Another day has gone by and my gentle but restrained plodding at the responses on 483, 484 and 485 continues. It is a tedious exercise primarily because of the time that the program takes in registering every response I make. I still have not been able to discover a faster operation. But we persevere and hopefully by the end of this decade there shall be success !! Ha Ha !!

The oxygen was in abundance today. We actually drove out after many many days to the waterfront and the edge of the South China Sea. A lovely neat clean promenade, paved jog tracks and pedestrian walks lined by a host of eateries. A quiet and reserved atmosphere, not crowded and not too dark even in the late evening hours. The sea and the waves and the sound of it lashing against the mainland numbs one into silence. You just stare out into the vastness and allow the water to almost wash away all that you bring within you as you stand in gaping wonderment by the edge.

My Father during his many visits to the Soviet Union had written a poem on this phenomena, as he once stood by the banks of a waterfront in one of the regions that had become popular and famous because of a love tale between two lovers that had transpired there. I do not quite remember the title of the verse, I shall discover it soon, but it had significantly to do with a name - Akhtamara !!

The lovers belonged on either side of the water way. Separated by distance and perhaps social restrictions, the girl would stand on one side of the bank in the dark of the night and her lover would either swim across or wade through the waters in an impromptu flotilla to her and they would meet. One night, the story goes, the lover in his attempt to swim across got caught in heavy waves and drowned and his lady love kept waiting in anguish. Every night the lady stood alone by the banks hoping that her lover would return. But he never did. They say, that even now when the waves lash across the banks where the girl stood, you can almost hear the sound of her name emanating as the water collides with the land mass - AKH..TAMARA !!..AKH..TAMARA.. !! The lover chanting his beloved’s name ! A sad poignant tale !

But let us not dwell on moments that depress us or make us sad. Life needs to be lived with joy and happiness and laughter, even though many of my own missives have been somewhat emotional and tearful.

MJ Akbar, that erudite and renowned journalist, editor of many prominent dailies, a pioneer TV news related anchor, a man of substance, dropped by to see my friend. I had if I remember correctly, mentioned him once on the blog of how I had great respect for him as a columnist. I narrated how he had during the time of my short stint in politics, predicted that I would get the pasting of my life in the Allahabad elections in 1984 that I was fighting, purely because my adversary Mr HN Bahuguna, was a tremendous stalwart or immense political repute and one that had never lost an election in his entire political career. After I won, he, that is MJ, was the first to acknowledge in his column that my victory had proved him wrong and that he was eating humble pie. For a journalist and for one of his standing, to admit fact and to put it in print, I thought, was an act of nobility and honesty ; an act that lived beyond the tenets of journalism. An act that defined the very code of conduct of journalism - fair and unbiased reporting. It is tough to admit publicly that you were wrong and the other right, when you had put it in print that you would be right. My admiration has remained with him since and continues. There have been many instances when I have since the advent of my blog, responded to journalists and eminent columnists of renown, on matters that they have got wrong. Not one, not a single one, has ever even acknowledged my correspondence, let alone correct the content of their unjustified, malicious and derogatory writings. It takes strength of character to be able to do that. I admire MJ because he had it ; the others did not.

That was 1984. I never had occasion to meet him. There were the odd ‘hi hellos’ at some social gatherings over years ; indeed over several years. I know very little of him personally and I am not on a regular communication level with him. A couple of years ago I suddenly got a hand written note from him. He had one late evening seen my film ‘Dev’ on the television. He praised my performance, but, more importantly lauded the effort I had taken in associating myself with a subject which he found to be topical, brave and most forthright. I am unable to put across the entire sentiment of the note. I shall someday. Someday when I shall pull down a square wooden object from my office wall - his letter that I have framed and prominently display !!

This afternoon as we sat and made idle conversation, it was such a delight to spend time in the company of one whose knowledge of past historical events was so precise and astounding. We were talking as is the wont, on matters topical. The partition of the country has been in the news because of the publishing of books written by prominent politicians and the manner in which it has raised several questions on the decisions taken, not just by the British as they passed over the governance of the nation to us, but by the leaders that worked for our Independence. The detailed information that was made evident to us on the dining table today was fascinating and so incisive. I wonder at times, how wasteful we are with our time and energy. We devote so much of it on matters that are frivolous, never desiring to take interest in educating ourselves through enriched minds. A pity.

We must never be afraid to question and never fear putting on record the answers we receive, for they shall be the valuable inheritance of posterity.

The procedures of the night begin .. a familiar design unfolds .. it is time …

Good night !!

Amitabh Bachchan