Diwali

This is a piece I wrote two weeks before Diwali and saved it. Posting it today as I feel it is still relevant and correct. 

A forward by someone on not bursting crackers and lighting lamps made me revisit an issue I had debated within myself for years before I came to a conclusion.  I am putting down the debate that raged inside me for years.

My childhood was one were festivals were central, be it Diwali, Pooja, Pongal, Vishu, Onam, Christmas or Ramzan.  My parents celebrated all, in the true spirit of being Indian.  Born a Malayali, but more of a Tamilian due to the state where I have grown up and lived, festivals were celebrated irrespective of the concern of borders.

While Vishu and Onam are festivals celebrated in Kerala, Diwali and Pongal have more of the Tamil culture.  Diwali and Pongal were more grand.  We celebrated Diwali bursting crackers for two days.  Pongal was celebrated for three days, with Maatu Pongal being the best, since we had more cows than children and dogs put together at home.  As a kid, I joined my dad in bathing and decking up the cows on all the days.  It was also my favourite festival.  Only once did I abstain from the celebration, because my favourite cow had passed away.

So, back to the topic.  When this issue of crackers polluting the environment was first brought up, me a convent going girl also nodded my head.  Science spoke to me, telling me that saving the environment is essential.  When I presented this viewpoint once to my dad, he replied thus :  "Yes, environment is important.  However, there is an entire district in Tamil Nadu where families are involved in this trade, from old people to children.  This is the only occupation they know.  As a child, they enter, thereby loosing education and the benefit of changing trade.  What should they do ?

That set me thinking.  If I knew only one way of earning my living and have done that only, what will I do if they shut down factories ?  Also, given that no other industry that provides jobs in large scale exists in the district, should a family leave their home and land and become labourers else where ?

July 4th, is celebrated with fireworks across America.  Sydney has its own day with grand fireworks.  While fireworks cannot be lit by individuals in both these countries, people congregate for an hour or so for fireworks display.  Don't they pollute ?  Especially with these countries having such stringent environment control mechanisms. I also learnt that some of the fireworks goes from Sivakasi - I do not know if it does, today.

Then, this sudden conscience of people using environment as a reason.  People litter on the roads, use plastic incriminatingly, the government directs sewage lines onto canals and rivers that carry life giving water.  Vehicles pollute, politicians show their might as a convoy of 100s.  There is coal being used to provide electricity which actually is harmful in two ways, degradation of environment and pollution due to burning of coal.  We build nuclear reactors to fuel our ever increasing need for electricity, unmindful of the harm to the environment on a daily basis.

So, why this flip during Diwali alone ?  Why this act during Diwali ?  Why this farce ?

Not courting controversy, not being radical.  Why does no one speaks of saving electricity by not lighting up trees and roads for days during Christmas.  It will save electricity thereby ensuring uninterrupted supply to interior areas of the country.  Or why isn't the mass killing of animals for Ramzan and Bakrid not decried as inhumane especially on the day of a festival ?  I remember tring to lift myself into air sitting in a bus, because the bus was driving down the red road on Mehdipattnam, Hyderabad the day after the festival.  My friend  and I wondered why there was red water flowing till we realized it was blood - of the goats killed.  We came back by train from Nampally.

Every festival, irrespective of religion has customs, traditions and ways of celebration.  Moderation may be requested always.  However, advertising something like doing away with crackers that is the only industry in an entire district upon which survival for millions of people depend is wrong according to me without presenting the other side.  Further, what has the government done to provide an alternative ?  What action has been taken when there is a fire in a cracker production unit ?  How many public servants who have issued licenses without checking requirements have been fired ?  What safety mechanisms have you enforced ?  What research have you directed to make it possible that people may enjoy crackers at the same time reducing pollution ?  And why haven't you banned sale of firecrackers of Chinese origin ?

I read in the papers that the Supreme Court has banned use of fireworks in the capital in the name of pollution ?  This order comes in a few days before Diwali.  Why not earlier ?  How many support this ?  Does it's order not infringe on the right of an individual to celebrate a festival, the way it has been celebrated for ages.  I do understand pollution and health concerns.  However, to reduce pollution, what else has been enforced forcefully ?  If fire crackers are not to be burst, why were licenses for sale given to business people after charging them ?  Who is going to bear their loss and who is responsible ?  Further, personally what have the judiciary/political class given up when compared to the travails of the common man in Delhi ?  Will the honourable judges of the supreme court be willing to avoid gas guzzling vehicles, car pool, travel by the metro or atleast give up the two/three vehicle protection they happily carry around ?  No politician is ready to, anyways.  They keep using vehicles that look like battle tanks on our old galis and roads intimidating everyone around.  Or is just a case of enforcing a law unmindful of its ramifications in the name of doing good for society ? Or is it because the elite of elite in India live in Delhi and their lives are more precious than others ? Or is this westernization of India that the elite are happy to take up being enforced on the whole population silently ?

Before clamping down on bursting of crackers, I humbly request the Supreme Court to clamp down on all public transport vehicles that do not pass pollution tests, ask public servants to travel by public transport, not use convoys, ban diversion of sewage into lakes, ponds, tanks, rivers and the sea, ban the use of plastic across the country, stipulate how hazardous things(batteries, chemicals, other waste) have to be disposed and strictly enforce the same with the same enthusiasm that they are enforcing this.  Otherwise, it is a farce because you know the common man will not raise their voice together as there is no union to bind them, but factories, especially big ones dirty the Yamuna few miles away from you and you haven't been able to put a full stop after all these years, because they fight using the law of the land to get away.

I remember as a teenager sitting in a train, watching a couple work on red mud near the railway line.  Their children were also playing in the red mud.  For a long time I watched the parents and their kids, little realizing my dad was watching all this too.  I asked my Dad, 'Will these kids be going to school ? '.  My dad replied, " They are 'Mannunde Makkal', children of the soil.  Their parents are too, like all of their forefathers.  Their parents livelihood is dependent on the only occupation they know - the soil and they travel wherever it carries them.  So, with parents as nomads, how will the children get an education because their parents will never stay in a place long enough ?  The children will start this occupation the day they leave their childhood and then it will be the only occupation they know.  So, it will be for their children unless something comes along good enough to break this cycle and ensures their right to a childhood, right to education and right to livelihood.  Till then, they will remain 'Mannunde Makkal'.

So is the case of the workers of the firecrackers unit of Sivakasi.

