serendipity34

The Mind of a Writer

2012-01-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Remember Firaaq Gorakhpuri? He hated his wife so much that he refused to see her face even when they lived under the same roof.But that was an extreme.When Premchand married a widow,I wonder weather his first wife was around.Though Ghalib married his childhood sweetheart but wikipedia says 'There are conflicting reports regarding his relationship with his wife'.Our very own Gulzar left beautiful Rakhi.

In the west most of the famous writers had multiple marriages.Hemmingway married thrice,Henry Miller-five times,just to name a few.But it is common in their culture.They might have been like this even if they were not writers.

Generally people who are very popular and admired by many,considered witty with great sense of humour are not equally amiable at home or with the people closely related to them.

What can be the reason? One what I think is that they don't want to be interrupted.unlike any other profession they cannot resume their work after making small talk and start where they had left.They have to be selfish it seems.While writing,one moment of distraction and there slips an apt word and an idea which he might never catch again.

At the dentist's waiting room I was reading Mahesh Dattani's column and he was complaining how ppl who know that he works from home,drop in.In spite of telling them that he is not expecting anyone at that time.

so what happens if a family member needs the writer's attention.They can't be formal at home.And what if his wife wants to know if she should keep her hair short or long or has she put on weight.What for dinner? Writers don't also have fixed working hours.

The other reason can be that the wife doesn't resemble the character he is creating in his notebook who is obedient,fresh,knows him so well and speaks only when he wants.

I know a writer who lives in a mansion with his two dogs, a bar full of alcohol and a few devoted servants.Though separated but the wife is in touch and still cares for him.So one more thing which I observed,is common that though separated these wives are not sure what exactly they hated in their husbands and still respect them.I fail to understand how can wives even stand them who made their lives hell.I was brooding all this when I saw Rakhee touching Gulzaar's(One of my most fav writers)feet on the stage in an award function.

I know we cannot generalise as on the other hand there are writers like Jug Suraiya who cannot write an article without the mention of his wife.

Madras Memories

2012-01-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

It was like a foreign land for me when I reached Madras around 15 yrs back. Language seemed the only barrier between me and the city where I planned to stay for the rest of my life. But I took it in my stride and by the time I reached Vellechery, I could already read ‘Pallavan’ in Tamil.As it was written on all the city buses in English and Tamil.Same goes for all the sign boards and most of the hoardings.

The warm smile of our landlady made me forget the fatigue caused by the 36 hrs long journey from Lucknow. She asked us what wd we like to have: coffee, tea or Horlick? I would have ROFL if in Lucknow someone wd hv offered me Horlicks. Hubby stared at me with surprise When I said 'Horlicks'.Horlicks was good. Which was warm and sweet like her smile. For two months we lived like a big family. And then we got a house on campus.

The Hindu every morning looked so different from TOI and IE I grew up with. While my 2 yr old daughter and I had to interact with ppl who didn’t know English, hubby was comfortable with his colleagues and students.
IITM was a pleasant mixture of quiet surrounding amidst the jungle and fast city life just outside the main gate
I had my fears when we planned for our second child in a new place and far away from my parents,Still I enjoyed my ‘fatso’ days there.I read all the books by RK Narayan from the Faculty Club library and ate lots of south Indian food and was sure to deliver a Swami straight from Malgudi Days.

Choosing/selecting a doctor was a tough task.I found an around 80 yr old lady doctor when I reached the clinic,a friend had suggested. She took good care of me throughout .Specially with the diet plan etc. But just one month before the due date I wondered about her capabilities and facilities in her clinic in case there was going to be any emergency.
At this point we met Dr Prabhawati at ‘Andhra Mahila Sabha’ hospital.She looked like a typical doctor from advertisements. Smart with short hair and wore a crisp cotton saari. Like most doctors she also spoke less, but gave me all the important instructions politely and assured me that everything is fine with my health. After just 2-3 routine check ups ,one fine midnight I found myself at the hospital. The nurses on duty must have called her. And at 3 in the morning she was with me,though I was feeling guilty for disturbing her.At 4 am I delivered my child. After that I met her just one more time..
Around this time hubby got an offer from another IIT which was near my hometown. I had to leave Madras before I could explore it.
One day I saw Dr Prabhawati’s pic in the obituary section of 'The Hindu' at a south Indian friend’s place.Then I came to know that my doctor was in the advanced stage of cancer when I needed her at that unearthly hour.She did a lot of social work also in the rural areas.

During my check ups I used to be so occupied with my queries and fears that I never noticed that she wore a wig.

Life in a Non-Metro

2011-12-27T12:01:00.001-08:00

Just got out of a hot shower in a December morn,I reached for a pair of denim and well ironed top/kurta, knowing that I had a lot of running around to do at the Annual Sports Meet in the school where I teach. Though there was no dress code but it is a truth acknowledged throughout India that saari is the safest bet if u are in a formal environment.So I chose one from a few I have.

As I was signing the register a colleague smiled and said, "lucky saari ! you are wearing it :-)" Cute compliment.I never heard it before."yes"I responded,"I didn't want to disappoint my fans.;-) (who belonged to III A ). In the class, girls chirped, "looking nice ma'am" and boys gave me the look of 'what happened to this lady'? She is looking so different.

My students come from varied backgrounds. A child who has already traveled half the globe, rubs shoulder with another whose father washes clothes in one of the hostels or cooks food in some mess, in perfect harmony. One was absent for a few days and told me that he went to Princeton.And when I asked Saina why ws she absent for two days.shyly she replied and I didn't believe my ears,

"Ma'am our cow ate my uniform".
Somehow I could resist laughing aloud. People who know me, know how I love to laugh.
Now some complaints:

Ankan Verma: Ma'am these people call me Ankal (uncle)
Maanas: Yes and they call me Minus:(

By the way Class 3 won the Trophy for the 'Best special Display.' Sari was lucky indeed.:)

Enjoying my afternoon siesta is in my DNA. And internet is the lullaby. I could be the founder member of the page:‘I don’t watch TV’ On FB. But Luckily I got to watch a part of the documentary on Madhubala which was being telecast on one of the news channels. The segment I watched was dedicated to Kishore Kumar and how he married and then tortured her later.

I never cease to thank God for my evening walks.Mostly I'm alone. Sick of the same songs on my mobile,I took hubby’s IPod and the first song was ‘Jab Tak Maine Samjha jeevan kya hai,jeevan beetgaya' sung by Kishore. Thinking abt his devilish behavior with Madhubala , I hated him and felt like skipping the song.Then I thought of wot I read somewhere:
“All forms of madness, bizarre habits, awkwardness in society, general clumsiness, are justified in the person who creates good art.”

So if a person is gifted he has a right to hurt/humiliate others? I almost agreed and couldn’t skip the song and what a song!

My locality is full of small and big temples .I pass by many of them. And here was one.It looked like a well and covered with a lid. Some smooth round pebbles, marked with vermillion reminded me the saying about my native place. It goes like..’Jitne kankar,utne Shankar’.

After supper I watched Bawarchi with my MIL.(Kishore Kumar again!) I was fast asleep just after I heard Jaya asking Rajesh Khanna.
‘Itna pyaar diya ,uska koi mol nahi?”
RK had no answer.

How different my life would have been if I were living in a Metro,having a good job.I put myself in the shoe of those ladies whose profiles I view on FB and wonder do they have a life better than mine? I don’t really know.

Happy B'day Jesus

2011-12-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

Just felt like having a Christmas Tree at home.Didn't have one since my children stopped believing in Santa.Thinking of Dickens' famous lines:

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year"

People

2011-12-10T22:03:00.000-08:00

In the hullabaloo of cosmic Mela It seems that we lose our dear ones and traveling through time we again cross paths.Our brain,though en extraordinary organ, having its limitations fails to recognize but our heart gives some signals:

How out of numerous colleagues,only one,whom you get to meet only once in a blue moon ,gels so well with you that u become permanent members of the 'Mutual admiration club'.Like that day at work, how could she
differentiate between my usual cheerful self and the fake broad grin? When she asked."looking dull now a days.Any problem? Or just Monday morning blues"? I couldn't lie so kept quiet.
whereas colleagues/friends who are inseparable,couldn't see anything.

The World is His Ashtray

2011-10-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

I believe that a drunkard’s devotion to his deity, to whom he surrenders everything including his senses is unparalleled. Of late I’ve noticed the same passion burning also in the hearts of the people who smoke.

