Mom's introduction to Baby Metal - First of its kind - Concert outings

 Every now and then, Anand becomes the guest writer on my blog, and I always enjoy letting him tell his stories in his own way.

This time, he is sharing another stop in his ever-growing adventure list—and this one involves BABYMETAL, Halestorm, and Violent Vira at the Xfinity Center. So, I’ll step aside and let Anand tell you about it!

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"Next Stop: Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA. Many popular artists perform here as part of their music tours. The bands performing tonight at the Xfinity Center are Babymetal, Halestorm, and Violent Vira." — some commuter rail, subway, ferry, or bus announcer

"We like it loud, Massachusetts!" — Lzzy Hale, lead singer of Halestorm.

The one line I got as a text message as I sat with Mr. Husband at the Xfinity Center. From Anand. That being said, I don't know what it is with him these days. Everything Anand brings up in the family group chat pops up randomly, but as all parents know, we don't know everything about our kids. Any sort of events coming from them can pop up randomly, and we never know how serious our kids are until they put it on the family calendar.

Early July, Anand got a notification on YouTube, alerting him about a Japanese metal band named BABYMETAL performing in Massachusetts. Would Anand tell me about this band? No, he wouldn't! But was he serious about a concert in Massachusetts? Yes, he was!

Unlike his first concert outing in Cambridge last year and the Summer School Tour concert on July 7th, 2026, this concert outing was done differently. This took place at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield. Not too far from us. It's like one of those places you hear about, but you never actually visit. Well, I mean, in Anand's point of view. A lot of his high school friends are familiar with the Xfinity Center, since they'd hear about many musical artists performing there. Secondly, Anand was interested in going, but Mr. Husband and I were also interested. This took Anand by surprise. He never asked me why I wanted to come with him. Probably because he thinks I don't like metal music. As mentioned in my past blogs, Anand and I don't always see each other eye-to-eye, but that's normal to him. Not to me, though.

As for the three bands performing at the Xfinity Center, I knew nothing about them, not even Mr. Husband! Only Anand knows about BABYMETAL and a little bit of Halestorm, but he never tells me anything about the music he listens to. He just wanted to go to this concert! As with his solo concert experiences, Anand knew what to expect: loudness, crowds cheering, everything he says is "totally normal" at concerts. None of that was too important to Anand, though. Getting pictures of the band, so he could make a poster was important to him. Just like his convention and past concert adventures. And it's all thanks to Anand's skill trainer for introducing him to Canva, the website where he designs his posters.

A day after Anand turned 26, he and Dad purchased three tickets for us three. Most seats were already booked and very pricey, but that was not the main focus for Anand. Just getting seats for me, Dad, and himself. Likely the only time where Anand was flexible. Only during his solo concert outings would Anand go near the front of the bands performing. Thankfully, there was no argument about me coming with Anand. But why would he bother asking why I was interested in going with him? I mean, I wouldn't attend a concert to see a band I've never heard of before. Neither would Anand. It's probably why concert outings may have been very rare in our family from his point of view. As mentioned in my other story where Anand saw South Arcade in Cambridge back in October 2025.

Funny as it sounds, Anand thinks I only listen to Hindi music my whole life, but I also listen to American music he's familiar with, such Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, and other musical artists Dad has listened to. I asked Anand to send me a list of BABYMETAL songs so I could understand some of the mixed variety of music he listens to. After listening to a few of them, I told Anand I enjoyed some of the songs, including one that featured an Indian Folk metal band named "Bloodywood." That's when Anand told me that BABYMETAL is widely known for doing many "collabs" (as many music enthusiasts calls it) with other bands. Even a YouTube short that Anand sent me and Dad was another example.

After Anand's dentist appointment, the concert was all that Anand could think about…at least before Anand learned about the schedule. With the concert possibly ending past midnight, Anand told me and Dad that he can't do it. Thankfully, we're flexible. Anand would have enough sleep when we got home and before his next concert outing and I assured him once in a lifetime would we come home late.