Placement War Vs Kurukshetra War

It is the time of year when companies come to campus to recruit students.  Every day, there is a company in campus categorized as Indian, MNC, Dream, Product driven, Service driven, BPO, Marketing, etc. 

There is a whole lot of students ready to face the process of tests, Group discussions, Interviews – both technical and HR.   The preparation for this day started when they step into the portals of the institution.  They see and hear about placement from multiple sources.

So, when they step into the final year, they know time has come.  It is here that they know battle is imminent.  They have been preparing, honing their skills – technical and communication, all to face this battle.  Just like how in the days of the Mahabharata, warriors prepared themselves.

Each warrior, whether a foot soldier, on horseback, chariot or the mighty elephant hones their skills and picks their weapons.  They also know their strength and weak spots, just like the mighty kings and warriors.

In every batch of such students there is an Arjuna, a Karna, a Bhima, a Yudhishtra, a Nakul, a Sahadev, a Duryodhana, an Ashwathama as well as any other warriors famed in the Mahabharata.  These are the students the rest of them look upto.  They know that these warriors are the best fit to win the battle.  Each of them builds their battle plan.

On the opposing side is the company that comes to recruit.  They need to win this battle too.  Given the talent pool, they need to win the cream and they know that their offer has to be better than any other.  They also have to evaluate and check each student and pick the right fit for the job.  If they don’t, they might win the battle of numbers in the placement season, but loose in profits in the near future.

So, with two sides, trying to match each other and create a WIN WIN, each comes up with a battle plan and a battle formation.  Here is where the formations in the Kurukshetra War come into the picture.  The formations mentioned in the Kurukshetra war are:  Krauncha Vyuha (Heron formation), Garuda Vyuha (Eagle formation), Mandala Vyuha (Galaxy formation ), Vajra Vyuha ( Diamond or Thunderbolt Formation), Makara Vyuha (Crocodile formation), Ardha Chandra Vyuha (Half crescent formation ), Shakata Vyuha (Box or Cart formation),  Sarvatomukhi Dand Vyuha, Suchimukha Vyuha (Needle formation), Chakra Vyuha (Wheel or Discuss Formation), Padma Vyuha (Blooming Lotus Formation), Sarvatobhadra Vyuha (Safe from all sides), Nakshatramandal Vyuha (constellation formation), Kurma Vyuha (Turtle formation), Trishula Vyuha (Trident formation), Oormi Vyuha (Ocean formation) and Sringataka Vyuha (Horned formation).  For each of these formations, one has to use a counter formation.

On the company side, the battle formation is in the mode of tests – type of questions, complexity, differentiator, the GDs and interviews.  The formation varies either by college, by course of by batch.  On the student side, they try to find the formation the company is planning to come up with and build a counter formation to win over.  The students check their strengths and weakness, trying to maximize strength, minimize weakness and outmaneuver compatriots to get to the list.

Every day, a new company walks in with their own formation.  Every day the students prepare and change their attack plan accordingly.  A Vajrastra from one side must be tackled with an equivalent or more powerful astra.  Choice of a weaker one can leave one wounded, humiliated or totally defeated.

Some days it clicks, some days it is just misses, some others total disaster.  Like the initial days is a string of misses, till a point when the student thinks that this is it, they are finished, defeated and then as if on last breath, they plunge the knife that much stronger thinking there is no tomorrow.  That day it clicks and from depths of defeat they fly up and up, on the wings of glory and there is a horde of friends to carry them and give them a victory lap.

Once in a way, you come across warriors who handle the attack so well, pull down every wall and obstacle as though made of cardboard, companies left astounded that a warrior such as this one exists.  It makes all around such a warrior take pride in being part of the group, happy that there is a warrior whose name they know will keep the flag flying high, the flag called ‘Pursuit of Excellence’.

Placement time is thus like the Kurukshetra War.  Just that it is not exactly eighteen days, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer. No winners, no loosers either.  Each side trying to maximize their gain.

Check this link for formations used in the Mahabharata: http://mahabharata-research.com/military%20academy/vyuhas%20-%20the%20strategic%20formations.html

Mahima Dharma - Joranda, Dhenkanal

The trip to Odisha was eventful again this time. We took time to have darshan at the Mahima Alekha temple at Dhenkanal on the advise of my mentor.  It was an experience so unique that it is difficult to explain.

We were asked to be there for the evening Aarthi.  On asking the local people what time it would be, we were told that there is no fixed time and the  Aarthi is done depending on the setting of the sun and can be as early as 4ish to 6ish.  As we reached, the bells of the temple started to beat.

We rushed in not to miss the Aarthi.  The temple by itself is simple in architecture.  As we stood at the gate, we saw inside the temple, fire.  After a few minutes, the temple was closed.  The sadhus were prostrating themselves and some of them were finishing the ritual.  

A bit of history as heard from Prof. Hrushikesha Mohanty and from one of the priests in the temple.  The monopoly of Brahmans at temples during the 19th century was the reason for the rise of the dharma.  Brahmins ruled and people from the lower strata of castes among the Hindus started this movement.  

The founder of Mahima Dharma was Mahima Swami.  He meditated for many years in the Himalayas and moved across the Gangetic plain before reaching Puri, Odisha.  From Puri he went to Bhubaneswar and lived for twelve years on water alone.  Then he moved to Kapilash, Dhenkanal where he did penance.  There he lived on fruits for twelve years.  The next twelve years the Swami lived on cow's milk provided by the ruler of Dhenkanal.  He lived in Kapilash hill spreading the Mahima Dharma and attained Samadhi at Joranda in Dhenkanal.

The teachings are interesting.  They teach that there is a single God (parambrahma) who is formless and call him Alekha.  Hence, no idol worship.  Life is full of suffering and the only way to break out of this suffering is to break out of the cycle of life and death and reach the Paramathma.  

Hence, the followers of the dharma do not worship any idol.  They abstain from eating meat, alcohol and any form of violence.  Food and water is consumed before sunset.  The day starts early in the morning and finishes at sunset.

The priests live within the temple premises in the monastery.  They wear a single cloth around their waist and do not trim their hair or beard.  We saw an elderly priest wear only a bark around his waist.  He also had a piece of bark on his chest.  They lead a simple life and do not stay in a place for more than one day.  

