Today is the birthday of our driver, Swami. Swami has been with my parents for many years now. He used to drive the official vehicles for ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) and before that drove the vehicles for English-India Clays. Then when he retired in 1997 he became our driver. Today is his 70th birthday. The kids–Daya, Shambhu and Ketaki–call him Swami appuppan–grandpa Swami–just like they call my father appuppan. Swami is a wonderful human being. He is here e very morning promptly at 9 am and then he stays all day and takes us around wherever we want to go. He goes back home around 8 or 9 in the evening. Swami’s kids are all grown up now–both daughters and the son married. Swami’s wife used to suffer greatly from diabetes but she is doing better now. My parents are terrified of us driving in Trivandrum, primarily because no one obeys any traffic rules here and those who obey traffic rules will end up in accidents. Anything will go anywhere as long as there is an inch of space. I used to be fine with it when I lived in India but now since I have lived so long in the US where by and large everyone obeys traffic rules I feel absolutely perplexed when I see that bus coming for my forehead. Funny story–1988–I was studying in Delhi at JNU then and one day I was in an autorickshaw going towards my aunt’s house in Alaknanda from New Mehrauli. The rickshaw driver drove like a maniac. Everybody drives like a maniac in Delhi. I was trying to decide which of the DTC buses I will end up under. So finally I had enough–every organ inside my stomach had been torn from where God put it from the incredible autobahn speed and driving techniques this guy was doing. So I leaned forward and told him in Hindi — “bhai saab, ahista chaliye” — “Brother, please drive slowly.” He didn’t pause for a second and replied promptly, “Nahin, madam, aaj mera mood kharab hai” — “No, madam, today I am in a bad mood.” And he swerved dangerously against a loaded, jam-packed, unbalanced DTC bus. I shut my eyes and prayed. Goodbye, world. It was nice living here. So, it is great to have Swami drive us around. Our birthday present for Swami appuppan — Asha and I went to Krishnan Nair and Sons and got him a beautiful Citizen watch. Conversationally we had learned that his watch was broken. And my parents presented him with a nice kasavu mundu and neryathu. He was so happy. So today he comes over and he had made this delicious paal payasam–a wonderful dish with lots of milk, rice, sugar, butter, cashew nuts and raisins–for the kids. Not only does he drive a car well, but he makes great paal payasam as well! Happy birthday, Swami appuppan!
Dayani is excited–on monday we are going to Aluva to spend a week with my uncle and aunt and we are going by the train. D has never traveled in an Indian train before. Lots of fun, kiddo!
