Dear Ganpati Bappa,
This is my first time in past 10 years that I am away from home, a home called Pune, where Ganeshotsav, truly lives by its meaning! In the past 10 years of me being a 'Puneiite', without fail, I have seen the fervour and the zest with which the Puneiites celebrate the festival, and have loved every single moment of it!!!
This year, however, due to my personal as well as professional pursuits, I am not around the scene. I am at a place, where people are really indifferent, and consider 2nd September 2008, as any other normal day in their lives! I miss the enthusiasm and the colours of joy all around me. They are so infectious! It is at this time, I realise the power and importance of the Divine One such as you. They say, you truly miss someone/something when you are not around! Well, I hate to admit it, but it's the truth!
And when I realise that, I really have tears in my eyes, for the grief of missing something so truly pure and amazing is overwhelming!
There are so many things that I miss of this festival of life! The decorations, The Idols, The bhajans and aartis, the 'modaks', the fragrance of agarbattis and flowers everywhere, the electrifying energy in the people, but mostly importantly, I miss my family and friends, who have been around with me during this time of my life, every year! And, I miss you!
So, all this said, with my humblest self and I pray to you Lord Almighty, that it is my most sincerest wish to celebrate the next Ganesh Chaturthi being with all the people that I love to be with! People that I can identify myself with! Hope you grant me my wish!
Forever a Believer,
Aditya