We were seated in Section 304, Row U, and Seats 1, 2, and 3, then moved to Section 204, meaning Anand could get a bit closer to see the bands. Thursday was packed, to say the least. Anand knew the traffic going into the Xfinity Center would be crazy, so we left three hours before the concert started. We were also unsure of what to expect since this was our first visit to the Xfinity Center, but thankfully, there were food venues and concession stands. Around 7:20pm, the concert started and Anand was ready to take pictures of the band. Of course, there were times where Anand got annoyed with me, and a little bit with Dad, but other than that, once the show started, Anand started to feel less anxious about getting back home.

When the concert venue ended at 10:50pm, Anand was overjoyed. It made me so happy to see him having a great night at a concert, especially since we went as a family of three. Little did I know, concert outings and conventions will start to be more common in our family. Well, I mean, Anand going to these concerts and conventions by himself. At least I got to witness Anand's excitement in person, since I went with him and Dad. Family concert outings are to be far more rare for us, so I was happy to have this once-in-a-lifetime outing. At least there was no disagreement or arguments at the end of the concert. Little did we know, there was going to be more events after this 8th Stop in Anand's Open World Expansion Tour: Another concert outing in Boston…within a few hours.

From India to Boston, With Gratitude 🇮🇳❤️

Some moments make you pause and feel deeply grateful.

Yesterday was one of those moments — celebrating India Day at Boston Harbor and being felicitated by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I felt incredibly proud, humbled, and grateful for this recognition and for the journey that brought me to this moment.

For me, this day is not only about celebrating our heritage — it is about giving back, building connections, supporting one another, and making a difference in the community we call home.

A beautiful reminder that we can carry our roots in our hearts while building something meaningful here in Boston.

My firstborn and a mother from my group accompanied me. We had a fantastic train ride, but we were a little too early, so we decided to hang out in the North End of Boston — one of our favorite neighborhoods.

Italian sandwiches and tiramisu make a 90°F day a little easier! It was hot, but the ocean breeze was perfect.

After a fabulous lunch, the parade was much needed. It was time for some walking, chatting with friends, and soaking in the energy of the day.

It was a long day, but a wonderful one. It was beautiful to see folks from all walks of life coming together to celebrate India and our shared heritage.

And, of course, a cotton saree came out of my closet — a perfect blend of the colors of the Indian flag. 🇮🇳

From a train ride with my son and a DMN mom, to lunch in the North End, to standing at Boston Harbor being recognized for work that is so close to my heart — it was one of those days I will remember for a long time.

Grateful for the journey, grateful for the community, and grateful to call Boston home. ❤️🇮🇳

A cotton saree - colors from Indian flag. from Queen of Hearts - Deepa Mehta's collection. 

Guest writer Anand - Another Train, Another Convention, Another Anand Story

Another adventure, another train ride, and another story from Anand! This time, he takes us to Fan Expo Boston at the Thomas M. Menino Convention Center for another exciting day. What makes these adventures so special is seeing how confidently Anand continues to expand his world, one trip at a time. Here’s his latest “Open World Expansion Tour” story—straight from the traveler himself!

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"Next Stop: Thomas M. Menino Convention Center. The Fan Expo Boston is making its way at this iconic convention center. In a way, it's like Boston Comic-Con." — some commuter rail, subway, ferry, or bus announcer

I should be used to this by now. Putting in "Next Stop" every time Anand tells me about a new event happening might sound repetitive, but then again, I can't stop him from attending conventions, concerts, or taking the train to Boston again and again. He's public-transport-independent (that term has stuck to him now), knows the train systems (yet he always tells me he can navigate the train system to shut me up), puts his events on the calendar, and tells me and Mr. Husband about his upcoming events. A month after his concert and night-out in Boston and playing his newest video game, Anand finally attends the Fan Expo Boston in Seaport at the Menino Convention Center. The 7th stop of his "Open World Expansion Tour." I just can't catch a break from this man when he sends me his stories. Maybe I should just take a vacation every time Anand attends another Comic-Con or concert, but on the other hand, I am happy he is opening up his world even more, since these events were his idea.

