I met, Chithra, My dear adharsha mangai!

She is none otherthan our dear Chitvish..

I don't know what to write. If I write something, it is she who brings out. Like what people say for every divine feeling, we have to experience meeting her.

I planned a short vacation to India. By default, I planned meeting her. Sent a PM. Received a whole-hearted welcome in the reply itself.

I talked to her after reaching. It lasted for a long time which was a nice experience by itself consisting of personal and IL things. As I introduced myself she said that she was expecting my call one of those days. I told her again that I didn't know how I was going to meet her and I would definitely meet her which I said in the PM itself. As it was a short vacation I couldn't plan any trip to Chennai otherthan just the flights. Her instant reply was that she could come to meet me in the airport.

It was not that I totally didn't expect her reply. But, the feeling I got when I heard that was something that I would cherish for the whole of my life.

She asked(infact kept asking) if I wanted something from Chennai. I kept saying that I had to travel alone and so wanted to have very light weight. I told that I was so happy to hear her saying that as it is hard to hear these days. She never let me appreciate her(it never happened during our next calls and when we met), put a period to that topic and switched to somethingelse.

I talked to her again to convey the details of my itinerary. I shared with her that I was invited by so many other relatives, too. She told that she could drop me in 3 of their houses and what not. She offered everything under the Sun. She wanted me to call her for my final plans of visiting anybodyelse which I couldn't do as I got carried away like anything.

The long awaited day arrived. She called me in the morning to ask whether I want something. I asked her if she could bring just 5 chapathis. She said that I was worried that she shouldn't bring more. I replied that her efforts shouldn't go in vain.

As the flight was reaching Chennai I was sitting so restless and thrilled with countdown to meet our dear Chitvish.

Each and every fraction of a second was built with expectations and happiness. I entered the lobby.

The first person I saw was her, from far. There she is standing with heartiest smiles, waving hands to me. Can I ever forget that scene? She is still waving hands to me whenever I think of her. That moment makes me so emotional.

We sat. Whatever we started talking was left incomplete as I had to attend so many things. She gave me chapathis for which I got the recipe through mail(very carefully and seperately packed with butter paper and foil to stay fresh), potato curry, mango burfi and jamuns which were all too delicious and a yellow pouch gift packed in a red velvet bag. I could spend only one hour with her. Not at all worth travelling from her residence to the airport. I'm still feeling guilty of bringing her all the way to the airport.

She was explaining me the pleasure in meeting the IL'ites. I told her, "You enjoy that. So, it is a pleasure". Then, atleast(remember, no appreciations?), she smiled. She often used to say that she was very happy to meet all young ladies who were so attached to her in this old age. I never felt that she is old. Her heart speaks to us beyond her looks.

Thanks to Malathy and Jey for making this possible through founding IL.

She is not only my dear adharsha mangai(dear IL'ites who belong to other languages than Tamil! 'adharsha mangai' means 'lady of role model') but one who is eligible to be an adharsha mangai to all who study her.

It is no exaggeration to say that my bond with IL is much more intact now because of her.

Long Live, Chithra, My dear adharsha mangai, to motivate as many people to serve the humanity!.....

My dear adharsha mangai, correct me if I left anything as I'm a person of less words...

Hi Oviya.....

I understand your joy in meeting Chithra Mami..You have written it so well...

You must have been really overwhelmed with her gesture of coming to the airport just to meet you ...and have her yummies.

You are so right.."I never felt that she is old. Her heart speaks to us beyond her looks."

to her enthusiasm...We are all very fortunate to have her among us..

(By the way...any photos taken?)

Bye

hey oviya,

Nice to know that you could meet chithmam.

As i always tell she is a energy bundle who takes you into the fold along ....

where are the photos if you took..or being airport you could not do it..


Pray to god that she is blessed with more energy and health to guide us.

Oh Dear Oviya,

I can very well imagine the anxiety & excitement. Lucky & blessed! What else to say? I am just waiting for my day to meet her! I don't know when my next trip to Chennai will be...but when ever it is. I look forward to see her eagerly like other I'lites.

Dear Oviya,

You have really drawn an oviyam (picture) of our dear Chithra with this write up of your's.

Oviya, my mouth was agape reading about the generosity of Chithra ma'm. You sure need to cherish those thoughts about her. In this day and age, who would do what she did for you so willingly and with love ? And I can easily believe that she will do that for everyone of our IL'ites.

My respects to her. Have a lo..ooooo..t to learn from her
Yes, where are the pics? Unless Chitvish has already posted it under the faces thread?! Will check it out soon.

L, Kamla

Hi Oviya,

Wonderful that you met Chitvish and more so your write up that brings in all the details right before our eyes !

I can totally imagine Chitvish eagerly meeting you at the airport with the delicacies !! She is the "personification of perfection" !!

This is what we can decipher from the way she interacts with all the IL'ites and the way she gives out her recipes without missing out a single detail/nuance !!

It is really fortunate that you got to meet her and spend atleast an hour ! So, what about the pictures Oviya? We are waiting eagerly for that too !

Thanks for sharing this with us ! Waiting for the D-day when I can actually get to meet her !

Cheers
Krithika

My dear dear Oviya
First I missed you.. but knowing you had gone on the trip I waited patiently.. and now you are back with an incredible thread.. about an incredible person Chitvish.
I am just totally floored by your narration.. truly wonderful.. Its like I am sitting and eating the chappatis wrapped so well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In some ways I envy you dear.. you got to meet my friend before I.. infact my hubby also got to meet her.. He had such greatt hings to say about her..
Thanks for taking the time and writing and sharing.. you truly made my day!
Now going to look out for you to reply to my threads (JUst KIdding!!!!!!!!!!)
Welcome back dear...

Originally Posted by saraswathipv

Hi Oviya.....

I understand your joy in meeting Chithra Mami..You have written it so well...

You must have been really overwhelmed with her gesture of coming to the airport just to meet you ...and have her yummies.

You are so right.."I never felt that she is old. Her heart speaks to us beyond her looks."

to her enthusiasm...We are all very fortunate to have her among us..

(By the way...any photos taken?)

Bye

Dear Saras,

Thank you. You are right about that. No words can explain the joy. She is amazing and such a darling. Seconding all your words.

Originally Posted by shanvy

hey oviya,

Nice to know that you could meet chithmam.

As i always tell she is a energy bundle who takes you into the fold along ....

where are the photos if you took..or being airport you could not do it..


Pray to god that she is blessed with more energy and health to guide us.

Dear Shanvy,

It is a wonderful experience meeting her and to talk about that.

Originally Posted by Anushiv

Oh Dear Oviya,

I can very well imagine the anxiety & excitement. Lucky & blessed! What else to say? I am just waiting for my day to meet her! I don't know when my next trip to Chennai will be...but when ever it is. I look forward to see her eagerly like other I'lites.

Dear Anu,

It feels nice to imagine itself, right?

Wishing you that day so soon...