GRATIFYING TIES!!

 What most of us seek is comfort

But what gives meaning is connection ...!!

Two successive events ...
One being a Reunion of school friends followed  by a family get- together at a  wedding  ...  the prevailing feeling of  bonding , of warmth , love and affinity reaffirmed the belief that we are social beings and need that sense of belongingness to experience unalloyed happiness.  The emotional succour and the moral support that ensues with the  closeness of gelling with each other is  very precious indeed. This happens when the egos and inhibitions disappear and we let down our guard  , come  out of our shells and our comfort zones to enjoy the moment . Be it with immediate family members   , relatives or friends... this joy is overwhelming ! Fortunate are those who get such opportunities .However ,those who  deliberately hold back , avoid and evade such occasions are definitely an impoverished lot sorely missing out the most valuable essence of a beautiful life .Lack of communication deepens chasms causing discomfort and disharmony which is most detrimental to kinship and interconnection.
              It is a Divine plan devised by The Almighty which has  made family and relationships so imperative in everyone's lives in order  to make it less stressful and more fulfilling. With the gradual shift over the years in family set-ups , with the increasing number of nuclear families which is most often circumstantial and in many cases also a personal preference ,  relationships are suffering and ultimately leading to depression and anxiety. The present generation unfortunately are the worst hit . The previous generations have had the 'luxury ' of living in joint families that was in itself a learning experience as the intrinsic values of tolerance , adjustment , forgiveness,  sacrifice , sharing and caring made life less complicated and more enjoyable.
Intermingling and communication are essential  for bonhomie. The effort to be interactive and proactive with others is worth it  for it is communication that nurtures and strengthens  cohesiveness .
It then becomes reciprocal and spontaneous as the emotional connect is established .
We all need the support   love  , affection and closeness of our own near and dear ones   our friends and relatives ....blessed are those who can enjoy and savour that affluence and comfort .Ultimately words become a pretext ...it is the inner sense of affiliation and attachment that draws us closer to one another than just mere words .
Bond is stronger than blood ! 

THE LATEST OBSESSION WITH CUSS WORDS

THE LATEST OBSESSION WITH CUSS WORDS What was once taboo is most in vogue now ! Language that was considered brash , unmannerly and blasphemous just 2 decades back has become the order of the day . It is just not the elders who are freely using foul language openly , unmindful of the listeners who could be their own children! But what is alarming is that even the youth , the adolescents and children have got into this habit of flaunting expletives ! It has as if started augmenting their self confidence . It is such a pity to overhear innocent youngsters using them without any hesitation , awkwardness or embarrassment ! It is terribly painful to learn that school children within their school premises use such abrasive , vulgar and offensive language freely. They do not spare even their educators who are meant to be revered ! Abusive language has evolved and developed with the same rapidity as any proper language ever since etymology came into being. The difference is that in earlier times it was the prerogative of elders and was class - based but now it is a common language thst is used by all and sundry irrespective of class , social status or family backgrounds. A remarkable phenomenon is that once a gender- based privelege , it has now crossed that bar .There is no gender discrimination left ....to put it candidly the female species has added the expletives to their vocabulary . Young women feel elevated and chic using them with their friends with elan as it adds to their oomph factor . It is "fashionable " to be well versed in the nuances of the language . And they are the school / college going girls who soon become career - oriented women and ofcourse wives and mothers later , who have developed a fancy for this bizarre and scandalous mode of communication !! And why not ? Don't children emulate their parents ? Parents who are supposed to be role models leading by example are certainly failing in their primary parental duties of setting good examples for their children to learn and imbibe courteous habits. Family values , morals and good upbringing formed the backbone of moulding and shaping upright characters and personalities of the younger generation . Parents felt responsible for it just a few decades ago and realised that it was their duty to inculcate proper habits in their offsprings. What has happened , that they have become so callous that neither are they able to check or stop themselves nor their own offsprings from using such offensive , improper language . Some elders are of the opinion that at least within the precincts of their homes they can give vent to their pent up ire , annoyance and probably frustration by cursing and swearing or uttering Cuss Words thereby ignoring the detrimental effect it can have on the family members. It is actually deeply insulting and hurting for the listeners for whom they are meant. Cuss is an American word , rather slang , an alternate word for curse, swear and ' using bad words '. Social and electronic media, most importantly Cinema is playing a hazardous role in promoting this and thereby leading by example.The Censor Board has become indifferent and is accepting the profanity by giving a green signal to such films. That any, and everything is acceptable to society is a grave cause of concern indeed . Where are we heading to and what are we passing on to our progeny ? Probably this is what " ghore Kaliyug " ( घोर कलियुग) is ...we are totally in the ferocious labrynthine network of some monstrosity , some grotesque and obscene phase that we are not able to untangle We need to realise the gravity of the situation and certainly redeem and release ourselves from this newfangled obsession!!