So, the temple where Mahima Swami attained samadhi had fire burning in the sanctum sanctorum and the temple is off limits to everyone.  One enters the main gate and then there are four gates in every direction leading to the sanctum sanctorum.  No one except the priest is allowed entry into this area.  Inside the sanctum sanctorum, there was no idol, just a blazing fire.  The temple closed for the evening.  The priests repeatedly prostrated and withdrew.

The complex has other temples.  One temple had a place where all contributions from followers is stored.  The priest said that all contributions is kept as is and is displayed on Poornima day when there is a festival.  The next temple we had dharshan had an ornate gate.  The inside was the same though the tower of this one had a serpent at the top.  The priests were singing when we reached here.  They blessed the devotees and answered queries.  It was here that a priest asked us queries.  It turned night and we left.  The serpent in Hindu mythology is usually considered a reference to Balarama, the brother of Krishna.  What did it mean here in the context of Mahima Dharma.  Through our journey back, we were discussing and debating what we had seen and the beliefs the simple ascetics followed.  The driver must have wondered about us, husband and wife debating for over an hour.    

The visit has left a deep impact on us - that is for sure.  Both of us have been going back and forth for the past four days questioning, reasoning and trying to answer our own questions in the quest to understand.  The picture of the temple and the blazing fire inside as well as the writings on the wall of the temple and the tower with the serpent are deeply embedded in our mind.  

My takeaways from the dharshan :  

1.  God is formless and if I can accept and follow, completely and truthfully, then the differences I find in this world will vanish.  Man sees differences first through the form.

2.  The time in the early morning(3:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.) is called Brahma Muhurtham.  Auspicious events like pooja are conducted during the Brahma Muhurtham and no regard is made to check if it is an auspicious time.  Being awake in this time connects you to the world.  From darkness and quiet, the world comes to life.  Birds chirp and the sun starts rising leaving a glow on earth.  The energy at this time must have something that reenergizes the earth.  It is also a time to connect with the Maker. 

3.  Is this life one of suffering ?  Yes.  No man can say (s)he has not suffered or seen suffering.  If the soul is to be reborn again and again, then the soul knows suffering in many many forms.  If the soul wishes to break out of this suffering, then it has to merge with the creator, for that is the only way.  So, there must be a path leading to the creator.  The priest in the temple said, 'just like the life of a sanyasi is not for everyone, the life of a grihastha is not for everyone.  Both exist in this world, and one help the other reach the supreme being'.  So, a soul lives an ordinary life and gathers wisdom.  During this time, the life led is that of an ordinary human being and this may be multiple times where the soul is reborn.  The life of a sanyasi is the final leg and here again the soul maybe reborn before it attains the feet of the Paramathma.  So, we are all on a path of learning and every step we take forward is a step closer to the Paramathma.

4.  The sadhus have a world that is modern, high on material things and a fast way of life.  Somehow, through all this, they are able to live the simple life.  Doesn't the outside world lure them ?  How do they stay away and keep to their beliefs ?  The lesson for me was that, no matter what the world tells about me, if I believe that what I am doing is right and is not harmful for any being on earth, then I can stick to it.  It can come in different forms : wearing the same clothes repeatedly, driving the same vehicle for years or better still the public transport, wearing very little or no jewellery, moving away from pompous living, sharing things with all beings on earth, not listening to gossip, calling a spade a spade when someone hurts another being.

5.  Ask questions.  One of the sadhus in the evening asked us a few questions. 'Who is God ? ', 'Where is God ?' and 'What is God's work ?'  The third one stumped us.  Work for us is waking up in the morning, cooking, cleaning and hitting office and doing this till evening.  Otherwise, if at home, it starts with cleaning, cooking, washing and keeping things in order.  So, what work does God do ?  If He controls the universe, the galaxy, the earth, its happenings and the life of every being, then that is a lot.  Again, to what level does He do it ?  Would he be really controlling ?  Thought process kept going .... to no end.

6.  Walking around the temple, there was peace.  Also, the pulse was different.  Life slowed down.  I realized that I was walking fast and automatically, fell into the rhythm.  How was it possible that two worlds co-exist : one, which is on a wild chase for something or the other and another, which is slower, makes you feel relaxed, makes you feel at peace, ponder about life and energizes you.  It is the energy of the place of course.  From where does this energy come - from the earth, or the founder Mahima Swami, the priests or is it from the followers.  Hinduism believes that every living and non-living thing has energy.  During consecration of an idol, mantras give what was till then stone having energy, powers.  This power is reinforced, added, multiplied by the believers and devotees.  

In a temple with no idol, what is this energy that brings devotees ? How is this belief system founded on the abstract thriving in today's world ? 

7.  Am reminded of the young boy finishing his 12th standard and becoming a monk. Varshil Shah decided to change his path and took diksha. 'What made him do it ? What was that question that made him change course ? ' is a question I have been asking since I read that news.  Unless there is a power from within, how did this boy who till then lived a normal life wish to renounce and become a Jain monk, one of the most toughest.  In the language of today's fast world, 'What makes a monk tick , not be swayed, remain simple and stay on the chosen path ?'  For me, keeping focussed on one activity is most of the time difficult.    

The visit was worth it for I know it has enriched me, my soul and got me to question the life I live.  To that, thanks to the Paramathma for showing the path. 

Ananta Shayanam - Maha Vishnu in all beauty and splendour

The Ananthashayanam form of Maha Vishnu is one form I have been fascinated with.  Having grown up in a city of temples, Trichy, Srirangam was a temple my parents took us to every sunday. Lord Renganathar resides here.  In the temple's grounds, we have spent numerous days playing after praying to Him. In his Home we grew up.  In his lap we spent all our sundays.  Maybe that is why the strong connection.  Maybe that is why I turn to him in joy and sorrow.  Even today when I go to the temple, I walk there with so much confidence for I know it is Home.  That I belong there.  That He is mine.

Maha Vishnu is one person who defies definition.  Maha Vishnu in different forms, each unique in some way, big or small, but significant, can be found across India.  Each avatar of Lord Maha Vishnu is fascinating for He teaches us something.

