Now that it is upon us and now that so much has been written and expected of it, a thousand days seems innocuous and almost of minimal interest. There are demands and expectations of some to do something special. Some have done it already - the UAE FmXt under Shankar for example, some have individually written about it, and I am grateful that you have remained with me and built this platform with the kind of intensity and devotion seldom seen or heard. But surely DAY 1000 is just another day, another connect, another reason why we all come together. Cynics, naysayers, critics, abusers all have brushed against us. Attempted through various means to destroy what we felt was a medium that only spoke of love and togetherness. That spoke of compassion to various others. That corrected the incorrect. That challenged the defiant aggressor. That shared and heard. That prayed for the good and well being of those in distress. That laughed and got laughed at. That made mistakes and admitted its reason. That became a contributor, that got notice and appreciation. But most of all that collected members to become a part of the extended family ! For that I am most grateful and obliged. We proved to many that they were wrong in judging us and our intent. That we outlived what they had thought was a passing phase, an aberration.

We persisted, persevered and remained faithful. We kept going. And we learnt that nothing stands in the way of those that keep going. We fell and injured ourselves. We were beaten back on occasion. But we stood up, brushed ourselves from the dirt and muck and strode on, unmindful and unconcerned of what the ‘other’ said or did.

We reached many destinations and conquered many peaks, slid down at times, but fought our way up again. We have never desired to reach anywhere, because quite frankly we have never desired to. We just keep going without any final destination. And that is our strength, our purpose and aim. We move without setting any destination. If we move our destination will come. And then another and another …

We shall have several destinations to reach. But God knows which is the one we desire. And may we never know. For there is such a sense of purity in the unknown. Better to get there on our own and know its worth, than to know its worth and not get there.

‘We few we happy few we band of brothers’ and sisters … thank you is but an apology for my expression of true worth that I receive from you each hour and day. My failure in not being able to connect would be the unhappiest day for me and the connect the most satisfying.

Remain with me. Let us walk together each day, hands held together in silence of mind and spirit, but in the largest volume of sound in the beats of our hearts. If I offend I seek forgiveness. If there is cause for mistrust may they all be an illusion. If there is anger, let it remain an incomplete phrase, an expedition in futility.

May the Almighty bless all of you for the respect and love that you have imparted to me … and may we continue in every step with greater maturity and strength ..

Amitabh Bachchan