But she won't leave her kids

I hate dogs, put simply. They look as disgusting by their mouths as they are by their tails. But I have to be sensitive of them as well, because they are also products of creation, like me. However much they wag their tails when they see an old man having biscuits in his hand, they would happily play with him as well for passing his time. They would hold his hand by mouth, but would never bite it. But at the same time, I hate seeing them roaming like kings of house streets. Barking randomly at any stranger, or a rag picker or eating waste near dump. Everything is disgusting about these street dogs.

Except their kids.

They roam on the roads unaware of the world, and don't care if a huge car is in front of them. The sleep like kings under the cars, unaware of the imminent danger of the car running over them and taking their lives.

It happened once. Two pups were sleeping under Maruti 800 car of a neighbour. The neighbour did not check if there was some animal below his car. He started the car, did reverse, at which point one shrill voice came to me, sitting in my balcony. Then he put forward gear, at thich point another shrill voice came. It made me curious and I ran toward the spot. Thw two pups were bleeding from their mouths. One was making noise, while the other had already left making any motion. Slowly the second one also followed. Both were killed by the neighbour.

I remember the open eyes and mouth of the pups. They went into the oblivion as easily as they came from it. But their mother did not leave them that easily. She did not let the sweeper aunty pick them up. She would hold her suit by end and no let her go to her babies.

She would guard her babies, seemingly to look out for someone who would bring justice for her kids, or whatever. She did not let anyone touch them for two long days. Finally she gave up. She left our colony, never to be seen again.

I still hate dogs. But I learnt from this incident that we all are the same when it comes to things beyond physical boundaries.

Sarpanch meets the US President

Sarmi Bai

Facing bright sun in the month of January (2011), after walking for about a kilometer, passing through golden fields of Mustard, I reached. Sarmi Bai dressed up in Red Oodni (scarf) welcomed me. Yes, it does sound like a screenplay of a bollywood commercial film. Strong headed Sarmi Bai, Sarpanch of Chandela Gram Panchayat of Abu Road block, Sirohi district, Rajasthan is a mother to four children. Her husband is physically challenged and runs a grocery shop in the village. Unlike many women Sarpanch’s who either come from a politically active family or take up the responsibility only for name sake as their work is taken care of by sarpanch’pati’ (Sarpanch’s husband), Sarmi fitted in neither of the two conditions. Life was never a cake walk for her, from fighting with her parents who did not let her study to contesting elections for the post of Sarpanch, she faced rejection and criticism from people at many turns in her life, which she believes made her what she is today. A strong, independent woman.  

Confident, strong headed woman touching her forties said ‘Obamaji mujhe bole ki woh bhi mere jaise parivaar se aaye hai’ (Obama told me that he also comes from a similar family). This middle aged, tribal, ordinary woman still couldn't believe that she met and shook hands with the President of United States on his visit to India in November 2010.  Sarmi Bai was privileged to be selected from all over the country, the only woman Sarpanch to meet the president one fine evening, in an event organized on 73^rd constitutional amendment act.

This was not enough. On returning back she realized that she was no more just a Sarpanch, her status had changed; from just being the head of the village to a celebrity. Sarmi was all over the local media, much more confident than before, sparkle in her eyes and ear to ear smile on her face said it all. ‘Ab mere naam se State ki GK ki kitaab mein ek sawaal bhi hai’ (there is now a question on my name in state GK book) said Sarmi Bai while sipping Lal Chai (Red tea) as we sat outside her house.

                                 

A teacher with less knowledge

He was the most ridiculed teacher in the school. Boys in high school would intentionally come in his way and would place their shoes on his toes and then say sorry sir. His class was never silent. he would be writing how Alkyl Ester would react with Hydrochloric Acid and the students would be busy in their conversations. But he would not utter a word to stop the class from creating disturbance.

His timid appearance was further reinforced by the small old two wheeler he would ride on to reach the school. His daughter would also accompany him on that little scooter, the suspension would be so pressed that the frame would seem to just touch the roads while turning. It seemed that the scooter and the teacher had shared a good camaraderie for long so now even their attitudes have become similar.

One year had passed since Manu had been in this teacher's school. He was now pretty used to the passive teacher, whose presence or absence just meant a free period and making fun of whom is risk free and yet very entertaining. Encouraged further by his friends, Manu decided to test Mr. Gophat once in his own subject. He took a problem from a book having advance JEE level questions, and next day asked the teacher the question.