In a family of non-smokers I never had /have an opportunity to observe them closely. Now more awareness against it i.e. banned in restaurants etc the chances are bleak. People visiting you also go outside to smoke. Now we don’t even see a Jackie Shroff i.e.a good guy smoking in the movies.

As a kid I’ve seen people smoking casually, sitting and chatting in our drawing-room.Now only I realize that we always had an ashtray in our house. When, the one made of some light metal, a bowl with a lid and a big hole on the top looked weird, was replaced by a lovely glass ashtray. It had spaces left on its edges to put the cigarette if the visitor wished to sip the tea in between. The ashtray was cleaned regularly and put on the central-table and used as a paper-weight also. Right now I realize that in these 2 decades neither I had an ashtray in my house nor I saw a lovely one on the shelves of a gift/china shop.

Smokers, like drunkards are also devoted souls. A worst victim of motion sickness, I only detested them in a bus or a train, when with the first breathe of that smell I wd puke. Otherwise who doesn’t like Vinod Mehra blowing smoke on Rekha’s face in GHAR while she sings lyrics penned by Gulzar.

Coming back to ‘burning passion’,in my locality,I get to cross paths with many beginners and stalwarts of smokers ’club, though just for the fraction of a second. One doesn’t have to stand and stare but just a glance is enough to see the deep satisfaction which seems “exquisite and leaves them unsatisfied”. From holding it to blowing smoke out of their mouth, each step looks a ritual .They seem to pronounce that if it is a slow death then let it approach me while I enjoy several such lives.

The latest argument I heard in the defense of smoking is that more non-smokers die of smoking related diseases. Husbands console their wives saying “Net pe check karo”.

Humming the song I faintly remember, Naveen Nishchal singing in Chitrhaar, Cigrate ka dhuaan –jata hai kahaan? Ya kahi jata ---nahin. (where does the smoke from the cigarette go..etc),
I sincerely wish for a few smokers I know a healthy and long life and rest of them..do they really care?

Dreams

2011-10-03T23:19:00.001-07:00

The storyteller

2010-11-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

While watching Prem Rog on TV this afternoon I was reminded of a classmate/friend of mine, Anita Rawat , the great storyteller who narrated the story of this film to me (us)almost 3 decades back.

I don't know how many people are aware of this genre and talent of(film) storytelling.
She used to start from the casting and could make her listeners visualize 'The End'
on the screen.These sessions used to take place in the free periods at some corner of the playground of the school while enjoying the winter sun and continued in various parts throughout the week.The mesmerized listeners were found in tears sometimes.I wonder if there is a 'Filmfare Award'for such orators.

When I saw this film with my friends,whom I was visiting, in a theatre which is now submerged in water alongwith the orchards,bazars,schools,a palace and a clock tower of Tehri Garhwal,I had already heard the story.OMG!! She had even described the cleavage of the heroine so vividly.

When I returned from Dehradun to Pauri after one of my winter-breaks and announced that Sunjay Dutt was looking great in Vidhata
I was requested by SD fans to tell the story,I couldn't continue after 5-6 minutes."Picture Khatam"??They asked. We all had a good laugh.I realised that Storytelling is not everybody's cup of tea or bowl of popcorn.

Funny FlipKart Ad

2010-08-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the statue in the ad :-)

A visitor

2010-07-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Suffering from viral, I was admitted to Health Centre. I'm back after two days of home-sickness. Apart from many other friends
see who came to visit me. :-)

A Trip to Down South

2010-06-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the frequent drizzle that made the weather agreeable and to our wonderful hosts to make our trip enjoyable.
Throughout my stay I kept comparing North and south India regarding development, roads, weather, traffic, people,police (kaval in tamil ) food etc.
The journey by Brindavan Express, from Chennai to Bangalore was enjoyed most. For the first time in my life I enjoyed the food available in trains. My God, those dosas were heavenly :-)
It was nice to see ladies wearing thick gold chains and ornaments while traveling. Here in north chain snatching is so rampant that it is not at all safe .

Pondicherry was exactly the same as I had imagined, specially the streets (rues)around Aurobindu Ashram ,the French–style houses and restaurants, etc.

Like my Mumbai trip, I kept thinking about the bloggers from Chennai whose blogs I read. I wondered if one of them was around when I was strolling at City Centre, Adyar, KFC or T Nagar. But I had no luck :-(

One thing that I missed during these eight days was a cup of proper tea-kadak(strong) Chai. But I got a double dose of tea in the form of a book called Chai-Chai, which I wanted to read but was not getting here.

Time to return and how true was what I read in Chai Chai: “..return journeys are always shorter and more assuring”.
I found myself humming the nursery rhyme my dad used to repeat whenever he used to return from his official tours ‘Dekh liya humne jug sara-----apna ghar hai sabse pyara. (I have seen the whole world and realized that my own cozy home is the best)

Ajmer Trip

2009-08-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Dargah Ajmer

' Love towards all malice towards none.'

View from the Jain Temple...

One of the Vibrant lanes of Pushkar

A Pet's Tale

2009-04-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

The moment I read a few lines of the post (Nanoo) I had a dejà vu.

Back from school I found my elder sis and bro arguing about a blackish-brown pup who was sitting comfortably in the corner .A cleanliness freak, she didn’t want the pup to stay .I didn’t know whom to support as keeping a pet was a big responsibility too.

In the evening when bro was off to play cricket didi put the pup in a bag and went for a long cycle ride and left it 5 km away from home. To her horror she found the pup on our doorstep the next morning and before she knew Ronny had already learnt to shake hands.

Popular amongst the kids, she had regular lil visitors leaning on our railingin the evenings. Dad was still paying back the house loan but it was called ‘Ronny’s House’ by many.

During the chilled winters of Dehradun she preferred to sleep in one of our rooms, a verbal instruction was enough to send her back to her room. But what amazes/ intrigues me most even today that how cd she make out that who was passing by the main road outside the gate. She wd growl just before we heard the sound of lifting the latch of the gate.

It was a busy road. People and two wheelers wd pass by but the moment someone was about to open our gate, not even touched, she wd bark even though she wd be sleeping in the innermost room of the house.

I took my board exams, graduation, Post grad, took a job and then got married and even later Ronny was always in the background .Thirteen years is a long time after all.

After few years when bro got married everyone (friends) said Ronny should have lived to see this happy occasion, the way we say about an elder of the family who is no more.

Pets give us so much but leave a pain forever when they leave us.

Teacher's Day

2008-09-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

When does rest of the world celebrate Teacher's Day?
Do they celebrate it at all.

Gold!!!@ Beijing

2008-08-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

Congrats India!!

Congrats Abhinav

Mumbai

2008-07-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited Mumbai for the first time.The city looked like a film which I've already seen,as all the places,roads and their names looked so familiar.Thanks to our hindi films.

Though beaches disappointed me but I loved the promenades.

I saw 'Mannat'and 'Jalsa' but I couldn't resist taking a photograph when I was told that this building belongs to our very own Lata Mangeshkar.

-Vandy.

PP

2008-06-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

While browsing the net I landed here

and got to read the post titled PP which instantly brought a smile on my lips.

During pre PCO days pp (PADOSI KA PHONE) was the source of many good/bad news from relatives and friends .I don’t remember any padosi feeling disturbed or irritated when he had to call his neighbour to receive calls. But those were the days when we had the padosis in the true sense of the word.

Now let me tell the reason to smile:
During mid 80ies,we lived in Pauri Garhwal. The place we lived at was away from the city.We had to climb down quite a distance to reach the school and then climb UP the same distance to get back to the ‘Officers' Colony’ which had only five houses. There was one more house which belonged to an Engineer of Jal sansthaan (‘waterworks’).

In those five houses, for a few months,only we had a Phone. Our engineer friend got this facility later but for some time Srivastava uncle had to depend on our phone for his official calls, which were quite frequent as the nature of his job required it. To call him we had to walk down quite a bit. So we had a‘who will go’ look on our faces whenever he got a call. Still it was fine with us.

One winter afternoon we were startled by a sound of a pebble hitting our tin roof. We came out to check who did it!! We looked up(the motor road) and saw our very jovial Shah uncle who was the SP(suptd.of Police) city,a busy person. He said (loudly) that he was passing by and just wanted to say hello but didn’t hv the time to climb down (to reach our house).

After that day we just had to throw a pebble on the tin roof of the person we had to call.

