from india with love

From India With Love

Farewell

Reaching the Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore, on a cold clear night in July 2022, I stepped out of the car and looked at all the huge billboards surrounding me. The newest Iphone launch, the latest Indian whiskey and gin editions, better and faster computers and not to forget messages from the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, were a witness of my farewell. I took a deep breath inhaling semi-polluted air and turned over to Sari. Sari, my driver for the past 4.5 years in Bangalore. I was wondering whether this will be the last time on Indian soil. Never say never.

'Thank you Sari, please put the pink suitcase on the trolley. I'll take the little grey suitcase and you please take this paper bag home with you. It's yours now. Don’t forget to put this small white envelope in your pocket...'

'Sure Ma'am'.., Sari replied, ..' but what about the other suitcases, you have packed 4 suitcases with Fatima, shall I take care of those as well?...'

'...No Sari, you won’t be able to...' I replied. I remember the hard work of my 'first lady', Fatima. Fatima was simply the best maid ever taking care of me while in Bangalore. I called her my first lady.

'...Those suitcases are already in Delhi and Mumbai and will be transported to Portugal between now and then...' I replied realizing this was probably our last conversation.

'...Ma'am, you are going to travel for more than 24 hours with one suitcase only?' ...'Yes Sari, that's what I'm going to do. Now, you go back home, it's already late and the sun will rise soon again.' I replied. ‘Sure Ma'am, however, I'll wait for your text message that you reached the gate safely.’

I could feel and read Sari’s doubts, concerns and sadness on his face. He was worried due to the uncertainty that my suitcases would not arrive on time in my next country. A layer deeper I could feel it wasn’t just the suitcases, it was also saying goodbye to our long-lasting relationship where we became friends in a way. A good friend, although he never approached me as a close friend as our employer-employee relationship wouldn’t allow more. Sari lived by the mantra ‘Once a Ma'am, always a Ma'am’ and somehow it felt just right.

Reinventing wheels

After 15 years of working and living in Incredible India, it was time for me to say goodbye. I decided to start a new chapter in my life. It was like a postcard saying From India with Love. Preparing for my next life after so many other countries I lived in the move itself didn’t seem a big deal for me. The actual emotion is about managing the farewell process while parallel starting up a new life in a new country. This time it was Portugal. A country with more than 450 years of all kinds of connections with India which felt a bit like coming ‘home’ once again.

Living in India triggers hidden senses in the mind, heart and soul. Senses I was never aware of before because that’s what India does to you. 40 years ago, one of my old friends, an expert in reading auras and previous lives, mentioned that I lived 7 lives in India. That explains my familiarity with the country and the fact that I have more Indian DNA stored than probably most others. I was proud of this. She shared that all the things I was about to undertake in India will be a piece of cake.

‘You already know the tricks, the hurdles and how to support the country without forgetting what's in it for you. The only thing you have to do is simply rely on your previous memories’

she explained. That was easier said than done.

Living in country that feels semi-familiar to you however you are unaware of it, makes you want to reinvent the wheel all over again. Finding new ways to behave, communicate, set up a business and engage with people on the streets to simply connect with the country. I reinvented new wheels over and over again until finally those old dusty memories from my previous lives in India peeked around the corner. Ah there you are, I whispered and felt that life in India became a lot easier for me from that point onwards.

Perceiving the world

While writing this story, towards the end of 2023, I'm convinced that you can imagine all those moments of survival, happiness, frustration, friendships and especially the humor while working your butt off in India. A love-hate relationship always sharpens your perception. The way you perceive the world around you is an incredibly important part of life, however it all depends on the lenses you use. And that is exactly my point: different lenses create a totally different way of perceiving India, an immense continent with 28 states. By sharing the innumerable dialogues I have had with people in India will force you to change your perception of India. Your way to perceive the world will change, and it’s your choice what lenses you will use.

'...Ma'am, I wish you a safe journey and lots of happiness in your new country...' while he dropped the pink suitcase on my trolley. ...'I went through all the pictures you sent me of Portugal, Ma'am. I will have a good sleep in your bed, Ma'am'.

I was happy I gave Sari my king-size bed as he was about to embark married life. We both chuckled.

I looked at him and smiled. 'Thank you, Sari, for everything and please don't forget to call Airtel. You have all my login codes to help me cancel my mobile subscription....' I repeated. 'Sure Ma'am, I'll take care of it, don’t you worry. I will be waiting in the car for your message that you reached the gate for your next flight.'

I walked over to departures and waived once more to Sari and Modi’s billboard. ‘Bye Sari, and bye India. With love’.