To this, sir replied, "These are very advanced level problems and I would not be able to solve them. However, I would want you to be able to solve this problem." The students had a good silent chuckle at this reply. Manu, under pressure, also had a laugh, but he was also impressed by the reply. His image for Mr. Gophat had changed. A teacher who does not know much, but still would wish only good for his students. yes, that's what a teacher is supposed to do, he thought. Just a belief on the student was enough.

Next day, Mr. Gophat came and students were more abusive of him. First fifteen minutes were wasted because they would not listen to what was being told from board. Mr. Gophat's already low voice was in all manners subdued by the brownian motion that the voice of students was making.

Suddenly sound of a sharp slap exploded. All students silent. Mr Gophat had slapped a boy very hard. He was tremblig with anger. His posture had become static, but his head would waver with anger. His hands would also not leave the slap gesture, but also not move.

He sat on his chair for some 5 minutes, calmed down, and told "Kids, you have to go ahead. Don't waste your time in making fun of me. it would only make you a clown, only to be laughed at later by everyone. Come to your senses. Life is not always about mockery."

"A teacher with a strength, but would not use it. Why would he not use it to discipline us ?, "thought Manu.

10 years later, Manu went to Mr. Gophat's house. Mr. Gophat had retired, and was there with his wife. He had wrinkles now, but had a pleasing face. His brows had greyed and under his thick grey spects, they just seemed to thicken the frame. He did not remember me, but he was all happy to meet his old student. And seeing me doing good in life, he was relaxed,

I asked him why he would  not use his coercion to discipline the class.

"Bachche hain. Inki energy hi inki taakat hai. Darr se usay nahi kamm karna chahta main. Fool khuli hava mein hi khilta hai" (They are kids. Their vast energy is their power. I don't want to suppress it by fear. A flower blossoms only in open air.).

Her daughter was smiling as he recalled a little about that incident. She was in the same class as me. "Dad I did not think you would slap him. But you were very upset over the previous day question that Manu had asked." I was a bit embarrassed, but then a little amused as well, because both of them had a good laugh over the incident. She is my wife now. Her father's strength flows from her every moment.

This was the story of a man who had made me curious for the first time. Like, how can a powerful man not use his power to make things go his way.

 I, Manu, am myself a professor of Chemistry and I have never forgotten about the strength to not use strength against my students.

The Lady in Pink Top

I remember it so vividly. I was waiting in a restaurant for a friend to come. He was stuck in traffic and could not do much, other than waiting.

Coincidentally, I met his sister in the restaurant and I went to her. She was with her batch mate and both had come there to escape the pain of mess food.

Both pretty girls were playing heads and tails while waiting for the food ordered by them. They were just fitting the truth or dare with the sides of a coin. So some of the biggest truths of life or challenges were discussed on the table, and I had come there to join the fun, or spoil it. Their privacy was no more there. So we shifted from serious to light ended truth challenges.

I had a habit of deciding what future event I will encounter by hitting heads or tails from a coin. So in between, I said that if it comes head, then I will have a good career ahead else I will struggle in life. To this, Swati's friend stopped her smile and asked me not to give what is in my hands to lady luck. Decisions, especially the most important ones, are to be taken solely by one's will, not nature's will. The intensity of the moment was great. I was not able to reply to this statement made by her. Her words had stamped their mark on me.

 In the heaviness of the moment, my friend arrived. He brought the scene back to normal.

Thanks to her, I have never played my future with a coin since then.

Reshaped the blog

Hello
I have reshaped my old blog, actually without making much changes in content and design of the blog. Adding to this, this post is simply a check on whether new post feeds are updated on facebook or not. I hope it happens.

A small old incident

22:18 - I was in my 8th standard when I got a question in my chemistry quarterly (or half yearly) exam. The question was:
"Is Chlorine a Metal or Non Metal ?"
I knew the answer and I wrote it. I wrote  "YES"!

Of course it was going to be some thing between metal or a non metal. Hence 'Yes' is the most correct answer. But the teacher expected "non metal" specifically. I realised it a little too late while coming out of the examination hall through the gate after submitting the papers and seeing how much is likely to be correct.

I was lucky my teacher did not publicly tell what answer I had written.(4 mins)

When your eyes are closed

When your eyes are closed
you may already be living in eternity
seeing time in its entirety
painted with an omnipresent colour
fainted line between stagnancy and continuum