October 30, 2023

Durga Puja


In the lunar month of Ashvin Bengalis celebrate Durga Puja. As per Gregorian calendar it is the months of September – October. This is a yearly festival which every Bengali waits for. It is more than worship of the deity Durga and her entire family. It is actually an emotional journey for Bengalis.

The inaugural ceremony starts with Mahalaya whence mother Durga is invited to Martyalok or the world of mortal humans to come with her family and reside for a few days. While her husband Lord Shiva does not accompany her but keeps an eye on how she is treated by her devotees. Mother goddess pays a visit with her four siblings – Lakshmi ( Goddess of riches), Saraswati ( Goddess of learning), Ganesha ( God of the people) and the warrior God Kartik.

Goddess Durga, apart from the motherly persona, is also Mahishasuramardini, the killer of the asur or demon named Mahishasur symbolizing victory over evil and celebration of all that is good.

On the cusp of the right (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) day Mother Durga finally killed Mahishasur after a deadly fight. To symbolise the victory of goodness over evil Sandhi Puja is performed which ends with a Bali or sacrifice. In earlier times animal sacrifice was the ritual which has been illegalized and substituted by sacrifice of a vegetable.

The Puja or Worship begins on the sixth day ( Shashthi) and ends on the tenth day (Dashami) with the immersion of the Goddess in waters. Earlier it used to be in big rivers. Nowadays, as per Government Order, the Pujja Committee has to make their own arrangements for immersion to avoid polluting the rivers. Saying goodbye to mother is tearful but also with a promise that she will again cone the next year.

Durga Puja celebration is marked by joy and revelry. It’s like the homecoming of a daughter to her mother’s home with all her children. It is an ocassion for community gathering, reuniting with friends and relatives, eating a lot sweetmeats and special cuisines specific to the ocassion and flaunting fashion and new clothes, singing and dancing.

After the Puja is over we greet each other “Shubho Bijoya” and the rejoicing with family and friends and sharing of delicacies continue for a fortnight till Deepawali, the Festival of Lights.

So Shubho Bijoya to all of you with loads of happiness and prosperity and peace.

Posted by on October 30, 2023 in Celebrations, Durga Puja, Entertainment and tagged , , , , , , , , .

6 Comments

October 23, 2023

Being Proud


What are you most proud of in your life?

Well this is a positive prompt which I would like to write on.

At the fag end of my life I am very proud of my achievements though to some they may not appear to be anything at all. Yet to me they are all very significant milestones in terms of the transformations these have brought about in my life and in me as a person.

From an extremely shy kid who had to rehearse a number of times what she had to say before opening her mouth even to a local shopkeeper to a very articulate person in workplace who did not fear to speak her mind, needed jumping over a lot many inner hurdles than one could imagine.

From getting intimidated to getting work done in a male dominated society again was not easily attainable.

The first half of my career was dedicated to the hospitality segment of the corporate entity I worked for. One of the duties entailed arranging transports along with personalized services for big guns.

The transporters are a class apart. In their households women are only seen and not heard. One of my female colleagues entrusted with fleet management once remarked that she had to ‘dress’ accordingly while visiting their ‘domain’.

They were small operators given to rough language and gruff behaviour. The service users were ready to complaint at the drop of a hat. It was some task seeking remedial action and alternate arrangements from them.

The hospitality segment was a tough training ground. I had to ensure comfort at the same time maintain balance between the regular service providers and troublesome consumers with onerous demands. We called them ‘sensitive zones’. They were big shots whose one comment could make or break you.

I learnt to be on my toes, be preemptive and proactive , to do boundary management, to keep a plan B ready if plan A failed and pass on even the harshest feedback the sweetest way to either side. Most of the times I was on the receiving end. I was also privy to a lot about which blabbering would have been catastrophic. I absorbed.

Thirteen years of ordeal hardened me up. What I picked up got embedded in my DNA. At times, my family still does not understand why I have this tendency to be up in arms for the worst, why I consider failure to be an intrinsic part of any or all situations, why I get into an investigative mode at the slightest derailment of a task or project.

However, this uncommon attitude has stood me in good stead while taking care of my mother. With divine blessing I have been able to avert and/or be surprisingly prepared to face unforeseen exigent situations.

