Experiencing SOS..

"Akka, please come to my home na..pleeeeeeease, pleeeeeease!!", and before I could say something, a tiny hand grips mine tightly, and we start running across the green field with a bunch of others towards the HOME. The warmth is infectious, and the invitation a genuine one, straight from the heart, and I just keep following them to their respective HOMES. They take me in, and their mother welcomes me open-heartedly. A neatly arranged house...nothing fancy..two simple wooden sofas with clean, cotton upholstery and nicely arranged cushions, right in front of the entrance, a dining table towards the left, and a painting of Jesus on the right wall..little further inside, you find a beautifully illuminated temple area, with lots of deities, and something in the air just makes you want to join hands and say a little prayer. My fellow companions introduce me to their family excitedly, and then show me around the house.."Akka, this is my bed..and this is our cupboard for school uniforms..Akka, this one belongs to Prasanna",and he opens it quickly.. "Haw..you keep your cupboard so messed up Prasanna!!", bang comes the comment from him, as if he was already prepared to say this. I can' help but smiling at their banter. He's still holding my finger..and showing me his bedroom...a dorm like setting..neat and simple..meanwhile, his siblings have also joined us and I am showered with questions.."Akka...when will you come back?"..and questioning eyes..I don't want to disappoint them, but then I don't want to give them any false indications just to keep their heart..so I try moving on to the next question..but I can't. He insists, "Akka..please come naa"..and a toothless smile..God..he knows the tactics so well..An invitaion with such a beautiful smile is not easy to turn down..I tell him.."I'll come back soon", and give him an assured look.

Tring tring..my cell rings..and its Deepali at the other end. "Hey Nimisha! Hurry up! We got to leave!"..I don't feel like leaving..and don't feel like believing that the day is just over..I give him a hug, say good bye to the rest and rush to catch the bus..cheerfully waving good bye to others I met on the way to the bus.

And the day is indeed over..but what a truly amazing day it was! It all started at 10 in the morning at the SOS campus, where we picked up the kids and their mothers and started off for Birla Planetarium and Science Museum. We were few folks from office, and we divided the kids, around 95 in number into 8 groups. Each of us led a group of kids for the day, and they were our responsibility today! I quickly got to know the names of many, though they found my name a bit confusing..nimisha, manisha..whatever..and who cares..they could just call me "Akka". My group was a bunch of second class kids..4 girls and 4 guys, all full of energy..truly excited for their outing.No..not all..most of them..I found one of the girls really shy, and not getting along with most of the other kids initially..but later she was alright. Anyways, we decided to call our team "Jhinga la la", and our team cheer turned out to be "Jhinga la la..hoo ha!"..no surprises here.

As our fully loaded bus jostled its way through the dusty roads, I realized I was packed with these bundles of energy. We started shouting our team cheer in high spirits..we were the first team to come up with this, and hence had already made headway here..soon Tarun's Dons pitched in..5th graders..and smart ones..their pitches easily made ours go psssssssst! On the way...we played Antakshari..of course I was just a spectator..I know nothing of Telugu music..and we talked about Chiranjeevi, and Anushka, and Charmee, and Gopichand..and a bunch of other actors I can't recall..we discussed what they want to be when they grow up...and their ambitions are as varying as they are..Priyanka wants to be a software engineer(should I show her the reality of our lives..lols), Adisheshu wants to go to the army..and Vaishnavi wants to do painting..and Meera.she just wants to help others! Nothing different so far..kids are kids anywhere..and that's the best thing about them. Unlike grown ups, they don't judge you..they don't care who you are, what you do, how you look, and how you speak..all this reminds me of the song:

I don't care who you are,

where you're from,

what you do,

as long as you love me.....

Just love them..and you'll get it back.

Back on track..the bus was full to capacity, and I found place on a pedestal..I had no qualms sitting there, and was sitting perfectly okay when a pair of hands rested on my shoulders. I looked up, and behold! All the kids had squeezed themselves to make space for me..they asked me to sit there..and the chaalu that I am..I took the promise, that they are not gonna fight, if they want me to sit with them..win win situation for me! And to nobody's wonder, I found myself squeezed between them in a minute.

