A quiet Saturday!

Got up at 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.

Walked within the house, recited my prayers and carried out my exercise regimen.

Bath followed by breakfast of dosas and chutney.

Worked on my laptop.

A comparatively early lunch and was off to Thrissur, by a quarter past 2, for overseeing the district level Foundation's committee's decisions regarding the various actions to be taken for the Reading Month '26. The meeting was over by a quarter to 6. Was satisfied.

Returned to a quiet evening.

The Indian Luxury Paradox.

A crib one always has is to go West for a "better life" but when you look at the daily math, India offers a level of convenience that is a billionaire's dream in London or NYC.

Here's why Everyday India is Indian Luxury Paradox.

1.  The 7 AM Routine. Fresh physical newspaper at your doorstep for the price of a single peanut.. In

     the west, this is a dying, high-priced subscription service.

2. Data Democracy. While the world pays $50+ for basic internet, we enjoy high-speed 5G for about

    Rs.300/- per month. We have the cheapest data on the planet and it has turned our economy digital

    overnight.

3. The "10-Minute" Miracle. Forgot ginger for your tea? Blinkit, Zepto or Swiggy Instamart have it

    at your door before the water even boils. In Europe, you're putting on a coat and walking 15 minutes

    to a store that's probably closing soon.

4. Healthcare on Demand. Need a specialist? Walk in. Need a blood test? Someone is at your house by

    6 AM to take a sample and the report is on What'sApp by noon. No 3-month waiting lists, no 

    "insurance-approved" nightmares.

5. The Human Support System. Domestic help - cooks, cleaners and drivers - isn't elite here, it's the

    backbone of the middle class. It grants us the greatest luxury of all : TIME.

6. The UPI Revolution. From a Rs.5 chai at a roadside stall to a Rs.50,000 laptop, it's all one scan

    away. No wallets, no "Card Machine Down" excuses, no transaction fees. The world is still playing

    catch-up.

7. "Free Essentials". Walk into any restaurant and get a glass of water without a Rs.5 charge. Get

    your clothes ironed for pocket change by the local Press-wala. It's the small things that make life 

    smooth.

8. The Social Safety Net. We don't live in a "litigation culture". We live in a community culture. If 

    you're in trouble, your neighbour is more likely to bring you khichdi than a lawsuit.

The Bottom Line.

India isn't just a country; it's a high-functioning ecosystem of convenience. While the West is busy with the "DIY" struggle (mowing their own lawns and waiting weeks for a plumber), India provides a service-rich lifestyle that is affordable, accessible and deeply human.

Verdict. We often realise the value of the "Indian Comfort" only when we have to do our own laundry and dishes abroad!

So - Go East or West India is the Best

Tailpiece.

Got up at 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.

Walked within the house, recited my prayers and carried out my exercise regimen. 

Off to Rani Menon's Eye Hospital at Thrissur for Lekha's review.

Returned and had a delayed lunch followed by siesta.

Met Jimmy at his clinic to get treatment for my bad throat.

A quiet evening thereafter.

 

Back @ The Quarterdeck!

The day began at 3 for the both of us today, went through the daily chores and were ready by a quarter to 5. We, finally, left by a quarter past 5 in a Tempo Traveller which was literally hunting for fuel as many bunks - we'd crossed three such ones on our way to Raipur, from Bilaspur - did not have the requisite stock!

Reached the airport well in time; Lekha and I were photographed with the staff of Indigo - young Priyanka and Rahul. They said it was for some official purpose! We were nine of us on the flight to Bangalore. Breakfast was on me, being the 'patriarch' and the youngsters enjoyed it.

We broke off at Bangalore, on landing - Achu-Karthika got off at Bangalore, Sharath, Manoj-Mini and their daughters, Shreya and Sraddha were off by another flight to Thiruvananthapuram.

Reached Kochi by 2, Sajish was there to pick us up, lunch at Saravana Bhavan and we sped for Guruvayur, reaching The Quarterdeck by 5. We'd unpacked and opened up the house as there were evening showers.

Slept at our usual time. 

The last four days at the wedding jamboree of Yash and Adhira were blissful and full of fun. Enjoyed every bit of it!

 

@ 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 but 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 coffee 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). They disappeared on landing at Raipur! 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!