Growing up

Bhanu had lost his fiance in a car accident a month ago. She was drunk when a stray dog appeared out of nowhere. She could not control the speeding car and rammed herself to a street side tree.

They were together for past 9 years and memories with each other had become a normal event for them. From going to busy mcdonalds to give a first treat to Samyukta, to watching a romantic movie at peace in their apartment, memories had become an inevitable part of their common lives, which they enjoyed with love. Very soon they were going to be married.

He had grown up with Samyukta. Together they grew up observing each other, becoming adolescents to adults. Bhanu's success in 12th boards would be rewarded with a treat by samyukta and her getting selected into AIIMS would result in Bhanu choosing Delhi University for graduation. They had visited almost all places in Delhi, spent great times in trips to Ladakh, Jaipur, Agra and many other nearby places. Europe was their target for post marriage trip.

She is no more in this world, leaving Bhanu alone. But Bhanu can's lose sight of her. He sees her in every restaurant sitting beside him, while talking with his clients, or dating a prospective bride his parents insist him to meet. "There in ccd, I gave her first lily. She cried as she knew I would never pluck and hurt a flower for anyone, but I did it for her.", "This place's ambience has changed since the last time. It was so much smelling that day. We had to leave the order and run!", "This girl has smile just like samyukta".

He would cry and choke his throat out, blaming no one but life for his loss. "What if I had gone there and did not allow her to drive ? My client was not that important.", "She could have booked a cab na", "It was me who gave her a drink the first time".

For some days, his parents would hug him and tell him that life has to go on, and even Samyukta would wish him to go on and grow up even more.

One day he had a dream of Samyukta. She was wearing a bridal dress, a red dupatta draped around her head. He was not sure if the form of Samyukta he was seeing was of a bride or of a woman on her deathbed. She was smiling nevertheless. He wished it was a bridal one. He wished to touch her, as this is what he wanted for so long, them getting married. The Hands wouldn't reach! She was not going away, but the hands would't get to her, even when she was so close to the eyes.

"I am waiting for you. Be safe, Bhanu.", he heard these words in his dream.

The next day, the pain of memories didn't disappear, but Bhanu was a little more composed. He realised that he has to grow up without Samyukta. He somehow got a belief that the dream was true, and that somewhere, Samyukta is waiting for him, a place where he too shall visit after dying, just like her. "She has just chosen to wait for me out there." He too chose to wait for her.

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I know that among us,  there are many such Bhanus and many such Samyuktas. May their love never have to wait for their lifetimes.

School in the Same City!

I got a chance to visit one of the Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School in North - East District of Delhi (almost touching UP border). Before even landing at the school, a blur image was constructed in my mind. For instance, children seated in classes, teachers busy with the usual record maintenance work, some basic infrastructure (including table, chair, blackboard), and so on. However, my city gave me a shock. As I entered the premises of apparently the only 'bada school' (Sr. Sec) catering to a pretty large population of a semi - urban area.



Some much - visible observations:

- Only Class 10th and 12th were privileged enough to sit under a roof, rest of the classes (6, 7, 8, 9 and 11) were suppose to enjoy the sun after almost a week. Yes, after a  week as it rained thus no school for last 4 -5 days.

-  The arrangement was so temporary that at chhuti time (end of the day) girls picked up blackboard and dhari (woven sheet) and placed them in the store room (space utilized under the stair case).

- Some fortunate teachers occupied space under the trees, rest were left with two options either the corridor or  sun basking.

- Teacher sat on a chair, 4 ft above children who placed themselves on Dharis. Even if the teacher was willing to teach her voice could hardly reach beyond the third row. It seemed as if the class ended after first - two rows as rest of the girls were either busy copying notes/homework or chatting.

- School offered different timings for different classes. Std. 6 - 8 (10am - 12:30pm), Std 9 - 11 (7am - 10am), only girls in Std 12 had classes from 7am - 12:30pm not to forget without any official break time.

-   As the classes merged into each other, there was no distinction some girls took advantage and utilized their time catching up with friends in other classes, However, this act was just not acceptable by a teacher who went around hitting them. The Ultimate shocker of the day.

Probably all of the above is pretty much imaginable, But what really kept me thinking is...that this is the same city. Same city where nursery admissions in top notch schools become headlines, where even a small pat on back might risk a teachers job, same city where AC classrooms, swimming pool, smart boards are quintessential points for parents to decide and rate the school. Same city where in some schools speaking in Hindi leads to a fine. Same city where young minds opt for private teaching than teaching in a govt school. Same city where more the donation more it is considered a matter of pride.

One of those days, when you put your head back and retrospect for a while!

Victory without war

I am a paraplegic. Oh did it make you sad ? Please don't be, because I just said half of my sentence. I am a paraplegic millionaire businesswoman who has just entered global markets by launching IPO of Jia Tech in Nasdaq.

And believe me when I say not a single step has been thorn free. Though the greatest pain was not when I stepped on thorn for the first time. It was greatest when I was pitied.

My legs gave way not because I wanted them to. I wanted them to take me faster to the goals staring at me. May be they gave up before me, or it was god's will when my legs got under a falling roof, or they sacrificed themselves for my life. In that case, I must be more thankful than complaining.

I must be lucky to be born on this age where locomotive disability is no hindrance to work, especially in a field like Information Tech, where only soft soul of hard machines have to be developed. It requires only brain and for some speed good to work with hands.

After having served in an giant MNC for close to 10 years, I thought of taking a plunge into entrepreneurial sea. There I got some of my best friends along with satisfying but tough challenges to be overcome. I also met my childhood friend Arshad there. He said he loved me since childhood. No one knows God's plans unless it comes in front of your eyes. I married him 10 years back and we together started a firm Jia Tech, naming after our baby. I don't know why it felt good naming it after our child.

These 10 years have been full of pride and success. I am still a paraplegic, but I have a partner who never let that appear in our togetherness. Some strangers do take note of that, but the professional doubts have eased out now, as the company has earned reputation now and it is now more than just me.

My grit and brain...and of course a higher power whom I call God, have been contributor to what I am now. I am sure the same is applicable to you too.

I am not going to lose these three valuable items in my life. And Arshad and Jia... well they are the ones who were pushing me to write a small article about me. Their presence has given me more strength than ever.

All the best dear reader! I know you can also do it.
This is Rakshandha Haveliwala, Founder CEO of Jia Tech, signing off.

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P.S.- proud of Ms Ira Singhal