learnings

  My son has gifted me a wonderful SONOS speaker. I have added Spotify to my list of streaming channels. I am listening to songs from the 80's. Some hindi songs evoked memories of beautiful vacations I used to take to my native Kerala. My extended cousins who grew up in Madhya Pradesh would come down too. They were fluent in Hindi and spoke more of it than our mother tongue. It was exciting for me to practise my Hindi. Though it was my second language at school, I hardly got to speak in Chennai.  I used to enjoy translating some of it to the elders around when they couldn't understand my north walla cousins. We would meet almost every day, cavort around the narrow paths in between the paddy fields to go from one uncle's house to another's. We would hum some of the popular songs (listening now) as we walked. Playing the local hide and seek, cycling, eating raw mangoes with salt and chilli powder, hungrily gobbling up our aunt's yummy food.... ah those were the days. 

  A recent visit to a a small souvenir shop in a quaint part of Montana revealed a sentimental connect. The shopkeeper, a Russian, on knowing that I was from Chennai asked me if I had heard of Vishwananthan Anand. My answer being obvious he wanted to test if I was fooling around. He mentioned casually about Anand playing tennis is it not. Hearing my emphatic No he smiled. He is a professional chess player and was a fan of Anand. I felt so proud that Anand was remembered with fondness so far away from his homeland. Today a Chess carnival is on in my city- the city of V Anand. Yet I find him featured minimally in the State's official welcome song for the event. I hardly saw any picture of Anand associated with the event. Politics above genius! 

It is disconcerting to learn  from final year undergrads that they have practically nothing to write under certificates/ extracurricular and memberships. Out of 60 students hardly ten fill out up these criteria.  One can see the worry writ large on their faces as placements near.  I remembered my college days. I was a proud member of the NCC- National cadet Corps. My college's system was that we had to make a choice to join either NSS/NCC.  In spite of having loads of fun we managed to have a balance between academics and activities.  So why are engineering students in this situation? Who is to blame- the system or students? Students will always want to have only fun. So should the system not ensure some form of accountability? 

  A 'male' files a complaint against the 'hot' actor Ranveer Singh for posing nude. The actor has done a series of  decent nudes.  He has been trolled and several memes have come out.  Of course the trolls and memes are from other males! of course!! How does a male file a petition claiming Ranveer is hurting women's sentiments! Sorry Sir, dont you realise we arent. We are quite enjoying his latest pics.😀😂😃😃😄.  Please file complaints against rapists being let off after a short sentence; against the police constable who impregnated a 16 year old; against the ppl who have questioned a Dalit girl daring to go to school. Please do not block the channels of judiciary with your moral policing. We - the WOMEN- are perfectly capable of addressing our sentiments. Please allow the judiciary to use their precious time on issues that really needs intervention.

During a recent interaction with 20 and 21 year olds it was with a very heavy heart that I heard the following : Ma'am this is the first time a teacher has encouraged me. ( This was because I had encouraged him to speak in front of the class and had some kind words for him!) Ma'am I have never been noticed in school or college ( a very shy student) Ma'am thank you for appreciating me. I will not forget you ever. My heart ached for these students. Such precious years gone without being appreciated/encouraged/ noticed.  Just as food, air and water is fundamental for our survival,  for us to thrive and develop we need to belong, to feel secure, we need to be appreciated and noticed.  A few kind words go a long long way. What would help is to make it a habit to look for positives in the other.