Of Potluck Lunches and Pleasant Afternoons

Those were the days not so long ago, when BMRF lunches would be cosy gatherings with wholesome home-cooked food and happy hours spent in pleasant company. These lunches would invariably follow the sub-committee meetings held every quarter. Some of the members would have travelled far to attend the meetings and it was welcome relief to have a bite before the long drive home.

Parenting and ECCD would be on the table with furious discussions amongst the august company of the late Dr Anandalakshmy as our President , Dr Indu Balagopal, Ms Jaya Krishnaswamy, Ms Usha Ramakrishnan, Ms Maya Gaitonde, Ms Lakshmi Gopal, Dr Rama Narayan and other sub committee members. I, as a novice amongst this formidable group of child development experts and having recently joined, had an eye out for the lunch arrangements.

Once the meeting was adjourned everyone would head to the nicely-appointed, well-lit, entrance parlour on the first floor, where the lunch would be laid out. The food was simple and fresh but tasted like heaven, with great company and interesting conversations. It could be a humble potato fry with a puli sadam and thayir sadam, the menu never mattered, the time just flew! The camaraderie was palpable and everyone knew about each other’s families and were concerned for their welfare. One poignant memory of one of these lunches I have is of Dr Anand handing me a letter she wrote to me as a form of condolence when my mother passed away. It was beautifully worded and gave much solace. Gradually, for no particular reason, these post-meeting get-togethers faded away.

All that remains now are these lingering reminiscences. Maybe a new, younger set of members may revive this precious tradition. Till then, it is nostalgia at its peak!