Hello World: January 2007

I am Oindrilla and was born about 10 days back, on 14th January 2007 to Amitabha & Debasri. And before all you uncle, aunts, grannies and granpas ask me the meaning of my name, let me tell you: Oindrilla means Indra's elephant (and my parents wanted it as a reference to Lord Ganesha. Its also one of the names of Goddess Durga).

On the morning of 14th, I came out of the warm confines of my darling mom and was welcomed by my father and grandparents. The doctor wheeled me out in a crib to show me to the eagerly waiting people and they were all surprised to find me staring at them. The nurse was impudent enough to make an attempt at outraging my modesty by removing my clothing in full public glare and I made my unpleasantness felt by screaming out at her. The next six days was passed in the hospital with my mom recovering and myself adjusting! The only sad part was that I could not be held and touched by my father before he left for his "school" in a far off place.

I came home (my maternal grandparents') on 20th and then on it has been a constant "paparazzi" like following. And boy, there are so many people!! And almost everybody is on an exasperating journey to find out my resemblance to either my mom or dad. I dont understand the fun in doing so. Till now, I have met quite a few grandparents and quite a few uncles and aunts.

I have been blessed with a huge family size. My father has 37 first generation cousins, which makes 37 pairs of Uncles/Aunts for me!! There are 19 pairs of paternal grandparents. And then there are cousins!! The count is becoming complex!! I have just started knowing my maternal side and its no less than rocket science, I believe. My mom's family is a huge extended joint family and she is in close company till her 10th cousin which poses a huge mathematical challenge at this point of time. I have asked my dad (who being in a B School is adept at presentations) to make me an "organisation chart" of relations and present me. My maternal family consists of six sets of grandparents and nine uncles and no sisters (which means no in-house competition for me!!). Man ... what a strong set of protectors ... (Guys, better watch out). And I am yet to meet the extended set of Granpas and Grannies!!!

I am now waiting eagerly for friday morning for I will be meeting two very special people. My Bua as well as my Mama is arriving specially to meet me. Infact my nicknames, Adiya (Wealth of God) and Kriti (Work of Art) has been chosen by them respectively. They have both been pestering my parents and their parents on a daily basis for photographs and updates on me. So lets see how it goes and then I will write on it.