- Reconfirm ticket to DEL, take note of Hotel to stay in.

- Pick up clothes from the tailor. Who wouldnt like to wear the new clothes?

- Try to check out the new exibition of Choli’s from the designer from MAA (Chennai)

- Attend the Travel Trade Lunch cum business meet of the association which I have just newly joined as an executive member.

- Tea Party with Waheeda Rahman and other Women of Substance. While at the tea party, get a judge for our Essay Writing competition for our NGO girls.

- Pick up suitcase from home, throw in that extra pair of shoes, huggy- kissey my baby and off to the airport. All the time in the car, clear all pending To Do list items on phone.! Phew!! Thats a long list!!

- Ok…am on dot…land up at the Tea Party a wee bit early. Meet Waheeda Rahman looking regal even in her House coat! Arrange for my essay to be Judged till she dresses up and arrives. Ladies from allwalks of life pour in …some with roses and rest with glint in their eyes to meet Waheeda Rahman.

In the best of their cotton saris, fresh as daisies….and here I am in my trousers/file / phone/ car keys/hand bag in hand!!

I get the first mover advantage !! I get Waheeda Rahman on a “One-On-One”. Yes , we corporate managers have a Term for everything

She seems to agree with me that Women are fine Multi-taskers and sheepishly admits she may not be the best at it. But does admit that men wear blinkers as far as tasks to do are concerned.

While I chat up with her, I get a confirmation that a Jet at the Air show has crashed and killed 2 pilots and some neighbours houses.

Though I give it a wee bit of thought , I am still focussed on making it out fast to catch my flight to DEL.

In my hurry, I even forget to click a picture with the poise I so have grown to admire in last few days.

My first blog…..I had to type it all down….so much to say today.

I am a working Mom. A full time job along with helping my family to run an  NGO . Is that enough ? No I say, I can do so much more in a day.

I am very excited to meet Waheeda Rahman today. I am no big celebrity fan, Hollywood, Bollywood or Tollywood. It all depends on the role they play in the movie for me to be a fan for that particular movie. But there is something about Waheeda Rahman.

I first happen to meet her at a book launch. “Breaking Through”, ( a handbook for parents and teachers of children with Specific Learning Disabilities) written by a dear friend and a woman who I admire: Mrs. Farida Raj. There was Waheeda Rahman along with Anupam Kher and others….but she stood out with her ram rod straight back, grey hair, the absolute poise that she carried herself with. I said to my self, “this is how I would like to grow old” !

A lovely ceremony, showcased a well bonded coehesive family, all extremly talented. The son made a  witty, well informed, interesting MC. The husband Vijay Mohan Raj stood at the back of the hall beaming with happiness and pride with his wife and son taking centre stage. He is used to being in the limelight himself, recognised in the cricket field, well respected in the travel fraternity to speak of a few.

He let them shine and basked in the halo himself.

As I drove back home, I was happy I skipped my Coffee club do for the Book Launch. I carried home visions of grace, dignity, creativity and humility.