Thriving on Surprises

When did you last spring a surprise on someone in a distant city?

Most people would say 'I'd rather send a surprise gift or make an unannounced video call'!

But don't you agree that no AI or technology can match a warm hug or the joy of giving (or receiving) a surprise in person! Of course it requires time and effort, which in my opinion is worth it!

Ghumakkad thrives on surprises! Surprises give joy.

Ghumakkad recently made a surprise visit to not just one but three people in Bengaluru. I travelled 680 kms either way from Hyderabad. Thanks to Vande Bharat trains, I did not require any elaborate planning to spring the surprises!

'Harsh Beta Sada Sukhi Raho'

An aunt nears 90. An affable person, sonorous voice, calligraphic handwriting, a dancer of repute, charming as ever and Ghumakkad's regular reader. Ghumakkad wanted to give her a surprise. My cousin Nidhi who also lives in Bengaluru, made a ploy to visit her. Literally after alighting from Vande Bharat train ride from Hyderabad, we drove to Savita Mami's house. Though her husband Jolly Mama was also part of the surprise drama, but with Mami Ghumakkad has a special bond. She was thrilled seeing me. See the pictures and the video below courtesy Nidhi and Mukul.

See the surprise on the faces of both the nonagenarians in the video below.

We had earlier published an exclusive story titled 'Dancing At Eighty' few years ago. See the graceful performance even though Savita Mami had to be seated because of her aching knees! You may click the link to browse the pictures and videos.

When Another Nonagenarian Blesses You

As a young Sub-Lieutenant I was posted in Jamnagar in 1973. That is when we met Dr and Mrs Achar. Dr Achar was the Medical Superintendent of Irwin Hospital. Their elder son had joined the NDA at Khadakwasla and daughter Harsha was studying at BITS Pilani. That is how the connection got established. It has been 53 years since then. Dr Achar is no more. His unmatched humour still brings a smile on our faces. Mrs Achar, a sprightly 92-year old lady, lives by herself in Bengaluru. She runs a school for the under-privileged since many years. I had last met her few years ago and made it a point to meet her again, this time unannounced.

A plan was hatched with Harsha to get her to RSI on the pretext of an Army social evening. Her joy of seeing me there and my own happiness, surpasses any other material gift. Let the pictures do the talking. PC courtesy Kedar, her grandson and Harsha.

A Pirate Party

When a Naval buddy turns 75, you can't miss being there. Moreso when the invite is so creatively designed by his daughter. See the clip below.

Ghumakkad gave another surprise in Bengaluru to Capt NR Ravi on his 75th birthday. Tanvee helped keep the surprise. Feel the thrill on the faces and hugs of  Ravi (partially hidden) and Lakshmi in the pictures below. Have also included the pictures of the elaborate decor and a video of the cake cutting. Thanks Tanvee and Vikas for all the effort. Thanks Saibal Roy Chou, who travelled all the way from Kolkata, for the shots in which Ghumakkad is not behind the lens!

 

Another fleeting video of Pirates jesting around.

It was such a pleasure to give the surprise to Ravi and Lakshmi.

Here is the video of cake cutting and the fireworks.

You are never too late for return gifts! See the imaginatively designed packaging of the return gifts!

Recalling Earlier Surprises

USA to India Surprise: We had the biggest of surprises few years ago when Ankur, our son-in-law landed from USA  unannounced at our home in Secunderabad. Instead of giving us a surprise, Ankur got the 'reverse' surprise on seeing the house locked. Some quick calls and smart guessing, he figured out that both Neeta and I were at RSI (our fauji club in Secunderabad). And lo and behold-- he gave us that biggest of surprises by locating and joining us at RSI that evening. Totally unannounced all the way from USA Unfortunately, no pictures or video of the memorable moment exist! But it is permanently etched in our memory.

India to USA Surprise: Sharing one more surprise across the continents. This time our son Ankush from Chennai, gave a pleasant surprise to our daughter Akanksha in California completely out of the blue. Of course such a secret operation can not be carried out without local support. Our son-in-law Ankur in USA teamed up with Ankush to pull it off. Back in 2012, the excitement was sadly not filmed.

Giving Surprises in Mumbai and Vapi

Another two surprises which Ghumakkad pulled off in November last year gave us a thrill. Two buddies one each from the Navy (who turned 75 that day) and from BITS my college (who had been unwell for a while), were thrilled beyond words when I entered their homes unannounced! Some of those precious moments are captured in the story below:

Thrill of a Surprise - Story of a secret operation from Hyderabad to Mumbai and Vapi with pictures and videos.

