Sunday, February 19, 2012

Freia raises a toast. Cheers !

Last night my cousin Rohwin got married to his childhood sweetheart, Shirin. And my daughter Freia, raised the toast. I thought it was short, sweet and funny. Is that just what a doting and hence biased father thinks or was it really good ? Read on to find out.

"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. Since we have a lady toastmaster today, let's have the ladies standing, so I request all you beautiful women to kindly stand including you Shirin & Ashvini, so the gentlemen can have a seat for a change.

Today, I’m going to tell you a story. A story of a Bollywood film. One that’s so different that Hollywood is going to copy, oops get inspired by it. A film that is in the making as we speak. And each of you Ladies and Gentlemen are an integral part of this film. Welcome to KG to Shaadi.

Like all good films, let me introduce the characters. The Martis’ and the Kundukulams. Both extremely loving and kind families, who have 2 children each and bring them up in the Maximum City, Mumbai.

The Martis’ parents are both bankers. Peddy uncle, is the extremely popular father. He pampers his kids, is famous for his huge collection of water bottles, but more so for his huge heart. He retired from the Bankers Bank, the Reserve Bank of India. Agnes aunty, who works for Syndicate Bank, cooks up fantastic traditional meals. They have 2 kids, Rodney and Rohwin.

Rodney, an engineer by profession works with Search giant Google, and is married to the pretty and petite Poorvi. And a twist in the tale. Poorvi works for Google’s competitor and rival, Microsoft. Whilst the Martis’ live happily on the banks of the Mithi River, the high tech couple live in the hi-tech city of Cyderabad.

Mr. Paul Kundululam has an equally wonderful family. His wife Ally who is not amongst us today, is the person responsible for bringing up her 2 children Shirin and Shebin as role models and guiding and inspiring them. I’m sure her blessings and good wishes are with the couple today.

Mr. Paul runs an extremely successful upholstery business. His son Shebin has done a BE in Information Technology. He currently works with Prosares solutions in Mumbai and loves playing computer games, when he’s not working. Not sure if this is only at work or also after work.


And now for the hero and heroine. Cut to age 5. Both are students of OLGC. Boy sees Girl. Sees nothing. Girl sees boy. Says Hi. Boy ignores. You see, there were other boys around. Girl complaints. Boy apologizes. Good start. Girl decides, He’s the one. Boy decides, I’ll be a bachelor forever.

Now since I was given just 5 minutes, I’ll have to fast forward to the present. Well a few months back. The Kindergarten couple, as we shall now refer to them have used the Social media to its fullest. Facebook, G-Talk, E-mail, SMS. Smart kids. Use free stuff, at work whilst your parents and boss are so happy at how hard you work.

And so it was a fitting finale, that Rohwin popped the question or rather sent the question on chat “Will you”. That’s when Shirin decided that enough was enough and replied, “Will you what ?” Pick up the damn phone. And so he did. And she agreed. And decided that it was but natural that the engagement announcement also be shared with the world. On Facebook. And then the wedding website was created. Where they shared the story of their lives. And gave me the material to make this Bollywood love story.

And I believe that Shirin who loves writing is planning on writing a Bollywood film some day. I hope my story will get me an assistants job.

And for those who are wondering as to what Rohwin and Shirin did when they were not wooing each other, Rohwin is an IT Engineer working for TCS India’s largest IT company whilst Shirin is a Chartered Accountant who was working for ICICI, India’s largest Financial Institution. I can see a Part 2, where the Indian Giants TCS and ICICI take on the Global Giants Google and Microsoft.

Until then Shirin is joining Rohwin at his assignment as they fly off to the US, to continue their love story. Now, I am not one who can give any advice to the couple. But just a wish on behalf of each of you, Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me, in wishing Shirin and Rohwin Bon Voyage, as they set out on the greatest journey of their lives.

You’ve been together right since kindergarten days and have now decided to go from sharing crayons to SMS's, to emails, and finally your lives. May you find happiness and love and have a long and successful married life and one day share walking sticks.

Ladies and Gentlemen let’s raise our glasses to the health, wealth and happiness of this lovely couple.

Cheers!"

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