My apologies for this rather late post, but I have only just been able to pull myself away from the Diwali night at Jalsa and as is the routine am getting down to connecting with the EF before turning in.

All went off well for today - the pooja for Laxmi the Goddess of wealth, the fire crakers at Prateeksha and inviting the staff and their family to come and participate, the giving away of bonuses and clothing to those that have remained with us for endless number of years, devoting time and space for our every need, the guests and the games for ’shagun’, animated conversations on various topics and finally au revoir !!

It is a joy and a pleasure to having guests over, to welcome them to our home, to look after them, to invite them to play ‘teen patti’, feed them and then finally hoping that they were well looked after. All the planning and management by the ladies of the house worked out fine. The men just enjoyed the company !!

During the evening several little groups were formed that played together in one big circle ; the sighs and groans of non success at the game being compensated by ecstatic screams of victory ! Little kids running about playing their own little games in the excitement of festivity, the ladies dressed up in their finest traditionals and the men looking dapper in their kurta pyjama. There is laughter and music and more and a general feeling of optimism amongst all that gather here today, and nothing could give me more pleasure than meeting them and sharing with them the years spent together in this wonderful industry.

Another few sentences and this post would bear a distinct morning feel, for, it is now getting on to 5 : 13 AM !

I am not making any sense in what I compose … better then to carry some of this burden for the morrow ..

Good night … good morning and love …

Amitabh Bachchan