This Diwali

On Diwali we are supposed to fill ourselves with a new zest for life, sweep away the cobwebs of all the ills which are making us ill. Mostly, anger.

The cosmic powers have already decided what the best is for us; what is left in our hands is to either make the best of it or the worst of it. It should be a constant journey, a constant endeavour to better ourselves. We are indeed surrounded by many auras which determine our way of life and thinking but what we forget is that nobody can permeate our cocoon. It is up to us how we shape our life. So maybe this Diwali, we should light up a diya inside our cocoon to take a stock of all what we have got , all what is only our own and stop worrying about what the person whom we think is the closest to us would think. Light a diya to light up your life. I have lighted up one for me.

The bazaars were totally decked up like a Punjabi princess who is intent on spicing up her attire with more flavours of India. There was a mad rush everywhere to get the best gifts for loved ones but then, people are always rushing about madly everyday. There is this urge to get the things get done hurriedly even if there is no hurry. The small courtesies have long been disposed off (how can they be written off when the new gen doesn’t have the time or inclination to write). If there is any wonder left, it is in the eyes of very young children whose minds have not yet been introduced to the Internet.

So, Diwali was a very routine affair, ending with everybody dutifully lighting up the crackers, making sure that whatever breathable space is left in this cemented town also goes up in smoke.

Here's a Ludhiana girl wishing a happy Diwali to everybody.

Are we thankful ?

The other day I had gone to buy milk when I noticed that my scooter had a flat tyre. I really didn’t want to go to the repair shop but common sense prevailed and I found myself at a shop not very far away , sweating profusely not only due to the humid heat but also because I had to literally drag my scooter for those long 50 metres ! You see, I am one of those persons who definitely believe in having all the luxuries that life can offer but who don’t care at all for the maintenance of the same.

Luckily , there was no other customer around and I was attended to immediately. And I waited and I sulked due to the wait. It was then that I noticed him. There was something about his manner that did not let me take my eyes away.

Very carefully, he took out a five rupee coin from his pocket , looked at it again to double check and gave it to the shopkeeper to check the air in his cycle. The latter gave him back three rupees and told him to do the chore himself. After again counting the money carefully, the migrant told the repair-person very politely that he doesn’t know how to do the job. He waited for a couple of minutes, gave me a searching look, maybe to ascertain that I wasn’t making fun of him, and very softly requested the shopkeeper again , only to be rebuked loudly. He was handed back his money and was shooed away. When I looked at him riding away, dressed in tattered clothes and broken chappals, I felt almost ashamed of my scooter and air conditioned house. He must have been almost atleast 15 years younger to me , trying to make a living while being labelled as a migrant labourer. Inspite of not getting respect , he carried himself very well .He had a clean and a fresh aura around him.

It is indeed very sad that all are not equal .

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

SUMMER HOLIDAY TIME IN INDIA !!
Long summer spells with the shining Sun scorching our skin mercilessly. Parched skins and throats bothering our not so cool minds and those irritating , creepy lizards crawing everywhere...I don't like summers.
Schools have thankfully declared holidays but not before giving a full load of holiday homework. Honestly, can you really expect a child of 9 or 10 years to make a weighing scale when he doesn't even know how to convert kgs. to gms. But that is exactly what is happening. Well, it's minting time for the stationery shops , I guess who are only too happy to oblige such students and parents. I don't think making suggestions about letting the child just enjoy his childhood would be of any use here.
It is very hard to channelise the raw energy of young children in the holidays especially when the days are so long , made even longer by the famous power cuts of Punjab. The summer camps are very expensive , some times it is better to steer clear of them. And then you have to be so creative in the kitchen also, how can you always make rainbow coloured dishes which are healthy as well as delicious?

Well, I have started inviting my children's friends to my home and personally cater to their art and craft queries. As for food, well , mummy always has the last word!

NEW JOB CONTINUED

There is a stark difference between a regular teacher and a substitute teacher. You can tell by their attitudes.

The first big blow to your esteem is the low salary (4500 per month) which is simply unbelievable. You are expected to be at par as per your qualification , work equally hard and paint an equally bright smile when paid half of the regular salary !! Which is quite silly.

And yes, irrespective of the good performance of your class , which is quite comparable to the 'regular teacher - taught' classes, if you are called back to the school, you are expected to give yet another demonstration of your teaching skills. Which is quite insulting.

Are the teachers being exploited because of the sheer strength of their number ? There are so many who are good and overqualified but are still dreaming of getting the VI pay commission implemented. The heads make it seem as if their own personal purses are being pinched. Whereas all the while it is the parent's purse which is getting the pinches.

NEW JOB

I’ve taken up a job in my daughter’s school as a substitution teacher. Not very different from college teaching except for the subjects. We have to go down to the very basics, not only in maths and science but in mannerisms too.

One thing which I find to be sorely lacking in the teaching fraternity here is the absence of laughter and joy in their eyes, especially when talking to new colleagues or sometimes even the parents of the students. Why are they continuously on their guard?

I am enjoying my work. Being with young children is therapeutic, don’t even realize how the time goes by. Moreover, I have a satisfaction of doing good in my time which I while away worthlessly otherwise.

Punjab Bandh

All institutions, malls, markets are closed since Saturday. Encroachments cannot be seen anywhere. The roads are deserted, even the beggars are taking a day off . Police personnel is everywhere.
The reason for this situation is bad enough but still the forced changes that have been brought about in Ludhiana are very surprising. I did not know that my city's roads were so wide, the markets are looking actually spacious in the absence of encroachers, the police staff is polite and helpful. But on the flip side, the sewerage pipes of our locality are again blocked and ofcourse, nobody will bother to come here, after all Punjab is bandh, bhai!! If in normal circumstances, the administration chooses to look the other side , then now it is their right not to report for duty !!

Some people will actually go out of their way to disrupt the smooth flow of life, smash anything and everything which comes in their way, throw stones on even school buses, uproot trees, dividers and what not. I suppose these are those people who don't have family values at all. These are uniquely self centered persons who want to show us that they are not to be ignored. So what if they cannot work for our betterment, so what if their energetic and so called charismatic personalities cannot be used for making fruits,vegetables, atta, dal cheaper; roads better; schools donations-free;politics corruption free; so what!!
Punjab is also a land of babajis, maharajs and gurujis. Why should there be a bandh at all if everyone is so religious ? Surely, they can help us to fight drug addiction and the falling family values. Or are all the teachings meant to be followed by the over zealous punjabi inside the deras only ?
Anyway, children are getting anxious to go back to their schools , elders to their offices, ladies back to the kitty halls and I want to go again for window shopping in my favourite mall.

The ME time.

I have been going to this fitness class for the past four months now.
In the beginning , it was just a desire to look fitter and smarter.. a task which I haven't been able to accomplish even at the end of this fourth month (sigh!!) But I have started enjoying myself tremendously. Tremendously. Now that is a term which I haven't used for my enjoyment for the last I don't even remember how many years. But right through the first minute to the last 60th minute, I absolutely lose track of the outside world and am completely immersed in the sometimes tricky and sometimes sensuous dance moves. I am not a dancer but I sure do feel like one. You know what, I feel beautiful. A lovely involuntary smile on my face, a challenge in my eyes, a spright (literally) in my step. It sure is a magical world for me ,the most happiest hour of the day which leaves me charged up for the rest.