THE DICHOTOMY

THE DICHOTOMY As per my own distinctive viewpoint , the pressing demand for caste census by all political parties does not portend a healthy unified future for the nation. This purely vested interest which has become a unanimously approved agenda among all parties including the ruling party is a gloomy forecast of the aftermath. This is the flipside of the story ! We are already a caste obsessed nation. We are severely judgemental as per the caste divide .Our perceptions and perspectives are always caste- driven . Hatred, jealousy and intolerance is what is prevalent. Venom is being spewed in the name of caste divides leading to mobbing, lynching, to cold blooded murders , patricide , fratricide , homicide suicide - all are rampant in the present scenario. So even though well-wishers and may be the political veterans are demanding it to ensure a stable future for their progeny , it will certainly deepen the chasm in the already - divided country in the name of caste. Interested parties are not letting any opportunity go waste , be it even the death of a person , rape , dacoity , mass killing , they are all bring turned into lucrative aspects to mobilise public sentiment of the particular caste involved. Lots of bounty is distributed many a times to hush up the matter , whereas several such horrific cases go unnoticed when they do not occur at the opportune time. The media plays a prominent role in highlighting these gruesome events .. If everyone irrespective of their class and caste is given equal opportunities to grow and pursue their interests , harmony would prevail .This may be hypothetical and far-fetched thinking .But is it too much to ask for a more stable , peaceful and coalescive future for the nation ? On a very broad basis the caste system in India evolved and developed to earmark the four phases of life and further, it was classified as per the occupation and profession of the masses. As time passed this categorisation deepened with the emergence of several divisions and subdivisions of every varna or caste .With this began the vying with each other to be one up in every sphere so much so that (cutting it short) , this divide has now reached alarming proportions resulting in untoward unforseen , unpleasant happenings . To my limited and inadequate governmental know- how, diplomacies and policies , my assessment of the situation may be erroneous ,narrow and lopsided ! The Almighty created the human species as equals with similar physical attributes , physiological systems and logical , discerning minds . He did not demarcate any categorisation among His creations. However , man's fertile mind devised and developed the various codification. It is so unfortunate that we have utterly destroyed that ethereal equality by misusing our minds in a calculative , scheming and shrewd manner to satisfy our own self-proclaimed noble motives . This particular divide is a unique feature of our country particularly . However , it is distressing to observe other nations also intensifying whatever dissimilarities there could be among them in the name of colour , race , ethnicity etc. In this unending debate , may the desire to live amicably and peacefully take hold of mankind ....then alone can we truly fulfil Our Creator's purpose ! This may be taken as a very childlike , wishful , unimaginable and impossible aspiration !!

THE SPRIGHTLY ELDERLY !

THE SPRIGHTLY ELDERLY : A RETIRED PENSIONER'S VIEWPOINT ! A country whose President and Prime Minister , and majority of the cabinet ministers are between the age bracket of 60 to 70 and 70 plus , the 58 to 62 years allotted for retirement of govt / semi-govt officials is unjustified , if only age has been taken into consideration for that policy. When Heads of countries and people at the helm of affairs can be achievers and successfully sail through at the so - called Vanprasth age why cannot the others ? Talking of the most affluent country , the 46th President of The United States of America is almost an octogenarian. Even his predecessor was a boisterous septuagenarian ! But ofcourse their country has not determined any fixed retirement age for the general masses who like their State heads can continue to work as long as they wish to and till health permits them . The sexagenarians and septuagenarians in general are at their active best as they are by then relieved of their parental responsibilities and familial duties .That is the time when they can focus most on their profession and careers . With their maturity ,experience and expertise they can prove to be assets in their workplace and for their employers .Personally for them too this is the time when they start loving and enjoying their work afresh for their creativity and gusto are at the highest level . Retirement though expected and which they have reconciled to, puts an end to their high spirits. At a time when they are most enthused and energetic and when their potential can be tapped as they are at their flowering best , their dynamism comes to an abrupt halt. It is true that in an over populated and still - developing nation like ours the elders after that age need to step down gracefully and make place for the younger generation. After all our employment crisis does justify the retirement age ! Retirement for some brings immediate relief as after a tenure of 30 to 40 years of active service , the break comes as a welcome change .It also provides them the free time to pursue their passions and interests.The spirited and enthusiastic are able to fructify such aspirations that paucity of time did not allow them to till they were employed. For many who have nothing much to look forward to , the post retirement period is just a countdown to the inevitable end . However, for most , the cessation of a steady monthly income is a cause of concern and anxiety .Not all are fortunate to have got over their family commitments and are the sole earning members thereby being in dire need of their jobs. Some schemes should be implemented that can provide employment to those retired personnel who are eager and willing to work , thereby their services can be utilised . The pension scheme , no doubt affords a lifetime of financial security but since it is taxable , the relief is not very heartening. Pensioners are not entitled to any allowances , even the routine hike of dearness allowance is termed as dearness relief for them . But this word relief is misleading as the taxes imposed on pensioners hardly make it a proposition of relief. It is ironical that people who are being given ' relief ' are being levied with taxes of the same slab as the salaried are !! Where is the RELIEF then ? Considering the longevity of lives , the extended life spans due to advanced medical aid and general wellbeing , retirement should be extended till the time an individual can work or till one wishes to and till one's health permits .That will be in the national and personal interest ! The recent declaration coming from the PM 's office regarding the extension of retirement age is a positive , pragmatic and productive initiative , provided it is enforced and does not remain one of the many tall claims!