We reach the venue..and its already lunch time..all of us sit down in the gardens in respective groups, and the kids open the lunch boxes they've brought with them. They wash their hands, spread out a clean napkin and keep their lunch boxes on it. A variety of smells..pulihora, sambar rice, lemon rice, cauliflower and chapati enter my nostrils..and then they realize that I am not carrying a tiffin unlike them. So they all share their lunch with me..and i felt so nice about it..I mean it doesn't happen with you everyday that you share food with someone..especially since I have joined this corporate world.

Food was over, and we lined up for the planetarium visit..and I was bombarded with questions..half of which I could not even understand..wish I knew some Telugu! They were amazed by the stars..the vastness of the universe..and particularly liked the constellations. I could hear their "wows and whys" all through the show.

Once the show was over, and we headed off to the science museum. The concepts of science like friction, optics, energy, etc. were obviously alien to the 2nd graders, and it was too much to expect that they would understand them. So I just let them be..they loved the equipment..pedals..and cycles to convert mechanical energy to heat..a ball that kept hanging in the air because of air blowing out..some swings to understand pulleys..mirrors and lenses for optics..concepts that even I found long forgotten. We saw the dianosaurs' remains and soon it was time to wrap up. The kids were tired by now..and we assembled together for a small address by Major Raju, who was managing the center. Soon we were back on our way HOME. Most of the kids slept on the way..and the bus was quiet this time. On reaching back, we assembled in a hall, and the children seemed just getting out of control, as they found themselves in familiar surroundings. The brief sleep had probably replenished their energies, and it was all showing up well. And then suddenly..someone switched on the TV..to our utter consternation..all noise stopped immediately, and all eyes set towards the telivision set! This is the trick that they use to calm them down. After five minutes the TV was switched off. The manager of SOS said words of thanks to all of us..the kids handed over some greeting cards to us that said "Thank You", and the manager insisted that each kid should thank us from the bottom of their hearts for what we did today. I found this a little too much..as to why the kids should be so over-thankful..I mean..please just let them be like any other kids..why do we need to make them feel they are different..

While we were still assembled in the hall..one of the girls wanted to dress my hair..she pulled out my band..combed my hair with her tiny fingers..made a tight pony tail..and gave an approving smile..as if everything was okay now..need not mention..I was touched by the familiarity of this unknown girl...The last time when somebody did this to me was at the hostel I guess..and its been years now.

One of the girls looked at the greeting I had received, she was disappointed when she couldn't see my name on it. Then she decided to fix this. She borrowed a marker..then diligently copied the spelling of my name from my ID to the card..and handed it back..not to mention..with a smile again..God..did they have the slightest idea..they have made the day for so many people!

A few camera clicks happened after that, and the kids started scattering..

I also started tying the laces of my shoes..thinking it was a well spent day..and then..suddenly a hand gripped mine and said, "Akka, please come to my home na..pleeeeeeease, pleeeeeease!!"

A well spent day indeed!

[For the uninitiated, SOS Villages are homes for children. It would be unfair to call them orphangaes, as each child has a mother to take care, and a house to live in. He/she shares it with other kids, and all of them live as siblings. So these kids are no more orphans..they have a HOME to live in!]

:):):)

I am happy..don't ask me why..coz I myself dunno! Feels like there's some hidden joy waiting to burst out in this silent corner of my house..and all of a sudden, I realize that the key to my happiness is in my very own hands..I am sitting all alone in my house with nobody to share the Diwali sweets here in this remote place called Hyderabad..This is my first Diwali ever, away from home..and my mum's voice kinda chokes on phone while thinking of me. But I am surprised, at my own potential to keep myself brimming with this divine calmness..and it feels great by all measures.Its nice to be in your own control..especially for a girl, who's so damn emotional about things.
After a long while, I am happy for my own self, for the fact that I exist, for the truth, that I add value to my own life, if nobody else's. Something inside me wants to fly, and reach out to new dreams, spray fresh colors on some canvas..sounds good, especially when I just thought, Jindagi boring ho chali hai! Sorry, but I was wrong, there's still so much more to do, to learn, to create..life's just too short.
So got to hurry up..and sign off.
And yeah.."Happy Diwali"..Hope Life's a celebration for all...Amen!

