Bhai

It's been a tough year, this one.
2020 has kept me away from not only my family but my festivals, rituals and traditions as well.

We celebrated the festival Veer Pasli virtually for the first time, and while it was heartening to still manage to get everyone together, it broke my heart a little bit to be so far away from the people I've seen year after year.

So while I can't be there to tie a rakhi personally to all my brothers, here's something I put together to show them that they're still some of the most important people in my life and I cannot ever do without them.

Bhowmik, what stands out most about you is how helpful you are. Every single person who has met you has fallen in love with what an amazing person you are! How easy it is to talk to you, your simplicity and humility make you one of the most easy-going people I have met. I see in you a passion to constantly learn more, and I can easily come to you for advise on the fields you've chosen to immerse yourself in as I know you have thoroughly researched everything before getting back to me. I can also come to you if I want an honest opinion on something. You aren't afraid to stand out or speak your mind, you aren't afraid to be unapologetically YOU and I love that. I am so glad we've stayed in touch despite the distance and I am sure you're going to create a stir in the creative world!

Dhaval, with you I've never heard the word 'No'. No matter how difficult something seems to me, you turn up and say 'ho jayega' and it magically does! You're someone I can count on no matter what. You have stood by me through some crazy roller coaster moments and I know that you will always be there. Your spirit, your enthusiasm and your easy-going nature makes everyone feel at home when they're around you. I may fight with you now & then to have my way, but that's how comfortable I feel with you. Thank you for always being our support system!

Keval, how easy it is to pull your leg and we all do, but what I love about your nature is how you always take it with a smile. You're smart and focused and still find so much time to talk to all of us everyday. So proud of the goals you've set for yourself and getting to them one after another. Your ambition is motivating. I'm so glad to have you around even if its just us pulling each other's leg. Being just 8 days apart, we've surely formed a unique rapport and I'm excited to see what the future has in store for you.

Jinish, you understand my soul and it isn't even important for me to speak a word, for you to know what I want to say. Just knowing that you're there, even though its far away, just the thought of knowing that you are around is sometimes enough to get me through hard days. You randomly message me when I am feeling my lowest and I sometimes wonder how you know. The fact that you've had the courage to stay away from family and build yourself and your future is so inspiring. Your courage is not something I see in myself or in many people of our generation. Keep at this and I'm sure you're going to make a mighty fine future for yourself! I miss our long walks at Shivajipark and drives to Worli Sea Face. To me, Bombay = Jinish.

Dhruv, your laugh, your demeanour, your attitude - you make everyone want to be your friend! You have a contagious personality and you can step into any room and make it come alive. So easily you befriend a 1 year old and equally easily a 90 year old. You see no difference in people or age or personality, to you everyone is good and you are good to everyone. There's so much I can learn from you and the confidence with which you live your life. Thank you for always making it to our 24th December Church visits, even if no one else could. I can always always count on you to be there, day or night and for that I'm ever so grateful.

Mayur, we only recently started speaking a lot more and the comfort that you bring with your personality is so rare. You're a fighter and I can see that in every decision you have made in your life. To be able to make it on your own is hard but you have a never-give-up attitude and that's what I find so inspiring! You're kind, without ever letting it be evident. Your kindness is shown in small gestures and I never fail to appreciate that about you. Your thirst for knowledge is so evident, and I'm sure if you keep at it, you're going to reach any goal you set out for yourself. You are a live example of the quote - When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

Kulin, you are what they call a chupa rustam and I find it so exciting that each time I talk to you I have something new to learn or discover about you. You're quiet, you mind your own business and yet you're so observant. You're up to date with trends, with what's going on in the world and what works and what doesn't. I love your entrepreneurial spirit, and cannot wait to discuss/brain storm more ideas with you. I love the fact that you've dabbled in so many different ventures at such a young age, that this experience will add up and help you strike gold with the right idea very soon! Can't wait to see what more you have in store.

Deep, my man! You're exciting, eccentric and energetic. You have a thirst for life, a passion that you've let very few people see. Your talents are endless and I'm so glad that I've gotten to see a small glimpse of them. I know you see world from a view that's so different from everyone else's and yet you can find common ground with whoever you meet. I can't believe that the itty naughty Deep has grown into this 'deep' thoughtful human who seems to find his way through the strangest streets with ease. I can't wait to see you step out and become a world famous 'rapper'!

Hardik, my simple, kind brother. Sometimes I have this overwhelming feeling to protect you from the world, because of how pure you are! You are so fricking talented, your art, your attention to detail is insane. The world needs more people like you, people who can make everything beautiful just by being themselves. Your understanding of the world is already so heightened at such a young age, I can't wait to see the transformations you will enable as you get older. Your thoughtfulness is never unnoticed, and I'm sure it'll take you a long way in life. I can't wait to discover a lot more about who you are and I'm sure I can always learn so much from you.

 Tilay, my partner in crime. The last few years would have been impossible without you. If there's one thing I know for sure, it is that you're going to be SUPER successful in life. Your ability to learn, your dedication and hard work was so insane, I could never imagine myself doing that at such a young age. You're someone who is so eager to pick-up new things, always willing and never one to complain about anything! This attitude is so rare today and I am so proud of everything you have achieved till now. I couldn't imagine a better partner, a better friend - you've been there and seen me through everything! You're AMAZING! And I can't say it enough.

I love each and every one of  you to bits! And I'm so glad that I don't have just ONE, I have TEN brothers I can call my own. I am so grateful for everything you all add to my life, you are my lifelines.