THE FESTIVAL FRENZY

We , the people of India are endowed with a unique mental faculty of fervent veneration of the different forms of The Almighty , easily shifting our loyalties with the same devotion from one to the other as per Their allotted time of deification. From Shivmay to Rammay to Hanumanmay to Krishnamay , the transition is smooth and we transport ourselves with the same devotion and dedication to the deification of the concerned Lord ! The festival periods or holy months come in quick succession with one leading to the other. No wonder India is recognised as a land of festivals ! With 33 crores of Devis and Devtaas we are bound to have this phenomenal characteristic . The Hindu calendar begins with the month of Chaitra and Goddess Durga is propitiated in all Her forms for nine days in the Chaitra Navratri culminating in Ram Navmi the birth of Lord Vushnu's 7th avatar, Shri Ram .After 8 days of veneration of Goddess Durga , comes the 9th day and the chanting and idolisation of Lord Ram rent the air. However, It is the holy month of Saavan ,with the chanting of Har Har MAHADEV that heralds almost six months of nonstop festivals , back to back ! One ends and the other begins ....ceremonies , celebrations and festivities continue unabated! The devoted chants of Bum Bum Bole that seem to reverberate in our beings brings with it other crlebrations like Teej , Naag Panchami , Rakshabandhan ! As soon as the Holy month of Shrawan is over we immediately switch to the incantation of Hare Krishna , Jai Shri Krishna ,Radhe Radhe with the onset of the Bhadra month . Vatsalya --- the unbounded love for the baby Krishna and all the stages of His growing up are venerated ! So after the Saavan fervour we are in the grip of Krishna Leela .Temples are decked up with mesmerising Jhankis of the Lord and His journey through this human life , several householders get into the frenzy of beckoning the Saviour, Lord Vishnu's 8th avatar , through beautiful jhankis , innumerable varieties of sweets are prepared to offer Krishna . Janmashtami is celebrated with frenzied fervor and ' 'bhakti ' which continues till the 6th day of Krishna's birth , again celebrated in the traditional manner. Just after a brief gap of 4/ 5 days comes the Ganesh Utsav beginning with Ganesh Chaturthi .Lord Ganesh , the 'pratham pujya', the benefactor , the One who alleviates all the sufferings and hardships of mankind is invocated in the grandest of manner possible. The ten day long festival is marked with devotion and utmost surrender to the propitiation of The Vighnaharta! However, the end of the Ganesh Utsav ushers in a more sombre pitra paksha. The 16 days of pitrpaksha are devoted to the reminiscing of ancestors , parents ,and all near and dear ones who have left for their heavenly abode . Tributes and homage by way of food offerings and ' ' 'tarpan' , the ritualistic mode of paying respect to the revered is customary. No auspicious events are organised during this period . It is a time of the year for offering obeisance to the departed souls . With the pitravisarjani amavasya , enters the most auspicious Devi paksha, as it is called wherein Goddess Durga is invoked and a nine day long span of hectic festivities commence . Some of Her devotees believe that this is the time when SHE descends from Her Heavenly abode and comes to Her Parents' house for nine days .Lifelike idols and statues are installed in huge pandals in Her adulation, adoration and worship. The tenth day Vijaya Dashami is of great significance as it marks the triumph of good over evil with the ten- headed Ravan 's slaying and his golden Lanka doused in fire