Deep Slumber

Had been to yet another house where my relative's mother-in-law had passed away. These past few months have seen me attending many death ceremonies.

She had been ailing since a very long time now. Had multiple fractures and corrective surgeries. Yet this person whom we fondly called 'Kaamu Maami' loved and lived life to the hilt.

Her diamond ear studs and nose rings would glitter whenever she turned her head this way and that which was quite often as she loved talking to people.

Two sons and a daughter doted on her and fulfilled every wish she could make known. She was strong willed. Never hesitated to ask for things from husband when he was alive and later her children. Loved kanchipuram silk sarees and leaves behind quite a collection and ditto with matching gold jewellery. She would search for an excuse to buy a silk saree or a piece of jewellery. She would then be raring to attend social functions and meet people, exchange notes, enjoy the food, etc.

She lived life to the fullest. Her sons and daughter attended on her in turns when she took very ill a decade back till her end came today. She took all the help that came her way, she never felt she was a burden for her children. Her eldest son who was visiting his son preponed and arrived 24 hours before the event. Both spent time talking and she had told him she could pass away peacefully now since he has come back to Chennai. She was hanging on to dear life waiting to see her eldest son.

Since she loved good food, I am planning to take a couple of dishes for the family within the next 10 days as is the tradition among us Tambrams (Tamil Brahmins). May her soul rest in deep slumber.

Mahalakshmi.

Chain Snatching

Here is the picture of a design drawn for Monday.


Gold chain snatching has become a growing menace in Chennai. Rise in gold prices are also partly responsible for this.

Many women and men are continuing to lose their gold chains and other jewelery to daring daylight snatchers.

There are so many such cases reported each and every day. The common factor is women walking alone on deserted roads. Even if they were to be accompanied by their husbands, it does not deter these dare devils.
Men on bike watch women who wear gold chains and approach them as if to enquire about some vague address and commit this crime.

The trauma of such incident apart, many complaints to the police have not led to recovery of jewelery nor do the culprits get caught.

How can we stop this menace?

Only one solution can be there.

The women and men should cease to wear gold. There will be no gold to snatch so this crime will come down if all women unite in taking this precaution for their own safety.

How can the government or police help in protecting an individual's gold chains? Also how careful can anyone be all the time for their valuables. This will result in some kind of paranoia.

It is the individuals who can definitely rectify this situation.

Mahalakshmi.