The second Ananthashayanam I prayed to was at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Tiruvananthapuram.  It was a meeting I can never forget.  Following the habit of going to a temple empty stomach, it was 11 by the time we finished darshan.  In the throes of hunger, we checked the prasadam counter for payasam, a favourite of the Lord.  As we have not pre-booked, we could not get payasam.  So, hunger burning the belly and patience, we decided to have food in the temple and stood in the queue.  All I could think of standing at the queue was having the Lord's payasam.  We had the simple annadaanam comprising of rice, sambar and avial.  I did go back for the avial much to my own surprise and the surprise of the people serving food.  At the end of the lunch, the kind lady sitting next to us, poured out two glasses of payasam from the container she had, and offered us.  I was dumb founded and tears stung my eyes.  I looked at Arun and he was equally dumbfounded for standing in the line, I had kept repeating that all I wished was for a glass of the Lords payasam.  I had asked the Lord only one thing that day - a little payasam and he gave me that.  Many may call it random, others coincidence.   Believe me, in all my years, have I never wished for something so strongly more so in a temple, nor has anyone offered me anything.  The family of mother and daughter are friends today who I keep in touch.  They will always remain close to heart.





The third Ananthashayanam I had the blessing of experiencing was at Orissa in January.  Equally large, a work of art which had weathered the elements so well.  The best part of this Ananta Shayanam was that it had a calmness unlike the other two.  He made me think of living in this world, untouched by the nastiness around, living to my own beat and finding joy and contentment in my little world.

I pray for more experiences.  For more insights.  For more knowledge.  A chance to connect with Him.

When does a teacher commit a criminal offence ?

As a teacher, there are some things that are 'criminal'.  I am using the word 'criminal' knowing very well what it means.  Some things criminal include : not taking class, knowingly taking things wrongly, wantonly failing a student, being partial to a student or some students on the basis of religion, background (social and economic), colour, race or looks, telling a student she/he is worth nothing, she/he is not capable, putting down a student, pandering to a select few at the cost of the class.....  Many might wonder, what is criminal about the above ?  It didn't kill anyone, nor did it spoil someone's life.  Question is, 'Are you sure ? '.  There is something called the 'spirit'.  Killing the spirit of a student in any way is criminal because it influences her/his whole life.  It may not be visible as bleeding or a broken arm.  It is worse than that.  A cut or broken arm will heal but the spirit when killed, there is no surety if it can become alive as before without any effect.  So, what is this 'spirit' that is being spoken about ?  Spirit is the will of a student to aspire, to learn, to try, to fail and rise, to go beyond, challenge known and unknown limitations, to try and excel in a chosen field, to learn a vocation, to unearth a hidden talent, to push boundaries, to dream.

So, how does a teacher kill all of this ?  When a teacher does not correct a wrong, when a teacher does not encourage, when a teacher does not push a student beyond her/his comfort zone, when a teacher does not help a student break limitations and boundaries she/he set, when a teacher does not pull down myths and help unearth the truth, when a teacher does not break barriers, when a teacher sets one's own boundaries for students to suit their own silly needs, when a teacher does not help a student excel, when a teacher is happy with what a student is currently, knowing there is so much more in them, when a teacher tries limiting a students talent, curtailing a students abilities, when a teacher does not dream for a student, then a teacher is killing the spirit.   That is a criminal offence.

A student at twenty has a spirit that is unquenchable, a spirit that is willing to try, a spirit that is giving, a spirit that thrives on challenge, a spirit that dreams big and looks forward to a future.   The spirit instead of soaring in the sky, challenging limits, reaching for an upper limit that does not exist, is clipped to stick to the ground. How long will a spirit survive being caged, by walls that they didn't set, by walls that are invisible, by walls that someone else defined, by dreams that are crushed by someone ?  The spirit then dies.  This death is not natural.  It is killing.  That is a criminal offence.


Disclaimer :  The above views are mine and mine alone.  

Over flowers

Reading a news feed, I happened to see a case where a lady is beating her m-i-l for plucking flowers from the garden without permission.  Turning physical is not correct.  However, experience teaches otherwise about what many people feel towards flowers being plucked from their own garden.

Can there be another side to this story ? Or will it be viewed only in one angle ?

In the community I live, when someone plucked flowers from a house without knowledge of the owners, the owner objected and put it up on the open Whatsapp group.   The owner's father, a retired gentleman has a green hand and his passion is gardening.  Anything he plants will grow.  And his garden is beautiful.  The colours, placing - immaculate.  Immediately, other members of the community posted on the group telling the owner that flowers may have been plucked for God and it is okay.  Doesn't taking from someone's garden without informing amount to stealing ?  Instead of going by that truth, there were people who tried to justify the other way around.  Why couldn't the justifiers think that it is the fruits of someone's hard work that is being taken away without even asking ?

I grow flowers and I just don't pluck them - no matter what.  Arun, my husband is worse than me.  He does not allow clipping of branches even.  Let them grow like they want, he says.  I would atleast pluck a few flowers for keeping in front of God's picture.  Not my husband - one flower for all the Gods put together after my repeated request.  He is right - the flowers bloom for the birds, insects and for all who wish to not bring harm.  God is omnipresent - they bloom for him to see too.  Both of us don't accept a request of flowers being plucked from our garden, no matter what.  Each and every plant was planted by us.  We dug pits, cleared clay soil, carried mud, mixed dung, all the works.  We look at them as our own children.  So, how will it feel if someone plucked flowers ?  Unacceptable by all counts.

I remember my mom in this case.  She used to work late into night till my dad came home.  She built her garden from scratch, including a roof top garden forty years ago when roof top garden was a relatively unheard of concept.  Children would come and pluck roses she planted near the compound wall.  She told them repeatedly - no avail.  Tired of requesting, she threatened them.  No use.  So, she used to wait with buckets of water or the hose and throw water on kids who tried to steal her flowers.  Her reasoning was perfect.  She didn't have a gardener or a help.  She tilled the soil, dug the ground, built embankments all by herself.  I remember her carrying red mud up the stairs for her roof top garden innumerable times.  She had a right to be angry.  However, the kids parents came protesting that she was watering them down.  They said, it is 'just flowers'.  They said my mom was not adjustable.  Not once did they accept that their kids were wrong.  They wouldn't accept that the kids were wrong in stealing flowers from someone else's garden.  The garden was my mom's source of joy, pride and health.  It gave her happiness like no other.  She was not one who went shopping, socialized, partied or even dressed up much.  She was a simple person who was passionate about what she created.  She found joy in her own hard work.  Is that so difficult for someone else to accept ? 

Society we live in does not believe in a person's space, a person's right to live a life unhindered.  Man is defined as a social being - but that definition holds only in common spaces, not in private spaces.  When will the society we live in understand.  After forty years, I go through what my mom went through.  I hear the same lines told by a group of people, educated, moneyed and well-healed.  Nothing has changed.  Will it ever change ?

