I was born in a large family and remained there for the first ten years of childhood. Then my parents shifted to the city for career options and thus my apartment life started. One thing I miss in our flat is the evening play hours at my grandma’s. It was a noisy naughty affair, with eight children roaring, shouting and often quarrelling. Dinner time was also an event there. But, privacy is an advantage in the city apartment. My sister and I have more time to spend together and parents are able to care for us more than they did in the village home. In spite of his busy schedule, dad finds time to take us for monthly picnics without fail. There is a park and a small ground in our compound and every evening we children gather there and play cricket for one hour or so. The residence association is there and they conduct cultural events on important days.

I don’t remember exactly when my parents came to the town in search of better jobs. Our family had some financial struggles and they were actually compelled to leave their village.