putting an end to his evil intentions and doings. Karva Chauth fast observed in some parts of the country is celebrated with great fanfare just after ten days of Dusshehra with ladies leaving no stone unturned in appealing to the Gods for the longevity of their dear husbands. Ahoi Ashtami on the fourth day after Karva Chauth is observed as a fast to propitiate the gods to be merciful and benevolent towards their children .Besides these there are other similar fasts that wives / mothers observe from time to time for the wellbeing of their husbands and children . Not a week passes and the Festival of all Festivals , Diwali , the festival of lights is ushered in wherein the Goddess of wealth is venerated ! Every house and every householder is absorbed in the festivities from the massive cleaning sprees to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to the late night card playing sessions signifying the inflow and outflow of wealth , all due to HER Blessings and so on. This is again a five day long festival with Dhanteras , Chhoti Diwali , Badi Diwali then Govardhan puja and finally Bhaiya Dooj . Chatt puja and fast follows a week after Diwali and is celebrated in some selected states. Just about 9 days after Diwali , Devutthan Ekadashi marks the arousal Lord Vishnu from his deep slumber heralding the wedding season . The month of paush brings a brief cessation of festivals . The month of Maagh with Makar Sankranti marks the winter solstice and is dedicated to the Sun God that further initiates the auspicious period . Basant Panchami which evokes and venerates the Goddess of Learning ,Maa Saraswati is closely followed by Shivratri . Lord Shiva is deified and glorified in all His forms . Finally the last but not the least important , the festival of Holi in the month of Phalgun is the last festival of the year . Holi , the festival of colours is a riotous , fun- filled event which promotes camaraderie among fellow humans as all come together to participate in the victory of good over evil and is marked with gaiety and revelry . What is remarkable is that all these various festivals ,wherein different God's/ Goddesses are propitiated , are celebrated in various ways in different states of the country. Each has a distinctive traditional way of worship toward the festivals. This variety is a very interesting feature indeed ! It is common knowledge that there is One Supreme Omniscient , Omnipotent Omnipresent Power who is revered and worshipped under several names and forms . Dwait and Adwait are two ways of worship .Since it is difficult for mortals to venerate the abstract form of God , the physical form of deities bind us and inspire us to deify them. What is imperative is that we remember our Creator always , everyday , every minute of our lives for that alone can lead to Oneness with Him and our salvation. However, since we are so engrossed in the material world that this perenially important memory of The Almighty generally takes a backseat 'Yes , adversity and the slightest of misfortunes make us immediately turn to Him for help and succour! For me the the substance and import of these varied festivals throughout the year in continuation are , effective in making us recollect ,reinforce our faith , commemorate and venerate The Supreme Being in His / Her various embodiments and incarnations . Amidst all the chaos that envelops the physical , material world it is these festivals when we invoke , worship , glorify , beg for atonement of our sins and express our gratefulness to our Creator that I feel certainly redeems , relieves as well as uplifts us to a more exalted state and frame of mind !

