The Big Three, and then some.

Today draws to a close, uneventful for the most part. It was International Women's Day today though, and being somewhat of a feminist at heart (and of late, at tongue even), I can't let it slip by without acknowledging some of the most kick-ass people I know.

Ma- i wouldn't be exaggerating if i said i owe her my life- doubly so. i mean firstly, labour is about as painful and enlightening as getting your hand sawed open with a rusty blade while himesh reshammiya serenades you. also she figured out my suicidal tendencies and abandoned her dahi-phuchka at v.p to hunt down my birthday-celebrating, patient-fleeing, gone-into-hiding doctor, and say "DELIVER THIS CHILD!" infuriating, bangali spiritual snob, lover of all things rabindranath, stubborn as a mule about politeness and hospitality even to s.o.b's, the most fantastic "a little here, a little there" cook, self sacrificing- my mother was never an ambitious woman. but she's built up her career time and time again after carelessly giving it up for family. she's been a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, a lecturer, a teacher and currently she's reinvented herself as manager of an art gallery. mum is proof that no matter how many times you've been knocked down, you can always get back up and kick em in the nuts- all in a dignified and modest moddhobitto bengali way.

Trisha- it's been barely two years since i met the intimidating woman with spectacles perched carelessly on her button nose, waves pulled into a pony tail and big eyes that seemed at once intelligent and bored. i could never have predicted that we'd wind up wife and wife, but i am so unbelievably glad that we did. black belt in karate, soon to be published author, bharatnatyam someshit, director of a play, lover of blood, gore and comic relief, witty, sarcastic and a total bitch- she looks freakishly impressive on paper. what i think is more impressive though, is that from time to time i get to say to her, "make me a sammich, bitch" 

Piu- rabid woman that she is, i figured she was a vacuous skinny chick when i first met her. then she got with the poster boy of our college class in the days of yore and i didn't know what to make of her. in what has got to be the weirdest start to a friendship ever, our friendship was cemented over transatlantic post breakup phone calls between relative strangers. piu was born to be an earth mother. lover of all things furry, surprisingly smart and intuitive, creative, inclined to 'older' professorial fantasies, unnecessarily graphic about hygiene and bodily functions, theatrical tendencies- both on and off stage, fantastic cook, fellow pre-birth suicidal soul sister- she's the number one thing i need to thank trisha for.

So my eyes are rebelling at the lateness of the hour and writing about the three of them has been easy considering I spend at least one one third of my life talking to them. However there are other equally wonderful ladies whom I absolutely must mention cuz they teach me everyday how to be a successful woman. 

Upasana- for being the quirky intelligent adorable bundle that she is. one total surprise of a person, that woman was. begone all you south point preconceived notions.

Mishtu- for just being her. in a way that i cannot really explain she makes me believe in happiness and contentment by just being herself. i wish we'd had the chance to hang out properly and get to know each other better, but i'm definitely glad to have met her. she contributes beauty to my world and proves that small packages can pack subtle but powerful punches.

Karishma- whom i do not know but wish i did. one of my favourite bloggers out there, wonderfully positive and introspective (which seems like a contradiction), and freaking smart- i mean dude. the woman's a doctor. 

ShY- whom i named, who can be my turn-to frenemy, who is capable of writing beautifully haunting poetry, who bubbles over with gossip and giggles, who can put herself out there with astounding ease, and who has graduated from being one of the guys to being disgustingly mushily in love and loving it.

Rhia- okay, so she's not a woman yet. but she is friggin adorable and precocious and beautiful and intelligent. no, really. my baby sister bestest! :)

Annu- for being wise, calm, grounded, perceptive, non-judgemental- all while holding fast to her faith

Soumya- for rolling her eyes at the "goofy guys" and making getting thrown out of class fun. because she was my angel, and because she could be anyone's.

Sakku- for "main jahaan rahoon", for being sweet and utterly uncomplicated, and for genuinely caring in her own way. for always picking up where we left off, whether it's been a week or half a year. for proving that we never really grow out of our best school friends.

Sabitha ma'am, Chitra ma'am, Anisha ma'am, Mrs. Gomes, Mrs. Sengupta- for being so much more than teachers, for imparting life lessons, for making an impact on your student that has lasted far beyond school and classes, and above all for truly caring.

My grandmothers- whom I love to bits and pieces and even more, whose reserves of strength, vitality and compassion continue to astound and inspire me.