As always, Anand took the train from Franklin to South Station. Unlike Anime Boston, Anand didn't have to walk very far. Seaport was close by, so he could walk there! Just like the past conventions he attended, Anand knew the lines would be very long and everybody else would be in costume. But what costume would Anand wear? The same Anime costume he wore for Anime Boston and WesternMass Comic Con, of course, but then again, you'd see some people in anime costumes and cosplay at Comic-Con events anyway. Even though getting pics with celebrities were expensive, Anand and I both know that he is still new to Comic-Con, despite this being his 4th convention adventure.

Unlike before, I didn't have to ask Anand to take pics of Comic-Con. As always, he'd be hesitant, worried that some would say no, but everything went well for him. Since a large majority of people would be in cosplay and costumes, they'd be willing to get pictures. Surprisingly enough, Anand was able to eat at Fenway Wahlburgers. Unfortunately, the Green Line was unavailable, so Anand had to eat at South Station. After eating and heading back to the Fan Expo, Anand made his way back to South Station, and boarded the train home safely.

These milestones are huge! This man just couldn't stop thinking about the many adventures he's been going on! What I hope to get Anand to do is maybe travel outside of Massachusetts, but he'll always say no . After all, Anand is his own person. I'm hoping he doesn't—oh wait. No, no, no. I think Anand's gonna tell me about Comic-Con…happening in Providence, RI again…as well as…more concert outings. Seriously, Anand? How many stories are you going to keep sending me?! I need a vacation...

Our village on the Dance Floor- Bollywood Dance Cruise

With Desi Moms Network, I have organized so many events over the years. Every single time, I dream up something new, get excited, and then somewhere in the middle of planning I ask myself, "Oh my God... why am I doing this?" Between the endless messages, coordination, last-minute changes, and wondering if anyone is even interested, it can feel overwhelming.

Then the day arrives.

We all meet.

We laugh.

We have fun.

And I come home completely exhausted, telling myself, "That's it. I'm taking a break."

Within a week, another idea pops into my head... and before I know it, I'm organizing the next event.

That's been my story for years.

Water Country in June was an incredible success. I told everyone, "I'm done! I'm taking July and August off." Sure enough, before I knew it, we had already done two more events, and then we were planning another one.

One of our moms shared information about a Bollywood Dance Cruise and suggested we all go together. My first response was, "I think I'm done organizing for a couple of months."

But I couldn’t let it go.

I reached out to the organizers, got some discount and we were in. I honestly thought maybe 10 or 15 moms would sign up.

Instead...

Twenty-two of us checked in. 

This turned out to be one of the toughest events to organize. It was late at night, in the city. Many women don't drive at night. Some don't drive on highways. Some had never gone out this late with friends. For many, just saying "yes" was stepping outside their comfort zone.

Making this happen took many phone calls, encouragement, and a little insisting. Thankfully, because we had done a cruise before, many moms already knew how much fun they had missed the first time, so convincing them was a little easier.

The discounted tickets made it affordable, and then came the best part—carpooling. A few moms took the train, but most of them shared rides. The journey itself became part of the evening.

Finally, the day arrived.

I thought we'd have fun. 

But these women completely surpassed every expectation and every vision I had.

Our group was one of the biggest on the boat. It was hot, humid, crowded, and the DJs weren't exactly setting the dance floor on fire. We started slowly, chatting, catching up, and enjoying the view.

Then something happened.

Our group walked onto the dance floor.

For the last hour and half, they absolutely owned the party.

They danced like nobody was watching.

They laughed like there was no tomorrow.

Two of the moms had never attended any of our events before, and watching them smile, dance, and simply belong was probably my favorite part of the night.

We have only a handful of pictures, but dozens of videos.

And honestly, I think those videos tell the real story.

They are a reminder of what a village can do for you.

For one evening, these women were not introduced as moms raising a child with a disability. They weren't thinking about therapies, appointments, IEPs, or caregiving responsibilities.

They were simply women.

Friends.

Laughing.

Dancing.

Living in the moment.

And maybe that's one of the most important things our village gives each other—not just support during the difficult days, but permission to enjoy the beautiful ones too. 

The first gang to arrive

On the India Street

The boat didnt go far from the harbor so I could see this bldg.it is beautiful - I come to this bldg once a while for some events.

