Grandkids Are Grandkids

Grandkids are a blessing.
Real blessing when they are babies.
Or, even when they are no longer toddlers.
As they enter the teens, it is even greater fun being with them.
Ask any grandparent and they will agree!

We were blessed to have Ansh and Anuva with us during the Xmas vacation. Range of activities with them kept us busy. From playing darts to nail painting to shopping to tambola- it was an exciting finale to 2018. Ansh helped Ghumakkad with this story. Glimpses.

While enjoying the sunshine on the last day of 2018, here is a short video clip with Anuva's spontaneity as a five year old!

You may browse the earlier story of all four of our grandkids 'Thrill of Grandparenting'.

Thanks for browsing.
Have a great year ahead!

     - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ansh Bhargava/ 31st Dec 2018
#grandchildren #funtime #family #joyofgrandparenting #vacationing #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb #ansh

Grandpas need no Gym

Grandparents don't need to go to a Gym. Their grandchildren give them enough exercise. Ghumakkad experienced this fact recently when Naman, his two year old grandson came visiting from California USA. One week of non-stop action. Naman modified the yoga asanas योग  आसन  in his own way. See the pictures.

Here is a 30-second video of Naman somersaulting!

You may browse an earlier post of a grandpa-grandson hike here. You sure don't need any exercise when your grandchildren are around. Whatever be their age.

As someone had said "Grandchildren are the hands by which we take hold of heaven". Mere presence of grandchildren is heavenly. Last picture in this story says it all.

Am sure all grandparents would have related the story with their own grandchildren. And all others, pray that God grants you the precious gift of a grandchild soon!

Credit for the pictures go to both Neeta and Akanksha. Thanks to them, Ghumakkad got into the frame and not behind the lens!

Thanks for browsing,

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ 14th April 2017

Young graduates to younger grandparents

From 21 year old engineering graduate to one-year young grandparent, it has been an interesting journey. Not just for Ghumakkad alone, but all 24 of us who joined Navy together. On 16th July 1973, we all reported at Basic and Divisional (B&D) School, INS Venduruthy Kochi for our initial training. Naval Academy had not been born then! Those specialising in Naval Architecture like Miti Sethi (featured in this story) were first sent to IIT Kharagpur.
This story centres around our grandchildren. We are now 'young' grandparents of grandchildren who are between 1 year to 13 years 'old'. So, being young and old is a state of mind! 11 out of original batch of 24 are getting together in Goa from 2nd to 5th Feb 2017. 

Here is a picture taken in 1973 of all 24 of us in khakhis. This was for musketry training (rifle training on the mighty .303 of those days) at Coimbatore. Don't miss the webbing worn by all of us. For fellow Naval buddies: Can you recognise all 24 officers (epaulets not yet worn being under trainees)?

Standing (L-R): Gopu, Potti, Katti, Paroolkar, Aisola, Bal, Ravindra, Das, Nagaraj, Dhavare, Asokan, George, Gopal, Xavier
Sitting (L-R): Goyal, Bhargava, Trilochan, Uppal, Anand, Jogi, Chandra, Jain, Bhowick, RP

Our initial training was done at the B&D School, Kochi which had a separate wardroom called South Wardroom. Her are some pictures dating back to July/August 1973.

Down the line in 1989 when we completed 16 years, we had a bash in Mumbai. Copy of a poem specially written for the occasion and duly autographed, is reproduced below .

We have been meeting even after retirement. In 2010 i.e. 37 years after joining Navy, we had made a short five minute video titled 'Then and Now'. Take a look:

Who are the eleven who made it to Goa? How do their grandchildren look like? Where are they located? Answer to all these questions come through a picture story. 

As you would have noticed in the captions, our buddies and their children are spread throughout the world. A batch with global footprint! We will certainly miss our buddies who could not make it to Goa. But next bash will happen soon. Date and venue will be announced in Goa.
Before signing off, I came across few lines in Hindi which convey the essence of friendship. With invasive social media expanding the 'friends' network by hundreds, the Hindi couplet assumes special significance.

Indeed, life without friends is incomplete. Live every moment. Enjoy the togetherness. For senior citizens like us with balding heads, graying hair and croaking knees, such bashes are special.
Thank God for giving us such friends.

More on Goa will follow, although most of us have been to Goa earlier either by ship or with family. Thanks buddies for sharing the pictures. Bye till then,

   -Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ 2nd Feb 2017