Capture the Wind. Feel Life, Live Life

There is a saying that you cannot capture the wind.  That is, you cannot catch the wind.  However, I feel that there is a way.  In a philosophical sense.

Today, as I walked around IISc, I saw a person riding his cycle down a slope and stretch his hands out such that the wind would have been obstructed by his palm.  I remembered something from the days gone by.  All I had to do was close my eyes and there I did it.

Riding my 'Ferrari' down the slope from the ladies hostel to the lab at the University of Hyderabad, for four years from 2006-2010 was an everyday occurrence minimum three times a day.  I would let go and feel the wind, play with my short hair, whiz past my face and I would breathe in the smells, and try to be part of something I could only feel but not hold, nor capture.

However, today at IISc, Blr as I saw an unknown person do just the same, I stood still for sometime and let my hand out and went back to ride my Ferrari down the slope and felt the wind touch my hand and pass through my fingers when I stretched them. I could feel the wind being obstructed when I closed my fingers, I could feel the hair on my hand.  I could feel the wind kiss my face, play with my curls, pass through my clothes and I could feel the sheer joy I had felt every single day.   

I realized that though the wind cannot be captured physically, it can still be captured.  It has been captured somewhere inside me.  For otherwise, it couldn't feel so real.  

How I wish I could live every moment that way.  It may be simple but live it to the fullest, capture the essence and be part of something beautiful.  As Kahlil Gibran said, 'And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair'.

Cultivate Evil

This phrase was meant to tell people to stay away from evil i.e. do no evil and stay away from people doing anything evil.  Instead, in today's world it has a new connotation.

Instead of just staying away from all things evil, including people who commit evil, it has come to mean fear people who do evil to you and protect yourself by cultivating them.

In the course of conversation, a friend of mine told me, 'I am walking with the devil to safeguard myself'. This got me confused.  I asked how and why.  So, the explanation goes thus.  The old saying was 'fear evil'.  Meaning stay away from evil, committing evil and the influence of evil.  However, in today's world where for example, your boss decides your career, staying away from evil is not an option.  Staying away from influential people who are evil, does not help if one is in need.  And, if you start doing that, then you will have to stay away from a lot of people, which is not possible.  Besides, you never know who you will need and when.  

So, the new mantra is that you walk with the devil, knowing you are walking with the devil.  Be polite and go through the motions, else one never knows what the devil will do, directly or indirectly.  Smile and do as the devil wishes, all the time knowing that you are doing something wrong but in the belief that you are protecting yourself and so the cause is justified.  It does not matter that one is not true to oneself, one's conscience.  The act of being a friend when one is not is a farce.  And there is nothing wrong in the farce.

Then came my question, 'Do you walk with the good always then, and are you true atleast then ?' Got an interesting answer.  'I walk with the good when possible, but I compromise.  If walking with the good will do me harm, then I stay away.  The good don't and cannot harm you.  So, it is okay if you ignore them and you can always explain.'  Meaning you can get away by being mean and nasty to the good.  

It was a strange conundrum for me where one values the devil more than the good because of the harm they cause. So, in the process of safeguarding itself, is the world teaching people to be bad as everyone fears the devil and will do as the devil says.  No wonder God is loosing his place in the world.  More he becomes like the devil, his followers will increase.

A woman is a woman's worst enemy

This line is one that is both derisive and idiosyncratic in many ways.  One that irritates and infuriates any sane woman.  However, a closer look at many a woman's life and one will find that this line, if not fully, is at least partially true.  How many are the cases where the mother-in-law or sister-in-law or a woman relative is involved in a dowry harassment ?  How many are the cases where there was a woman around who didn't raise her voice when an atrocity was committed ?  Even if a woman did not raise her voice, how many cases are there where a woman has criticized rather than sympathized with a victim ?  In how many cases of rape have we heard a woman point at the victim as though it was in some way her fault ? How many women question and find fault with the dress and lifestyle choices of other women ?  

A sample case is when one sees a boy and girl going out together.  Many a time one sees the blame left unfairly at the girl's feet; in the name of protecting her or that no matter what, society will point fingers at her.  Instead of equally holding the boy responsible, one hears justification of a boy's behaviour as he is of that species.

Personally, I have seen many a time when a woman is a woman's worst enemy.  A girl feels it first at adolescence when the monthly is not understood.  Not just by peers but by teachers and other elderly women around.  When there is complaint of pain and tiredness, the girl is straightaway termed 'lazy' or 'escapist'.  Then comes marriage.  While men in the family one is married to are inconsiderate many a time, most often it is the women who are the worst.  It starts in the kitchen - one uses a wrong spoon or vessel and there comes a story of 'ignorance'.  It is equated to a crime, especially in homes where there are separate vessels for vegetarian, eggiterian and non-vegetarian food.  It is totally ignored that any human being will take time to memorize new things.  Then comes the recipes.  Way of cooking is not good, not tasty, not healthy: it doesn't matter that the girl's family is of robust health despite eating the same recipes for decades.  The monthly haunts here too.  From the issue of what one can touch and what one cannot, what one can do and what one cannot, what parts of the house one can walk and cannot - worst part is that the women in each home tunes it to their own convenience and decide how far and how close one can go. As if all this is not enough, comes the part of how you dispose waste - all kinds included.  Through all this, while the men folk ignore, the women folk in the family will make a hue and cry about every aspect.  

Women who are widowed and childless face the brunt too.  Women who are widowed, stay away from festivities.  Yes of course, it is changing today.  But who are we fooling.  For an auspicious event, a widow is still not allowed to light a lamp which is the most auspicious thing to do.  She of course is allowed to stand around.  While it is progress, is it enough ?  Take a marriage - a widow including the mother of the bride groom stays away from the front / stage when the main festivities go on.  However, this does not work in the case of the widower.  He will be in the forefront.  While the societal norms are known to everyone, it is women who talk and talk creating the atmosphere that is despicable.  Have heard women comment about how the new widow is not sad enough, is not crying enough, about how the colours she chooses to wear are bright, about how she wears jewelry and bindi, about how she has to have her head down.  Thankfully, in the part of India I live in right now, tonsuring the head and wearing white or saffron is not longer followed.   Have seen so many such in childhood and never understood it then.  

