She....

Sunday... The day started with the serene and tranquilising atmosphere of the church. I headed home n buried myself in the day's issue of sunday magazine.The column by Kalpana Sharma on Page 3 has always been my favourite. Her writings have always unleashed a renewed spirit in me, inspired me to do something for discriminated women.She takes up a wide range of issues where injustice is meted out to women.

As I was pouring through the day's issue, i wondered about a common opinion, the women of our nation do not have much role models to emulate. True!!.. I thought about myself, many articles describing brave feats done by women have aspired me , but i ve never found a strong lady to emulate.

My grandmother was beckoning me for breakfast.As she laid the idlis on my plate, I looked up at her. There stood a woman, a strong woman... An epitome of greatness... I wondered how an uneducated, village-bred woman could have crossed so many hurdles single-handedly ,when educated, civilised women of today easily succumb to domestic struggles of life.As a woman, she has always had the guts to speak for herself and stand up against anybody, even her near ones, if she feels they are wrong.She has endured alot and has sailed through the losses of life with courage and perseverance.As I turn back the pages of her life, I see that she has exhibited patience, courage and endurance in its extremest degree.

Even now, at the age of 68, she is the same old strong granny, young in spirit and never settling for the least. Though well-rooted in the customs of the past, she has blended well with today's trend and has always been an eager learner, curious to know about the latest breakthroughs. She is even prudent enough to advise her son-in-law about investments.

To me, she has always been an inspiring granny,a second mother,supporting me to scale great heights. She has never forced her views on me, she believes my dreams and encourages me to pursue my passions.I have never experienced the slightest signs of gender discrimination from my grandmother which has been experienced by most of my friends .

"It's one of nature's way that we often feel closer to distant generations than to the generation immediately preceding us."

Most true... I realised that if we spend time with our grannies at home, we can easily understand the trials they have been through and how courageous they have proved themselves to be in such trying circumstances where cant ever imagine ourselves to be in. My friend's granny had given birth to her daughter in a bullock-cart. We trumpet that we lack enough women leaders , but we miserably fail to look at a strong woman in each of our home.Their tales have enough cure for all our wounds and would definitely invest a sturdy spirit in us.

"The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children's children. It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future." ~Charles and Ann Morse

A TRIBUTE TO MY TEACHERS.....

I was busy preparing for my mid-semesters that i failed to notice the passing of a great day in the yearly calender - Sept 5th. A day attributed to the great minds who had shaped us. I realised it that night when I was in bed that it was teacher's day. "How did i miss such a special day??"- kept wondering.

Whatever i am today (if ever im someone!!) , I owe it to my parents and teachers in school and whenever anyone truly appreciates me for the person I am, my heart swells with gratitude for my Alma Mater.

Can I ever forget Ms.Frania (My teacher in class I) who used to emphasise on good english pronunciation even at that young age??.Even today I look upon her with admiration for her strong personality.

It was Ms.Sylvia who strengthened my christian faith and made me realise the power of prayer. The modest manner in which she carried Aherself influenced me alot.

Ms.Amala Bobby was my Science teacher in middle school. She helped us to tide over the ups and downs of adolescent age and taught us to value ourselves.

"You are young ladies , so carry yourselves with dignity wherever you go".These words of Mrs.Lucy Joseph still ring in my ears and they are my watch-words.

It was Mrs.Jacintha Vincent who expanded the horizons of my potentials and enriched my knowledge in english literature. She developed in me a liking for classical english, be it prose or poetry.

"Debt is a bottomless ocean"........ I am indeed indebted to these great souls for they have taught something beyond books and Im carrying those lessons throughout the journey of my life. The lessons they taught, the seeds they sowed have kept me in good stead and helped me to cross the obstacles of life with an optimistic outlook. I raised a silent word of thanks to the Almighty and prayed that such great souls be blessed bountifully so that they continue in their mission of imparting good virtues and knowledge.

"Empires fall ; Temples crumble

But

Works of education endure forever"

DOWN THE MEMORY LANE....

“Memories act strangely. When you are alone, they make you feel as if you are in a crowd ; And when you are in a crowd, they make you feel alone”
How True!!!!
After receiving a litany of grudges from my mom, I started arranging my bookshelf. As I went through the piles of books and photocopies, I caught sight of a thick bound black note-“MY SLAM BOOK”. Its my most prized possession which treasures the sweetest memories of my glorious school life. Nothing could have given me more pleasure than skimming through its pages on an lazy afternoon (In spite of my mom’s endless complaints….). As I walk down the memory lane , many a sweet memories cloud my mind. How true are the above mentioned verses. Memories do have a magical touch!!!!.
Life is a twisted pathway where no one knows what is at the next bend. We have no idea where our lives would take us but we cherish the memories we pick up along the way.
My heart swells with nostalgia as I look back at the great times spent in school. The way we used to make a beeline to the canteen, our tiring sports day practices, the busy preparations for projects on the eve of the competitions, endless rehearsals for dramas are all afresh in my mind. The doodles in the class benches, the water-taps, the tamarind tree will speak volumes of the fun we had together.
Its all over now……. The times we had, good and bad, happy and sad, our little jokes, our petty quarrels, our days together, the days we were together , the days we were apart yet bonded, every single thing we shared together in life……. I can only afford to carry memories.
So friends, cherish every moment of your life and live life to the lees…. Coz,
“Today’s sweet moments are tomorrow’s sweet memories”…..