The Story of Human Resilience

 Over the years, my social circle has shrunk a lot. I never had a very large one to begin with, but I was—and still am—a part of various groups. Going to social gatherings is just not my thing anymore. My husband was never a keen participant to begin with, and that reduced our chances of going out together to the usual Indian social gatherings where you meet people, have a drink, eat, chat for a while, and come back home.

I also became more selective about how I spend my time ,aging sure is a factor. Ladies' nights out or drinking parties slowly became out of the question.

For the last ten years, meeting mothers raising children with disabilities and building our village has taken the front seat. I still keep my music group, saree group, and literature group alive within me, but meeting those friends socially has reduced drastically. Yet every time I do meet them, it is a treat for my soul. There isn't as much time, and priorities are shifting. But every time I come home from one of those gatherings, there is a warmth in my heart that stays with me.

Sometimes saree meets can feel a little monotonous. You meet, admire each other's sarees, take pictures, eat, laugh, and head home. But once in a while, a host changes the direction of the evening, and the gathering becomes something out of the ordinary.

Last meet was one of those, it started with introductions. What do we do? Who are we as a person? Where did we grow up? Slowly, the conversation became deeper. People started sharing what brings them joy, what keeps them going, and what helps them sustain themselves through life's ups and downs.

And somewhere in those conversations, something magical happens.

Stories of resilience emerge. Stories of hope. Stories of people overcoming unimaginable obstacles. Stories of loss, courage, reinvention, and quiet strength. They stir something inside you. They remind you that every person carries a story you know nothing about.

I wore one of my mom's simple cotton sarees, a maheshwari . It is well loved and well worn. As I sat there listening to everyone, I couldn't help but think how much she would have loved being part of that group—listening to these women, smiling at their stories, and perhaps sharing a few of her own.

More Than Just Tall Ships SailBoston 2026

 Sometimes it's good to go somewhere with no plan and no knowledge. Just show up and let the day take you wherever it leads. That's how I walked into Sail Boston 2026.

I was there by 8:45 AM, hoping the parade would start at 9 as mentioned. It did—but far from where I was. :)

MBTA had done an awesome job. I wanted to go to Castle Island, but I didn't want to drive, so I planned on going to the Seaport instead. I am so glad I did. MBTA had buses running to Castle Island from the JFK train station. I took the Silver Line to the Seaport.

After spending a couple of hours at the Mayor's Pavilion—watching the ships from the stadium seating, hanging out with volunteers and police officers, and watching families enjoy the beautiful sunny day—I realized people enjoyed the parade for a while, but after a couple of hours many started leaving. I already wrote about my time with Barbara.

I also met another Indian woman who did her master's in Urban City Planning and now works in the Mayor's Office. It was so wonderful to see another brown woman. :) We both left disappointed after learning that INS Sudarshini, the Indian ship, was almost at the end of the parade. That meant another couple of hours of waiting.

I knew I couldn't stay that long, so I decided to walk around the Seaport and witness the fun and the craziness.

The Seaport was buzzing with excitement. People were everywhere. I don't think I had ever seen this many people in one place in Boston. Maybe it was competing with the July 4th crowds.

There were so many immigrant communities waiting for a glimpse of the ship from their own country.

There were young children running around, long lines outside restaurants, and people simply enjoying the day. For a few moments, Boston felt like the whole world had gathered along the waterfront.

After a few hours, I was tired. Still, the Indian ship was nowhere in sight, so I came back home.

I went to visit the ship the next day. Most of the crew had gone to the hotel to rest. They work in shifts, so while some stayed with the ship, others finally had a chance to explore Boston—or simply enjoy sleeping in a real bed.

I spent some time talking with a few of them. They told me about life on board, the meals they cook together, the two washing machines and dryers they all share, and the friendships that make months at sea a little easier.

I found out they have been on the ship since January. They started their journey from Kochi, Kerala, have visited nine countries, and will reach home around the end of October or early November.

Thousands of us came to admire the ship. For them, it was simply home.

Sail Boston didn't just bring tall ships to Boston. It brought stories from around the world—stories of adventure, culture, friendship, curiosity, and the men and women who call these ships home. 

Someone got engaged :) They had a special photographer 

Rest after a long day 

and now pics of Sudarshini