Have to mention here the case of an uncle of mine who more than thirty years ago, held his widowed mother's hand proudly as he walked out of his home to get married - something unheard of those days.  He made her sit right next to him in the car taking him to the wedding - another taboo in those days.  He went against social norms and listened to no one.  No one dared tell him much either.  Sad part is that it is very rare for a girl going to her wedding to do this, not just because of her own circle but also that of the grooms family.  Hope the boys in my family take him as the role model.

In a wedding house, if a widow comes even a tiny bit well dressed, then you hear the women talk in the background.  The same cannot be said of men - they look, talk, many a time pass a nasty comment too.  However, more than the men, it is the women who talk - and talk dirty; even though the victim is a woman, and any day they might find themselves on that seat.  I many a time wonder how a woman who is widowed feels in such an environment ?  All I come up with is a life caught in a paralyzed body screaming to be let out or die, but not a whimper comes.  

The childless woman's case is pathetic, as I can say from experience.  Family members poke and prod wanting to know who has the problem, whether treatment is pursued and what kind of treatment.  Then comes suggestions on doctors far and wide one can go and meet.  So many people, so many suggestions - I find one application of studying 'Algorithms'.  If at any point I think of pursuing suggestions, I know what optimization algorithm I can use to find minimum travelling distance and time.  Then there are family members, who you know very well had no issue in begetting a precious one, but make up stories of how they traveled far and wide visiting holy places and guruji's to beget that child.  Then another kind asks you to write down the name of the temple you will have to visit if you beget one as they have prayed for you.  This list grows so long that at one point any sane woman would trash it.  Then there is close women family who are your time keepers - times including when you sleep, when you wake up and poke and prod about everything in between including passing 'A' jokes about you when guests are around.  

While this is the state when meeting family and friends, trying to get away someplace unknown is not of help either.  Travel in a train, bus or plane and your neighbour at some point will ask about family.  The moment you say you don't have kids, the next question that pops up is, 'how long since you are married ?'.  Then the next, 'how old are you ?'.  Then the advice : 'you still have time, though you must hurry'.  Even the decent looking among them ask the basic question of treatment undergone.  Then they offer suggestions as if they are your soulmate instead of a travel companion of a few hours.  And all the time, the victim searches for ways to shut ears or cut the conversation down.  The one I usually try is to point upwards and say, 'When He decides'.  It helps many a time but does not cut grass with the specialists.  They tell you how He cannot help unless we the couple help ourselves and chuckle and laugh much to the amusement of everyone around and our embarrassment.  Only upbringing and control helps tide through situations like this - else many a slipper would have gone missing and many a black eye and hand would have needed treatment.

As if all of the above is not hurtful enough, one hears women tell lines that can slice the heart without even the skin being incised.  Lines include, 'don't you want to have a kid ? ', 'oh you are the career kind, who don't want a kid', 'is it a fashion choice that you decided not to have a kid ?', 'you are still young, keep trying and one day you will have one'.  Then there are taunts from those who have kids : 'you don't know how tough it is to bring up a kid', 'you don't know the complexities involved in handling a kid because you have none', 'you are lucky you don't have a kid - you have time to yourself', 'you can work late and go home late as you don't have kids', 'you can't empathize with a kid enough because you don't have one yourself', 'you don't know how much energy goes in bringing up a kid', 'you have time on your hands because you are free, I have kids to look after', 'you are lying when you say you like kids',.................  All of the above said by women of all kinds, ages and sizes.  Only one question rises in my mind, 'Did anyone force you to have a kid ?' 

Then there are family and friends who suggest adoption.  They make it sound as thought it is like buying a product off the shelf in a supermarket.  'Have you considered adoption ?  Many people are doing it ?  You should do it too ? It will help a child and help you too', was a relative's suggestion.  I wondered, 'How do you know it will help me ?  and who gave you the right to make a choice for me ?', 'Why  didn't you consider adopting when you were trying hard to have one instead of taking treatment ?'.  'Ok, you didn't think the first time, but you could have considered adopting atleast the second child instead of having your own ? It would have helped the child and you too, right ?'

Compared to the any women's comments, I can count on my one hand the times I have heard a comment like this from a man.  A very old man even taunted his wife for asking me whether I didn't want a kid ?  That day, I blessed that man with all of my heart for his humanity.  For he had it in him to raise his voice. Otherwise, in all these years, I haven't had one man or woman, close or far, relative or not, standing by my side, raising their voice against the questions and taunts, except of course my husband.  

And so life continued thus, till recently.  A rude comment from a family member got me researching on cultures and their attitudes to childless women and women in general across the globe.  Women treating women in the family badly is widespread around the world, especially in the eastern world.  With widowed women, the west fares a bit better.  With clothes and choices women make, the west fares better.  The east and middle east are the worst places for women dependent on the country or place.  Every part, every culture, every country in the world has the same attitude to childless women and have names for such women.  The universality of it hit me.  There is I think, no escape for women in this world from some issues till death.  Or so I think, as the after world is not known.  Will know when some woman returns from there to tell the story or when I get there. 

Statutory warnings :  

1.  In case a woman tries to defend, the perpetrator will try to act like the victim and say 'I was just trying to help.  Didn't mean to hurt' and shed a few tears if the woman does not immediately say 'It is ok'.

2.  All of the above is based on my own experiences, those of women in similar situation, I have directly seen or heard.

3.  All of life's experiences makes me stronger and bolder.    

  

Glorifying Motherhood

Motherhood must be an amazing thing.  One hears time and again in our society of women who speak about how they had to carry a life inside for nine months and the sacrifices made in the form of food, life style, pain and freedom and more during the period and beyond.  For those of us who have not gone through it, we can only imagine of course and listen to stories.  However, I know one thing for a fact :  man forgets that just like their own gestation time, the cow has nine months while the elephant has 18 - 22 months.   

All beings bring up their child, equip them with life skills and let them go free.  It is man who keeps an account of the bringing up as well as the training time, and demand their pound of flesh for the lifetime of the kids.  All other animals do the hunting and feeding, teach their kids life skills and then when the time comes, they let them go. Go Free.  In literature and poetry the nine months carried by a human mother is glorified while you don't hear a mention of the same with reference to other animals.  Instead, we can kill all animals that carry a child for food or for fun.   We savour eggs of different kinds.  An example is fish being cut open to take eggs when very much alive and thrown back into the sea to drown and die. The parts of unborn calves of various animals are delicacies and sought after around the world. Where is Motherhood ?

