A lot has happened in my placid life in these 6months
-visit to India for vacation in july and admission of my son into college
-Teaching that took up a lot of energy & my time at home
-Completion of typing & editing my fathers book
-taking care of my sick father for about 20 days
-the death of my beloved father
I remember the days when my parents used to visit me and stay on for a month or two. After they leave there used to be a pain, a void. The empty corner in the room marked by their suitcases would bring tears to my eyes. The absence of their daily disciplined routine would choke me. The children would be dull unable to explain their feelings but missing their love & warmth.
Now, the difference is that my Father has left us forever. As he would say when ill, it was his body that was going to depart and not his Atma. The pain and hollow feeling is obviously stronger. But he would be proud of us if we did'nt mourn him. He would not want us to think about death. He wanted us to think of the life and years for the children of India and the youth whose changing values troubled him in his last days.
It is tough to pick up these threads that he left behind. And now that we cannot catch his guiding hand, it is a daunting task. I truly pray that the project he left behind would be taken up and would do justice to his pure thought and intention.
January 28, 2009
August 06, 2008
in coimbatore
It's been a while since I penned here. I am on vacation.As usual, the days spent here in India are so full and satisfactory. There are people everywhere. Just a smile in return for one, then maybe a greeting to another person, then again a few sentences to a closer friend all makes a day more enjoyable. Even small talk is possible at a visit to the nearby shop. Although I'm not an extrovert, I love the atmosphere here, the freedom.
June 22, 2008
haze
Today the haze has settled down, here in Doha and I could feel the full force of the summer sun once again. Till yesterday, the blue sky over Doha which I had adored and which enchanted me from the moment I landed here, had become invisible. A dusty screen, miles long was the culprit. This dusty atmosphere has become a frequent phenomenon of late.
Even last year the desert wind would blow creating a temperory haze which would settle as instantly. So, what has changed now ?
The met office says that scanty i.e practically nil rain is resposible for this. Maybe ! I strongly feel that this is due to the gigantic scale and pace in which this sleepy country is turning into one of the most happening places in this part of the world. This was mentioned in the papers too & they have used the term 'urbanisation'. So, you can imagine what is exactly taking place here.
Even last year the desert wind would blow creating a temperory haze which would settle as instantly. So, what has changed now ?
The met office says that scanty i.e practically nil rain is resposible for this. Maybe ! I strongly feel that this is due to the gigantic scale and pace in which this sleepy country is turning into one of the most happening places in this part of the world. This was mentioned in the papers too & they have used the term 'urbanisation'. So, you can imagine what is exactly taking place here.
May 30, 2008
45 - 50 degrees
Very little separates Spring & Summer in Doha. As the warmth increases after winter, it is pleasant for a few days. The lingering memory of the cold blends with the slightly warm sunshine. The petunias, marigolds and the other flowers that line the roads, thrive in this combination and the drive through the traffic becomes an enjoyable experience. The colour soothes.
Then suddenly we are taken by surprise at the strength of the desert sun. He bears down hard. Summer makes a hot entry. The flowers start to wilt and so do we. The sun is up at 4.30 and by 6.30 in the morn, it is like noon. The air conditioner softens the harsh effect. If you have to move about in the sun , then it is like being being in a sauna.
Teaching in these conditions is tough. The air conditioner is not strong enough for a motley class. Concentrating becomes tougher for the teacher as well as the students, in the afternoon. I too wait for the 1.30 bell.
Now, it is not the end. There is still the bus ride in the midst of high pitched crowd of about 50 children. They are now full of energy & talking non-stop. Sweat streams from their faces but it does not make them uncomfortable. I frown at the trickle running down my spine. The baked bus cannot be cooled enough for our comfort and so, the children put down the windows. A slight breeze now blows and it forms a refreshing cloak around me. But soon, it turns into hot air. I feel I am in a suffocating sauna. Luckily, I am one of the first to get off and I run to the comfort of home.
Then suddenly we are taken by surprise at the strength of the desert sun. He bears down hard. Summer makes a hot entry. The flowers start to wilt and so do we. The sun is up at 4.30 and by 6.30 in the morn, it is like noon. The air conditioner softens the harsh effect. If you have to move about in the sun , then it is like being being in a sauna.
