Today is Republic Day in India, which is like Independence Day in the U.S. Many places around the city prepared for celebrations. Some places, I read, chose to tone festivities down out of respect for those who died in the tsunami and in the recent stampede at a Hindu temple near Mumbai.
We had breakfast with Mr. "K", Uncle Mamaya's wife's cousin's husband. Mr. "K" is a Muslim. He went to the Hajj last year during his stay in Oman last year. He was in Oman because his wife was there teaching English for a year. Mr. "K" had just taken voluntary retirement to spend a year in Oman. He took advantage of being so close to Mecca to take part in the Hajj, along with his wife. Uncle Mamaya said Mr. "K" became more devout in Islam after his Hajj pilgrimage. We invited Mr. "K" to tonight's reception, which he said he would try to come.
We spent the morning and afternoon getting ready for the reception tonight. We tested the VCR, computer, and projector to make sure it was working together properly. Dad rented a Ambassador cab for the day, allowing us to go back and forth to the Taj Tristar freely.
Time went by as more things needed to be done. I was getting concerned as the minutes and hours passed that we might not make it to the Taj Tristar at the 6:30 pm time. We managed to leave home around 6:30 pm. We stopped by the "5th Avenue Bakery" to pick up a cake. Things felt being rushed out, which didn't feel too good.
The reception, however, turned out much better than expected. About 150 came, although it seemed like more. More than half came after we started, even tho' it was a hour later than we had planned. We scrambled to get things set up. The only thing that didn't work right was the computer speakers; we used Dad's portable P.A. machine instead. We showed a Powerpoint presentation that "L" put together, along with the video of the wedding, and then part of the reception on the DVD. "L" and I cut the cake, fed each other, and exchanged garlands with each other, to the applause of the audience. Uncle Mamaya did a superb job MC'ing the entire affair, given that he had little time to prepare.
After the ceremony, everyone lined up to congratulate us and give us gifts. It was quite a line of people. Many were from SBF and Sram Ashram, others were relatives. I met Dad's side of the family. Dad's older brothers all gave me hugs. Dad's oldest brother hugged me the most. I was very touched and surprised by this. Their acceptance was something of a surprise to me, as "L" was worried how I, being a non-Indian foreigner, would be received as an in-law. It seems they received me quite warmly.
The highlight of the evening was the moment when everyone sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" on cue with the video at the point when it was sung at the Boxford wedding. I was moved to tears immediately upon the first strains of the hymn, which the group sang loudly. I guess it was the awe of witnessing two different bodies of believers, on completely different days, and in completely different countries (Boxford, USA and Hyderabad, India) and cultures sharing a common spiritual bond via this amazing and wonderful hymn of praise. It was truly magical and divine. I took took the mic afterwards and told our guests how much "L" and I were blessed by this unforgettable moment God provided for us. Everyone applauded in agreement.
Mr. "K" did make it to the reception, along with about a dozen of Dad's relatives. Some of Dad's relatives are Hindu, along with some of the hotel employees present, I'm sure. Along with Mr. "K", we hope they got to experience a bit of God's spirit in the ceremony.
The Taj Tristar staff were very accommodating and friendly, in spite of the sometimes-tense negotiations leading up to the event. They heartily wished us all well.
