Anger

What way to make this anger go away
This anger that bubbles inside
When you see injustice outside
When you see the evils around
When you see the sorrow of many
When you see inequity at its prime
When you see young ones involved in crime
When you see where our nations are heading
When you see destruction everywhere
When you see corrupt individuals waiting to usurp power
When you see women unsafe in our land
When you see negativity surround mankind
When you see systems fail 
When you want to make it all right but nothing seems to go right
The anger remains, 
If only we knew how to make it go away!!!!!

The Show Must Go On!!!!

   It hurts.It hurts when someone younger to you gives back to you rudely,back-answers you,disrespects you. Somewhere inside, the heart is troubled. Inner self gets shattered,there are mixed emotions;that of anger,of depression. Then comes the self-denial mode which makes matters pathetic,this is when the feeling arises that our actions may not have caused the situations as they are,however in reality,it is the opposite. Our actions are responsible for the results and we always end up denying it.
   Somewhere deep inside there is always the fear that this would show us as vulnerable and weak.There is a strong feeling of us being portrayed as imperfect.But which person is perfect? No one,then why carry these thoughts with us.The Geeta says a verse ,You sow a seed and you bear the fruit but the result of the action is never spontaneous,if a tree takes years to grow and bear fruit how would we who sow the seeds of our own deeds (good or bad) expect the results instantaneously? We can't right? Results we do get and that is for sure and when we get them we don't even realize what part of our actions caused the result?
   How often do we question ourselves about it? Never.Such thoughts keep accumulating at the back of the mind and someday erupt in a volcano of emotions,mostly tears,sometimes anger and sometimes just the general feeling of self-punishment(a talk that goes in mind that you deserved this for your wrong-doings).
   Balance is needed,yes it is needed in life,somewhere one can't let thoughts take control over you.It always has to be the other way round and it would take years and years of efforts of self-discipline and self-control to reach upto that level.Perseverance on that front is essential.Challenges that agitate your mind will always crop in your way but there can't be a quit,there can't be a give up...The show must go on!!!!!!

       Kids ......they never stop surprising you!!!!!!     

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        Last Tuesday we did a comprehension on Sudha Murthy and her letter to JRD Tata raising voice against gender bias in Tata Motors. The kids were in a certain frame of mind. I gave them a topic to write on "Should Men and Women play different roles in the society?" They had to write whatever they felt,I was just seeking ideas nothing much.

                     A time slot of 1 week was given to them to do research,watch movies concerned with the topic,read news related to it and write an essay.On Saturday Priyanka came upto me and said "Didi I went to a few houses in my neighbourhood and interviewed a few people as to what they think about the roles being played by men and women." I was taken aback and thrilled to hear it. In my mind I had many thoughts,I never had guts to do this when I was her age,she actually went out to find practical information.I had never thought anyone would take a step to seek out how women are and what kind of jobs they do in reality.All in all just for the sake of an essay.I myself may have consulted a few books but here this lady of 13 years is doing a survey and she has put the data in her essay.This was too much to take in.

    Then yesterday we discussed the topic and I mentioned Priyanka's survey in class and expected just an applause from the class for her.However there was another surprise waiting for me.Now her technique had turned contagious,most students (majorly girls) in class wanted to do a survey in their neighbourhood and find out about what roles should men and women play in the society. To add to it they also wanted to know if men and women should switch roles regularly. I gladly gave my consent seeing their excitement.What I had thought as a simple essay subject was slowly turning into an interesting topic of debate.
          Currently I am just waiting for Thursday when I would actually get to know what their survey results were.Keep watching this space for more!!!! See you all post Thursday class!!

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Teaching for a Purpose

Teachers are the backbone of any country, the pillar upon which all aspirations are converted into realities


--Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Hello All....
Long time since my last post.Its been a while since I am here at Pune Symbiosis for TFI training and I am already loving it!!


Though I must say I had a bit of anxiety before coming but with the warm welcome that we all 2012 fellows received on our first day,the little bit of doubt flew out of the window .It was like we already are at home.It feels so fulfilling and happy to be working for a purpose,a need to see an educated India.


Never had I a chance to communicate with the society at such a micro-level,it gets us the reality of where our kids are,the issues due to which there is lack of support for education and the increasing rate of dropouts.
However I feel good to be a part of an organisation that believes that every single child on this earth has a right to education.Isn't it true,we speak of food,clothing and shelter.Doesn't education too become a fourth dimension to all the above rights that everyone should have???


Amidst our busy schedule we forget to do one thing,reflection.It can be a daily activity of thinking over all the things that happened over the day and what can be done to improvise for the next day.I feel that reflection has been a key learning for me at my days in institute.When we reflect silently we realise our strengths and our weaknesses,our ideas start flowing smoothly.I liked how after every activity we were asked to reflect on it and give our ideas.Probably had I not been here I would not have been pushed to think deeper.


