It's been 20 days since I last saw everyone. After the event in Faridabad, I had to leave for London the following morning. I am aware that all the members were reaching out via the helpline because I didn't assign any homework to occupy them this time. Therefore, I'm sharing some experiences from my London trip with all the members and readers. I explored numerous locations. My sisters and nieces are also present, but visiting without Ashwini ji this time was quite emotional. I thought of him constantly. In fact, I have never traveled abroad by myself. Previously, I always traveled with Ashwini ji, and after him, I traveled with the children.
This time, traveling there felt different as I witnessed the deep sense of Indianness in the hearts of our fellow Indians, and the love for our country and its people was truly unique. First of all, I went to my niece Nisha's house, there all her work was being taken care of by Mamta who had come from Sangrur. It was very nice to see how Mamta was looking after her children and family living in India. Nisha told that she prefers Indian girls for household help. Because she wants her children to learn Hindi, Punjabi and they are like a family. She took me to Harold's and had lunch there.
After that I went to my favourite niece Sakshi's house. Both husband and wife Sumit and Sakshi have built a very beautiful house. Both are very educated self-made couples. They have a Gujarati and a Punjabi at their house to help them. She said that they get help from English people too but the kind of intimacy that is there in our country India is not there. One day we ate Mooli Ka Paranthas at her house and the next day we ate Khandvi Thepla. The most important thing is that both the people who help them are very educated because no work is considered small there. Whether it is a driver, electrician, plumber, the helper of the house is respected as much as a big businessman. Sakshi took all of us sisters for a visit to Lavender Garden, where shooting often takes place.
After that I went to Nottingham where my sister Veena Sharma is the secretary of the Hindu temple and her son has just become the president. The priest there is very rich, who has come from Delhi. RSS shakha is also held in that temple and every Hindu religion's puja is performed. My sister takes care of all the work along with the temple committee members. All the arrangements are made in that temple to celebrate happiness and sorrow. That means birthdays, wedding anniversaries or someone's last rites, all the works are done. Not only this, there is free lunch for senior citizens on Baba Balak Nath, Guruji, Mata Rani, Shivratri and every Friday. One of his sons is a barrister there. He is in an IT company. Sometimes someone was inviting there, sometimes someone else. I had little time. Then a cricket match was played there, which was very successful. There they made me the chief guest. The trophy was given to me by my hands. I have a passion for cricket anyway. Because Ashwini ji was a cricket player. After that I had to go to Newcastle, where my niece Tanisha Badhera lives, it was her lovely and beautiful mother-in-law Shashi Badhera's birthday. She cut the cake, it was very nice. One of my nieces and one of my nieces got married in their house. It was very nice to meet the whole family, they have built a very beautiful house.
Promila Sehgal, a renowned business magnate from the area, invited me to lunch at her home. I had frequently heard her name from my friends Ruby Sehgal and the daughter of Jalandhar, but she was even more pleasant than I had anticipated. During the visit, I encountered numerous individuals from Punjab and Delhi who have been residing there for over five decades. This experience provided me with insight into the community. Promila settled many relatives in the area and offered them support, which is quite fortunate in today's times. Tanisha's father-in-law, Anil ji, shared that his elder brother was the first to arrive and initiate a business. Subsequently, he invited all his siblings to join and establish themselves there. Anil ji fondly remembered them and then showcased a video of his wedding on TV, reminiscent of a bygone era. The reception from 50 years ago was depicted, illustrating how Anil ji and Shashi Vadhera first learned to dance and then performed at the reception.
Tanisha Vadhera's Chinese friend, who is quite diligent, invited me for lunch. She has successfully opened a hotel and now runs four restaurants. Tanisha showed me around extensively, taking me to North Shield beach, which was incredibly beautiful. Afterwards, Tanisha, my sister, another niece, and I traveled to Scotland, a place rich in history. We explored the castle, dined at Dishom, and visited the art gallery.
Afterwards, I returned to Nottingham, where my sister Veena Sharma's relatives own a hotel renowned as Delhi Bombay. Visitors from London and around the globe come to dine here. My sister Veena Sharma and her daughters-in-law were very hospitable. She celebrated her grandson Rishi's birthday, and then my elder sister accompanied me to the London airport. She is a loving sister, akin to a mother, who cared for me at every moment. I left with cherished memories, though Ashwini ji was constantly in my thoughts. Remembering them often brought tears to my eyes, but my sisters and nieces kept me so engaged that I managed to suppress my tears. May everyone be blessed with such a family. Overall, my visit to London revealed that the essence of Indianness and culture remains vibrant in the hearts of Indians who have resided there for 50-60 years. It would be wonderful if everyone in India worked with the same dedication as they do there.