My mother’s prolonged ailment was the biggest and hardest test of my life. I will not say I always passed with flying colours. No. But I learnt to take a grip on myself bit by bit, measure by measure. I made many mistakes, reposed faith in the wrong ‘uns, expected enormously from near and dear ones and time and again proved wrong. But it was also a constant lesson in being self reliant, self sufficient, resilient, and turning into a tough cookie day by day. ‘Oh! I could do it without outside help!’ was a serendipitous acknowledgement of my own ability on hindsight which egged me on to brave more obstacles.

Life is attempting to touch the shore of a roaring ocean. I do not know whether I have reached the so called safe haven but I have sure learnt to swim that too against the tides and got hold of a permanent anchor – that’s me!

As I write this post I realize the failures and mistakes were far more important and worthy of effusive toasts rather than the achievements which were just the outcomes of steps wrongly taken or missed. Had I chosen the easy way I might have had less to earn. Choosing the right course, which might not have always been smooth rides, did help sharpen my instincts, develop my intuitive skills and shape me into a bolder, more courageous, stronger and more vocal person that I am today.

I thank the Lord for the misfortunes He bestowed on me. It facilitated me to blossom into my full potentials.

Posted by on October 23, 2023 in AWARDS AND ACCOLADES, Celebrations, Confession, DOWN MEMORY LANE, I ME & MYSELF, Learning, OF HUMAN QUEST and tagged , .

9 Comments

October 20, 2023

My Lousy Neighbour


What makes a good neighbor?

I do not know what makes a good neighbour but I sure know what makes a bad one. I was dying to write about the second floor occupants of the building I stay in but refrained thinking why should I spread negativity and write about those who are not worthy at all. And then the prompt happened which re-ignited the embers of hatred into raging flames. So, here I am with the sordid tale.

It’s sixteen years now that I am tolerating, not very silently though, a bunch of illiterate scum with source of income dubious and language “too strong” for the ears.. The entire family including the daughter-in-laws are made out of the same mould. Birds of the same feather flock together so to say. The entire family has long standing issues with me – the feeling is mutual.

They are those whose forefathers must have been migrants. The family has a tendency to encroach upon every bit of open space (private or public) they can think of. For example, they will park their child’s bicycle where the electric metres of all the flats are installed or place it on the landings so that nobody can go up and down without colliding with the monstrous machine. The representative of the electricity distribution company has time and again warned them to keep the Meter Room free of all obstacles but nothing doing. These people just don’t understand that the enclosure is not their portico.

When it comes to getting repairs done to the common parts of the building with pooled funds they are the first to object or dessent or pay less than their share. They have ingenious bargaining tactics which they employ on such ocassion. If you are proposing a renovation or repair that is the opportune moment to table their personal requirements. Idea is to get those done from the pooled fund and save money.

As soon as winter begins the wife stops drying the clothes in the machine. As a result, the clothes drip onto my entrance where I can enjoy a free shower in biting cold. Mind it, in Northern India every household has their personal, if not washing, then at least drying machine !!

As I said the family has the genetic code of encroachers. They are not happy with the original measurements of the flat. So they had to extend their verandah to block the sunshine of other flats. In a country with extreme weather sun shine is a must in foggy winters and even in scorching summers so as not to have miserably dark and damp interiors, seepages, patchy walls, termites and other insects which breed in sun-less flats. But with such neighbours one can very well forget about healthy and hygienic living.

If there is seepage in my flat because their leaky pipes I have to get the leakage repaired because it’s my problem you see not theirs.

The friction started when they were not allowed to construct an extra room covering my backyard. At first they thought they could make me dance to their morbid tune because I was a ‘lonely’ lady looking after another old lady. But ahem soon they realized their mistake.

By the way in order to do ‘extensive’ repairs to their flat they put up scaffolds blocking my gate. Without taking my permission. The job was delegated to an irresponsible contractor who was callous enough not to secure the scaffolds tight enough. So one fine afternoon the whole structure crumbled down on my balcony. My maid who was working outside at that time had a narrow escape. My pet has a habit of following my maid. Thank God she was inside. It could have been my mother strolling out.

When we complained about the carelessness of the contractor they refused point blank that such an incident ever occured. Just imagine!

