@ Bilaspur (4).

Got up at 5 as Lekha wanted to get into the saree that she was planning to wear at the wedding for which, Rema assisted her. Sent the messages and we’d our breakfast at 9.

The wedding took place at 1145 hrs before the commencement of the ‘rahu kaalam’. A nice and colourful event with over 300 guests. After the numerous rounds of photography, lunch was had around a half past 1. We retired into the cosy confines of our room, deciding against going to Yash’s house in connection with the ‘griha pravesam’ of the married couple.

The event was meant for the close relatives of both the families and the house was a flat in town. A good siesta thereafter.

The evening’s ‘reception’ was again, a boisterous affair and we handed over the gift to the newly married couple. It was comparatively an early night as we head for the airport at 5 in the morning!

@ Bilaspur (3).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again to get up at a half past 7.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Wash, change and breakfast.

Attended the ‘haldi ceremony’ at about 11 in yellow coloured clothes.! Applied haldi on the young couple as part of the ritual.

Lunch followed by siesta.

The ceremony of receiving ‘dakshina’ and offering our blessings. Lekha and I danced in separate groups for the production of reels on the occasion!

The ‘sangeet’/entertainment program began an hour late for the power trips to be licked. 

A long drawn out dinner and it was nice.

@ Bilaspur (2).

Felt uncomfortable for a few hours because of a late dinner. Was okay by a half past 2 and slept well. Got up at 5 thanks to the alarm. Turned back to sleep again and got up at a half past 7.

Morning cuppa with Lekha. Washed up and had gone down for breakfast. Came back to our room and then, were part of the reception for the bride’s party.

Lunch at 2 followed by siesta.

Went for the “mehndi” by 7. A three-hour lovely evening of music and meeting up with people. Had dinner - a light one at that!

Rema, Padmakumar, Achu and Karthika had come in late.

At Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Dateline 07 Jun 

Our day had begun at 4. After freshening up, recited my prayers while walking within the house. Lit up the puja room lamp and we were ready by 7.

Sajish came in then and we kicked off at a quarter past 7. Got through the first step of entering the cab as it was bright and sunny at Guruvayur which changed gradually as we drove southward when it began to pour.

Got off at the Saravana Bhavan near the airport and Lekha and I’d a plain dosa with coffer for breakfast.

Entered the airport three hours before our boarding time, got wheelchair assistance for Lekha and reached the boarding point at gate 9 and waited for our call. Departed Kochi at a quarter past 12 and reached Goa - on transit - by a quarter past 1.

Befriended Jacob Zachariah and Raji who shared their small eats with us and I gave them our coke. Lunch of poha (for Lekha) and dal chawal (for me). Reached Raipur by 4. Dinesh Yadav was our sa’arthi for the long 135 km drive to Bilaspur.

Reached Hotel Grande Emerald by a half past 7. Met Bharathi chechi and Santhosh on arrival. Rest and bath; later dinner with Manoj and family.

A comparatively early night!

A thoroughly wet day.

Got up at a quarter to 5, sent the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

It was a thoroughly wet day. Walked within the house, recited my prayers and carried out my exercise regimen.

Bath followed by breakfast of upma, bananas.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch, watched television for a while followed by siesta.

A quiet evening. Rejith, of Black Swan, comes with a batch of dry washed clothes.

Shut down The Quarterdeck by evening.

Gifted the maid with 100/- for a good job done!

An afternoon Google meet of the Foundation for :-

  

   * details of setting up a 'community radio station' passed on to our folks 

   * the details of celebrating the Vaayana Maasam 2026.

 

12 years that redefined India.

The story of New India is not built on a single achievement. It is the result of bold reforms, visionary 

initiatives and transformative milestones that have reshaped the nation over the last 12 years. 

* JAM trinity

* GST

* 4 crore + pucca houses

* Vaccine Maitri

* Semiconductor revolution

Together, these milestones reflect a commitment to reform, innovation and inclusive growth.

Guided by the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, the Modi government has shown how decisive leadership and effective execution can turn aspirations into achievements.

Tailpiece.

A quiet but wet Friday.

 

The changing Northeast India.

Once seen as a distant frontier, the Northeast is today emerging as a hub of connectivity, investment and opportunity under PM Narendra Modi's leadership.

* National highways expanded from 10,905 km in 2014 to over 16,200 km.

* Landmark projects like the Sela Tunnel and Bhairabi-Sairang railway line are enhancing all weather

   connectivity.

* Operational airports doubled from 9 to 17 under UDAN.

* Natural farming is gaining momentum across Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.

* The Rs.27,000 crore Tata semiconductor plant is positioning Assam as a manufacturing powerhouse.

* Violent incidents fell by nearly 70% between 2014 and 2024.

* 12 historic peace accords have strengthened stability across the region.

Tailpiece.

From better roads and railways to peace and prosperity, the Northeast is scripting a remarkable new chapter in India's growth story.