Gng back to Pune after Diwali. And in the midst of all the missing-home angst, the anticipatory Monday morning blues and the worry abt the potential killer traffic build up en route from Mumbai to Pune, the passing scenery happens to catch my eye.

Not tht thrz anythng photogenic abt Mumbai at the best of times. Even a confirmed Mumbai bhakt like me can't self deceive to that extent.

But passing by the chawls facing the express highway nr Kalanagar, I see row after row of doors with identical lanterns blinking outside their doors. Cross some 5-6 such complexes bfore I hit the red lights, and the shape, size, color of the lantern changes. That's it.

All different chawl complexes have the lanterns placed across, in nr perfect symmetry. A sight so unexpected, and welcome, tht it brings a smile to my face. I imagine their manager/residents society head/bunch of enthu kids gng door to door collecting money, opinions and manpower for the task. And I wonder whether the spirit of a festival isn't more than just celebrating it with family and friends.

Somehow, neighbors have ceased to be the support group they've been always to my mind. Or is it tht affluence and a busy life comes at the cost of simple everyday non transactional human contact. Pata nahi.

All I know is tht it triggered a bout of admiration and maybe a touch of envy.

On to more frivolous thoughts, and a tiresome journey :)