Nikhil's Birthday

We heard from Meera that my grandson Nikhil took as many as five steps on his own, on his first birthday (Nov.16, 2008) . In recent weeks he has been trying to stand up, with no crutch or support, according to his mother.
This picture is over six weeks old, when our little friend used to move around on his feet,so long as he could find something to hold on to.
This one was taken over three months back, on June 27 to be precise, Nikhil could then barely manage to sit without toppling himself over. He is seen here, all dressed up for a function to mark his Annaprasna.

In Mysore, we did a round of temples - Venkateswara at Vontikoppal and Hunuman temple on Devaraja Urs Rd - and went to the Gurudwara.
The Balaji temple has significance for Meera's mother.In her school-girl days in Mysore, Uma, Nikhil's Ajji, used to frequent this temple.
Sunday community prayers at this gurudwara had added significance on this day, in view of the Sikh Guru's birthday celebrations. Mysore has no more than a handful of resident Sikh families;seven, to be precise, if we go by Mr Ranjit Singh Rangila, a long-time Mysore resident. With the setting up of the Infosys global training centre, says Mr Rangila, there has been an increase in the Sikh and other devotees visiting the Gurudwara. Mr Rangila works at the Central Languages Institute and devotes his spare time and weekends to serving the gurudwara - 'I am here on most weekends'.

Also on our agenda, this day, was a visit to Chamundi Children's Home.They take care of 20 plus orphaned boys and girls till they finish schooling.


The boy would not tell us why he was crying, but he stopped it when he saw me trying to take his picture. On the whole, a cheerful and well behaved lot they have at the Chamundi Children's Home.