A teacher is a leader and a strong support for students.As APJ Abdul Kalam has said 'The three societal members who can make a difference in a student's life are father,mother and teacher.'I find it so true.We as teachers have a huge responsibility of not only striving for our students academic excellence but also making them believe that they can do it.Here at the institute I met so many like minded people all working for a common cause that 'One day every child will gain an excellent education'.The best part of it was how our thought process gets a direction and how are thinking becomes profound.I certainly experience the inner change and am glad to have been through all this.


The coming days are days of daunting challenges,but a belief resides in everyones heart 'We can We will We conquer'.Yes time to see a new India, where everybody is educated and where the candle of excellence would gleam forever.

Finally would like to end on another quote by our revered ex-President (how I wish he becomes the President again) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam


When learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms,
When creativity blossoms, thinking emanates,
When thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit,
When knowledge is lit, economy flourishes


Hoping to experience an eventful 2 years of tranformational teaching!!!!!
Would keep posting of my experiences in classroom and in the community :)

A Romance With Chaos by Nishant Kaushik -- Book Review

I read a review of this book in Tataworld and since then felt an urge to read it.After months of hunting in various book-stores I could finally manage to get hold of it at a book-exhibition in the office.Now that I have read it,can't wait to pen down the experience of reading it.So here it goes....

Do you feel you are stuck at the wrong place,you need to deal with a difficult boss,life has given you a strong blow,even destiny seems to overlook you,then this is the perfect book for you.

The story is about a young MBA graduate Nakul Kapoor who goes from being on bench to becoming a young achiever.The story is set in the background of a recession hit Mumbai,where Nakul works as an IT consultant in a well known Software company.He hates his boss for all possible reasons and discusses the hatred with his close friends and colleagues over lunch and tea.

The book depicts the idealism of a young employee stuck in the awe of a corporate world.The initial part of the book is quite funny and I am sure many of us belonging to the IT industry would quite relate to it.One such sarcasm being when the boss asks Nakul to help him with certain points for a presentation while he is just leaving for home(read his native).He also has to deal with his parents who are ready to get him married off,a girlfriend who can't think below a Gucci lifestyle and a room mate from Rajasthan who insists on early morning pranayam and who flaunts GRE words in daily usage.

Moments at Haji Ali,dinner at Sheesha,Marine drive,Bandstand,coffee at Hilton are certain pieces in the story that everyone from Mumbai would relate to.Also Nakul's inability to meet his sister even when they stay in the same city shows the busy life of the corporate world.

Another plot arises where Nakul comes across Payal (read it as a bride chosen by his parents) and her paintings which are a series of pictures depicting a person Eric in Chaos and how Nakul finds an exact answer to what he wants from life using the paintings as an aide.

I would say I liked the way the author used these paintings to help the lead protagonist come up with a solution to life's problems.I won't describe all of them in detail here as it would be best understood when one actually reads it.Another incident that made me shell-shocked was when Nakul is in the immigration counter to go onsite and he suddenly receives a call from his boss asking him to back off and that his opportunity onsite has been put to abeyance.On reaching office he realizes its one of his very close colleague who betrayed him by revealing some of his private conversations with him to his boss.

Further Nakul stands up to face these problems and finds a social cause come to his rescue which actually leads him to the pinnacle.

I liked this book because of its simplicity and the message that was thrown to  young professionals.I would recommend reading it and I am sure you would enjoy it.

What My Parents Say!!!!!