Anyone who heard or saw us doing that had a good laugh.

flowers and Thorns

2008-06-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

This is the first pic I took on my way to Badrinath.(somewhere near Kannauj)

This bush is called BICHHUGHAS and found in Uttranchal in abundance.Just a touch is enough to give you an(electric) current and pain for hours.

why Amitabh is not a typical blogger?

2008-04-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

1. No blogger puts his own photograph on his blog.

2. HE doesn't wait for the comments,he gets them anyway that too in 100s.

3. All the readers know him but he doesn't know them.It's not the case with
a normal blogger.

4. He is a busy man. Can't keep track of all his blog friends.Would HE
experience that delight of knowing someone who thinks just like him.The way we do.

5. Would he be happy to know that one of his blogfriends has become father recently.

6. Would he wait for his blog friend's newborn child's pics?

7.wd HE know that how one feels when ppl u hv never met,never forget to wish u Happy Birthday. Even though you don't write too well but still they praise ur writing skills and encourage u.
Discuss Ghalib and gulzar.

And many other things He would not feel the way a typican blogger does.

-vandy (an amitabh fan)

Just a feeling!

2008-04-26T04:54:00.000-07:00

All our friends have names,
best friends or just friends .
Few we cherish, others we let go.

All our relatives have names,
poor relations or the rich ones.
Some we accept , some we don't.

We name our memories,
the good ones and the bad !
Few we frame , rest we throw.

We have names for God,
omniscient,chaste and
all over spread...

Then why can't I give a name
to the feeling, I have today.
And have no words to name it !

chakde!

2007-08-01T04:34:00.000-07:00

Looks a nice movie.I want it to be a hit. something different . Reminds me of Hip Hip Hurray.

Guru..r Bramha -2

2007-05-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

In her creative writing class when she showed her assignment to the instructor, expecting something motivating she was insulted saying why in the first place did she choose that course?

Broken hearted and sad she had stopped writing for many years.When she started writing again the same write-up was appreciated and awarded too.She became a successful writer.(courtesy:chicken soup for the writers' soul)

2nd case.

She worked hard on her project and then the sigh of relief on its completion.Just after the submission she had planned to visit home and then join the new job in a new place.The enthu and happiness was apparent.Date is fixed for joining.Everything was going well as planned.Tickets booked.Then what cd be the reason for the long face and sad eyes?

"sir is not free Submission 'll take place later".

Most of the times students are careless, take things for granted etc but sometime they are humiliated for no fault of theirs.

My question is

1. Did you experience , seen any such case.

2. What can be done to make sure that the student sh not be harassed.And the dignity of the teacher is maintained.

God and I

2007-04-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

I loved this piece of writing whenever I read it written on coffee mugs or
posters.Thanks to Google that now I know who has written it.

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with God, and across the sky
flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand. One belonging to God, and the other to me.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I look back at the
footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of
my life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that
it happened at the very lowest and saddest time in my life. This
really bothered me and I questioned God about it.

God, You said that once I decided to follow You, You would walk
with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints.
I do not understand why, in times when I needed You most,
You should leave me alone.

Then GOD replied

My precious child,
I love you and would never, never leave you wondering during your
time of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of
footprints in the sand, it was then that I carried you.

(MARY STEVENSON is the copyrighted, proven author of this poem)

-vandy.

Job watch

2007-03-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

Out of around hundred applications 25 candidates were called for the interview.
They fell into three catagories.

i) Who were ready to join at any cost.They even got the appointment letter next day.

ii) They were mediocre and and were ready to work with company's conditions."money is good..." types.They were politely told to wait till things get finalised.

iii) The best lot consisted of 2-3 candidates who faced the interview well with confidence,wanted to work on their own genuine conditions.They were told that they wd be informed witin a week.

Now my question is: a)
Do the employers shy away from the ppl who are very good,and outspoken ? A person who knows his work well will not take nonsense from his boss.

b)Should the candidate give the impression that he is desperate for the job or sh he give the impression that I'm good,if not here somewhere else.

Happy Teachers' Day

2006-09-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

"Teaching is a profession that teaches all the other professions."

You can read this.
Thank a teacher.
-Vandy.

Of vacation

2006-06-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

There were so many dream destinations in my list before my summer break began. Gomukh (source of river ganga,) was on the top of my list. But May be I was destined to go to Ansuya devi temple, (2000 mt altitude) The goddess Ansuya is believed to bless her devotees with children. I know few ppl who believe that they had lil ones only after praying here. One of them was with me with her cute lil 3 yr old. May Ansuya
Devi bless all those who are willing to hv lil ones.
Mandal is 2 hours ride from Chamoli ,(Uttranchal) from where we started our trek .
It took us less than 3 hrs to cover 5 km to reach the temple. Horses were available but I was too scared to ride one .

Our group had few Russian tourists, only the interpreter cd speak English .and others cd utter only few words when I mentioned Raj kapoor and Mera naam Joker.

After darshan we had our lunch . Were we tired? No! So we further walked one more km for a grand waterfall and a cave where Atri Rishi (Ansuya Devi’s husband) used to pray.

To reach very near to the waterfall one has to cross a narrow path and at one point one rock is blocking the way so one has to lie down and crawl. The passage is around 5 ft broad but a slip and u r down many feet into the water. I was scared but I did it.I’ve yet to get my pic which a friend had clicked from the other side of the waterfall ! quite a distance.

Came back to the temple and then five km trek back. Now I tried horse riding just to experience .Oh boy! Down hill it was scary and painful too.

Now my question,What did u do during the summer break. U too must hv had one 

Mom's Diary-3

2006-04-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

It was a rare site for me to see my son doing his HW at 10.30 PM,when I came back from my after dinner stroll.He was sleepy but cautious that his work should be neat.
I told him to go to sleep and finish it tomorrow morning.He declined my offer saying what if he cdn't do it in the morning?? This Ma'am is very strict."She even slapped me once!!"
We didn't know that someone else is overhearing this tale of humiliation till my daughter appeared saying,
"the same teacher taught me two yrs back but never hit me,he is very naughty!!But teachers don't beat gals and poor boys even get their ears twisted,and we can see its really painful"
My heart sank,the way it does when he comes home with a swollen thumb after the duel from his 'Tae kwondo' class.
I have already started feeling nervous for him when I hear stories of ragging in the college near by.

Now my question is "'Is life more difficult for boys than for Gals??

In case u didn't read it before

2006-04-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

Corporate Lesson:

Laloo Prasad Yadav talks to his son.
Laloo: I want you to marry a girl of my choice
Son : "I want to choose my own bride".
Laloo : "But the girl is Ambani's daughter."
Son : "Well, in that case...... Yes"
Next Laloo approaches Mukesh Ambani
Laloo : "I have a husband for your daughter."
Ambani : "But my daughter is too young to marry."
Laloo : "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank."
Ambani : "Ah, in that case.....Yes"
Finally Laloo goes to see the president of the World Bank.
Laloo : "I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president."
President :"But I already have more vice-presidents than I need."
Laloo : "But this young man is Ambani's son-in-law."
President : "Ah, in that case.......Yes."
This is how business is done!!!

Nature is playing Holi

2006-03-14T21:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Holi to u all.

Laugh Lines

2006-02-20T23:54:00.000-08:00

On her 69th birthday,actor and singer Julia Andrews appeared at Manhattan's Radio city Music Hall for the bebefit of AARP. One of the songs she performed was "My Fav things" from the classic movie The sound of music but with new lyrics:-

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
walkers and hardrails and new dental fittings,
bundles of magazines tied up with strings,
These are the few of my favourite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers,golf carts,and porches with swings,
These are.........

when the pipe leakes,
when the bones creaks,
when the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don't feel so sad.

Back pain,confused brains,and no fear of sinning,
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning,
and we don't mention our short shrunken frames ,
When we remember our favourite things.
When the jounts ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Courtsey: Harmony Magazine.

Nice pic.

2006-02-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

Of living and Non-living Things

2006-02-06T08:28:00.000-08:00

To explain “Living and Non-living Things” I made a collage for the 5 year olds I teach.
A simple concept but they felt enlightened when told how non-living things do not feel,grow and breathe as we do.
“After few years u all be tall and grown up but do u think this chair wd also grow tall like u all?” With mock seriousness I asked .
Noooooo ma’am. They laughed.
They answered enthusiastically the questions I asked based on the topic.
Just before winding up I asked casually:
“Which one do u like best? Living OR Non-Living Things?
Most of the children chose Non-living,thanks to the attractive pics of aeroplane , toys and eatables etc.
But when I said I like living things best, pointing at the cute cats, trees and humans, half of the class followed me.Rest of them were still for non-living things.
I asked a child,
“Sam ,I’ll give you two options:
1. Your best friend Sidhant will come to your house for a day .You can play and hv fun.
2. I’ll give u a nice ,a very nice toy to play with for the day. What wd u choose?
Sam rolled his big eyes behind his tiny specs and blurted…”I want sidhant!! And exchanged smiles with his dear fren.
After a pause he said.. “Ma’am I too like living things”

It is indeed a difficult question to answer even for an adult. Every sensible person wd answer “Living things.”
What do you say?
But then Non-living things don’t hurt your feelings unlike humans.Sigh!

