2013/10/03
Budding
Olympian , Ganu had his first serious track meet today. He is 7 years old and
it was just exhausting to watch him run. We drove across the town to the PDP
park for the meet. I was impressed by the number of people and teams
participating. It was nice to see many girl participants. The parents ( just like in USA) getting hyper and
nervous. Little kids lined up and sat in the Sun and heat and then ran. We just
got exhausted sitting in the Sun. Ganu qualified for the semi finals for
tomorrow. I think he was little disappointed because he came second. ( he is
used to getting first in his school). I think it is good for him to know that
he needs to work hard to be the best. He is also at least a year younger than
other participants.
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| Runners |
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| Waiting For the Meet |
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Spectators
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| Track Meet |
On the way
to the south town ( or main Mumbai) we got a good glimpse of the industrialist
Ambani’s home. He is the richest man in India and the house is supposed to be
the biggest single family home in India ( or the world) . Of course, it is
surrounded by the slum dwellers.
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| Largest Single Family Home |
We also
crossed the linkin bridge connecting the south and north Mumbai ( going over
the ocean) and saving at least an hour
in the commute traffic. The bridge is an engineering feat and a beauty.
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| Bridge |
We also, crossed areas which are predominatly Muslims and poor. This must be the Hajj
season because there were signs of welcome Hajjis there as well as at the
airport. ( I saw many hajjis at Istanbul airport too) India has the largest
Muslim population outside Pakistan. On the way home , I talked to the driver
and there you find out about “other” India. The driver is a devout Catholic
from Goa and identifies himself as somehow related to Portuguese. I did not
realize this but he reminded me that not too long ago ( before 1947) people
from Goa needed passport and visa to come to Bombay. He has one daughter and
two grandsons. The daughter is happily married ( love marriage) to a Hindu
mechanic and herself works as a computer data enterer . In India ( may be in
other places too) the social norms and pressures apply only to middle class. The
poor people accept what is and try to make the most of that they have. The
Catholic driver has accepted and is happy with Hindu son in law that his
daughter chose herself. Most middle class Indian families will have big issue
with both: different cast and ‘love’ marriage.
Back at
home, Theresa packed and said her good bye to everyone. She has won the hearts
of my family and I think she had a good glimpse of what being in India and
living with a family is all about. Living in India , in a joint family and
dealing with the daily hardships, navigating the maze of human relations and yet the closeness, support and joy of
togetherness is what India is all about. She is on her way back and I am
already missing her..:(
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| Marine Drive |
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| KFC |
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| Life in Mumbai |
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| Park |
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| Park |
Good night,
tomorrow we have to watch the State finals as Ganu runs his 100 meter
race. I know he has all of your good
wishes.
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