Then comes the part of rearing, the toughest part.  There are many a mother, who after delivering a child leave all the affairs to someone else.  How many times does one come across women who have more than one hand at home to feed, clothe, teach and help the baby poo.  Many consider breast feeding a chore and use storage mechanisms.  While all of the above are a necessity today where woman go to work and handle affairs beyond the home, one thing I fail to understand is how the mother takes all the credit slipping under the carpet conveniently of the many hands that help in bringing up the child.

My mentor, a researcher and a very wise man, sent me a line on the morning of Mother's day.  'Ayah care replacing Mother care.   Let there be an Ayah day.  In praise of all the Ayahs'.  This line touched something that has been on my mind for sometime now.  It is also very true.  I visit when possible the school to pick up two kids in the family.  Name the make and you can find the cars there.  Me the unknowing kind, thought that all the cars brought with them parents.  Instead, majority of them were ayahs and drivers who picked up the kids.  Simpleton ayahs, fashionable ayahs, english speaking ayahs, and the high funda ayahs. They said hello, hugged the kids, fed the kids a mini lunch, handing them juice or water, and inquiring how school was.  Kids tell them all the stories, happy for someone to listen to them.  Parents, have you heard a kid repeating a story more than once ?  I doubt it. Rarely, maybe.  So, the story of the kids life is in the hands of the ayahs and drivers, not with the parents.  Under the watchful and caring eyes of the ayahs and drivers, a kid grows up, loving them probably a wee bit more than the parents who bring them toys and gifts.  The most glorious time of a kids life is lost to the parents.

Still, motherhood is glorified.   Maybe because the mother is juggling many things and is a good manager, managing to find the kid a first-class nanny.  While the lower strata of society has a reason for not spending as much time with their kids due to the run for making money to feed and clothe, the other strata today has so much to do :  the work time, whatsapp time, facebook time, parlour time, kitty party time, and all else not to forget the 'me' time.  What time is left, is leftover for the child ?  To compensate and make up, the kid gets lots of toys and whatever else (s)he asks for.

Many a house has grandparents who are required to take up the role of rearing with boundaries that are unmarked.  They should control and instill good values but cannot punish, they cannot scold or beat but should accept the pinch or punch and still smile, and they should act mature and be magnanimous when the kids fault and falter.  This kinds life is strange indeed.  As if rearing one's own is not enough, going through another cycle and with no control ?  Just wonder about the havoc it must play on their nerves.

Then there are the fashionistas - the kind who talk very fashionably :  'I spend quality time with my kid'.  'I have compartmentalized my life so well that kids have quality time with me'.  Who decides how much is quality time, when and how ?  Was the timetable run through with the kid ?  Any quality control process followed ?  Any feedback obtained ?  Any correction mechanism ? What is enough for you, was it enough for the child ?

Then there are the kind who speak about 'making sacrifices'.  No kid asked to be born.  If you have a kid it is solely because you wanted one.  Where is the space there for sacrifice.  According to me, the only people who have a right to say they are making a sacrifice are those who have kids because a man has violated them, within or out of a marriage.  This because one has to overcome bitterness and grief to bring the new one to life and forget the pain and love the child no matter what - that is sacrifice.  This may also hold true of women who give themselves up to protect their children in war torn and drought hit parts of the world.  It may also be true of women who lay down their lives to protect their own in other circumstances.  However, remember, the latter two kind hardly live to talk about their sacrifice.  If alive, they would call it their duty.  All others who have a child have no business using the word 'sacrifice'.  

And still the mother is glorified.  All for the act of delivery which every other being on earth does without fanfare and without a day of glorification. Not to mention the countless ayahs who silently hands over all the glory and remains in the shadows.  And a bow to those who are fired in the line of duty, for being protective or for being too loving or loved all because the mother does not want to loose control.

There are countless women and men who go about bringing up their children telling they are blessed and privileged to be part of a kids life.  There are also countless who don't have time to think that way, but do what it takes to make their kids life a better one.  And all this with no noise or celebration.  I see videos of mother ducks waiting for her line of kids, protective and caring.  There is an amazing video of a mother cat who walked into the flames of a burning building more than once to rescue her kittens and burnt her legs in the process.  Or the women folk among animals who live in groups - like the elephants, gorillas and monkeys who take care of others kids as their own. None of these amazing mothers make a noise about being a mother.  So, it is sad to see those busy in their own world, who hardly spend time with kids nor take an active interest in their affairs make a hullabaloo this one day.  

So, a thought :  Whose 'motherhood' should be celebrated ?  Of the one who just delivered, of the one who delivers and does what needs to be done to the best extent possible, or the one who did not deliver but rears the kid, or the grandparents who are seeing life repeat itself a second time around without a say, or others who have no say but have to go through it.

I would say ,the day if it requires to be celebrated should be 'Motherhood of the one who gives up the best part of one's own kid out of necessity to bring up another's'.  Motherhood if celebrated at all is for all beings who take time to be with kids, their own or others, who contribute to their well being, who enjoy in being there.  Any other kind is a farse.

Disclaimer :  The above is of course not written to belittle motherhood as many may accuse because I am not one.  Also, I am an expert in hardly anything, especially in the area discussed.  What I have written is based on interactions with mothers and interactions with kids especially in the age group of 17-23 who speak about time they desperately want but don't seem to get.

Whither Animal Rights

Olympics and a Jaguar 

What is the connection of a Jaguar living in a zoo and the 2016 Olympics ?  Anyone would ask this.  Why should Juma, a Jaguar living in a zoo, denied natural justice be brought to an olympic torch ceremony.  In the spirit of the olympics which speaks of sportsman spirit, where the only way to fight is through healthy competition include a Jaguar.  It is a shame on the olympic movement which does not encourage bloodshed in any form to have committed this crime.  

Amazon jaguar shot dead after Olympic torch ceremony (picture courtesy Reuters)

The local olympic committee has guaranteed that there will be no more such incidents - what is the use ?

Maharaj Vs Forest Department

'Maharaj', a twenty seven year old elephant, called by forest officials and public as a rogue elephant was captured to be trans located.  The operation of tranquilizing him and using a kumki to load him into a truck was called a huge success.  Yesterday, he died - causes still being debated.

The above picture is courtesy of the Indian Express.  The file is named 'Rogue1.jpg'  Sad don't you think.  An animal born to live and rule the forest, tranquilized and bound, and finally killed.  I use the word killed because if this was done to a human being, that is exactly the word we would have used.  There would have been an uproar in the newspaper, an FIR, ministers visiting the family, and all the drama that ensues.  Just because Maharaj and his ilk are elephants, rather animals, there is nothing of the sort.