Next we knew one of the contractor’s men trespassed onto my sister’s balcony. (Incidentally my sister resides on the first floor). We had to call the police. There was a big hullabaloo. But no that did not change anything for better.

However, as poetic justice a chunk of plaster peeled off the jinxed verandah soon after and splattered onto my garden and over the AC unit. Again a narrow escape…

Some major repairs of the building are still pending because of my dear neighbour’s non-cooperation. Inbetween we have had many verbal wars. They have a funny habit of getting work done by those whom I employ. The wife once asked my mother’s care giver to give her a body massage. Yeah you heard me right. My house helps are as old as these buggers are in the Block. So no love is lost between them. Thank God for that….

Though I can write a whole book on them yet I cannot resist the temptation of telling you all that there is a general suspicion that the family practices witchcraft as well!!!😱😱

The only solace is that all the other residents of the building also share my agony. So that, in a sadistic way, gives me much peace if not pleasure. At least I am not the only one.

So now you know who should not be your neighbour. There are all kinds in this world. And all are not Good Samaritans.

In my present mood I cannot recall if we ever had exemplary neighbours but a shade better definitely. Even those who are absolute aloof will do instead of the insufferable ones I am compelled to endure. Putting up a tough fight, though at times is necessary, the fuel-less fire ultimately burn you out.

So thank your lucky stars if you don’t have such ‘classy’ neighbours. If you unfortunately do heartfelt sympathies are with you.

Posted by on October 20, 2023 in A PROTEST A LAMENT and tagged , .

7 Comments

October 16, 2023

Simple Living High Thinking


What principles define how you live?

As I have said before, compared to the North Indian show off culture, I have a different approach to life. Though I have been brought up in the Northern part of the country my roots are in the Eastern part. Both parts are poles apart in their lifestyle and thinking.

My parents inculcated the principle of simple living high thinking in both me and my sister. My sister, being seven years older to me, always have had a deep influence on my upbringing. She always said that the rich spend ridiculously. I do not know whether she said so to take my mind off many things that we could not afford in our early days or she truly abhored the squandering habits of those who had more than required.

However, I grew up with the staunch liking for people who did not care two hoots about what the world thought about them if they did not have enough. I jell well with people who are down to earth but have a wealth of knowledge and humility.

I cannot get along with people who flaunt money and power. I have certain issue with authoritarianism. I dislike being ordered around and interfered with. I can wager my life if you ask me with a smile. But I hate being taken lightly or bullied or not attended with respect.

Similarly, I have a lot of respect for those who are worthy, wise and carry themselves with dignity. I do not distinguish people on the basis of material worth. Values and virtues are more dear to me.

I hate limelight. As I have said before I do not believe in boasting and bragging. I’d rather be low profile at work. But when it comes to work I put a premium on quality.

Frugal and miserly are not the same. If I say I live frugally it means I do not invest in lavishness. I learnt very early that money is merely an instrument to fulfill the necessities and meet the exigencies without extending the begging bowl in front of others. One should have enough to enjoy what one wants to enjoy but within limits. Neither should one feel deprived nor go overboard with luxury.

Aristotle’s golden mean is the best path in relationship as well as in how I choose to live.

I do not mind if people have a different lifestyle but I am quite happy not being a part of it.

Now the question could be what would life have been if I really had that kind of money. Firstly, I would have respected and cared for the surplus left to me by my ancestors because such accumulated wealth only happens when generations earn and conserve for their successors. I would have been cautious with the money earned with blood and sweat of my predecessors. My foremost endeavour would have been to generate and add more using the capital I had. Lead a comfortable life and nurture hobbies which incurred a little more than ‘ordinary’ expenditure. However, I would definitely have equipped myself with more knowledge and qualifications and never given up on hard work just because I had sufficient to laze around. Last but not the least, I would not have ignored or forgotten the fact that there were many who deserved more than what they had and I would have sincerely made effort to build sustainable resources which could benefit them steadfastly.

I hope I have given adequate glimpse of what I am and the principles I live by and what my outlook and ideal preferences will be if I am in possession of more.

Pic from Pixabay

Posted by on October 16, 2023 in Confession, FOR A CAUSE, MUSINGS and tagged , .