85th Birthday Surprise

Earlier this year, Ghumakkad gave a surprise to Col GB Sethi PhD, my golf partner, on his 85th birthday in Secunderabad. We share our birthdays and have many things in common. I wrote an exclusive poem, framed it with a picture of both of us and presented it in person. He was visibly moved. Sharing below a few pictures and a video clip courtesy Swati, his daughter.

Surprise Tests

The only surprise which is unwelcome is a surprise test by a teacher! Ask any college student and he/she will scoff at the very mention of a surprise test or surprise quiz in the class. Of course, teachers love giving surprise tests. But unlike surprise visits and gifts, the receiver (students) do not like such a surprise. Here is a symbolic picture of an MBA class.

  

What are you waiting for? Go and give someone a surprise visit. Remember surprises make memories which you cherish. If you are a teacher wanting to give a surprise test, think of the students too!

We close with a quote by Gilbert K Chesterton who said, "Surprise is the secret of joy." Now you know why Ghumakkad is so joyful!

Thanks for browsing and stay connected.

Do share your experience of a memorable surprise.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Bengaluru/ 31st May 2026

#ThrivingOnSurprises #SurprisesInLife #JoyOfASurprise #SurprisesThrillEveryone #GivingSurprises #GettingSurprised #Joy #happiness #memories #cheer #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #friends #relationships #GilbertKChesterton #PQs #SurpriseTest #SurpriseQuiz

Thrill of grandparenting

Gifted Grandparents

The greatest gift that you can ever get is to become a grandparent. Ask any grandparent and he/she will vouch for it.

By God’s grace, Neeta and I became grandparents again this year in California. Courtesy Akanksha (Ashi) and Ankur, we had the delight of welcoming Naman, our grandson, into this world. As Charles Dickens said, “Every baby born into the world is a finer one than the last”. We couldn't have agreed more. 

Ashi chose a very innovative way of announcing the arrival of the baby. See what she wrote.


Here is Naman as a baby in arms.

Here is a selfie which Ashi took with Naman.

Of course, bringing up babies is no easy task. Ask any young Mom 

or a granny who is helping the baby and the mom, and you will hear a chorus! Like what Mark Twain said, “A baby is an inestimable blessing and bother”! 

Few more pictures of Naman as he grew up to be a month old! 

He seems to be reciting the alphabet "O"!

 All the grandparents-- Dada, Dadi and Nani-- celebrated Naman's 

first 'monthly birthday' by cutting a cake!

And Naman when he entered his second month in this world, he was in the lap of his great grandmother!

Naman enjoying Nani's lap.

The scene now shifts to India. 

As we said, we were blessed earlier in 2013 with our only granddaughter in Chennai. Named Anuva, she is the real heart throb of the family. Here are some pictures of Anuva as a baby.

How she looked in the first hour of her life!

She is going to be two in May this year. Full of action, she capitalises on all the attention she gets. Let her pictures do the talking all the way from a baby to an energetic toddler!

With her favourite bunny.

And, when she learnt to lift her head. All excited!

With Kruger, her best friend whom she copies! 

Portrait with mumma...

Anuva is forever in love with outdoors! See her enjoying the stroll with Ansh bhaiya.

Her first steps, wobbly but confident under the watchful eyes of Appa!

Anuva the flier!

And mind you, she doesn't like rough surfaces. Even tufts of a green lawn bother her-- see the way she has folded the toes in our lawn!

 Tying the first Rakhi to Ansh Bhaiya.

And now, I too get invited to parties!

Like all children of this hi-tech age, Anuva too is fond of the cell phone. I gave her my old-gen 'unsmart' phone. And she didn't take long to figure it out! Reaction? See the the combo picture. 

Dadu had to pacify her and make peace.

  13th May 2014-- time for her first birthday bash. Venue RSI Secunderabad.

We all went to Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Jan 2015. Few more action shots of Anuva.
Appa's baby.

Hug from Ansh bhaiya.

Anuva the poser.

Anuva the acrobat.

Anuva the climber. Site: Moyar river and dam, Karnataka.

Anuva the gymnast.

"Family photograph? Please do not disturb me, I am busy!"

This is what Ansh did nine years ago. Anuva has repeated it-- removing Dadi's bindi. And putting it on! 

We learn from our children and if we are fortunate, from our grand  

children as well! 
Like Naman has taught us 'Demand your rights (food for the baby)' and 'How to sleep well'!
Whereas Anuva's lessons to us have been-- how to concentrate and remain focussed--- anywhere and everywhere!

We close here with that classic quotation from William Wordsworth who said, “Child is the father of the man”!

You are welcome to share your experiences as a parent or 

grandparent.

May God bless all the children in the world as the world belongs to them!

Thanks for browsing,

-          Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 3rd March 2015