It is children's day today, and I have dug out some assorted, old drawings of children being themselves...

Children I have known and loved...





 Blissful in their innocent friendships...



With hearts that could care for the world,
or for the tiniest, weakest soul...



Children who explore,
in their own little ways...



Children with futures,
unknown,
awaiting them...



Futures that we can shape, with love and care.





I wish, for every child in the universe, a happy childhood...

There is always the hand that we hold, that guides us as we step through our life's work.
It guides us with the wisdom that is born out of years of experimentation and learning and experience. 
Today is the day to honour that wisdom, and the people who share it with us.

In the nicer traditions, this day is celebrated by remembering the life and work of one's teachers, or when that word is just not enough, one's gurus. I think that is exactly what I shall do...

Today marks the beginning of a new year according to the Marathi (मराठी) calendar (and a few other Indian calendars too). The month of Chaitra (चैत्र) begins today and this time is thought to be of blossoming flowers and the coming of spring.

But in the present climate, April has already brought us the sweltering heat of an Indian summer. The heat is upon us, and in the parched yellow-browns of our landscapes, birds and animals are thirsting for water...

In forests, animals have their ways of finding hidden water sources. But India's fast growing concrete structures make it hard for wildlife, especially birds, who live in and around urban habitats, to quench their thirst or cool off in leafy shade.

To soothe these little souls then, all we need is a little offering to them every morning, in our balconies, on windowsills or terraces, or if we're lucky to have them, in our gardens or yards. Just put out a bowl of water and you will be surprised at how many grateful visitors you get!
May the new year soothe every soul and bring happiness to you all.

On this day, sixty six years ago, the Constitution of India came into force. 

It is a beautiful, far-reaching document that lives and breathes and has a life of its own, and a mind too. In it there is a place for every soul born in this diverse land.

But with our actions, and our choices, we need to uphold that sacred document.

Every person here deserves to be here, and we don't even know how incredibly diverse we are! Variety is in our history, in the very nature around us, and it runs, perhaps unknown to us, in the blood flowing through our veins. Let us not forget our duty to accept each other, alongwith our differences.

Because what makes us different also makes us so very interesting! 






I wish you all a Happy Republic Day. I hope we all do something thoughtful and meaningful today for somebody else, however small it may be.