The Unwelcome Guest

Indian's take pride in serving their guests. "Athiti devo bhva" meaning guest's are equivalent to god , signifying utmost respect and care for the guests who are at your doorstep. The word "Athiti" itself meaning a guest or a person who has come as a surprise or someone visiting you without prior intimation. But hey! think again, i think these kinds of "Athiti" who show up at your doorstep without prior intimation or invitation are almost extinct. I personally don't like to barge into someone's home without them least expecting me. With cellphones around, at least a call or text prior the visit is the norm.
But things was different when i was growing up in Chennai. When guests were guests and didn't have make appointments to come see you. A time when there was less judging and more loving. We had friend's or family visiting us and depending on the time of the day, my mother or grandmother usually quickly patch something up for them to eat. They were welcomed and rarely they left without having tea or having lunch or dinner. I particularly remember my grandma cooking up hot pakoras and the orange colored Rava Kesari or Sooji Halwa, a sweet delicacy which she would make with such ease as with any other sweets and snacks she used to make. All served with piping hot tea. I was glad that we have guests so i get a chance to gobble this up. But its only now i realize those were memories in the making, the ones that would last a lifetime. It was not just about food, but the usually unexpected guests also brought with them some news as to why they suddenly happened to be at our place. The common ones being  they visiting some place nearby and happened to drop by. Sometimes some of the more close ones need some help or would be in some kind of distress. The grownups often had their talks while i was usually busy playing away. And then the guests came with invites. Yes before the era of evites, invitations usually were given by meeting in person. A good news to share "my son is getting married" or "a christening of our new born child" or even a housewarming. Happiness has a strange quality of doubling when its shared. We used to feel happy and brighten our days hearing something good from the guests.
My grandma always made something fresh even for the late afternoon visitors. The ease with which she would make and serve these and her tireless spirit still lives in my mind. It was a whole different time where there was so much joy in giving, Somehow i feel though we are so connected to the far off friends and family, this generation lacks the personal touch and warmth we shared with people. The differences  were lesser and human interactions and communications were better. Now with the modern lifestyle people look at guests with more of a discomfort to a rather leisurely Sunday evening which can whiled off watching TV or looking at the walls of the countless Facebook friends. Offering a cup of tea is more of chore than enjoying the pleasure of an actual conversation. We are absorbed in formalities that we forget the joys of simple living.
Ofcourse the ever busy lives of ours are partially to blame, but is life all about ourselves? The human connections are on the decline, having guests over is a liability to fulfill, a social norm. Though we are welcomed, the whole hearted simple loving welcome's are lost somewhere...

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