8 Comments

October 14, 2023

Older And Wiser (???)


When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

I always looked older than my age. I was always told that. I felt bad because inside I was just a wee bit older than an infant. I still am.

Soon after my graduation father suffered the third heart attack. It was terrible. In the middle of the night in a room locked from inside. He wanted to get up and open the door but couldn’t because of the constricting pain. At last, he called out to the night guard from the window which was adjacent to the bed. Night guard who just happened to pass by.

He tapped on the window of our room and informed mother. It was beginning of summer. Thankfully, the windows were open. Curtains drawn.

I don’t remember how we opened the door. But the next I know he was shifted from one hospital to the other for three months before he bade adieu to this world.

I didn’t cry much. It was a foregone conclusion that he would be leaving us soon. It was better as that would come as a relief to all the pain and discomfort that his one-after-the-other failing organs brought. Still etched in my memory is how helpless he felt. A man who was reticent about all most everything.

Perhaps I grew up suddenly in those three months. Learnt to cook, keep the house clean, take food for mother to the hospital where she was permanently stationed.

Later, after my father’s death I learnt of privation. What each paisa meant. How ill-equipped was I to earn a substantial income. My first salary was a mere six hundred rupees! Not enough to run the household though we had a simple lifestyle.

Nobody told me specifically that I couldn’t study further. Nobody told me to learn stenography. Nobody told me to grab the job that was being offered. Nobody told me the workplace was too distant. I did all that on my own. Perhaps that was when I truly grew up from a lovingly sheltered life into a dreadful world where I was supposed to learn the ropes quick enough, be street smart and a go-getter.

Unfortunately, I was none. I was slow to learn – naive and stupid thrown into this quagmire unchaperoned to grow up measure after measure the hard way.

And I am still green…still growing…still stupid…still surprised by the sudden-ness-es of life.

I don’t know why I blog about these intimate experiences. Perhaps to wrench them out of my system.

Is this also part of growing???

Perhaps…

Pic from Pexel

Posted by on October 14, 2023 in Confession, DOWN MEMORY LANE, Learning, MUSINGS and tagged , .

13 Comments

October 13, 2023

The Throwaways


If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

In a country afflicted by poverty and rising inflation imagining a million dollars to give away is bizarre. I guess if anybody even gets to look at a briefcase full of that kind of money may just get a heart attack. I am saying briefcase because that’s what you see in James Bond kind of movies. The villain in a black suit carrying a black briefcase walking into a hotel with a black pistol very cleverly hidden under the belt! 😉😉. Everything black.

Well in my case it was the most ordinary looking man carrying a shabby case standing in queue in front of the cash counter. When his turn came he opened that overused case which had bundles of green notes neatly stacked inside. Obviously, it was not dark money. He wouldn’t be depositing then in the bank. In those days I was working as a trainee on a meagre salary. Incredulous it may sound but I felt quite sick looking at those big fat wads of currency I was not used to seeing let alone possessing.

Even after working throughout my life I have not been able to accumulate that kind of money. Only the super rich can. In order to give away a million dollar you got to have double or triple of that amount safely tucked in your account.

Having said that, if I let my imagination run riot for a while, I guess I would like to spend that sort of money on philanthropic projects. For example,

Those who have nobody to care for them.

The old who are deserted by their families.

Needy and deserving children who wish to be trained and educated.

Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia and not getting proper treatment.

Specially abled children requiring special training to be self reliant.

Again not born with a golden spoon, I guess, I think and feel differently. But those who are used to luxurious lives have a different thought process. They want the best always of everything – good , bad and everything inbetween and beyond. Those who are used to making surplus money are habituated to simply mint money. It is unusual, therefore, for them to contribute to society or donate for a cause or do charity without pecuniary benefits. Money begets money. And philanthropy is another source of income!!!! If not then atleast a source of tax saving!!!!

At this point I will seal my lips. 🤫🤫

You know mum’s the word.

Posted by on October 13, 2023 in Confession, HUMOUR, SATIRE and tagged , .

4 Comments

October 12, 2023

The Dance Of Shiva


Let’s talk books today.

There are some books which become referrals. This is one such.

