Some memories remain as fresh as pehli barish ki sondhi khushbu (the earthy scent of the first rain – petrichor feels so underwhelming in comparison).

No matter how much time passes, you remember them frame by frame, each scene echoing vividly in your mind.

1990 it was, but that evening remains etched in my memory.

Maa had cooked something special, and we had dinner earlier than usual. For the first time, we were going to watch the New Year special program on Doordarshan; on our own TV.
Before this our TV viewing was limited to watching Ramayan or Mahabharat at someone else’s home.

Doordarshan used to put real good effort into its three-hour New Year’s program. It was a grand spectacle – a mix of everything from Jaspal Bhatti’s humor to Penaz Masani’s singing, mushayaras, and top Bollywood stars.

The excitement was indescribable. Watching the program uninterrupted, without the usual trek to someone else’s house and the inevitable call from Maa or Papa saying, “It’s too late, come back now,” was a rare luxury.

That evening, the entire family sat together, snug in our quilts, munching freshly roasted peanuts, and enjoying the show from start to finish.

There was satisfaction, warmth, and unfiltered happiness on everyone’s face – a quiet radiance of contentment that comes only from life’s simplest pleasures.

Today, I wish you all that kind of joy – warmth, coziness, and smiles that light up your heart as ours did on that unforgettable night.

Happy New Year 2025!