29 STATES

Chetan Bhagat's popular autobiographical novel 2 STATES which was adapted into a hilarious movie that hit the blockbuster charts was one example of the rampant phase of inter caste , interprovince / interstate even interreligious relationships ,alliances that culminate into marital unions .Such alliances are undoubtedly promoting intercultural relationships , acceptance and assimilation and contributing in their own way towards the Unity in Diversity ideology! Our country propagates varied hues and shades of its facade ... different cuisines, food , customs , languages , mannerism , social practices , traditions, festivals , music , dance , art , paintings, attires , dress sense, theatre , films , accessesorizing , political ideologies ....the list of varieties seems endless . Besides , each of the 29 states can boast of their own glorious past, sung and many unsung brave freedom fighters , revered godmen, saints , eminent poets , men of letters , brilliant politicians ,gamechangers , sportsmen/ sportswomen , actors , singers, dancers, painters, .....every state has its own rich literary and cultural heritage ! Generally a country may be having a few separate states or provinces and at best a few different dialects but overall every country projects a uniform systematic way of life , socio- culture pattern and a uniform code of conduct . As per my understanding, I think we are the only people despite having so many dissimilarities are yet living together under the name of one country . This unique characteristic is indeed interesting , intriguing and phenomenal. The last two decades have seen a surge in the merging of these differences by way of marriages. With the female species now making its presence felt in every work place plus the thriving multinationals where the young from various parts of the country are working together in a conducive manner have prompted and promoted interstate and intercaste alliances . So relieving parents of this one be-all and end-all gravest of grave responsibility of getting their children "settled" ie married off well , youngsters are now deciding for themselves and choosing their life partners .By the way this is definitely not a new phenomenon ....the parents of the new wave youngsters may also be of diverse backgrounds and have successfully pulled it off really well till date ! In the previous millennium such diverse alliances were considered hazardous and problematic also a social taboo due to which the daring dating partners underwent several rounds of counselling , coercing to abandon the relationship, and even emotional blackmailing ! However, this generally falls on deaf ears having little or no effect on the head over heels in love couple Notwithstanding all this and overcoming all the stressful perplexing circumstances , some fortunate few have tied the knot against all odds ! For the new millennium kids life has been kinder in this sector as once they choose their partners they just need to inform and yes in some cases convince their parents about their prospective son / daughter -in-law .That's it ...and the rest of it till the marriage preps and the ceremonies is comparatively easier as parents of both sides are ready to comply and adjust for the happiness of their wards. What happens post marriage and once the so-called "honeymoon period" ends is ofcourse another story may be not-so-sweet for many ! After all the ever increasing separation and divorce rates express the stark reality ! Now the blame for this cannot be completely shifted to intercaste / interstate unions ....even the " "Arranged marriages" where foolproof measures are taken for ensuring lifelong compatibility from matching horoscopes to selecting similar family backgrounds , economic status and tailor-made groom especially the bride who is expected to be all - knowledgeable in all fields including managing a new born , waking up early in the early hours of the morning fresh and in the best of sprightly spirits , dressed appropriately, doing puja and then beginning the household chores ...which includes personally attending to the needs of every family member are unfortunately in many cases breaking up. I know this apoears to be a typical scene from a TV soap or even a typical Indiam film but reel life and real life are not very different . Cut to the "love marriage" duos .....generally speaking in most cases they are the ones who have taken leave for this event may be during their Christmas vacays and have stipulated time to spend at home post their wedding and very soon they are off to their customary comfortable foreign homes.The precious time that the parents /family members have with them is no doubt spent in indulging in them .BUTit is expected of the daughter-in-law to be updated at least with some of their traditions and dos and donts! Hailing from an absolutely disparate background and upbringing , living upto expectations becomes difficult unless the new family members are supportive and understanding. Though this is a short phase for the new bride, once married living with the spouse in a foreign land, is also altogether different from the dating / courtship span. India is a land of festivals happening round the year....one ends and we start looking forward to the other which is round the corner .What is remarkable is that each festival is celebrated in different ways in the different 29 states !!! So as soon as some festival props up the calls from home instructing how to observe it as per their custom start pouring in and in most cases it is expected that instructions are followed in toto. Now for a person of a diverse traditional culture who is not much updated or has not even witnessed the spouse's household customs and rituals ...it is certainly difficult for her / him to . Every individual is rooted to his / her cultural background , the food that plays an important role (realised later by the couple) , the language. the mother tongue etc . And it should be that way ....we must be rooted and take pride in it. And it is well nigh impossible for a person to give up , abanfon and forgo one's own belief systems .So here is where the problem starts brewing suddenly and gradually taking an alarming form when there is lack of communication , balanced thinking and the readiness to accept and what ensues then tears apart the very sanctity of this beautiful relationship called Wedlock . It is not that adjustments do not happen...they do and the individual concerned does his / her utmost to learn and practice the required norms/ customs so that the family , the partner can take pride in it and not face any uncomfortable or embarrassing situation .That is how an 'Outsider' becomes an 'Insider' with the help ,support and acceptance of the spouse and other family members . An understanding and patient spouse can facilitate this in a major way . Assimilation, Acceptance and Adjustment are the three key words that play a pivotal role in making a compatible relationship, a secure emotional bond and a stable future . Then the offsprings can be given a happy and secure home combined with an upbringing that in turn teaches them to accept and enjoy diverse traditions ! If Baisakhi and Pongal can be celebrated together by observing the customs of both spouses it will be more enjoyable , if Durgapuja and Navratri can be enjoyed simultaneously it is always more festive ! No one should deride , condescend , mock or ridicule the others ' customs , traditions , food habits , if they wish for a harmonious life . My intent is that we need to merge our differences and come to accept the varied trends and assimilate them in our own psyche . It is only and only then that the interstate and intercultural marriages can be successful and happy . Ultimately each one of us is yearning to capture the most elusive , ephemeral state of HAPPINESS for which we all aspire to mould our future with partners with whom we can hope to reach that state of blissful togetherness !

THEN AND NOW !