Saturday Mornings

"Good Morning Teacher!!"

A bunch of kids greeting me in their chorus sing song, and all standing in unison, and that's what Saturday morning brings for me.They are just like the other kids you've come across..some smiling, some shying away from your inquisitive glances, some wanting to come closer and have a tete-a-tete, and then some Einstiens's lost in their own dream world..sounds like just another primary school class setup, right..but may be not.Unlike you and me, they are the kids of those slum dwelling construction workers, who keep changing places because of their changing jobs. As a result, their kids can't have a formal education, and are deprived of this very basic need.

But not always, if you have a SMILE school around:)

SMILE schools are an initiative of Samyukta Foundation, which cater to the educational needs of such children.These schools have permanent faculty, that teaches children six days a week.

And we, a couple of folks, go to these schools every Saturday morning to see, how the children are progressing, and track individual children of their progress.Some of the brighter folks make it to permanent schools as well, and believe me, the sense of introducing a child to the world of knowledge is so fulfilling.

I started doing this only a couple of weeks back, and it wasn't an easy thing for me initially to get out of my bed at 9 on a Saturday morning, when you would instead like to loll cosily, after a hectic week at office, and when you got to sleep only at 2 on the Friday night. Believe me, for the first time, I had to use all my will power to do so..and then there was the dreaded language issue..the kids don't understand Hindi or English, and I have no doubts on my Telugu proficiency.

So I thought, I might not continue this for long...but dunno what kept me motivated, and I am glad, it did:)

I look forward to Saturday mornings now, waiting to be greeted by those smiles. These kids are from a different background. They look different, and some of them don't even take a bath regularly..Most of the time, its rags that make up for their school uniform, and some of them have slates in one hand, and a younger sibling's finger in another. Yet they are as innocent as any other kid..and the pleasant fact is that they love to learn..in fact, more so than their privileged counterparts..probably because when you don't get something easily, you learn to appreciate it more. A shack for a school, with no electricity, and these kids learn there..all motivated, all set to work.

They introduce you to a different world..a world of needs, worries, and uncertainties..and also to a world of hope..one where they would some day be fulfilling others's needs..and one where they would stand up for themselves.

I go there, teach them all using gestures, chalks, and slates,.. and bring back a few smiles in return...and all the effort is worth it!!

Smile Please!!

After a looong time, its time to do nothing:)..I am OOF(Out of office) for NINE whole days..wohoooo!!
Nine days of doing Nothin...eating..lolling happily in the bed...freaking out..and chilling!
And when I say chilling..need to mention my trip to snow world yesterday..Priya's here at Hyderabad, so early in the morning yesterday(that was at 1 p.m.), madam demanded that we visit the famous Snow world..and we set off!
After a gruelling time between the Hyd traffic, we managed to reach the place, shelled out some 600 odd bucks for tickets, and after all the wait in the queue, we found the whole setup utterly disgusting...there was no snow, and the place was not at all maintained...I was kinda feeling cheated for all the effort, time and money.
But then, something happened that made my day..and I am still smiling thinking about it.
The snow world shows are hourly, and they batch people for each show. Apart from us, our batch comprised mostly of couples aged 65-70, and they were a big group. It was sheer joy to see them enjoying the whole thing with a child like hullabaloo, trodding in their long jackets, gloves, and snow boots. They were playing merrily like a bunch of kids just released from school..jumping, enjoying rides, and even snow boarding!!
And while I and Priya were figuring out what next, I suddenly heard a really cute "Smile Please!"..Curious, I turned around...and there was a pair of toothless smiles awaiting!!
One of the elderly couples was posing for photographs, and an old 'daddu' was trying to set the right pose for them.."uh..aise nahi, haath pakdo, aur thoda sa Smile Please": I heard him say.

They smiled.
I smiled too!

Reviving the lost freedom!

