On the 9th was Saraswati Puja, a prayer and ritual to seek blessings from the Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and all things connected with the arts and crafts of education and its fineries. All the elements that connect with Saraswati are sought blessings for - papers, books, pens and any connected material …

Though it is universal in India as an auspicious day, I find the Bengalis devoting greater time and attention to it. They have specific puja’s for the day. Friends and family get together in the morning hours to meet and attend the rituals. The young seeking blessings from the elders, to imbibe from them their power of knowledge and learning.

So important to find knowledge given so much attention and space. At the College where I shoot in Bhopal, there is but only one large image at a prominent place on the premise. Its the statue of Saraswati, centrally positioned, symbolically looked upon all that tread the corridors of education, with respect and reverence. And almost all such goddesses addressed as Mother, Ma. Its always Ma Saraswati, Durga Ma, Ma Lakshmi, Sita Maiya …

The Mother has always played such an important and powerful role in all our lives. The giver of life. The care and attention that she delivers selflessly. The protector, the confidant, the friend philosopher and guide. The one that understands you the most. The one that knows all your secrets ever before you do. The one that feeds you the most delicious and tastiest food in the world - ma ke haath ka bana khana - the alternative for which you never find.

As I work in Bhopal, my sasural my wife’s home, her Mother who lives by her self there, shall dutifully prepare my dinner each night and personally come over to the Hotel with it and sit beside me to feed me and supervise the meal. Coercing me to eat more, to try this and that and whether it was appealing or not. They do not eat. They just sit beside you and make sure you do. In most Indian homes, especially the middle India and below, this is a normal practice. The lady of the house shall prepare and lay the food, make sure that it is served well and substantially and only after all else have eaten will she have her meal ! Such endearing qualities. And such sustained culture over generations of existence. These moments and those that have passed shall never ever be forgotten.

If we go out somewhere, Jaya will always prepare the dish for me ; a practice a habit a routine, call it what you may, that has remained from our first day of marriage.

For the lady of the house, I believe this is something that comes naturally and for every home in any part of the world. They live for that moment and take pride and great pleasure in executing it. Daughters born in the house shall find themselves spending more time with their Mother’s in the kitchen, learning helping and absorbing the tricks of the trade, so to say.

I was in the middle of a scene for ‘Aarakshan’ at the shoot in Bhopal. The scene was a dinner table sequence between my wife in the film played by Tanvi Azmi and Deepika Padukone who plays my daughter. The moment the director put all the properties for the dining table on the table along with the help of the assistants, the ladies forgetting and oblivious of the fact that they were artists on set, took over the department of how the table should be dressed, where the food should be placed, how it was meant to be served and …

They were not so interested in the scene that was to follow. They were involved in getting the dining accouterments in order and in the right perspective. Such a woman thing to do ! And so lovable ! And done without any provocation or request. Just done, because it is a woman thing !!

Thank you ladies ! What ever would we do without you !!

Having thus pleased all the ladies of the EF without any motive, but genuine adoration, I do expect the boys to be sulking in silence. But … dear men of the world fear not ! Your contribution and your presence shall be rewarded too .. perhaps on another occasion. Not today ! Today we cannot put anything beyond the ladies. You do understand this do you not ?? Fine !! Better do  .. or else we are asking for trouble !!

And so to bed … well actually to pillow, because I am already in bed - inspirational place to be writing the blog, do you not think. Just push the laptop after its all over and slide down under the covers - simple and convenient !!

Love and love … now ensconced in a large amount of sheets and softness !!

Amitabh Bachchan