Finally, my own Blog!

As I sit down to pen my thoughts, for the first time through an electronic medium on a blog, I feel I have advanced a little technologically!!!

My children and party workers have been telling me forever to create a blog, but my other responsibilities take too much of my time and I never got down to doing it! However, after having been told the benefits and reach of this medium, especially with the youth, I finally decided to allocate some time to myself!

It feels good to pen down my thoughts for the day…. the good parts, the not so good parts. My schedule now is crazy…. Meetings after meetings, speeches after speeches, hand shakes, press conferences, padyatras, rallies…. Its mind boggling! I kind of enjoy it though.. gives me a chance to meet so many people in every part of the city. It is a profoundly humbling experience when men, women, youngsters come up and shake my hand, thank me for any little thing that I’ve done that has eased their lives, bless me, hug me, touch me and wish me a long life. Their actions are genuine and come from the heart and that is what gives me the extra adrenaline to continue doing what I do with the same drive and determination. I do get really tired sometimes but my training as an Indian air force pilot comes in handy and I can push my mind and body to work more. At such times I always remember my father, who worked tirelessly for long hours especially when it came to social work.

Sometimes I also experience brickbats. It feels terrible to hear uncomplimentary things about oneself… I am human after all. But when I think about it, I realize that someone will be unhappy about not receiving some benefits and the displeasure is absolutely justified. I do try to rectify the lacunae.

One of the things I especially enjoy during elections is ‘hanging out’ with the youngsters. It is incredible how aware and well read they are about everything. The exposure that they get through the electronic media is incredible and they use this medium to the hilt. They come up with great, forward looking new ideas and suggestions. Interaction with them makes my mind alert and the fatigue disappear!

Another good thing about elections is that I am in Pune more and get to spend more time with the family. Meera is a silent pillar of strength and makes sure I eat on time and eat the ‘right things’. Nandita, my daughter in law and Sumeer, my son make sure we all eat together. Payal, my daughter and Aditya, her husband, also join us most of the time. Everyone is so busy in their respective careers, it feels nice that they take time out for me.