to discuss an education project seeking funding for a school in the slums of Delhi.

I was truly impressed-This young crowd who works off like mad on weekdays could have easily chosen to hang around Manhattan on a beautiful afternoon and Party.

Yet- here they were -thinking about -Children who pick up muck and dirt in the streets of Delhi and thinking what fast track education could do to transform their lives.

These young Indians i would say are true citizens of India(so what if most of them have green cards and speak with a heavy accent).

They fondly remember their country and truly believe and live by the motto -Be the change you want to see!

The two blue lights represent the twin towers.This is the spot where they stood -TALL.
I saw this beautiful yet a very sad view from my living room window on sep 11th 2006.

Growing up in Nainital

I grew up in Nainital and it was loads of fun.My school was St Marys Convent and all my elder cousins were studying there too.Ranu was four years senior,Sita was three years senior and Manu was Two years ahead.
I guess i connected better with Manu because she was just 2 years older and i always felt i could share all my secrets because she would never judge me...So one can say she was my best pal during those growing years in school.
All the cousins would look forward to the Dusshera vacations because all of us would get to stay together in Amar Niwas. We would go on and on till dawn talking about all kind of things- Fashion,Clothes,Haristyles and most importantly Boys!
None of us had boyfriends but offcourse each one had a crush or a guy who was interested.So it was enough to add spice to our lives:))
Evenings were spend loitering around in the Mall Road mostly eating and checking out guys!

As time went by each one passed out of school to college and then got married!I have not had a chnace to meet anyone of them in the past four years.None of them know what my daughter looks like and i remember thier kids only as toddlers. All of them are in school now.

As i look back i can truly say those were the most fun filled and exciting years of my life!

Devanshi with her Gang!

(Pradyun,Jivitesh,Krish,Ashray and Devanhsi)

Love is...

A month back i was tested for skin cancer because of a rash on my skin. The results were to be out in a weeks time.

This was the longest week of my life but not a lonely one! Rajiv was there with me every second during this week telling me-" Nothing will go wrong..have faith...even if its positive i am there ...u dont worry."

I was amazed ...he was so cool and calm! comforting me all through this difficult wait time.
The results were out and it was good news-just a rash because of heat!

But i have to admit, it was like falling in love all over again with this cool dude who has so much of faith even in difficult times. H e is cool ,composed and so collected!
I know with him by my side nothing can ever go wrong!