My librarian..(World Book day!)

On this day every year, i try to pen some of my thoughts as i consider it a sacred day. Books have always been my best companion whether it was collecting Atlas’ back in school days (at one point i had 12 of them!-Yes i used to hoard it) or having a sort of my personal library. It has always been my escape mechanism. My moment of head in the sand. In these times of such crisis, i second the school of thought that books should be an essential item. Because you never know which conjunction of words, written by unknown can have an impact on which part of the world. It is a travel, without airports and airplanes. It is a journey where roads are never known. I am not going to talk about which books i read last year or what i followed etc, this time it is different. I want to pen a special to my grandmother.

Yes, she is one of the most special ladies in my life. She is the best pillow to sleep on. She has been the guardian to all my stuffs since the time i started knowing anything. I am her favourite out of her 9 grandchildren (yes i flaunt it). She has a significant role in what i am today as a professional and as a person. She is the custodian of my most precious assets at home in Kolkata. To an extent that, whenever i used to go out for my audit assignments, i had drawn a sort of library card for any person coming to take my books and ask her to get this written on it. And my word she did it diligently. She is my librarian. From ensuring there are no dusts, to ensure my count remains the same, to asking the person to return it before i come back makes my day. She does this not only because she loves me, and because she knows what all this mean to me.

Once while sleeping on her lap, she explained to me how i was like my grandfather. I have never seen him. But i have been told how my life style matches with him exactly in terms of interest and wishes. I have always seen his photo hanging in our house, wondering if his blessings are with me or not, but my grandma’s words are.

Words cannot express what my grandma has done for my education and upbringing, at times more than my mother. She used to sit in the afternoon sun to peel the oranges so that i have enough of fruits at that time of the day. Or while burning the mid night oil, her usual stare at wall clock as if sun has risen she would offer me something to eat so that i am stuffed. Her penchant for keeping things clean, made me never search for anything be it my clothes or books.

She was married early without proper education, but she knew the value of a good read. She offered me a book in hindi years back but i just could not complete it because it was hindi (no offence). Eyes may have mellowed down now for her, but to keep the newspaper in the sunlight to be able to read that Tuesday story in Sanmarg (Hindi newspaper in kolkata) is still her passion. To do a silent prayer every morning to be religious is what i have seen her every morning.

Maa (I call my grandma Maa), i will be indebted to you my entire life till i breathe last. Your blessings is what has brought me here. Your confidence in my hard work has kept me going. When you tell the world, Ankur does not come home because he has work gives me silent happy tears where ever i am. I have a gulp in my throat as i type this, but i miss you the most.
The first thing i would want to do as this lockdown ends, is fly home give you the tightest hug as only i can. Because you can take it from me.

Right to read (learn) should be the fundamental right. It is not a privilege. It should not be a burden. I was told from the start that the only way to reach the top pedestal is via good education. Reading for that was paramount. Curiosity was key. And my Maa, was key to that.

On this world book day, my special note to my special person will have to be translated but who better than her son to do it. So dad, over to you. Tell her this tomorrow when she is up.

Keep reading, keep spreading joy. Happy world book day! Stay safe!