December 21. “Have you heard our national anthem in Lataji’s voice? It’s mind-blowing.”

“No, I haven’t but I’ve heard the other version sung by Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj and a lot of others but not this one.”

“My hair stands on edge every time I hear the song and I can’t help but sing along. They had stopped playing the anthem in cinema halls because people didn’t give it due respect but it is being played once again.”

“Feeling good because your ma will be here in a couple of days?”

“I am glad that we all finally persuaded her to come. I would have felt miserable had she stayed back in Kolkata all by herself.”

“By the way, another 10 days and we’ll see the back of 2009.”

“And another 2 days before they pull down the ply and put back the windows.  Happy?”

“Ecstatic!”