Ganeshi.

2005-12-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

At the age of 23 mom was expecting her third child.A pampered but submissive daughter of a rich father,mom knew that she won't be able to look after three lil ones properly.Granny didn't allow abortion saying she will take care of one of us.So after my sister's birth she took me alongwith her.
I grew up in abundance of everything ; love,toys,attenion etc A fanta wheneve I wanted:-)which was only occasional for my siblings in the another city.

There came the generation gap as a monster.Over-disciplined life out there robbed the little childhood pleasures.But God loved me,I guess!and was there in GANESHI, our servant.He was my guardian angel, friend,and sometimes mother.He was in his late twenties but stll called me didi.

He used to drop and fetch me from school in his cycle.On the way he allowed me to stop and touch a puppy or a calf, answered patiently all my lil queries and fears.Consoled me that God wd not punish me for breaking that bird's egg because it had happened accidently.He even bought me chooran,the black saur powder I loved to lick,which was a strict NO in granny's dictionary.He even helped in my drawing HW which was a great relief.He was there with me when I missed mom and dad.

No matter how much my grandparents cared for me, they cd never understand how much I wanted to go and watch Ramlila:-) but Ganeshi didn't stay at night so he cdn't fulfil my this wish.

Ganeshi must hv grown old now, enjoying his pension,grandpa arranged for him,But he mustn't be knowing that his little-didi thinks of him...everyday!And tries to handle her own children the way he handled her once.

I'm a squirrel or a Godfather??

2005-11-22T03:39:00.001-08:00

None....this is just for fun. :-)

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Vandy.

Me.. squirrel ?

2005-11-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

You Are A: Squirrel!

Squirrels are quick and cheerful animals who spend their time scurrying, scavenging, and playing. As a squirrel, you are often seen jumping happily from branch to branch up in the treetops. Squirrels are foragers searching for nuts and seeds, and they are social animals often seen chasing and playing with other squirrels.

You were almost a: Parakeet or a Frog
You are least like a: Turtle or a Groundhog Discover What Cute Animal You Are!

Take care.
Vandy.

Rhyme and Reason.

2005-10-18T03:47:00.000-07:00

Mother and Father

"We are always loved by our mother and Father.
They are near us not very farther.
We are the buds and they are the flowers.
They know very much and hv lot of power.

They help us so they are good as gold,
But they sometimes get angry and sometimes bold.
They help us to colour and help us to draw,
and stop us to eat the food which is raw.

They cook food for us and even play.
When I grow big I will help them everyday.

-Ayush

************************
As we were talking abt 'bag checking after school'. I sometimes get poems written on crumpled papers.This is one of them.

Of compassion and class 3 A

2005-10-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

“You didn’t eat ur tiffin today ” I asked my son,back home from school while checking his bag. He blurted out:
"Most of us cdn’t eat.You know…Garvit hurt his leg so badly during the games period.Actually his team had won the football match. Jumping and laughing, he fell down near the staircase. He was bleeding.We cd even see his bone and flesh. He was crying, Mummy….Mummy. And then one by one all the children ,boys and gals, started crying.Not very loudly though.
But what shocked me was, Anubhav was laughing and saying Garvit wd stay in hospital for few days and then….(something very nasty).We all gave him a good thrashing .Sab ne mara . Then he sat quietly”.

May this feeling of compassion and the collective effort to keep the anti-social elements in check, stay with them forever .This is what our society needs most today.

PS: No malice towards Anubhav on my part.He is a sweet, naughty and chubby child.

Ma'am's Diary

2005-09-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

That was their last day in my class, after that they wd graduate to class 1.
So we decided to hv fun. After the outdoor games we were back to the classroom. Sitting in a low chair, brought me to their level, in terms of having fun, I mean. After a story I asked them to sing any song they knew. The moment I said it cd be a film song, Everyone
wanted to sing.
A lil girl sang: 'Har ghari badal rahi hai dhoop zindagi'….It was pin drop silence in the class of 20 children who were 5 yr olds.
She really sang well….The complete song. Applauds. Every one had appreciating words and gestures for her which she truly deserved.
Then a boy sang the title song of 'Dhoom',with the background music. Which ws hilarious and all of us had a good laugh.
In the meantime the bell rang. They said their prayer. Shouted ‘bye Ma’am’ and flew away to Class 1.

Ek kahaani

2005-09-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

She, a struggling writer.
He, a struggling singer.

They met through internet (IM).Shared their joys and woes. Consoled and encouraged each other.

KK_82: Lets meet tonight At ‘Ritz ‘ ( Where he worked as a singer.)

Ria_86: hmm.. ok

“My lovely sister pl impersonate me tonight.” She begged.
On the other side K also agrees his handsome friend to meet Ria as K.

Fear of rejection?

Ria’s bubbly sis and K’s fren enjoyed on the dance floor.
Ria and K talked abt music, books and poetry.

At night on chat they cdn’t resist and revealed their true identities.
It was an emotional moment for both of them. Was it love?

Morning they meet . Hug each other.
In the background is a huge poster of the film..HDDCS.

**************************

Watched this story on TV. All the four actors acted well.Now the question is
Would you like to meet ur Net buddy, in person?

Numerology for you.( Timepass)

2005-08-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

IF you were born on the :
>1st, 10th, 19th, 28th of any month you are number 1.
>2nd, 11th, 20th, 29th of any month then you are number 2.
>3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th of any month then you are number 3.
>4th, 13th, 22nd, 31st of any month then you are Number 4.
>5th, 14th, 23rd of any month then you are number 5.
>6th, 15th, 24th of any month then you are number 6.
>7th, 16th, 25th of any month then you are number 7.
>8th, 17th, 26th of any month then you are number 8.
>9th, 18th, 27th of any month then you are number 9.
>
>Number 1
>You are smart, a straight talker, funny, stubborn, hardworking, honest,
jealous on a competitive basis, kind hearted, temperamental, friendly,
and popular. You always want to be on the top and most likely to be
independent.
>You are most likely to fall in love at a young age, but will marry once
you
>mature! You are l ikely to have problems with people who have opposite
views
>and you are most likely to take revenge over your enemies in a long time
basis. You are a spender, but you will have a good profession in the
future.
>If you are guy you will be very popular. You can go anywhere from the
local
>shop to the heart of the parliament because you are positive and talented
in
>numerous areas. But in your life you will always have some people who
will work hard to bring you & your name down. Because of your
intelligence,
some
>might hate you. You are a pioneer, independent & original your best match
is
>4,6,8 while a good match would be with 3,5,7

>
>Number 2
>No matter what, every one will love you because you are ruled by the
Moon. You day dream a lot, you have a very low-self esteem, you need to
have a back up for every move in your life, you are very unpredictable.
You tend
to
>change according to time and circumstances, selfish, have a very strong
sen se of musical and artistic talent and powerful verbal communication.
You
>can be sweet as an angel and can be ruthless when double-crossed. Some
might
>say you have a sixth sense. You will become a poet, writer, an artist or
a businessperson. You are not strong in love, so your relationship will
be
in
>disarray until you settle down. If you are a girl, you will be
responsible for your family. If you are a man, you tend to get involve in
fights & arguments in the family. You will sacrifice your life for your
family. You are gentle, intuitive with a broad vision. You make a
well-balanced
person.
>Your best match is 2, 7,5, and 9 no other people can put up with you!!!

