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Boi mela

 

In a world  where books are gradually becoming passe and reading is becoming boring , it is probably a rare sight to see a mother and son duo at the Book Fair.... It was always an "outing " I cherished especially at a time when Chibu was growing up...Never mind the dust, the overwhelming crowd,the jostling ..looking for books and clinching a bargain was a whoop! The first book I bought for Chibu was probably "Hanu Singh Daktar" and of course then came "The wind in the willows" ...the never ending stories of The Mole and The Badger and the Toady!! 
 
So going back  after almost a gap of 6years was indeed strange. Chibu is grown now and I am old (!!) at 48..but it was a birthday I enjoyed after a very long time with Chibu and the books! The fair was well organised and almost dustfree..missing was the fountain and the BenFish stall ..and the huge pool with lights of the fair reflecting on its stagnant water. But the pavillions were air-conditioned ( at least most of them) and the ambiance was clean...with enough waste bins and an organised Food area and  places to sit and relax.

I bought books for myself, Bhaskar ...and my father -in -law! Chibu kind of browsed , and picked up books for me...I guess he has graduated to a generation of e-books, though I am happy that he is still a voracious   reader!
But the day was memorable for me...Chibu carried the books this time and reminded me to take the  change from the counter , a far cry from the time when I used to hold him tight so that he didn't get lost in the crowd and perched him up on the counter as he had his ice-cream! I am glad that I went back...thanks to Mamtu , who said I will like it this time....and I am also glad that even my next generation feels browsing is not a waste of time...:)))
       

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