The Little Notes on Happiness

I often go to Matunga with my brother or mother or sometimes both, or sometimes father accompanies us. Matunga is an area in Mumbai, situated within walking distance from our home. It is a happening place with many restaurants that mostly serve South Indian cuisine, many chaat centres, a huge Matunga market selling exotic fruits and vegetables that may be hard to find elsewhere, ever-crowded temples, hustling gift shops and clothing stores that change their window display themes according to festivals and seasons, food stores and a lot more. I can write a whole essay about Matunga, but today, I want to focus on another aspect of Matunga that I love - the roadside booksellers! Who needs fancy, furnished book stores when you have access to a huge collection of old and new books while taking a stroll on the footpath? I remember buying books and comics from them since I was a child. Most of them lay a huge plastic sheet on the footpath and neatly arrange the books. One or two of them have stalls that resemble a kiosk.

One evening, as usual, I was out with my brother for our walk. On the way, I felt like doing something else. So when we were midway, instead of turning left to go to our usual walking space - the Five Gardens, I suggested we walk straight ahead and reach Matunga. Of course, my younger brother had no objection; he always supports my spontaneous plans. My brother demanded we eat sev puri. So, we went to Gupta chaat centre and shared one sev puri chaat. Thankfully, I had some money in my pocket. Then, we walked through the crowded streets while chit-chatting. While heading back home, we walked on my favourite footpath with all the booksellers. I wanted to buy the latest Ruskin Bond book, called ‘How to Be a Writer’. I asked every bookseller about it, but sadly, none of them had it. Finally, I reached the kiosk-like bookstall which had a larger collection of books. I thought that he would definitely have this book. To my surprise, he didn’t! But, he being a good businessman, showed me other Ruskin Bond books as well. The title of one of the books caught my attention - ‘A Little Book of Happiness’. I immediately bought it without a second thought. Firstly, it was by Ruskin Bond and secondly, it was about happiness! Anyone who broaches the subject of life and happiness has my attention. I use the word ‘broach’ because somehow, something that is or should be perennial has become uncertain and occasional.

After dinner that day, I opened the book for the first time. Of course, I had bought it without even taking a sneak peek. It felt so warm as I read the introduction. Someone had asked Ruskin Bond the question that I often ponder about - “What is the secret of happiness?”. I was already excited, even before the book began! After the intro, I reached the start of the book and realised it was a compilation of quotes and notes by various people on life and happiness. A few pages later, I reached an empty section titled Notes, beautifully calligraphed. I flipped through the book and found many such empty sections! What a wonderful idea, I thought to myself. I wanted to write something there. Suddenly, an idea struck me. I thought of making my own collection of various people’s secrets of happiness. It was 2 weeks for the year 2020 to end, and I wanted this to be the final post of the year! However, the idea fell through due to my lack of planning and self-discipline.

This year, in April 2021, when it felt like déjà vu because the second wave of corona had hit India badly and the lockdown was declared once again, this idea came back to me. This time, I tweaked the question, and it made absolute sense to me. I changed it to - “What did you learn about happiness through this pandemic?” I put it up on Instagram and got a few responses there.

When I told Papa about this activity, he didn’t like the framing of the question. Instead, he suggested that I ask - “What made you happy in this pandemic?” I do take his words seriously, but I also did not find many flaws in the question I had asked either. So I decided to keep both. This time, I sent a personal message through WhatsApp to all the people who had not responded on Instagram, but I wanted to include theirs in my book. I had a fun time compiling everyone’s answers and neatly writing them with a bold red pen in the ‘Notes’ sections. It made me so happy.

With the hope to make you happy too, I have put together everyone’s responses for you to read!

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Pages 17-20: A short introduction of the activity.

PS: All the images are slideshows, please click on the black arrow to go ahead!

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Pages 29-31: Responses by Anil Kodnani (Papa), Meera Kodnani (Mummy), Gaurav Kodnani (younger brother)

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Pages 41-44: Responses by Soniya, Apoorva Karanjkar, Kirupali Pujara, Arohi Dhore, Vinita Sethuraman, Shruti Motta, Varsha Elango, Bhoomi Kanakia

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Pages 53-56: Uthiraa Mahalingam, Rayna Batavia, Athira Krishnan, Leo Borges, Asmita, Abhishek Mohanty, Arya

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Pages 65-68: Skandha, Aranya, Karunya, Tanya, Tanvi Shinde, Devika Deshpande

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Pages 77-80: Aishwarya Bindana

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Pages 89-92: Nirbhay Bhogal

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Pages 101-104, Page 116: Shanmathy Kumaravel

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Pages 113-115: Parth Kodnani, Darsh Kodnani

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Pages 125-128, Pages 137-140: Ananya Prabhu, Yugandhara Sarode

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Pages 149-152: Tanisha Kamat, Akanksha Rangpariya

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I got so engrossed in writing everyone's answers, that I forgot to write my own note on happiness in it. Hence, I am going to write it now. I have a simple one line response.

Having a supportive, jovial, excited and chirpy family is a real boon.

Vaibhavi Kodnani

That's it. I have nothing more to say. So many other things made me happy, but it all actually revolves around my family. If not for them, nothing else would have been as much fun!

Another friend of mine, Aradhana, responded after I had finished the entire book. There were no pages left, but I will write her answer on a post-it note and stick it in my book.

Little things like eating good food and laughing at jokes with my family made me happy. Also, the hope that once I start my Masters program, things will be better!

Aradhana Choudhury

I thank all my family and friends for participating in this little happiness activity. I hope all those who are not feeling in high spirits right now feel better soon! We have to hang in there, everything will be okay.

Also, thank you, Ruskin Bond.