I am an uncle again

Just when I had branded 2009 as a dark year, thanks to the many trials and tribulations that this year has showered on me, came a good news.

My sister-in-law has given birth to a lovely son. I am an uncle again.

And despite fears, he has not taken my brother’s dark complexion.

I haven’t seen the new-born baby yet; but reports from my over-excited mother state that he has that milky white fairness, which he has surely inherited from his mother.

He was born on Saturday, 14th Feb, while everyone was celebrating Valentines Day- might grow up to become a lover boy.

We haven’t yet finalised his name. That will not be an easy thing to do. There will be so many suggestions, with some suggestions difficult to reject, since they are from the influential members of the family.

Anyways here are some broad suggestions.

Since the boy was was born on a Saturday, any name of Hanumanji or Lord Shiva will be quite appropriate. I suggested Shanichar at which everyone looked at me with anger.

I am looking for a name starting with the initial few letters of English alphabet, i.e. A to E, or until K. This will ensure that his name is up on the class rolls, if and when he starts going to school (assuming the class rolls are prepared alphabetically).

Also I would love a short and trendy name. Something like Dhruv, Shreya, Harshit, etc. that are very popular on TV these days.

I hate names ending with -der and -esh; so these get rejected altogether.

The pandits are yet to suggest the auspicious letter with which the name should start.

Choosing a name is not a child’s game, you see. People shouldn’t call him names. I remember a girl named Kaamini and her classmates would call her kamini (a slang).

Last year, we went through a similar routine at the birth of my niece. The priest suggested the letter K and after many rejected suggestions, the name Kanak was accepted. Papa wanted the name Prateeksha too (She was born after 5 years of brother’s marriage). So she will be known as Kanak Prateeksha now.

Meanwhile she was confused why her Bari Ma is not taking her in her laps. She turned one this January. When she was finally shown the new born at the hospital, the word Babu came instantly to her mouth. All the way to home, she kept reciting bau, bau.

An update

I had come to the library today and although I hit to the internet workstation with an idea to write something, I can’t get any idea what to write.

Besides this keyboard is making so much noise (actually it is me who types very noisily), the sound of it is echoing through out the silent library. People are ogling at me for being so disturbing.

So just posting here a update on myself. Will post a full fledged post some day from office.

Actually I was on leave today, the reasons for which are more than normal, but I will share it a little later.

Nowadays, life is not as straight and simple as it used to be. There have been some developments which have been a bit tumultuous.

And I will still say they were for good. I was bored to death of the same boring life. Looking forward to something better in future.

But apprehension about the future has not left hold of me. Anyways, I am trying and let’s see when God’s decides to have mercy on me.

Wish me luck friends. Bye and take care.

Alwar and Sariska – Photographs

Uploading here some photographs from my Alwar and Sariska trip.

Jharokha: City Palace, Alwar

City Palace, Alwar

Bala Quila on top of a hill

From the Museum, Alwar. These windows were used to attack the enemy while in hiding.

Sunset on the Aravalis

A map of Sariska Forest, Alwar. Dark Green depicts the core area, while the lighter green depicts the buffer area, where tourists are ferried.

Some rules to follow at Sariska

Spotted deer

Sambhar on a sprint

Crocodiles, alligators or whatever

Another small lake in the Sariska Tiger Reserve

Cranes

The maharajahs used to hunt from this building with a bait

Finally someone was so polite to pose for a photograph

Driving through the jungle

Male and yet a Nilgai

Pugmarks of animals from the old ages