I have just finished reading The Seven Secrets Of Shiva by Devdutt Pattnaik. The book explains the symbols associated with Hindu deity Lord Shiva and his varied manifestations.

The book is divided into seven chapters – each chapter dealing with each manifestation – it’s mythical and mythological aspects. Wonderfully written, the book delves deeper than mere depiction and description of the various forms and extends to the core of their spiritual implications. In short, the book is an expansive treatise.

Lord Shiva is worshipped as the Linga – the nirakar swarupa (formlessness). Lord Shiva is also portrayed as a hermit with closed or half closed eyes. A snake coiled around his neck. A stream of water flows through his unkempt, long hair which is tied up in a knot on top of his head. He also holds a crescent moon on his head. A trident stands next to him. He holds a rattle drum in one of his hands. In the backdrop of snow capped mountains Shiva sits still on the asana or yoga mat of tiger skin. Shiva’s throat is blue in colour. While his body is smeared in ashes. A formidable and imposing figure which is also guardian-like but meditative.

Devdutta says that humans are differentiable from animals by one distinctive trait – that of imagination. No other animal has the ability to imagine. They are guided by their biological needs.

Evolution of human being is catalysed by power of imagination which has enabled them, on one hand, to prosper materially and technologically through inventions, discoveries, developments and spiritually by realizing the Supreme Consciousness. On the other hand, human imagination has given rise to fear of scarcity and death. Fear has led humans to see the world around them in three variants – me, mine and others. This is what the trident of Shiva symbolises. In some manifestation like Lakulesh he holds a staff in place of the trident which symbolises control over mind.

Ancient artists portrayed human mind in the form of the male body. Shiva depicts the awakened mind. The half closed or closed eyes indicate inward concentration of the mind which does not respond to external stimulus like the snake. The snow capped mountains in the backdrop symbolize stillness. The stream of water indicates taming of the deluge. The rattle drum in his hand is the chaotic Nature which is ever-changing.

Shiva is the mind which does not focus on the transient Nature or Prakriti. Shiva spectates impermanence with indifference or aloofness because he is aware of the true nature of everything around – the continuum of creation, decay and destruction. However destruction here does not mean the end. It is de-construction or the process of re-construction or re-birth. There is no beginning and no end, says Devadutt. It is the cyclic order of the cosmos.

Shiva’s throat is blue because he holds all that is venomous. The ashen body symbolizes victory over death. His friends are ghostly creatures. He accepts and embraces what is considered trash and discardable.

Shiva’s consort is the Goddess Gauri who conjugates with Shiva in different forms – Parvati, Kali, Durga, Sati. She is mother Nature who changes forms and understands the fears of her human children. She wants Shiva to open his eyes to give darshan so that her children are able to outgrow fear. In one of the stone carvings Parvati carries a mirror or darpan in her hand. She wants Shiva to open his eyes and gaze into the mirror or the world of fear stricken humans. An aroused Shiva can give abhay to his mortal children and immortalize them by helping them to overcome their imaginary fears.

In another swarup or depiction Shiva is Nataraja or the king of all cosmic dances. He dances within the wheel of fire which is this chaotic cosmos. His one leg is still while the other leg moves in a cyclic motion. His one hand is still palm outward symbolizing abhay daan – the boon of being fearless – and the other hand points towards the leg in motion. The choice is ours whether we wish to be in a frenzied motion or stilled and introspective amidst chaos and confusion.

Devdutt Pattanaik deciphers the secrets of Shiva in seven chapters – seven mighty forms of Shiva. Amongst them, Lingeshwara or the formless form signifies the intangible within the tangible.

The others are – Bhairava, Shankara, Bholenath, Ganesha, Murugan and Nataraja. Ganesha and Murugan are Shiva and Gauri’s sons.

Those who are interested in Hindu mythology and mythical symbols of worship can grab this book for sure. I myself was unaware of the many secrets that Devdutt decodes systematically and patiently in this Hindu Trinity Series. There is more to the book and more to the enormous personification of Shiva. The book also has a beautiful collection of portrayals of Shiva taken from different parts of the country which also include poster arts, calendar arts, sculptures, temple arts and photos of the deity in different forms as worshipped in temples like the ice linga in Amarnath.