Tha screeching horns of school buses that used to rent the morning calm, the neatly- uniformed children lined up for the morning assembly in schools , the early morning P.T. exercises , the students sitting side by side in packed classrooms - some talking, some gigling , some secretly and furtively exchanging tiffins, the flocking and running to the already overcrowded canteen in break time , the playground activities...the matches, inter school tournaments, the hectic school activities , the journey back home in the filled- to - capacity buses , the ceaseless excited chatter of the happy children with their friends ...... Ahh ! Those were the days!! where have they gone !! For commoners commuting in the noon hours between 2 to 4 was challenging and even annoying as they had to face traffic snarls due to the hordes of buses plying after school . However, there is a total change of scene since the past two years ... the buses have disappeared, the school children waiting for their buses with their heavy bags and water bottles dangling from their shoulders , parents esp the mothers waiting for their children to return home in the buses , children cycling , some walking , some going in pool cars , some in their own vehicles - all rushing to school to reach on time ...they are now things of the past . SFH like WFH is the new norm .ONLINE is the only recourse to stay updated and connected. It is now a common scene in every household that as the clock strikes 8 ,children are infront of their laptops or phones /Ipads /tablets on Zoom / Google meet juggling from one period to another , straining their eyes and ears to catch up with the ongoing lesson/chapter of the various subjects . Working parents are equally posted infront of their digital screens .... So the scene is like if there is one child ... Three people are busy in three different rooms ogling their screens till late noon-- in the case of working parents it is evening extending even to the late hours of the night , for some (due to international calls) even the wee hours of the morning ! The world outside is intimidating ! Children are now almost under house arrest as they are not allowed to go out , play with their friends or visit them due to the raging pandemic. They are now living in their cloistered shells ...imagine children bound in their 2 - room or 3 - room flats day in and day out for almost 2 years ! It is without doubt exasperating not only for them but even for their parents .The enforcement of the strict lockdown phases are evidence of such miserable situations. The more priveleged ones staying in individual houses may at least have a glimpse of the outside world through their terraces or front yards . The fun and excitement of being in the company of friends whether in school or after school is being sorely missed causing mental havoc among children. The mundane routine of their in-house banal activities is telling upon their mental and physical wellbeing . Online classes cannot be paralleled to offline education where the teacher and taught interact face to face, where there is discipline regimentation that can be inculcated in students, where physical activities foster the all-round development of growing children and where friendship and camaraderie , the greatest healing therapy, evolve . Discipline , the most integral facet that needs to be imbibed in children as it forms their character and plays a vital role in building their future , is the most affected. Going to school means being disciplined by following the rules and code of conduct and by obeying the educators. Online classes have taken a toll on discipline.....though it is required of students to be in their school uniforms during class hours majority of them are under dressed , attired in their school shirts and ties intact but with Bermudas / shorts and ofcourse the footwear is of no significance at all! Apart from that studying within the precincts of the home gives easy access to bunk classes and hoodwink the teachers on the pretext of poor network connectivity or other lame excuses . Parents are unable to keep a strict vigil as most of them are working themselves , and even if the mother is not , her check is cobsidered to be irritable nagging at times and thus brushed aside . However, some children , specially of younger age groups are not able to manage online classes on their own and need to be assisted regularly which responsibility also mostly falls on the mothers . The Internet, we all are aware, gives access to all kinds of material to all age groups , some of which is informative and others hazardous and detrimental. The temptation to access and play online games becomes an obsession with youngsters so much so that they dodge their online classes to indulge in their favourite games . The harried lot of parents are not able to constantly monitor their online activities nor can they restrict the use as it is necessary for their education to continue . Where earlier parents could exert control over their screen times , it is now absurd even to think of it. The other thing is that not all in our country are being able to avail this facility .Despite the mobile boom which has made the availability of easy access to phones still a large section of our population do not possess Android phones / laptops etc needed for online education. They cannot afford to purchase them.....with the bleak job scenario and the retrenchments that have rendered many jobless , it is very difficult for this strata to afford online education for their children. It is really unfortunate that several children are being deprived of education . The first- time school goers who would have ventured into the most exciting period of their lives have never seen school and have got promoted to class One /Two , without experiencing what school is all about . Nevertheless , THE ONE person who deserves special mention amid all this mayhem is the WIFE / MOTHER / DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ...for she has proved to be a Superhuman , switching, juggling and straddling various roles to fulfil the needs of her children, the Wfh husband , may be aged in-laws / parents who need constant care and attention . Her role of satisfactorily catering to everyone's needs and demands by satiating their taste buds , dealing with their emotional crisis tactfully and nurturing them lovingly has definitely not been an easy task for this Superwoman who is at a tipping point herself. Many homes , relationships are breaking or on the verge of it due to the continuous stress , strain of day to day life as well as the nagging anxiety about the future esp of their children. With crucial board results being declared on the basis of past examinations , the future of such children is endangered. However, not all is lost .The hope that things will normalise soon with the abatement of the pandemic is what we all need to think of and believe in. Generally a pandemic lasts for quite a few years . There have been pandemics before and they are proof of it. This is a time when communication plays a key role. Parents have to be involved with their children , communicate with them in a friendly manner and counsel them tactfully. The immediate present status of the pandemic is that the graph is flattening and the curbs/ restrictions are not so severe. So now children could be allowed to visit their friends , go for short outings with parents and the likes certainly following Covid protocol . Let us hope that there is no resurgence of another wave of the dreaded disease . Till then let us make hay while the sun shines though with utmost care ! After all every cloud has a silver lining !

