Happy birthday, Tara! Which Tara are you? Green Tara or the White Tara? For us, you are Our Tara. This was written when you were just one-year old. We’re then just a blur of images. Yesterday, you were 11. As the years rolled by, we got to know each other. After all, we are connected by destiny. (This is an edited version of the 11-year old article). You were born in the land of the dikes and we lived in the Himalayas. And you came back home after a month of your birth. Now you visit us every year to begin connecting from where we left off last year. While we thought you were too fair, some of your mother’s friends felt you were too dark. No problem, sweetheart. The world is browning. But what does that matter? I had hoped I will be around to take you to the ball game. I am still around but never got around to do that. Neither did I get to build a tree-house I promised. I thought I will fall off the tree before you get to climb it. You know, the girls play football nowadays. Your aunt Sangay was a member of her school cricket team. I don’t know how she learnt to play it. We never had even a bat or a ball at home. I guess when there is a heart, everything works out fine. You are also someone who worked out fine. You were the result of the convergence of hearts. I feel that is what is missing out in the world. We have more divergence than convergence. We could do a lot with a little bit of love. As we become globalized but love still has not gone global. It seems so with all the fighting in the world, despite all the peace talks that take place. You know the world has become too noisy. No one wants to listen to any one. The saner and wiser voices are getting drowned. We are ever ready to shout, even fight, to make our point. And never find time to listen to the other side’s point of view. Well, why should we bother if no one comes to trample all over our backyard? Right? Wrong. If something is wrong with the world, the problem will come to your doorstep one day. So, look out for that day and prepare for it. We will not be around then. Of course, you may not even need this advice. Now you don’t even have to feel embarrassed. This is what I want to say. You are a beautiful girl. I am not saying it just out of filial love for you. After all, you have the beauty of tulip blooms in the Netherlands and the ruggedness of the Himalayas in your blood. You also have love and compassion in your heart. That’s why you visit us with your family and leave behind those cute notes of thankyous. East or west, home is best, it is said. But then the world is your home today. You have been moving from one place to another, not as a footloose traveler, but as someone who wants to know her universe., before you decide to settle down. Happy birthday again.