A short return to the long-standing roots and the Mutton feast
When a child goes far away for studies, every single day of their short holiday becomes a precious currency. With the boy back home only for a week before heading out for another long stretch of 6–7 months, our calendar had to be planned down to the last detail. Time runs incredibly fast when you want it to stand still. My parents had been deeply concerned about sending him so far away, strongly favoring the nearby IIM Sambalpur so he could remain within arm's reach. Every parent naturally wants their children close, and I had to keep a heavy stone on my chest to let him go chase a bigger brand. Yet, deep down, I know there comes a time when we must allow them to step out of their comfort zones, confront difficulties, and grow by navigating the world independently.
To honor the profound bond between generations, I made sure a special day was reserved entirely for my parents, and we both journeyed down to our native place. We took along our old 42-inch Sony BRAVIA TV to set up there so that I can watch when I go, the new TV has already been fitted here. As you can see from the photograph, the original cardboard carton it came packed in, has been kept perfectly intact for 11 long years - a true testament to the meticulous care we take of our belongings. The boy insisted on helping me carry it, effortlessly lifting a bit of the physical burden from my shoulders and letting me feel the quiet passage of time and strength.
Seeing their grandson walk through the door instantly recharged Mom and Dad; their faces absolutely lit up. Both Dad and my son share a formidable appetite and a deep love for non-vegetarian food, so a grand plan was set in motion to cook a rich mutton curry at home after a very long time.
On our way in, we picked up some quick food from the nearest dhaba to settle down.
The following morning, the family preferred to get breakfast from a highly reputed local roadside shop. Though the shop itself is tiny, it commands a massive demand. You can see in the picture the crowd waiting patiently for their turn because everything relies on a strictly manual, time-tested process.
To ensure the afternoon feast was perfect, a close friend helped source the finest quality mutton from a distant location, which required me to wake up at early morning. Seeing the pure, unadulterated happiness on both of their faces, enjoying that mutton curry is a moment to be cherished for years to come.
As I wrote in my last post, Mom performed the traditional Vahan Puja for our native scooty and the scooty had been patiently waiting for its young rider to return and claim the handlebars once again. The boy was right there to crush the lemons under the tyres.
Eventually, the inevitable moment arrived to say our goodbyes. It was not easy but given his limited stay, we had a lot of other things to do. Looking back, the boy stayed for just one day, but that short visit kind of recharged my parents so well - seeing him happy, healthy, and grown up has left them much more at peace and far less panicked about him being so far away from home. With a lighter heart, our next plan on the checklist was to go to Lord Jagannath temple, more to come on that...
Shot with Samsung S25 Ultra
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