Social Service - the SSS way

A general feeling of tiredness got us talking about the need to check my sugar levels.  So, we decided yesterday night to go for a 'fasting sugar' test today morning at a hospital where we usually go.  I woke up this morning and dreaded the needle prick that I was to encounter in a few hours.  Have always welcomed an injection over gulping tablets; still, the prick of the needle is something I have never got used to.  

My better half was more enthusiastic about this morning schedule than me, having been the victim of more health related checks in the recent past.  And here I was, agonizing over the fact that the place was twenty minutes away and that we didn’t know a reliable place closer home as yet.  A mental check of health centers closest home gave a small list – many of them were easily rejected.  However, one was okayed as being very dependable – ‘Shanthi Social Services(SSS)’.  Despite living within 5km radius of this place, we have never been there, not for lack of reputation.  The organization’s reputation is impeccable.  Anyone will vouch for it, in terms of health services or the food in its canteen.  We ourselves can vouch for the services they provide in the Petrol Bunk as well as quality of gas.  We have hit the bunk early morning and many a times late night (11:00 p.m. and above) and have always found the employees friendly and cheerful.  Besides, George uncle, who we had met a month ago had vouched for the place.  The pendulum weighed heavily towards SSS.

This being just a simple test, the decision was quickly made – SSS, it is.  We decided to check the place to see for ourselves what we have heard from many.  As we entered the place, we found it very orderly despite being crowded at 8:30 a.m. in the morning, being a weekend.  The people, whether the watchman or at the counter were very polite in answering everyone’s queries.  The test by itself took as much time as in the hospital we used to go to.  The nurses were efficient – they didn’t search for a vein in my hand.  It was over in ten minutes and I was to go back after breakfast within an hour and half. So far, good as they did not have to search for my veins and I did not have to suffer multiple pricks before they achieved success.  I suggested we go home, which is a ten-minute drive while my husband suggested the canteen after which we could go back and give the blood sample.  Given the crowd I was apprehensive. 

The three queues had people filing in fast.  However, it moved slow and steady.  Availability of food was indicated on electronic display boards that kept updating quantity available and cost.  Within ten minutes we were at the counter serving food.  The place was neat and the tables were full.  People got their food(self-service) and found a place.  Water was served on the tables.  They finished, handed over their plates and left the place.  Supervisors helped people if required, and guided the workers in required cleaning.  None of them could be heard ordering or questioning.  They were smiling and getting things done.  One of the workers picked the card that had fallen from my pocket and gave it to me smiling - they were attentive in the midst of all that work.  Another fifteen minutes and we had finished our breakfast and were walking out discussing how they were running the place so efficiently.

Arun told me what he knew about the origins of the place.  SSS is run by Mr. Subramaniam who started the organization ‘Shanthi Gears Ltd’ that makes machinery - gears.  He is a first generation successful entrepreneur who today runs SSS.  They do not solicit or accept any donation.  And SSS runs like clockwork, maybe something he picked from his experience, I mused. 

The part I most liked about the organization is the emphasis on ‘service', their motto being ‘Service to humanity is service to God’.  This they achieve through quality, efficiency, humility and affordability.  The registration and test costs (sugar and haemoglobin) came to Rs.85/- .  More surprising was the food cost.  We ordered four sets of idli and two filter coffees (yes, we like our coffee the Tamilian way – nothing like the taste of filter coffee).  It cost us Rs.40/-.  Idli per set cost us Rs.5/- and per filter coffee cost us Rs. 10/- each.  I held the tokens and thought about the hotels charging for the same.  The idli was served with two chutneys and sambhar.  Of course, their running costs may be higher, but how much higher ?  For a common man, most hotels are not affordable due to high costs.  Further, food served cheap may not always be healthy and hygienic.  However, SSS was doing it, fulfilling both needs.  We had heard that there are many people who come in everyday for their meals, especially people from the surrounding (both business and otherwise).  The employee who manned the PR Desk, came in for breakfast, bought his token and joined the queue where food was served.  Another fifteen minutes and we finished breakfast.

Taking in the place, reading boards and looking at how things were run, we returned back to the counter to get the token for taking the blood sample (after food).  The employee, who had given me the earlier token looked at me and asked me, ‘How long since you had food ?’.  I truthfully told her that it is 25-30 minutes max.  She asked me to get back in an hour.  I told her that the nurse inside had asked me to get back within an hour and half.  Politely, she told me to get back exactly in that time and not before as one must wait for the test to be taken.  So, we went back to walking.

I have always avoided crowded places be it shopping, festivals or events due to the noise and the hustle and bustle that happens.  However, here, there was a crowd but there was order.  People were patient and those who were not, were directed politely to follow by the employees.  Arun told me that lunch time is very crowded and he has heard that the queue stretches outside the waiting hall some days.  

For colleges in Coimbatore who teach management, SSS is a case study that should be used.  Be it organizing, controlling, motivation or quality, one will find aspects in SSS that is worth being part of a case study that students can use to learn and be inspired.  For organizations, it is one to emulate.  Personally, it was a rewarding experience.  Of how one man aspires to do something good and works hard to succeed.  For behind the clockwork, lies commitment, diligence and hard work always.

Education Institutions - A place full of life

Walk into any educational institution, school or college, anywhere around the world and you will find that there is no other place like it.  The laughter, jokes, camaraderie, the running around, animated discussions, the spectrum of serious ones to the freaky type - all abound.  In total, it is a place that is alive.

However, come holidays or vacation, and the place signifies 'empty' like no other.  You miss the pulse that beats when students are present - even when they are in class or if it is examination time.

When college works, it doesn't matter whether you are a 70 year old or a 40 year old.  You will walk to the pulse and beat of the youngest - an eighteen year old.  Any academician will second this, but ask them to explain and they will find it difficult.  

The students bring with them an energy like no other.  The best day is one when you take a class that feels perfect; where you have given your best and students are able to appreciate what you have taken.  On a worst day, the moment you step into college, the mood changes.  Students take ups and downs so much better than us.  

My favorite time of the day is when I compete and try to keep pace when I climb three floors to get to my room.  In case I am slow, I pick up pace and when I am fast, I push the youngsters to pick up pace.  All of us have a good laugh and go our way.

So, waiting - waiting for life to resume in the college.