'Matro Devo Bhava' ,'Pitro Devo Bhava'.These are the first lessons taught to a child according to our Hindu scriptures.We say God is omnipresent but he is not seen and so he came to us in the form of our parents.
  Parents have an important part in the upbringing of their children.They love,care for their children,at times they even shout at us,but even then its their love and affection that speaks.Still it really hurts when many young people these days commit suicide when their wishes are not fulfilled by their parents.When they do so,don't they even feel how such an extreme step must be hurting their parents??They have put in endless efforts to bring up and is this the way to repay them?We all know 'Experience is the Best Teacher'.When they say something for our good,it is their experience that speaks  and should be taken positively.
  So today I would like to speak my parents words.Some important qualities of my parents which teach me a lesson everyday;and which will give me the right kind of confidence to face this world one day.
   My parents always have believed in 'Simple Living and High Thinking'.You will always find them quoting great people and making people believe into living life in a simple manner.
   My mother is a Gandhian in a true sense.By Gandhian I mean,the way she supports non violence.I am a very hot-tempered person and can't tolerate insults at any cost(though I don't speak,it remains in my mind), at such times I go to her with complaints and her usual words are 'Let people speak.It's their right to speak.Listen calmly.You need not fear if you are right.If they are wrong,your silence will make them realize their mistake.Unnecessary verbal clashes would increase tensions.'Such calm and cool is her temperament that it has the magical effect on me and yes needless to say the situation does turn right.Revenge is a very bad word.In a world where we can't guarantee we would come back alive in the evening after leaving home in the morning why hold grudges??Is there a need to seek the wrong of others.It's just a matter of Live and Let Live and this I have learnt from no one else but my mother.Her silent attitude is also seen when she deals with her tuition kids.I may get angry sometimes if the kids behave wrongly;however my Mom manages to tackle them intelligently.
   Another thing I like about her is her selfless attitude.Give whatever you can but expect nothing in return.Always help those in need.Sometimes my business mind makes me argue with her and then she gives me the example of Jaikishan the sculptor.Yes this was a lesson we had in our school curriculum which I  forget but my mom avidly remembers.In the story all sculptors work for the sake of getting praises from people but Jaikishan is the one who works alone in a dark secluded room.When asked why is he working alone in the dark and that there is nobody to see his work,he says 'Who says there is no one;God is there and he is seeing me work,that's enough for me'.This is her favourite example  she always gives me whenever I fail in my attempt to do anything or when I don't get the desired results.She has a treasure of such short stories,some from her own experience and some from the books that she reads and with these she always gets me back on the right track.
  My Dad,a strict displinarian.Even today not only me,my cousins too fear him.It is very much a military environment at our home.Discipline rules.I hate it and many times there are heated arguments.You come home and you will always find him correcting me ,shouting at me for not keeping things in order.Sometimes it really irritates me.However when I give it a second thought,I realize that  discipline is needed.We may not realise it's importance now but some day it would be needed.He would always be heard saying 'Man does not grow without struggle.Only when he struggles he experiences life in a real sense'.Maybe, I feel,it is due to all the struggles that he has undergone throughout his life,he has become tough and disciplined and as he has seen those hard days he wants us to be displined too to face life's situations boldly.
  Another quality that is seen in him is Independence.He always cribs that I haven't become fully independent but I must say yes this is one quality that I am learning from none else but himself.Bank related work,passport,pan card stuff or for that matter any new things that I had to know,he has always asked me to find out for myself.Never would there be any help.You have to learn yourself.Make mistakes,never mind,you will learn from them but don't be dependent.It's like the baby taking the first walk.No support,the baby falls but ultimately learns to walk.
  Such are the lessons I get daily in my life.I really feel proud and thank God for giving me such great parents.I don't claim I have mastered any of their qualities mentioned above but yes I am a learner and learning daily and one day,at some later stage in my life I  am confident that these values that they instill in me daily will help me face the world with courage and confidence.

  Finally a bit modified marathi poem,

       Jagi Aaibabansarkhe kon aahe

       Jyanche janmantariche run aahe

      Ase run he jyas vyaz naahi

      Tya runavin jeevanas saaz naahi.

  Dear Amma and Anna,I pray to God that he bless you both with happiness and a great health always.Thank you very much for giving me wealth in the form of values,love and affection which is priceless in front of any kind of money.Love you!!!!

Holi Ke Rang Barse.......................

Holi khelen raghuveera avadh me,holi khele raghuveera...

The above song and many other such Holi-songs play loud on this day as the nation rises to celebrate Holi--The Festival Of Colours!!!
     I,though averse to colors and water thought of celebrating this festival in a different manner this year.How??? Well (apart from relishing my favorite Puran Poli),I tried reading about the traditional aspect of this festival.So here I present the various ways that this festival is celebrated all over India.It's not from my own mind but what I read about the festival from various sources.Just an amalgamation of all to one.