>
>Number 3
>You are hardhearted and selfish most of the time. You always tend to have
lots of problems within your family in the early stages but you will be
able
>to cope with everything. You seem to have your way in everything. And
from birth you would always have to work hard to achieve anything you
want. You always make a point to set examples on others, especially the
younger
ones.
>Generally you are not a cool person. It's not easy dealing with you. A
tough
>player you are! But once you are comfortable with someone, it will be a
lasting friendship. You always earn respect from others. Your Ilk seems
to have lots of worries and problems but they won't be for long. You will
have
>brilliant kids! You love money a bit too much so temptation will push you
to
>try endlessly. You will look after your family and help friends, so you
will
>spend a life time just being generous and kind (except for men born on
the 21st). You love your freedom, creative and ambitious, a person who
brings beauty, hope & joy to this world!!! Your best match 6 and 9. Good
match 1, 3, and 5

>
>Number 4
>You are very stubborn, very hard working but unlucky in important matters
in
>life, very cool and helpful. You might repel people away from you, you
may cause nuisance to others if you area man, as you gifted are with
>understanding other people's problems. If you are a girl, you excel in
your
>studies and arts. If you are a guy you spend most of your time with girl
friends and you tend to have too much fun with your mates & girls. Your
friends will spend your time & money and get on with their life and you
will
>be left empty handed. So be careful! You love to spend. Your positive
side is that you are always around to help family and friends. You always
fall
in
>love with those younger than you. You often live with disappointments but
you will take good care of your family. You need to be careful of people
who
>will take advantage of your kind heart. And beware of your relationships
too. You are radical, patient, persistent, and a hit old-fashioned; you
live
>with foundation & order. Your best match 1, 8. Good match 5, 6, and 7
>
>

Number 5
>You are very popular and you can get things done only by talking. Even to
your enemies! You are business-minded and like to do things
spontaneously. You will be famous if you get involved in any business.
Your friends and families will always ask for your help, and you are the
one actually with the money to help your friends. You will have more than
one relationship, but when you settle down you tend to be selfish. You
tend to go for other relationships - even if you are married at times
because of your
popularity.
>You tend to get along easily with anyone because the numbers is a middle
number. You love freedom and changes. You learn your life through your
personal experiences. Your best match 1, 2, Good match 6, 8.
>

Number 6
>Ooopppss.. you were born to enjoy! You don't care about others. I mean
you always wanted to have a lifetime of enjoyment. You will excel in
either education or business management! You are talented, kind (but with
only people who you think are n ice), and popular. All good things come
easily
to
>you. Your mind and body is just made perfect for love. You are loveable
by any number. But if you are a number 6 men, you will be involved in
more
than
>a few relationships until you get married. If you are a girl, most of you
will get married/engaged early. You are a caring person towards your
family
>and friends. You are a person of compassion, comfort & fairness, domestic
responsibility, good judgment, and after all you can heal this world's
wounds to make peace for everyone because you have the great power and
caring talent to take the world of love one step further.. Your best
match 7, 6, and 9. Good match 4,

>Number 7
>You are realistic, confident, happy, and talented in education, music,
art,
>singing, and most importantly in acting. You also have a bad temper! You
value your family status a lot; you will be in the top rank when you
reach
a
>certain age. If you are a guy you are popular with girls. Most of the
number
>7s face lots of problems with their married life. Only a few are happy.
You
>have everything in your life but with worries throughout your lifetime.
You
>need to get ready looking for a partner rather than waiting. If you
don't, then you might end-up being single. You are born to contribute to
everyone's
>joy. Your best match is 2. Good matches are 1,4
>

Number 8
>You have a very strong personality and people will find it hard to
understand you. You are more likely to suffer in your younger years. You
might be also the one responsible to look out for your family. You often
suffer all the way through life. You will learn life in a very practical
way. You are the one who will fight for justice and may even die in the
war
>too. You are normally very reserved with a handful of friends and most of
the time, live life alone and always prepared to help others. However,
once
>you settle down, (which is often late), then your had lucks will
disappear.
>You will face unexpected problems such as encountering poisonous animals,
and accidents. You are highly- disciplined, persistence, and courageous,
and
>it is your strength that will take you to success. You are a great part of
a
>family team. You are a fighter! Your Best match 1. 4, and 8. Good match 5
>
>

Number 9
>You guys are the most incompatible people in the world. You are so
strong, physically and mentally. You often have big-aims. You will work
hard and will think it's still hard to get there, even if you already
have gotten there! Normally you suffer in the early age from family
problems and generally you will have to fight in life. You are respected
by others. You were however very naughty in your childhood, and often got
beaten up by
your
>parents and had been involved in fights and you seemed to have suffered
lots
>of injuries. But when you grow older you become calm and will fall into
the
>quiet and dignified macho type. Love is not an easy matter for you. You
are
>however good in engineering or banking jobs because people always trust
you.
>Your family life is very good, but you will always worry over your
children.
>Your finer qualities are that you are humanitarian, patient, very wise &
compassionate. You are born to achieve targets and serve every one
equally without any prejudice. You are a role model for everyone. Your
best match
3,
>5,6, and 9. Good match 2
>

Guess what (FWD)

2005-08-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

Can you guess which festival is this???

You might have guessed: Krishna Janmastmi.

Wrong

Look down for answer.

" RAKSHA BHANDHAN ;) "

One year...

2005-08-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

Almost 25 post in one year, not a bad number for a procrastinator like me.
My blog completed one year last week.
Why do I blog? For me one reason is 'Sharing':sth I feel strongly ab,a joke, an incident, a poem etc etc. But can't I share all this without blogging?
No. For example,I loved 'Rahim ke dohe' posted by Manish and Rhicha. which was followed by a discussion. Imagine me talking abt Rahim ke Dohe to my neighbour or a collegue."She is gone crazy" they wd think". :-)
I'm lucky to have wonderful visitors of my blog. All are intellectually superior to me.I can always lean on them for any query regarding books,computer,music,places, and u name it...
Happy Birthday(belated) ......Serendipity34 :-)

**************************
Latest:
Sonny: Papa kahaan ja rahe ho?
Hubby: You shuldn't ask like this.Bad manners and bad omen .
Sonny: OK then papa 'Where are you going"?

SOOCHNA (Fwd mail)

2005-08-13T23:41:00.000-07:00

SOOCHNAA

Agar aap
bus, train, plane ya kahin se bhi
aa jaa rahe hon
aur
kisi mahila/ladki key haath míen
phool, dhaaga, chain yaa chamakti hui koi bhee vastu dekhein
toh turant wahan se bhaag jayein.
Yeh vastu RAKHI ho sakti hai.
Aapki zara si laaparwahi aapko BHAI bana sakti hai.

Bharat Sarkar dwaara purush-hit mein jaari !!

Of Siguri trip and Bareilly

2005-08-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Boating in the famous lake was the last thing in my mind when we had planned a trip to Nainital.I wished an enjoyable trekking trip.'Any mountain would do'I sighed.

I'd never thought that I'wd be praising the city of Bareilly so much, where we stayed for a couple of days on our way to Nainital.Bareilly, I found clean, prosperous and spacious.Even the lanes (galiyaan) were broad enough for two cars to pass at a time. But my friends think that after staying in the most polluted city of India( thanks to its tanneries, mills and whatnot...) any city wd look good to me.But no regrets I love the city I live in :-)

Nainital was fun.In the month of June we were using quilts.We strolled in the Mall road.Ate bhuttas (corn cobs)Visited zoo.A trip to observatory.Before my lil ones felt homesick (thanks to TV and PC)we met a person who was a "tour and trekking operator".So next morning we started for a place called SIGURI which was a two hours drive from the city.

CAMPSITE: It was an isolated place.Around ten tents,surrounded by tall holly-hock flowers.A big tent which was the kitchen. Toilets, wash-basin with a mirror, dining table and any such things made us feel at home.( but did I want to feel at home?? :-)
A big group of school-children also arrived there.Which proved a very good company for us. After the very tasty lunch we started for the top of the mountain.For a km or 2 there was a proper road,after that(3 kms) we just walked through the forest. The trek was so steep that in some places we were slipping backwords.One slip of foot and the person cd fall many feet down the hill.

The company of the school children and their teachers was relly good.I must say that they all were good singers.
After two hours, around 5 kms, we reached the summit.It was a great feeling and a wonderful sight. Rested for a while and started back as time was running out.Coming back took less time.
Dinner: In the middle of jungle we didn't expect party food which included chinese dishes and sweet dish too...Yum yum.
After dinne back to Nainital in our lakeside hotel.

I

2005-08-08T00:07:00.000-07:00

I am the Natural Number
e

I go with the flow
_

what number are you?

this quiz by orsa

Just like that

2005-07-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

Kabhi Subah se sulah,
Kabhi Shaam se Samjhuata.
Ek Naakaam si husrat,
ye hota gar yun hota.

***********************************

Male chauvanist:

Hubby: They should write 'L' on the car as she still does not look confident.
My lil one: No they should write LL.
Hbby: Why double L?
Sonny: Lady is Learning...

