The presidency is temporary – but the family is permanent.

If family is the tapestry of society then India is woven from a particularly strong fabric.

When it comes to the social complexities and framework of the Indian Family –I have to admit it is a topic that is still beyond my comprehension in truth. 

In Delhi it has been a privilege to receive such a strong welcome by my Indian family. Truly the extent of the hospitality, warmth and affection from my Mausa Ji  Mossi Ji, bhaia (older brothers) and my salis (sisters) is nothing short of overwhelming. I am aware that many have gone to great trouble to clear busy schedules and travel distance. And yet, we are shown only, the capacity and willingness to accommodate us further.

To put it bluntly, I have been introduced to strangers, in a country, continent and culture, that is quite some distance from my own, and yet I have been truly embraced as family right from introductions. The bonds of family blood are universally strong wherever you are on the globe. But here it is truly the cornerstone foundation to India. That’s not a statement I can truly do justice here. Its something of an experience I can promise you.

So I certainly consider myself the recipient of very good fortune to have been led to meet such genuinely outgoing and affectionate people on my lifes path. Yet such is the extent its been shown to me, In the first instance I do wonder to what obligation is it driven by, that it should be afforded so readily to the likes of me?

After the second instance, I come away with a new dilemma. Such is the high esteem been created from those I have met, how an earth am I to ever match it..?

   

Mausa Ji and Jay are introduced. Mossi Ji and Kamya Didi lay on a lovely feast. Jay at play at his Mausa ji residence play park while of course representing the Welsh with his Wales Rugby top.

Pretty smiles and big hearts. Nina and my salis (sisters). Rani Didi, Roshni Didi, Kamya Didi at Dilli Haat market. 

                                    

Rani and Kris, Kamya, Neen and Jay at the India gate taking a boat ride. Roshni and a tuckered out little jay at the presidents palace.

Guddhu & Archana’s little Kris. I could make this little guy the subject of a blog by himself. He’s a little classic. Quite the little prince and doesn’t he know it too. One instance at a restaurant, he promptly joined a different table on noticing that they were having their sweet served. In fairness these diners were a good sports sharing up their dessert.  Naturally the diners took amusement at his fearlesness antics and being good sports, offered up a heroic sized portion of their chocolate cake desert. 

Our stay in Delhi has been nothing short of an absolute Joy. The privelege to see and experience a wide range of Delhi's sights is of course special. But to have the blessing of family and their truly astonishing level of welcome, well as they say... This is priceless! 

Above we are at the India Gate in New Delhi. A memorial to honour the Indian armed forces whom  fallen in battle during WW1 and the 3rd anglo Afghan war of 1919. The presidential palace lies a great distance behind the monument facing the gate down a french style boulevard of considerable granduer ! 

We were also here at the Palace but my camera was not up tocapturing the sheer scale of the building.

But it would of certainly liked to have tried to capture the splendour of the Temple Akshardham. It would seem this is Delhi's secret from westerners. No phones or cameras are allowed and security is thorough.  Every few seconds I was reaching for my camera such is the spectacle of 20,000 statues sculpted into the sandstone rock. 

The standout was the Muscal fountain show (weekend evenings only) which is nothing less than stunning. Sat in an ampitheatre filled with a perhaps 2000 people, and a huge golden statue of 5 metres high to our left. The fountains projected dancing bursts of water and light reflecting mists all symbiotic of the 7 stages of a life cycle. Each element was represented through patterns of sprayed mists. What a special experience and we were the further beneficiaries of our Salis explanations of the Hindu commentary, and our Manu and Guddu Bhaia's humour added to the mix. 

"In every conceivable manner, family is the link to our past, bridge to our future." - Alex Haley