I woke up to the sounds of "Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara" today morning from the nearby school..and in a flash..all of the memories of this special day that I have nurtured since childhood came alive...and then I was wondering..how my definition of "FREEDOM" has changed over time.
Long back, at kindergarten, "FREEDOM" was something to be celebrated by drawing a tricolor using pastels, and taking it to school, all dressed up for the parade, early in the morning. Of course, I am not forgetting the boondi laddoos, we used to get in return, after listening to hours of patriotic speeches, and songs.
Then came the next stage, when the idea of INDEPENDENCE day started meaning a Holiday. I remember celebrating many such independence days with family, and friends all going to a picninc spot. Of course, the patriotic songs now got replaced with Antakshari, and tambola games.
Growing up further, all my NCERT books taught me the freedom struggle, and the sacrifices people made to make India a free country. Henceforth, I would remember those freedom fighters in great awe, and thank God, that the Britishers have left.
Then there came a time at high school, when I wrote speeches to mark this day. .and then practised for hours in front of the mirror, making sure, I do not mess up, on the D-day. I still remember my trembling feet, when I gave my first Independence Day speech in front of an entire school..my nerves shaking, and my hands wet with sweat, even in the month of August.
By now, I had started appreciating this day, and its significance in the life of Indians..and to me, it meant an occasion that NEEDS to be celebrated...But then my little heart was shattered as I started realising, that in essence to most people, this day does not mean more than a public holiday, a dry day, and a day to savour free laddoos, or a day to make some money by selling tricolors at traffic signals, and that most people even don't realise that this is a special day..Believe me, I was in tears, when I realised the apathy of people towards this day for the first time..even wrote a poem pouring all that I felt on paper..I was probably too shielded from the real world problems to understand that you can't celebrate freedom, when you have needs like food and clothing to worry about..and when you don't know, when you'll be having your next meal, and when you have a leaking roof that needs to be catered more importantly, than celebrating freedom...So freedom loses all meaning without the basic needs being addressed.

We were not a free country in my eyes now.

As time passed by, I found myself guilty of losing my childhood perspective on this subject, and was facing the obvious consequences of growing up, and getting more individualistic at the same time.
For me, 'MY' freedom was precious..freedom to do what I want to do in Life, freedom to skip prayers at home, freedom to go to movies at will...But there was a growing anguish inside...when I started learning, that I can't do all that I want..and that I am bound by the family, and society at large to make sure, my actions do not break their medieval aged rituals, and their hard set of unshakable rules which never made any sense to me...

Neither India was free, nor I was.

And then it was the last weekend I finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Set in the backdrop of Afghanistan, the novel is a devastating tale of two women who endure the unendurable at each and every step in their lives..You start reading the book, and a lump starts growing in your throat..and just when you start thinking..nothing worse can happen..you are thrown into the next piece of wreckage.Even the basic human rights were denied to these women under the Taliban regime.The atrocities that they tolerated during that time are enough to make your hair raised at ends..
Turning every fresh page made me realize how much more FREE I am..how much more blessed I am..and the almost dead, hopeless freedom suddenly got resurrected with a new, fresh face.
Happy Independence Day!!

What is love?

Well..this one's an excerpt from the internet..a survey was conducted on what love meant to kids ..and the replies were more profound, and close to heart than what we grown ups can think...couldn't resist posting it here:)

See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when hands got arthritis too. That's love"

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on cologne and they go out and smell each other"

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of French fries without making them give you any of theirs."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired"

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK"

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday"

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well"

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore"

"My mommy loves me more than anybody.You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night"

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken"

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and says he is handsomer than Robert Redford"

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day"

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones"

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an imagination!!!)

Amazing..eh!! So what's your definition of love??

Seven things I can't stand

1. The mention of my marriage to my mummy by my mummy's aunt's chacha's bahu's friend. I mean boss..mind your own lives..your nose ends where mine begins.
2. Women bitching about their in-laws(Well that's the most common breed)..or anybody else for that matter.
3. Lizards..eeeeexx!!
4. Kids acting too grown up for their age.
5. Saas bahu serials.
6. Intrusion in my space..its sacred to me.
7. Bugs in my code!!!