Namaskara from India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru! I arrived here a couple of days back for a very important reason. My father turned 80 last week and this week will be his Tamil star birthday, for which we have a small ceremony at home. And I met my sister after eight years! Though we speak on the phone daily and even do video calls regularly, it is so much different to physically see and hug her! We were very close growing up, and because we had just 18 months apart, we used to do everything together. All her friends were mine and vice versa! So it’s so good to be together and relive our girlhood for a few days. It’ll be so good to catch up with uncles, aunts and cousins while I am here, as well as, of course, my sister.

Our quote today comes from Richard Bach. Born in 1936, Bach is an American author widely known for his philosophical and inspirational writings, including Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a novella that explores themes of self-discovery, freedom, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Today’s quote conveys the idea that the desire or aspiration for something comes with an inherent ability or potential to achieve it. However, the realization of the wish often requires effort and dedication. The quote encourages individuals to recognize their inherent capabilities and emphasizes the value of hard work in turning dreams into reality. The quote suggests that when you have a desire or a wish, it is not a random or arbitrary occurrence. Instead, it implies that within the person, there is an inherent capability or potential to bring that wish to fruition. While the quote acknowledges the inherent power, it also emphasises that realising a wish often requires effort and dedication. The quote encourages individuals to believe in their abilities and to recognise that they have the tools necessary to achieve their wishes. The quote also conveys the idea that wishes or dreams are not passive; they require active participation and commitment. The combination of having a wish and being willing to work for it can lead to the fulfilment of personal goals. In essence, Bach’s quote inspires a sense of self-empowerment and encourages individuals to believe in their capacity to turn their aspirations into reality through dedication and effort. It aligns with themes of personal growth, perseverance, and the transformative power of taking action toward one’s dreams.

BB will start his field camp this week. Field camp in national service. The first field camp is considered a rite of passage and takes the young soldiers away from all the comforts they are used to and gives them their first taste of living and fighting in the jungle. At the 5-day Outfield Field camp, recruits will live in self-pitched tents, and learn tactical fighting and leadership skills, as well as other skills useful to a soldier. We were also asked to write him letters which would be given to the recruits on the third day of field camp and all three of us plus some friends who had been through this experience wrote him words of encouragement. The letters have already been posted to his company and his commanders will hand them over to the boys. I hope BB does not struggle too much this week and I am sending him all my love and encouragement.

GG is busy with school and when she is at home, she is busy with either online classes or studying. So some days, even if we are the only people in the house, I barely see her. But that’s all right; this is the time for her to focus on her studies and her career and make the most of her twenties.

Continue staying positive and keep smiling!