Book-Tagged

2005-06-16T22:36:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those who read many books (2 to 3) simultaneously. I could not finish many books which I started with great inthusiasm because of one reason or another.e.g: I'd hardly read 100 pgs of 'Anna Karenina'and it appeared on Star Movies, after watching the movie I lost the interest.
Thick books are not my cup of tea.May be because I'm a slow reader and I started reading very late in life.Better late....
My fav books are the collection of stories preferably real-life or Autobiographical.
Lookig at my reading habits and back ground I will not be able to offer very interesting answers and very famous names from the world of books.(Blame Manish for it he only Tagged me :-)

1.Total number of books I own : Hmmm… 20

2.The last book I bot : ‘Living History’ By Hillery Clinton.
Krishnkali By Shivani.

3.The last book I read :

'The India I love' By Ruskin Bond.

Ek thi Ramratti By Shivani.

4.Five Books that mean a lot to me: ( not exactly mean a lot but enjoyed reading it)

1. Love story By Erich Segal The only book which made me cry.

2. My India By Khushwant Singh: Anything written by KS in his those small Articles. .

3. ‘ Chicken soup for soul’ and other books of the series.

4. The India I love :
I could recognise the buildings and roads and lanes Described in book by RB

5. RK Narayan’s Books

6. PG Woodehouse : Hubby’s Fav

5. Tag 5 people
The ppl I know hv already being Tagged. So let me Tag any 5 ppl from out side blog-world.

1.Kajol: In her off screen pics she is always seen with a book.And she wants to own a book store one day.
2.APJ Abdul Kalaam.
3.hmm… someone complete the list pleeeese.

Houses

2005-06-01T01:57:00.000-07:00

I’ve lived in 3 cities and 7 houses during last 14 years which includes my parents' house also. It feels really bad when I’ve to leave a house. Last week we shifted again.
I left that beautiful house and got busy in settling down in this new one.

Since it was a 1st floor house every window opened to a beautiful scenery,which included tree-tops, an Air Tel tower far away, a Gulmohar tree covered with orange flowers, a bigger tree full of yellow flowers, lush green lawns of the ppl living in ground floor houses. And I also left a very friendly neighbourhood behind.

This shifting business reminds me of this Shloka from Bhagwadgita. which means that soul is eternal it does not die .Like we discard old clothes and wear new ones in the same way( we) Atama leaves the old body and takes a new one….
I cleaned, decorated and enjoyed that house and suddenly left it and now have nothing to do with it . Isn’t it the way everyone has to leave this house (the world) one day. And blah blah blah…..

*******************************

Read and liked:
Broken bangles. A lovely write up.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jul/15diary.htm

Untitled

2005-05-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

It is a five minutes drive from my colony gate to my work place.I take auto (vikram, an eight seater)whenever I miss my school bus,which I often do!
That day I boarded a Vikram,a less crowded one. The music was on which was not very loud, It was a sufi-Kawwali.It had words like 'Murshad' 'Sazada' etc

As soon as I started enjoying it I reached my destination . While giving money to the driver I told him "Cassette achha hai"(Cassette is very good)
He nodded and smiled.His taste and his manners made those five miutes so plesant for me and that was a good start of the day.

On the other hand sometimes we meet educated and sophisticated ppl and a look or a comment from them is enough to spoil the day.

Laugh - 2

2005-05-03T03:15:00.000-07:00

I don't see Shekhar Suman's show on TV now a days. And dare I mention Sajid Khan,... Manish and DJ will remove my blog from their 'Fav List'.

Yesterday I realised that I didn't have a hearty laugh for looong,before I sat with my lil ones and watched "Taakeshi's Castle" on POGO.Its a Japanese game show and commentry is dubbed by Javed Jaffery :-)

Life has become so monotonous.Same routine...I brooded ! MONOTONY reminds me of Ajit the LOIN.
One of the famous Ajit Jokes goes like this:

Ajit: Raabert ye Mona aur tony ki jodi ko tor do!!
Robert: Kyon sarkaar???
Ajit: Bahut monotony ho rahi hai!!!

one more:

Robert: Sarkaar Michael ka kya kare?
Ajit : Isse liquid oxygen me daal do!
Robert : ????
Ajit : Liquid isse jeene nahi dega ....aur oxygen isse marne nahi dega!

Shall I pray 'God give me my daily bread and daily laugh too'.

Mom's Diary--2

2005-04-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

“Mercury’s day is longer than its year”.
He only told me how is it possible.

“Christopher Columbus’s dream was to make a westward passage to the Indies, the land of untold riches…..”
When I told him this Indies is our India only, he asks why and how we became so poor?

Shares with me humorous and interesting he has read .
Has not told me his favorite wish as

“If you tell your wish it does not get fulfilled”
---- Betty.(Archie’s)

He reads most of the time but NOT his text-books.

He never stood 1st in his class.

He obtained 92% marks .( Don’t think I’m boasting. 92% is considered just average now a days)
When I see other moms teaching their children religiously, I resolute that I too will teach him at home.
He was taken aback to see my strange behavior!
I made him cram some answers like:
‘Plants, humans and animal need air to live.’
When I checked his answer sheet in school, he had written

“All living things need air to live.”

What I want to know is
Getting 100% marks at this stage will make any difference in the long run?
Is it necessary to make him sit everyday for an hour and make him revise whatever he has done in school..

Guru..r Brhama (Teacher isGod)

2005-02-25T04:55:00.000-08:00

I remember , an anecdote in TOI middle page, by someone abt his teacher. In short :

In his class (4th or 5th std) one child drew the picture of the teacher on the black board . .When the teacher came and asked , “Who did it?”, there was a silence. The teacher was furious but kept her calm and told the children that drawing sketches and caricatures is an art . One can opt it as a profession also .She gave the example of famous cartoonists .
She praised the sketch/ caricature on the black-board and very politely asked who drew it? The child feeling proud after the maa’m praised him, came forward expecting applauds, and what he got…..a tight slap on his face!!

Day before my daughter was doing her maths Home-Work( sums of Percentage) and was taking longer than usual .When inquired she showed me a note written by the teacher:
“Do it twenty times”
Her fault, she was doing it in the class, after submitting her CW.
20 times!!

Why should a child suffer because of eccentric teachers?
We get to hear and read in newspapers many (horror) stories about the cruel behaviour of the school teachers. Should govt fix some guidelines for them,e.g. They must not humiliate the children.Right, sometimes children also try their patience but then every problem has a solution.

As a student and as a teacher I came across different types of teachers strict and polite (both lovable) Charming. Ones who cd make history and civics interesting , others who cd turn maths into a nightmare Boring . Just OK . Good , and the Gods.
I think if a teacher has a good command over the subject and he teaches it well then all his sins are forgiven J
I wd like to know from my experienced friends here :
1.What a teacher should never do i.e. what irritates the students most.
2.What are the small gestures that make the students happy and get interested in the class.
3.Name one(or more) teacher you remember fondly ,and why?

Joys and woes

2005-01-28T09:50:00.000-08:00

Matters which made me sad\happy during these days .

My evening walks too make me happy.As I move on many people pass me by.Mostly I'm with my inner self, but do overhear what others say sometimes.e.g.
"Ay tum school jaate ho? Kya hota hai wahaan?"
says a boy pushing a vegetable cart,to another.
A cyclist whistling an old hindi song...
Then I noticed a very big heap of logs, which looked a lot like ...a heap of skeletons.They are cutting green trees marcilessly.Is there any place where I can complain about this mass slaughter!!

Each tree's death diminishes me indeed!

**************************** ***************************

Two months back my son told me that one of his classmates (one of the twins) was kidnapped.I was in a state of shock,thinking about what that 7 yrs old must be going through and plight of his mother left me sleepless for days.He was always there in my prayers.
My prayers were answered...last week the boy cameback safely I don't know abt the ransom etc.
***

"Anyway"

2005-01-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

***
This is often attributed to Mother Teresa as a copy was on her wall but it was written by Kent M Keith when he was 19,and first published by Harvard Students' Agency in 1968.

**********************************

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Mother Teresa

Why is love blind ?

