What did our ancestors, or let us say ancestors of centuries of mankind, first think on seeing such occurrences. What did they think when they heard thunder, when they saw lightening and rain. Mankind/womankind is so gullible. Push it to the Almighty when you do not have an answer. And that is how exploitation has been established.

The God’s are angry !! They speak in loud expressions !! Fall not in the way of their light for it shall burn you and drench you in its nectar from the heavens !! What great wonderment then as the clouds formed ominously after their brief moment of anger, and finally taking it all away through the waterfall of endless rain !!

How did the first inhabitants of this beautiful planet cope with it for the first time. How wonderfully, seeing and experiencing this great phenomena, did they design and form our seasons, then the festivals around them and the rituals that followed. And how century after century human kind diligently followed it, without discovering the science behind it all.

We still wonder at it presence. But we are more complacent. We have acquired the intelligence to cope with it, to understand it, at times to fight it, but never ever have we fully believed that we have the capacity to overcome it. Nature shall always prevail unexpectedly, decidedly and without any excuses. That would be enough reason for us to respect it.

And so we did. Wrapped off the day came back to the Hotel to try out the gym - an idyllic setting in salubrious ambience, closer to the ground. A few old acquaintances seemed happy to see me pumping iron and offered some valuable tips on workout regimen. That done, the first and only meal, after the prosthetic gooee left over shower , was a delight. And over an exciting ManU vs Liverpool Premier League Football, I converse with all of you.

Abhishek will leave tonight for KL, come in early morning tomorrow, report straight for work, finish and drive right back to the airport to return to Mumbai. He has been asked to participate in a Wharton College lecture meet in a few days in USA and shall be rushing to keep that appointment. The topic of the evening : the emerging Indian Film Industry. One of the premier institutions in the world on business and management, keen to entertain an Indian actor to talk about the craft and future of the medium he works in. Did any of us ever dream that a day would come when this would fructify, 60-70 years ago. No we did not. But this is the value that our cinema now enjoys.

I read more on Madhushala and contemplate. I open my notes and struggle with what content would justify my inputs. And I wait..

I am most pleasantly surprised by the interest that is being generated through this younger generation for poetry. Hindi poetry. I have lamented the disregard towards this medium for some time and still do. I express my fears to Abhishek and the lack of interest his generation has towards our mother tongue. He gives patient ear. I notice the improvement in his diction and style on speech, as I do from many others. This is a good sign. We must never ever allow our mother tongue to be hijacked by another culture. Accommodating others is healthy. We must do it with due respect and regard. But the essence of our lives will echo in the resonance of our Mother’s language.

The requests from readers for the translation of my Father’s works has prompted me on this topic. I am keen to do it for those that show interest, though my own acumen may just not be sufficient on the subject. But I will endeavor. Soon I hope. It will be my greatest joy.

And so with that I leave my EF.. till the morrow and more..

Amitabh Bachchan