For the past few days I notice that comments on our blog deliberate, on how we have been responsible in creating this wonderful family, where first we began by being  apart of it and soon have made it into a remarkable platform that has through the 830 DAYS developed itself into a most potent and valuable destination, that now almost regenerates on its own strength. This is the most heartening news for me to hear. I would not have wished for any other, but this. Read not too much into the efforts made by its originator, read rather into the efforts made by the EF in accepting this small but cozy home as their own. As far as I can remember, from the day I initiated the cause of the extended family, there has never ever been any resistance or disagreement on it. Does this then not speak of the willingness with which all our members have so diligently joined in, to enhance and help, in growing the concept of an entire family living in peace and harmony under one roof  ? Does this not speak volumes about our resolve, to flourish this association with aplomb ? This is a concerted joint effort and I feel proud that we have lived and grown through it for so long.

May we continue in this growth, not just in the tabulation of numbers, but indeed in the growth, of what this little square box, has meant for all of us.

As closer closes in there is a sense of pain and lament on leaving the city that had just begun to grow within us. And Shweta, that has just joined in on the Twitter said something most appropriate about the metropolis. She said “If Paris is Venus, then Rome is Aphrodite “. “Other cities”, she said “may have it all and have the most pristine conditioning about themselves ; watch me but do not touch me. Rome has the attitude of embracing you in one big hug “. ” Come hold me and we shall laugh together ” !!

That has been the most articulate description of comparison between the two - Paris and Rome !! The city envelops you like no other and keeps enticing you with its care free and languid countenance, much much more than most other destinations. And now when time has taken its desired toll and searches us to take decision on extending the days here, we are compelled most reluctantly to submit that there is no time left in this trip. But perhaps the next time, or the next … or whatever the Trevi Fountain wishes ..

Millions of tourists and visitors come by this historic fountain, magnificent in its structure and eminence. There is never a dull moment by the sound of falling water. People just stand by and look and feel the almost ethereal quality of this location. Millions too have through the ages made their wishes by the over shoulder throw of coins into its waters. Where and how this came about and why, is an eternal mystery. But the sacrifice of coins into water has been an interesting pastime in our land as well. In the years when we lived in Allahabad and in the years when we travelled by train, a luxury for us then, every time our train rode across the Ganga River, over its most famous bridge, the elders would give us a few coins and ask us to throw it into the river, with shouts of ‘Ganga maiya ki .. jai !!’ Our job as children was to make sure that the coin found its trajectory away from the criss cross iron braces that formed the design of the bridge. Was it paying obeisance to the river Goddess for safe journey ? We never asked and till today have not. Some things are just left unanswered.

When in Rome for the shoot for ‘The Great Gambler”, I remember doing a  sequence by the Trevi and later traditionally making a wish as I swished my coin into the waters only to turn back and discover little boys, enterprisingly dropping fishing like rods into the fountain with a magnet, to pull all the coins away as their pocket money. Did our wishes go along with those kids ?? Today as we drive by, Joseppe, or fondly Pepe, our guide and chauffeur reveals how during his younger days he along with his gang of friends would be part of this magnetic exercise, filling up their pockets with the change and running for their lives from chasing carabinieri - the cops ! Now of course greater vigilance prevails. Late at night when the Trevi is less inhabited, the authorities clean the base floor of the fountain, collect all the money and send it to the Red Cross !

‘The Great Gambler’, Italy … Rome and Venice … so many stories come flashing by of those times … but for that, will have to devote a separate day !

Today though, let us just dwell by the flowing waters of the fountain and the soft quietness of a terrace dinner by the Piazza Navona !

Buono Notte !! And my love flowing endlessly, much like the hundreds of fountains in this city

Amitabh Bachchan