REAR VIEW

The most widespread , widely-acclaimed universal notion --- to be in the present moment , seems to be the mantra for an untroubled , undisturbed and unruffled life ! However, nothing is more ephemeral than the present moment for it is fleeting and not permanent. The minute it passes it becomes the past and is converted into a memory either to be cherished or to be forgotten. So it is the past that is permanent as it is stored in the human mind for as long as the mind can retain it. It is this hankering and yearning to cling on to the past that has been an obsession for humans since time immemorial . Today's Selfie culture is the most recent example of this fervent desire of making the present unforgettable and imperishable ! But to what end ? For What purpose? Memories , remembrances, recollections empower us to revive and relive the moment that has gone by ! What we wished could continue or what we experienced could be captured permanently can be done , and is possible only through memories. The English Bard, William Wordsworth's formulated term , 'emotions recollected in tranquility' signifies that the human mind has the unique ability to create memories which can rekindle the same emotions that it once experienced , when the mind is in a restful state. Our memories are therefore "emotions recollected in tranquility" ! The human mind is a repository of a plethora of countless stored occurrences and reminiscences. There are various categories of these remembrances ....some are joyous , delightful, fond while others could be not so joyous , disturbing , even harrowing, shattering that can torment and destroy the balance of the mind . Some are priceless that are valued and cherished forever and provide unalloyed happiness when the mind revisits them .However, those that are distressful and afflicting are the ones that humans wish to obliterate but at times are unable to do so causing several complications affecting the mental and physical wellbeing. Can be related to the Karmic effect ... Creating happy or unpleasant memories depends on our circumstances , happenings and also at times depends solely on us. It is true that we are helpless in the face of several untoward events that happen in our lives and fill our minds with stressful impressions .Unfortunately many a times we ourselves are responsible for making traumatic remembrances due to our own false egos, follies and foibles! Nevertheless if we wish and try we can create memories that we would wish to cherish for a lifetime . This will happen once our consciousness, our beings are infused with the sublime human values of patience , endurance , forgiveness and magnanimity. Then our present will convert into beautiful memories which the mind would love to revisit , rekindle and reanimate very frequently. But all this is easier said than done . To be able to inculcate and practice these noble virtues we need to be spiritually inclined. There always have been venerated saints who have shown mankind the right path and even now ,in these turbulent times ,there are spiritually enlightened philanthropists , mentors and revered Gurus who are perpetually trying to unravel the secret of happiness and contentment .This, they vouch, is possible through meditation which alone can help us to attain that coveted peace of mind and connect us to Our Creator ! The wonders and marvels of meditation can be experienced through practice alone . Once this happens and our minds are stable we can make our present pleasant and graceful so that we can look back with contentment , joy and pride , and experience perfect calm and mental quietude ! If our rear view images can enkindke and generate pleasurable emotions then we are truly blessed !!