      Everybody knows the tradition behind the name of the festival.Hiranyakashyapu a demon king (and an enemy of Lord Vishnu) wanted his son Prahlad (who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu) to be sentenced to death.He therefore summoned his sister Holika to carry out the task for him.She was blessed with a boon that no fire could destroy her;and so with the evil intention of killing her nephew,she sat in the fire alongwith Prahlad.However the fire instead of hurting Prahlad reduced Holika to ashes thus marking the win of good over evil.Thus the festival gets its name Holi.So on the eve of Holi,people light bonfires in their localities and every household makes an offering to the fire God.
   There is also a reason behind celebrating this festival with colors.Lord Krishna who was very mischievous and was known for playing pranks on gopis once becam jealous seeing Radha's fair complexion(he himself being dark) and complained about this to his mother Yashoda.To pacify his little son,Yashoda asked him to go and apply color on Radha's face.The mischievous Kanha indeed heeding his mother's advice went and applied color on Radha's face making her look like himself.So this tradition of applying colors on this day.
  Moving on,this is one festival which is celebrated all over India be it North,South,East,West and is known by different names.
  Dulandi:-Holi receives this name in the state of Haryana.Here the bhabhi(elder brother's wife) gets an upper hand on this day and the devars (younger brothers) need to watch out.Bhabis sort of take revenge on their devars by making them pay a price for all pranks played on them.They roll up their saris and chase their devars.In the evening devars bring home sweets for their bhabhis.
  Rangpanchami:-Holi is popularly known as Rangpanchami in the state of Maharashtra.On the eve,the traditional bonfire is lit.The second day calls for some fun.People apply color and throw water on each other.The main delicacy for this festival is 'Puran Poli'(Ohho my favorite!!!!)
  Basant Utsav and Dol Purnima:-Holi is known by the name of Vasantotsav and is clebrated in grace and a dignified manner in the state of Bengal.It is known as the 'Spring Festival' and was started by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan.Boys and girls welcome Spring with songs,dance and chanting of hymns in the serene atmosphere of Shantiniketan.Another name for it is Dol Purnima.Students wear saffron coloured clothes and wear garlands of fragrant flowers.Idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are placed in palanquins and processions are taken out on the streets.Throughout the procession,women dance and sing traditional songs while men spray coloured water or apply abheer to them.
  Lathmaar Holi:-Of all the places in India,Holi is celebrated with great fervour at the birthplaces of Lord Krishna and Radha .ie. Nandgaon and Barsana respectively.It was Krishna who started the tradition of applying color on Radha's face.So as a sweet revenge to this prank,women of Barsana fully charged with lathis(the name Lathmaar no doubt comes from the word lathi) in their hands thrash the men of Nandagaon and the men have to save themselves.Men are also made to wear female attire and are asked to dance in public.The next day the men of Barsana invade the  village of Nandagaon and drench its women with coloured water.All of this in the spirit of Holi.
  Hola Mohalla:-Holi gets this name in the state of Punjab.The festival is celebrated for three consecutive days(mainly in Anandpur village) in which members of the Sikh community display their physical strength by performing dare-devil acts like bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses, Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging etc,followed by music.Langars(community kitchens) are arranged by local people as a part of seva(service).Foodgrains,vegetables are provided by the villagers and women volunteer to cook and cleanse the utensils.Food is served to pilgrims who eat while sitting in rows on the ground.
  Shimgo:-The Goans celebrate Holi by this name.Here too people play with bright colors to welcome the arrival of spring which is followed by rich,spicy mutton curry called shagoti.A huge procession is carried out on the streets of Panjim with performances of troupes on cultural and mythological stories.People of all religions participate in this procession.
  Kaman Pandigai:-Known by this name in the state of Tamil Nadu,Holi is celebrated to mark the sacrfice of Kamdeva.Legend goes that after the death of Sati,Lord Shiva goes into deep meditation;due to Shiva's indifferent attitude,god become tensed and worried.Also Parvati is meditating at the same time to get Shiva as her husband.To get Shiva to this original self,gods seek the help of Kaamdeva--the God of love.He strikes the arrow at Shiva.Enraged and disturbed by this interference Shiva opens his third eye and reduces Kaamdeva to ashes.However the arrow produces it effect and Shiva agrees to marry Parvati.Rati ,Kamdeva's wife however gets sad at the loss of her husband and requests Shiva to revive Kaamdeva to which Shiva readily agrees.In Tamil Nadu,people sing songs depicting Rati's sorrow and apply sandalwaood to Kaamdeva to ease the pain of burning.People believe that Kaamdeva was revived on this day and hence the name.
  Kullu Holi:- Holi is known by this name in the state of Himachal Pradesh.Thousands of people gather at the shrine of Ponta Sahib in Sirmour district on the banks of Yamuna to gather divine blessings.Colours are mixed with snow making it an Ice-Holi.
  Phagwa:-Holi is known by this name or Phagu Purnima in the state of Bihar.Phagu means the traditional red powder and Purnima is the full moon day.It actually marks the end of one year and the commencement of new year.For this reason Holika Dahan here is also known as 'Samvatsar Dahan'.

  These are some of the traditions associated with this festival of colours.Indeed our country is vast and the traditions are wide-spread,such that Holi is now being celebrated even abroad.Proud am I to belong to such a great nation so rich in its culture.May the colors of this festival bring the colors of happiness and peace in everyone's lives. Wishing all A Happy,colorful and a safe Holi !!!!!!