Tuesday, 27 August 2019

The Color Purple

The Color Purple


Evanston, with a population of approximately 74000 is in the state of Illinois, 

12 miles north of Chicago downtown.


The drive to it from O’Hare International airport can take 35 to 50 minutes.


The city’s claim to fame (according to me) is because it is home to Northwestern University/Kellogg School of Management, it is the International Headquarters of Rotary,
and it lies on Lake Michigan which lends it not just a very scenic constant but also the most breathtaking moments of sunrise and sunset…especially in summer.




Grand Mother - Kiran Mehta - Mallika Bhandari  -The Graduate

 



Photographer - Mallika Bhandari






Lest we forget that it is a university town the large rocks at the lake’s landfill have messages painted on them by the students.


 

Many of these are the typical :
 

Jack loves Jill......

 Marriage proposals…

….. and there are some with a philosophical bent…







The city turns purple in June when Northwestern students graduate….
There is excitement…and every one celebrates….
We were there for my grand nieces’ graduation..and our hotel was in full support of the event.







PURPLE ACCENTS











































CHEERS TO THE GRADUATE





We had decided …like many many others to be Northwestern.
The University giveaways were visors , little fans…
and we the parents, uncles, aunts… of the graduates  ensured that there was a touch of ‘purple’ in our wardrobe.



 June 21, Commencement Ceremony. 




June 22 - The Convocation.. 

From Left to Right - MOTHER -GRAND  MOTHER- GRAND AUNT



 The Convocation was full house and as expected there was applauding and cheering each time your loved ones' name was called out. Your neighbours also joined in, though a little less vociferously.

There was one  graduate that got every ones applause -

 a young man who after he was handed his degree whipped open his gown to reveal a shirt with ‘I LOVE YOU MOM” stencilled in bold black letters right across it.





























15 comments:

  1. was absolutely a delight to read the blog..the town was painted purple indeed, what an amazing way to celebrate the graduation ceremony and welcome the next phase of life with so much fun and happiness..and loved the color co ordinated outfits, mam you are looking super:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such an interesting read! Congratulations to you, your niece and you family!! Purple is the color of royalty and all of you looked royal and regal!! Graduations make beautiful memories!! Lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. congratulations to MALLIKA and all at home. the photgraphs give the suphoric mood of the family and hope my words to are expressing the emotions . hope to see more events like these in the family of love, care , fun and more fun.

    ReplyDelete
  4. fantastic moments wwhich we would like to remember again and again on MALLIKA,S acheivement

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Maam. It was a fun and interesting read.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful description of a special celebration in your family Kamal. Heartiest congratulations to all.Thanks for sharing this interesting family experience.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very interesting . Thanks for this beautiful purple piece

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello..sad that your name got missed out..but you you hit the nail with "purple"

      Delete
  8. Thanks for sharing your experiences Kamal. I love purple; it's also a color of women's suffrage and rights in general.

    All the best to Mallika in her endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy your pieces too. I travel the world..first class...totally free

      Delete
  9. Heartiest Congratulations to NextGen kids for well deserved success. A pleasure to go through your blog. It is like being teleported there. Happy Travelling & Happy blogging

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Mr. Sahay...I really like your comments...I am encouraged.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Purple is a beautiful color. Good to see you all in purple. Wonderful to read you posts. Keep writing :)
    -Seema

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely piece of information about whole city turning a purple for special convocation period , beautiful family pics Ma'am.. Great to see you having fun time with family.
    Congratulations to your Grand Niece for her Graduation .

    ReplyDelete