2005-01-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

My all time fav FWD mail.)
Love is blind. If u want to know why then read this:

A long time ago, before the world was created and humans set foot on it, God had put all the human "qualities" in a separate room. Since all the qualities were bored they decided to play hide & seek
."Madness" was one of the qualities and he shouted: "I want to count, I want to count!" And since nobody was crazy enough to want to seek "Madness", all the other qualities agreed. So "Madness" leaned against a tree and started to count: "One, two, three..." As "Madness" counted, the qualities went hiding. "Reason" hid in a pile of garbage..
"Lie " said that it would hide under a stone, but hid at the bottom of the lake. And Madness continued to count "... seventy nine, eighty, eighty one..."
By this time, all the qualities were already hidden-except "Love ". For stupid as "Love" is, he could not decide where to hide. And this should not surprise us, because we all know how difficult it is to hide "Love"."Madness": "...ninety five, ninety six, ninety seven..." Just when "Madness"got to one hundred........."Love" jumped into a rose bush where he hid.
Madness turned around and shouted: "I'm coming, I'm coming!" As Madness turned around, "Laziness" was the first to be found, because "Laziness" wastoo lazy to hide."Madness" searched madly and found "Lie" at the bottom of the lake. One by one, Madness found them all - except Love.Madness was getting desperate, unable to find Love.
Envious of Love, "Envy" whispered to "Madness ": "You only need to find Love, and Love is hiding in the rose bush.""Madness" Jumped on the rose bush and he heard loud cry. The thorns in the bush had pierced Love's eyes.
Hearing the commotion God came into the room and saw what had happened. He got very angry and cursed "Madness" and said since "Love" has become blind because of u.....u shall always be with him"And so it came about that from that day on, Love is blind and is always accompanied by Madness.

You must be a ...

2004-12-16T23:21:00.000-08:00

You have all the answers,
still sometimes you are speechless.
You are worried,depressed,excited,
confident,contended and delighted.

You are a child,an adult,a preacher,
guilty,a realist,a dreamer,
conscious that little eyes are judging you
and unconsciously imitating you.

You have a responsibility,to pass on
the traits like honesty and time management.
Have to set an example.
But you too are human!!

There is always a prayer
on your lips.
And the list goes on....
Hey..you must be a Mom.

Aparthied

2004-12-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

She grew up with a sis (didi) who was beautiful and had long lovely tresses, and a bro (bhai) who made her laugh till she cried. Both the siblings never ever made her realize (even during the worst fights) that they had a complexion many shades lighter than hers.When the outsiders (read relatives) reminded her, bro and sis were there as a shield.

School: Teachers loved her.
College: Teachers…who are they?
Friends : See a trailer.
A day before holi,Parul dancing ON the table in the college (all gals) canteen, exactly like Amitabh, enthralling the huge crowd of girls. Singers, dancer , players(state\ national level) Head-girl, all were there in her gang.

Marriage: She saw the boy and said NO. “ ..he is very fair (kitna gora hai.)I I’ll be conscious throughout my life.
Then she met “boy’s” parents. They were a very fair and cute middle aged couple. Had a casual chat over a cup f tea.

That day while watching TV when she sat near the hubby dear, who was engrossed in a book. She said: see the contrast your hand and mine…Hey why did you marry me?He didn’t even hear her. Hmm what? So she had to repeat. He smiled and said: “Because love is colour- blind” and got busy in the book again.
I wonder if being fair skinned or beautiful makes any difference in day to day life?If a person is not endowed with these qualities, Should he/ she have any regrets?

Of Palmistry

2004-11-23T03:41:00.000-08:00

Palmistry Intrigues me a lot. I am a bit superstitious about it. …Superstitious because in the heart of my heart I feel I’m doubting my guardian angel by asking someone else about my future that too showing my hand to someone in a begging posture, anyway.
I was in class 11th ,back from college I reached my friend’s house. Needless to say how important friends are at that point of life!! Met her uncle who was good at ‘reading palm’. Hesitantly I too showed him my palm.A cursory look and he blurted--- marriage at the age 23! Vandyyy … TREAT everyone shouted,laughed and forgot.
Two years later one more uncle (palmist not a professional though) came to our house .Without even looking at my palm he predicted ---‘You will marry a professor”Oh God I was amused to see his confidence and to think abt the prof!

Years rolled by, I finished my studies and took a job. Between the classes to teach and piles of papers to check , a colleague (a bio teacher) held my hand and read out “surely by the end of this year and most probably by October you’ll be married” .I was again startled .

Came October and I was married to a prof at the age of 23!

Of birthday & Hopscotch

2004-11-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

March' 04
Cricket has stolen all the attention I used to get on my b’day.Last year it was final of the world cup and this yr it is the ODI at Pak . No complains though. B’days now rather scare me (JK) but growing old has its own pleasure especially when one has lil ones at home, growing up as well.
I was surprised to see my daughter playing Hopscotch one day.Lil gals look really cute while hopping on a pattern of squares marked on the ground.Surprised coz I thot that this game is lost somewhere between Barbies ,computer games and TV etc .I too had played this game a lot. Years back…, I used to hop with my eyes closed, after every step I’d ask my friend “Am I right?”….”Am I right?”Now I remember dad often used to repeat ‘ am I right; while cuddling me and my brother and making us laugh.Parenthood has so many pleasures including living one’s life all over again.

Premchand's stories by Gulzar

2004-10-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Doordarshan is showing "Tahreer Munshi Prem Chand ki" .
Directed by GULZAR .Sundays 9 PM , since July. Someone told me about it.
I missed it. :-(
They say that 'Godan ' was very good.

Looking forward to this Sunday's story. :-)

Naming names

2004-10-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

Its a difficult task to search a name for a new born.Everyone wants a diffrent and meaningful name.Friends, relatives,grandparents suggest some name or other.Few"different" names I came across:Once, in train I heard a mother calling her son...ATEET (past)
A friend suggested RIMLI for my daughter he didn't know the meaning but said its a bengali name (tell me if anyone knows abt it) There are so many but can't remember now.But the name which intrigues me most is PARTHIV (patel) I have heard this word only in one context 'parthive shareer'. I think Parthiv means Worldly. but i really hope it means something cute and nice like our lil cricketer.

laugh

2004-10-12T03:52:00.001-07:00

I just love to laugh and almost worship the person who can make me laugh till I cry.
Some people have it in them.Very simple joke they crack in a way that it works.
I had the opportunity to attend two Hasya Kavi sammelens and I laughed till my ribs ached. (Ashok Chakradhar,and many real good kavi out there)

In college there used to be latest jokes, situations, to do the needful .Now I depend on TV. Shekhar Suman, Johhny lever (his stage shows) and Saajid Khan are the few I enjoy. The way Shekhar mimics Atal Bihaari Bajpai, Amitabh, Dharmedra, Sonia Gandhi , Mithun and many more, is really very funny. Here are few jokes told by him in his programme .In written form it doesn’t sound that funny.its difficult to recollect but I’ll try.

News item: Doctors remover 7 kg of stone from a man’s stomach.
The man says that he would use it (the stone) to make his driveway.and after the operation his wife met him and called him “Pathaar ke Sanam”!

Once he connects Looong pause of Atal ji to the menopause of other political parties !

That day a colleague/friend of my brother asked him to write an application ( to be sent to the MD) Said ‘Yaar teri English Theek thaak hai “
Brother typed one and gave him the print out.
After going through it,with mock seriousness on his face told
Yaar isme ‘has been’ to aaya hi nahi.

Other’s may not found it funny but I had a good laugh.

Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

2004-10-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

A few things like a special song, a particular smell, remind me of a particular person, memory or a moment. Like
Smell of paratha –grandma’s kitchen (Cliché ! cliché ! but true).
Morning tea --Dad.
Amitabh Bachhan style of dancing---Parul , my friend.
Maggi noodles----Tungnath (temple)
Dusk---
Tungnath is one of the five famous Shiva temples (Panch Kedar) of Garhwal. This trek makes one of my fav memories:

To escape the hot weather of Dehra and monotony of the long days of summer vacations
I planned the trip. Somehow I could assemble/ agree 10 people (aged 5 to 40) More people meant more jokes,more songs, more fun.
Started from Rishikesh we drove up along the river Ganga. Reached Srinagar for lunch at a roadside dhaba. Couldn’t resist a nap after the food, though I wanted to enjoy the scenic drive. The song ‘Daiyya, Daiyya re’ (film dil ka rishta, one of driver’s Special) was repeatedly played by the Tata sumo driver. When woke up, I found myself at a place where Jim Corbett killed the man eater of Rudraprayag who killed 100s of people in this area. Our guide/guardian Natraj, an avid reader, told us many stories about the tigers, that tiger always attacks from the behind. It walks so stealthily that the victim is unaware of its presence.
Night halt at Syalsaur in log-huts on the bank of Mandakini was a wonderful experience. After 3 hours of drive we were at Chopta, the base camp for our destination.
The trek starts from here. The path was well constructed with Shale rocks. After a while appeared the lush green meadows and in front of us was the breathtaking view of the snow covered peaks of Himalayas. Natraj who visited this place during winters told that he saw the pugmarks of …a tiger, when the trek was covered with the thick snow.
Panting, tired and damn hungry, we reached Tungnath temple. After Darshan we had Maggi and aloo Paratha at the only Dhaba out there. Ya Maggi noodles still remind me of that place. Time to go back but the submit Chandrasila was still a km away. Others returned to Chopta and me and the newlyweds (Nuts and wife) started fot Chandrashila.