A little about the author here :

All images of Shiva are from the book itself. Devdutt Pattnaik’s image is from Wikipedia.

Trivia : The title of the blog is taken from the book by the same name by Swami Abhedananda. Someday I will talk about this very intriguing book too.

Also shared with Mouthshut.com and Goodreads

Posted by on October 12, 2023 in Books, Learning, OF HUMAN QUEST, REVIEW, SPIRITUAL, TALKING ABOUT BOOKS and tagged , , , , , , , , .

2 Comments

October 11, 2023

My Personal Goals


What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

🤔🤔🤔

This is a hard prompt because all goals are hard to attain, aren’t they? That is why they are called GOALS.

If they were soft they would not have been recognised as something attainable.

The first goal that I achieved and subsequently failed to stick to was weight management.

It was doctor’s order. Weight control was imminent. I followed a diet regime and lost 15 Kgs in six months. Quite an achievement for a foodie! But when it was time to return to normal meals I fell sick, consulted a gastroenterologist, was on medication for one and a half months, resolved not to go back to diet and regained weight.

My aversion to driving germinates from fear of speed though that means I shall never be able to go for my dream intergalactic journeys. Sorry Mr Musk.

The drivers of the Capital are ruffians. They always seem to corner you on the road. Especially, if you are a lady. The general opinion is women can’t drive. As if men can! Most of the on road accidents happen with male drivers. Female drivers only give wrong indicators!!!

I tried thrice to learn the art of driving first from driving school and then from private tutors. FAILED. Not exactly though. I know every nuance of the act theoretically. But when it comes to steering the wheels I go blank.

I hate driving. I would rather be driven. But drivers are pests. So back to square one. I guess my aversion is a camouflage. I actually lack focus. Since childhood moving vehicles either made me sleepy or wander away to wonderland. So…another of my rickety determination to achieve falling off the hook.

The third resolution was not to get overboard on being helpful. I have failed quite a number of times, realized my mistake, again put on my armour and again failed.

Beginning of this week I came to know the project that I have undertaken for helping my successor at work is being seen as my parting attempt at sucking extra mileage. What will I gain out of it? Nobody remembers once you retire from job. I am hurt but I am still at it because it was my idea. I cannot go back on my words, you see.

The fourth resolve that I have often taken and broken is trusting others. I am on the verge of trusting my current boss. I am doddering. I know I will jump the line soon. Help! Help!

Money and me have a love hate relationship. I love to earn, go frugal on spending for a few months, use and reuse every possible article at home including personal ones till threadbare and then suddenly I turn into a shopaholic.

I have analysed my shopaholism has psycho roots. It springs from boredom, lack of excitement or thrill , desperation to prove myself, to give vent to restless energy and a sporadic craving to engage in some novel activity. Weird? I know…

Now the goals I have stuck to:

I will not die as an anorexic. I will have my fill before I say goodbye to mother earth.

I will have my say (read last laugh) in every matter even if it is to my detriment. It’s like it or lump it policy. Can’t care two hoots who you are.

I will not let go my well nurtured aggression even if I am ostracized.

Goal that I am soon to adopt :

Take a course in self defense. In fact I am quite fascinated with shooting though I have never held a pistol in hand.

Attend regular yoga or any other physical exercise classes (No gymning).

Will do all household chores on my own to remain active and agile.

Will go solo traveling.🤪🤪

Will keep a control on my hotheadedness though it sounds contradictory to my well nourished aggression.

Last but not the least, I will not dose off while meditating.

Posted by on October 11, 2023 in Confession, HUMOUR, I ME & MYSELF, REVELATION, SATIRE and tagged , .

14 Comments

October 10, 2023

Artists Of India Part I


Who are your favorite artists?

In my post on Indian Culture I had spoken about the vast subcontinent that India is and it’s multi faceted culture.

Today as an answer to this prompt I shall only concentrate on painters of India. I will just showcase their art which in itself will be self explanatory.

Nandalal Bose

The painting portrays Sati Pratha- a girl sitting on her husband’s pyre for self immolation – an erstwhile heinous practice which is illegalised now.

