101and 102/100
#100sareepact
Long post lots of pictures : Be warned

So yes , the magic continues . Still a few more weeks left in 2015 .
Like I have said and will keep saying , the Saree Pact has made me look at my sarees with love , appreciation and a sense of deep gratitude for all that I have . My life, my loves, my family and friends and my work and my Saree Pact family. And the fact that I am able to indulge in some really enjoyable “Show and Tell ” Love the showing as much as the telling and enjoy all the compliments and Likes. Would be lying if I did not acknowledge this. Love the Saree Pact for this opportunity to enjoy my sarees and their draping . That’s what the Saree Pact is all about for me.
And I am learning so much about the sarees and their weaves and their origins and the talented artists and the weavers who make this possible . Till Anju told me the sarees I was admiring with her at Cinnamon in Bangalore the other day , I really had no idea they were Telia Rumals and why they were called those . Oily Handkerchiefs I would have first thought . So ignorant I am generally of so many things . So much to learn . Always . Ok , so I continue to enjoy my sarees and share them with everyone along with their stories. And that’s it . As simple as that.
Wore my new Telia Rumals ( thank you Anju for introducing me to them ) and here is the when and why and wherefore …
End of last week I was in Ahmedabad for the launch of our annual Maximise Life Campaign. This year we are showcasing, acknowledging and honouring those who have raised their voices against the stigma of cancer and been trailblazers living their lives with cancer . Three , amongst so many actually , from Gujarat who were happy to share . One of them , Ushakant Bhai who gave up his business when he was diagnosed 15 years ago and decided to help those less fortunate than him by setting up Karunakare . Well into his Seventies , indefatigable and tireless , my Bhai who calls me Amma .

And then there is Karan whom I met first ( and last till yesterday) when he was maybe 9 years old and newly diagnosed . The sweetest little chap ever brimming with laughter and eyes full of mischief . Then I met him again recently and virtually when he found me on Face Book. But nothing can take away the impact of meeting him face to face as I did on Saturday . After 12 years . A 22 year old strapping young man; an Engineering student and a National Level Sharp Shooting champion . Those eyes not changed one bit . His dozen years of combating and living with the Big C not diminished the glow nor changed his demeanour .

In all these months of draping and documenting my sarees and the stories , I have never worn one while flying . My Glaucoma challenged eyes tell me to be careful . What with all those escalators and stairs and buses and trolleys …but on Saturday, I had to leave for the airport straight from the Civil Hospital where we had our event and no time to change into the jeans and top.

I went into the Ladies Room to pin up the errant Pallu and met the UmiyaBen . The Staff who was in charge of the restroom , polishing the mirror and wiping dry yclean the wet surfaces . And her Saree draped oh so impeccably .

She said why are you pinning up this beautiful Pallu ? When I said because I was afraid it might come in the way what with the hand baggage I was carrying she said , So? Wear it like I am . I do all my work and the Saree never comes in the way . Gujarathi Style ma , she said , smiling .

No , how can the ingenious Saree ever come in the way of anything. Even though I did not do the Seedha Pallu Gujarathi Style ma as UmiyaBen suggested , I managed pretty well on the flight back to Bombay , collecting a few compliments on the Saree as well .