This one km was a bit tough but once we reached the top, it was a great feeling. While coming down we spotted a tea shop. Had tea and chatted with the shop owner and his wife. Time was flying away and we knew that it will take at least one hour to reach the base camp. Climbing down was not that easy as I thought! Now it was pitch dark. In my mind only one thing was there..Tiger! Attacks from the behind…Pug marks…Though we didn’t utter a word about it.
Yes I was scared!

Reached Chopta safe. But dusk still reminds me of a tiger sometimes…

Jack & Jill

2004-09-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

Got this in a FWD mail and could'nt stop laughing.

Jackwa aur Jilwa
Gaye upar Hilwa
Pani bhari ke waste.
Jackwa gir gawa, uka khopdi fut gawa
aur jilwa aawat ludhkan pure raste!!!!!

:-)

A Mom's Diary.

2004-09-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Feb'04

Today I packed a bunch of black grapes for Betu (is in class 1) instead of usual paratha or toast,Just to surprise him, as he is fond of it.
Did you share it with other guys?
“No”
Why? Shouldn’t you share?
“There was no need to share…they took themselves..”
And you? I enquired.‘I too had’, he replied carelessly.

An avid reader, he wants to ‘see the world’.This is what he said when after showing him the spectacularTableau in a Deepawali function I asked him,
“Isn’t it nice? what else do u want to see?”
I want to ee the world….
it must have meant something in Archie’s Lingo, Archie-Jughead , which he enjoys like anything.

"Noooooooo…. abhi loading hai" , he had shouted from the toilet,(he was not even 3 yrs old then) when I asked him should I come and clean him.
I didn’t know how to react to this computer addict!

The two guys who shared the grapes are given the role of robbers,Vibhu is in the lead role, and Avani is the tree…Ay you are not given any role to play?
“No” Why? “because I’m the narrator”……and jumped from the bed and ran away shouting:

“to infinity and beyond…

He is such a fine(cute) fellow.
My son….

Gurbaani

2004-09-02T03:05:00.000-07:00

Gurbaani

Listening to the shabads of Gurbani is a sublime experience. Being a non panjabi , it is difficult for me to understand most of the it till someone explains it to me. One of the reasons to like this book is that it is a compilation of the hymns written by the saints from all the religions of India. I can sit at any religious gathering and enjoy(except the Jagrans where they sing songs loudly based on the tunes of hindi film songs )

Like other scriptures Gurubani also says that that God is one and Omnipresent.
Every living thing is a part of God.

Agam Agochar Alakh Apara….
Jal thal mahiyal bharpur lina..
Ghat Ghat jyoti tumhari.

The Aarti “Om Jai Jagdish hare..is very similar to Gurbaani.
“Tum ho ek agochar….”

That day I got a cassette(Mann Jeetai Jagjit) of Gurbani ,most of the words are in hindi.
It is sung by our very own Jugjit Singh. It is a treat to the ears.

A digital dictionary

2004-08-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

Before I finished reading Khushwant Singh’s autobiography, a friend gave me “My Days”. Now reading RK Narayan after KS seems as if I’m reading Ramayan ki chaupaian (Couplets from Ramayan)
I don’t know what would I do without my Oxford Advance Learner’s (Dictionary.)
I have to use it quite frequently when words like ‘milksop’ and ‘Basket Case’ appear while reading books and now Blogs. The thick dictionary I use consumes a lot of my quality time . For many years I’m dreaming of a device called ‘digital Dictionary’ small and handy like a calculator or a digital Diary.
I wonder if such a device exists.

oh that Maggu.

2004-08-21T05:22:00.003-07:00

In somebody's blog( http://www.blogger.com/profile/3615515)I came across this word Maggu.
So writing this post.

I was awestruck even before I came to IITK, for people out here are the best brains of our country. My host (an iitk alumnus) took me around the campus.

Coming out from VH, we passed through GH (old), HC, SAC, Academic area and landed at the library. While I was admiring the fountain I heard my host nostalgically mumbling ‘this place is also called “Magalaya” (a place for mugging-up for the exams). I know commenting on the lingo which is alien to you is not desirable. For instance, here a word bakait I guessed meant somewhat like dacoit but its exact meaning even a native can not explain in words. Anyways ‘Mugging’ for me simply meant the literal meaning of the word. I could not digest that Chapus out here could resort to such a thing as cramming, which I thought was a patent of those to whom God was not so kind while distributing grey matter.

This mugging business reminded me of an anecdote narrated by my father. During 1960’s dad’s first job in account's services took him to Barabanki for a training program. There was this bunch of young recruits from the different parts of India. Since enthusiasm was common in all, soon they became buddies.

Of all the instructors, dad distinctly remembered Mr. Kar, a finance expert with excellent communication skills. To begin with the introduction, he asked everybody to tell about any special quality or skill that each one of them possessed. Everyone mentioned some quality or other of himself. One of them said, “I am very good at cramming. Give me any printed matter and I would reproduce it as it is.” “OK”, the wide-eyed Mr. Kar sighed and gave him a sheet of typed paper.

When the class assembled next day, the boy came forward and in parrot-fashion reproduced the contents of the given page without any pauses at commas, full-stops, etc. There was an uneasy calm in the classroom. The boy had proved his point. “Good”, exclaimed Mr. Kar, “Now it’s my turn. Go to the library and bring any book.” The boy came back with a thick book on Indian Penal Code!! Mr. Kar asked him to open the book at any page and hand it over. Mr. Kar scanned the page for a few minutes and returned the book to the boy. Then he coolly reproduced the contents of the full page with all the sections, clauses, sub-clauses including the reference numbers, etc, and that too with proper pauses at the right place.

********

5 point someone

2004-08-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

finished reading five point someone. .
It would have been a difficult task for the author to pen it down.
So many experiences at that time of one’s life, subtle & vivid memories
Ups and downs , so much to assemble in one book seems improbable.
An IITen can judge the book better.

http://manishchauhan.blogspot.com/2004/07/five-point-some-one.html#

Overall a good book. Outsiders always think : Tension and pressure in IIT
Nah!

Jassi jaisi koi nahi

2004-08-19T00:33:00.000-07:00

I belong to the generation who had seen the golden age of Doordarshan with the serials like'Ek Kahaani' and 'Kathaa Sagar' (which were based on the stories from Tagore, Chekov.O 'HeneryLeo Tolstoy and many other Gods of literary world.Then there was Nasiruddin Shah as ' Mirza Gaalib'(Thanks MK for giving me the CDs of this serial now I watch it quite often)and Ashok Kumar as 'Bahadur Shah Jafar".Siddharth Basu's 'Quiz Time' and who can forget those BBC Classics like 'Great Expectations' on Sunday eves.Those were the days...Now I don't know any soap which can really entertain and make me sit in front of TV and sudenly Miss Jassi happened.The Idea behind the story is not new but presentation and acting by all the actors is good.Now they are also running out of ideas.
Jassi's infatuation for Armaan (Apoorve Agnihotri) reminds me these lines from Jane Eyre:

"It does good to no woman to be flattered by her superior, who cannot possibly intend to marry her; and it is madness in all women to let a secret love kindle within them, which, if unreturned and unknown, must devour the life that feeds it; and, if discovered and responded to, must lead, ignis-fatus-like, into miry wilds whence there is no extrication"

Gandhi by Attenbarough

2004-08-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

We watched'Gandhi' on Doordarshan on every 2nd Oct and 15th Aug.
Bur DD doesn't show it any more. I want my daughter to watch this movie,
who is a huge fan of Baapu,Thanks to her history teacher.
After watching Bhagat Singh(ajay Devgan) she was a bit annoyed with baapu though...
Our CD guy doesn't have this and I don't know where to get this CD from