In which Jennifer Nandi takes her DIY book tour to Bangalore, or Bengaluru (that’s like saying potato)
My sojourn in the Nilgiris was drawing to a close. Despite the rain, my friend from Dubai Sangita Chima and I ventured out from her home in Wellington, each morning, trekking up and down the steep slopes for hours, returning thoroughly drenched, our shoes caked in mud. On days when even we had to admit that braving the downpour was absurd, I refused to let my routine slip—I traded the misty trails for lifting weights and practising yoga, determined to keep up my daily exercise, no matter the weather.
Next on my schedule was Bangalore, from where I’d leave for Coorg, Palakkad, and onto Kochi. Sangita booked us for two nights at the stunning Leela Palace, Bangalore. Not to miss any opportunity of promoting my book, No Half Measures, we did a photoshoot taking full advantage of its opulent niches and exquisite corners to create photographs that exuded richness and grandeur. The palace’s breathtaking architecture and luxurious ambience provided the perfect backdrop for capturing those truly majestic images. And then we set off for the Catholic Club in Bangalore, where the book event was scheduled, all arranged by the gracious and generous Beena Belliappa, the President of the Old Lawrencians’ Association.
Despite Bangalore’s notorious traffic, the hall at Catholic Club quickly filled with people. They made their way straight to the table where I was seated, and eagerly purchased my books. I signed copy after copy, and still, more people came. Many were old Lawrencians, but there were others too. Among them was my long-lost doctor cousin from St. John’s Hospital—so tall, that as a joke, I stood on a chair to embrace him.
And then there was my very good friend Bijoy. I’ve mentioned him in an Instagram post when he visited me at Greater Noida and we went birdwatching together. The man is characterised by brilliance and high intelligence but I don’t think he knows it! His comic pyrotechnics have me in splits. I just love him. Have done for 20 years. One must always have someone like Bijoy in one’s life.
The warmth and enthusiasm of everyone there made the event truly memorable. But more than anything else that truly had meaning for me were the young men and women who came up to remind me that they remembered going on birdwatching walks with me at Lovedale, that the experiences had stayed with them and that’s why they were here, buying books!
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Birding in the wild is very seductive because the excitement of birdwatching is based on unpredictability. As you stroll around with binoculars you never know when something new and exciting might show up. That’s hope. And that’s the pleasure.
Birding in the wild is very seductive because the excitement of birdwatching is based on unpredictability. As you stroll around with binoculars you never know when something new and exciting might show up. That’s hope. And that’s the pleasure. It’s at times like these that I’m so grateful I didn’t force myself into a single role, to decide to be just one thing in life, for that would have killed off large parts of me! As I watch birds, there’s always a part that wants to reach and teach.
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