Teaching in these conditions is tough. The air conditioner is not strong enough for a motley class. Concentrating becomes tougher for the teacher as well as the students, in the afternoon. I too wait for the 1.30 bell.
Now, it is not the end. There is still the bus ride in the midst of high pitched crowd of about 50 children. They are now full of energy & talking non-stop. Sweat streams from their faces but it does not make them uncomfortable. I frown at the trickle running down my spine. The baked bus cannot be cooled enough for our comfort and so, the children put down the windows. A slight breeze now blows and it forms a refreshing cloak around me. But soon, it turns into hot air. I feel I am in a suffocating sauna. Luckily, I am one of the first to get off and I run to the comfort of home.
May 08, 2008
my new role
I have donned a new role,that of a teacher in a school. Here is a place where patience is tried and vocal chords are tested . Unfortunately there are no management books on "How to Manage a class of 30 over-excited pre-teens". I'm sure it would benefit many a teacher.
I had this conversation with my 11 year old son :
me, " There are a few children in a class who are 3-4 years older than they should be for that level. It is very difficult to keep them attentive and control them ".
my son," adult education is indeed a tough job ".
I had this conversation with my 11 year old son :
me, " There are a few children in a class who are 3-4 years older than they should be for that level. It is very difficult to keep them attentive and control them ".
my son," adult education is indeed a tough job ".
link to timeline(india)
Indian History & civilization is ancient. Sadly, we learnt only the Mughal dynasty in detail & a little about the other ancient rulers like Asoka, Maurya's etc. Here is India's Timeline which has been put in a simple ,yet effective manner . I found this easy to understand . To any enthusiast of India's history, here is the link -
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/timeline/timeline.htm
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/timeline/timeline.htm
May 07, 2008
Mumbai
As a stay at home Mom, I have been lucky to have experienced many memorable moments.
We lived in many a home in different settings.
At my Mumbai home, the feeling was one of claustrophobia. It was a 1 bedroom apartment. To a girl brought up in a spacious home in a quiet Bangalore suburb of Jayanagar, Bombay was itself a culture shock. Apartments were unknown to me and the house on the 4th floor epitomised everything that I had heard Bombay(sorry..Mumbai) stood for. But I found the space that I missed. It was on the terrace of the building. After my work in the morning I would sun myself there. I enjoyed the moments as I looked out to see the grazing fields of the diary farm(Aarey milk colony) adjoining our residential complex. I had never before seen such large black buffaloes. The proximity to these bovine animals had a drawback; abundance of giant mosquitoes. We were saved from them by the light of day. I could even see the small hills surrounding this city on one side.
There was a small lane that would turn into our colony from the Western Express Highway. A few minutes down the lane and we would feel it become cooler and of course it was calm. Today, I know that this lane is no more and there is a four lane road passing through the same area. Maybe the view too has changed for anybone who has the time to go out onto the terrace like me !
We lived in many a home in different settings.
At my Mumbai home, the feeling was one of claustrophobia. It was a 1 bedroom apartment. To a girl brought up in a spacious home in a quiet Bangalore suburb of Jayanagar, Bombay was itself a culture shock. Apartments were unknown to me and the house on the 4th floor epitomised everything that I had heard Bombay(sorry..Mumbai) stood for. But I found the space that I missed. It was on the terrace of the building. After my work in the morning I would sun myself there. I enjoyed the moments as I looked out to see the grazing fields of the diary farm(Aarey milk colony) adjoining our residential complex. I had never before seen such large black buffaloes. The proximity to these bovine animals had a drawback; abundance of giant mosquitoes. We were saved from them by the light of day. I could even see the small hills surrounding this city on one side.
There was a small lane that would turn into our colony from the Western Express Highway. A few minutes down the lane and we would feel it become cooler and of course it was calm. Today, I know that this lane is no more and there is a four lane road passing through the same area. Maybe the view too has changed for anybone who has the time to go out onto the terrace like me !
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