Jamini Roy

The painting is captioned Dancing Girl

Abanindranath Tagore

He was Rabindranath Tagore’s nephew. A multi talented personality who was a painter and also writer. We have grown up reading his stories which also included sketches made by him adding fuel to the fire of a kid’s imagination.

The Portrait is captioned My Mother

Raja Ravi Varma

I like the delicateness and fragility underscored in his portrayals!

Rabindranath Tagore

Tagore introduced minimalism in painting.

Satyajit Ray

Who does not know about Ray? He was a film maker par excellence. A storyteller for young adults. A music composer. His stories again had illustrations which enabled the characters to come alive – a visual treat!

The sketch is from the Adventures of Professor Shonku – a character created by Ray for kids perhaps to infuse interest in sci-fi.

All the pics are taken from Google, Pinterest, Amazon and will remain embedded in the post till allowed and if not removed by the respective sites.

However, this is just a very short glimpse of India that is.

More to come…

Posted by on October 10, 2023 in Art and Art Forms and tagged , .

6 Comments

October 5, 2023

Like The Fish Out Of Water


😁😁😁

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

This is a prompt which is very close to my heart.

It’s unbelievable but true that in most of the phases in life I have felt out of place. My very few friends politely told me I was ‘different’. I actually don’t know what they meant because they refrained from elaborating.

In school I was clueless and of course friendless. I could not gel with anyone which was a pity. The girls either spent time with their besties or in groups but I had none. My selective few friends were in the elite Science section. What I did not realise at that time was that I was a loner and a dreamer. I loved my own company but did not know what to ‘do’ with myself.

This was a point in life where I got into theatre and spent quite a considerable time in rehearsals. I now realise the passion for stage sprung from an innermost desire to be someone other than what I was. Needless to say I was very good at it and as I have written somewhere I wanted to follow it up as a career. Thank God! I did not. I was not meant for that circle.

I should have concentrated more on studies because that is what I am best at – seeking knowledge. But as I have again said before there was no handholding and guidance for me. Neither did I confide in anyone nor anyone seeing my pathetic plight came forward with gems of advice and that included my family as well. Everybody was busy in their own lives. I was left to fend for myself.

In college I had one good friend and we stuck together. She belonged to an orthodox Punjabi family. I was more disciplined in my ways and did not believe in taking undue advantage of the new found freedom. People did. They bunked classes, made boyfriends, went to see movies or else where. By now I had started taking studies seriously and immersed into it. My comfort zones were classes, notes, library, books and home. My friend tagged along till such time she got infatuated with a law student whom she married later.

A few unforeseen circumstances later when I joined office, I was truly the fish out of water. It was my birth City but I was absolutely new to it having been brought up in a truly cosmopolitan hub. In the unfamiliar and biased surround, the hate they felt towards an ‘outsider’ was palpable and I hated them in return. The most overwhelming thought at that particular juncture was to run away somewhere else. But where? There was nowhere else to go.

Being the tenacious type and burdened with responsibilities, I stayed put. This was the time when I began learning a lot on the job. Fact remained I had no other choice left in life.

When I got back to my hometown I thought I would be happy in familiar surroundings. But I was wrong. Considerable time had elapsed. It was no longer those college days. I learnt very quickly that all cities had the same ethos – othering. I was exceptional again having worked in another city and taken a transfer back on my own accord. It was unthinkable in those times when even working women were confined to a scripted zone of utilization. They were considered fit for being the secretarial assistant to the bosses. Those who had Finance background worked as Officers in the Accounts section. I was put in Administration. Everyone remained on the job they were lucky enough to be put. Nobody thought of potential and aptitude testing and placement based on competency or ability.

This was the time when I gradually found myself. I learnt a lot by mistakes and by misplaced faith. I was made the scapegoat on many occasions. I was known as the quiet officer who kept to her work and I still continue to be the same.

By this time I came to terms with my aloneness. I realised I was different because I had different taste, different journey and a different quest. It was not out of place to be out of place because where life had brought me I was not meant to be. Had it been anywhere else it would have been the same because I belonged to a different league – I was a lone traveller and always would be. So, I let the caravan leave me alone. I continued on my own.

I still do…

Posted by on October 5, 2023 in Confession, I ME & MYSELF, Learning, MUSINGS, OF HUMAN QUEST, REVELATION and tagged , .

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