UNITY IN DIVERSITY: A MIRROR IMAGE

सरहद पर मरने वाला हर वीर था हिन्दुस्तानी !! As the nation commemorates its 75th year of Independence these significantly impactful lines from the iconic patriotic song Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon shows how puny, pathetic and petty our diversity is for , at the end of the day we are all Indians . The feeling of oneness reigns supreme listening to these emphatic words . United we stand , Divided we fall is the essence of our national ethos ! Our innumerable differences as per states , provinces , language food habits , customs ,rituals , religion , belief systems and even culture then become meaningless . India has always been hugely proud of its slogan Unity in Diversity ....and true to the spirit of the slogan whenever there has been the need we have all put up a united front setting aside all our differences and diverse cultures , right from the Mutiny of 1857 to the Freedom Struggle , the various wars in the past and in recent times , for instance the strategic Kargil war . The young war heroes, the true patriots , belonging to various battalions, brigades, regiments , different castes, religion, states are all emblematic of bravery and valour as their sole mission is to uphold the country's integrity and welfare for which they are ready to lay down their lives and offer that supreme sacrifice for their nation. Their families , near and dear ones suffer irreparable losses and voids which can never be filled . Their only solace is that their sons, husband's, fathers, brothers , uncles have become martyrs ! Nation Comes First is what is drilled into every Defence personnel's mind and psyche ! They believe in live by chance , love by choice and kill by profession! Disparity is not in their dictionary .A big salute to them and to their unflinching zeal and their undying spirit !! Nevertheless shall we always need dire issues that threaten to jeopardise the safety and security of the country, to remain undivided and in Unity ?? Yes , we are a large country ....India is the 7th largest country in the world . With 29 states , 7 Union territories, 22 major languages , 6 major religions , and 1.39 billion population we are indeed a large country.... but undoubtedly need to be large- hearted too .It is ironic that when Diversity has been and shall always be the nation's fundamental characteristic there is an ongoing debate in the political corridors and among the higher echelons to delete the words ' secular ' and 'socialist ' from the Preamble of the Constitution !! Our diversity unfortunately has become our weakness as intolerance has led to conflicts , in-fighting , riots , homicide etc. It is not a pleasant observation and the statistics are terrifying . What is worse is that nefarious politics and wily politicians for their vested interests have and continue to exploit , incite and encash this Diversity with ever increasing intolerance leading to dastardly acts of savagery and inhumanity. Till when will the countrymen be subjected to the vile intentions and provocations of a select few . Our land is so beautiful and bountiful .....the snow-clad mountains , the flowing sinuous rivers ,the meandering lakes ,the rippling natural fountains, the majestic flaura and fauna that dot the country from North to South , East to West is mesmerising and incredibly amazing . The well- defined seasons , the plentiful agricultural produce and yield , the rich mineral resources are all manifestations of The Almighty's glory and His countless blessings . Instead of celebrating this bounty that should generate joy and pride , we are only projecting the most despicable side of our dispositions which is resulting in weakening our Unity in Diversity. Let us not allow the sacrifices of our brethren to go waste . There has to be some redemption from this sordid state of affairs. The most powerful shloka from the fourth chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Geeta comes to mind which kindles hope and is a Ray of light to dispel the darkness that has enveloped this wonderful country. यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य , ग्लानिॅभवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधमॅस्य तदात्मनाम सृजाम्यहाम्।। May our Saviour appear and restore our good sense , bonhomie and humanity !

A VISITOR'S PERSPECTIVE !!

Singapore'1S1ingapore'National Day Anthem 1O "See this Island " projects the city'state as a haven for diverse cultures ,races , religions cuisines -- its natural flaura and fauna , its aesthetically developed infra structure all find expression in this melodious anthem ! Multiethnicity and assimilation , acceptance of diversity amid the quest for meritocracy define the character of this remarkable island - country . The post colonial era of Singapore has been phenomenal ! It is" Darkest before the Dawn " undoubtedly but this tiny island has transformed darkness into dazzling light with perseverance and capability ! Few countries have so wondrously exploited their potential and have laboured so hard to achieve excellent heights . What strikes any common tourist / visitor is the immaculate cleanliness and neatness for which it is familiarly known as the cleanest country. Apart from that the citizen- friendly attitude , the winsome courteousness and mannerisms of the countrymen and their tolerant attitude towards all irrespective of ethnicity , culture , religion is certainly exemplary ! Punctuality ,Discipline , commitment towards work and the zeal to excel through hard work form the backbone of this country's development. Famous for being known as the' Fine Country ' violation of their strict rules is punishable and it comes with hefty monetary fines and penalty . Morality is at its highest as Singaporeans observe and abide by all norms of courtesy and societal behaviour . May 'The Merlion Nation 'always preserve and maintain its core culture and soar to greater heights of excellence and meritocracy ! May the " daunting road" ahead lead to beautiful highways of progress and success !: See this Island !! Singapore"s Anthem song projects the island as a haven for diverse cultures , cuisines ,religions -- its natural flaura and fauna , its aesthetically developed infra structure all find expression in this melodious anthem ! Multiethnicity and assimilation , acceptance of diversity amid the quest for meritocracy define the character of this remarkable island - country . The post colonial era of Singapore has been phenomenal ! It is" Darkest before the Dawn " undoubtedly but this tiny island has transformed darkness into dazzling light with perseverance and capability ! Few countries have so wondrously exploited their potential and have laboured so hard to achieve excellent heights . What strikes any common tourist / visitor is the immaculate cleanliness and neatness for which it is familiarly known as the cleanest country. Apart from that the citizen- friendly attitude , the winsome courteousness and mannerisms of the countrymen and their tolerant attitude towards all irrespective of ethnicity , culture , religion is certainly exemplary ! Punctuality ,Discipline , commitment towards work and the zeal to excel through hard work form the backbone of this country's development. Famous for being known as the' Fine Country ' violation of their strict rules is punishable and it comes with hefty monetary fines and penalty . Morality is at its highest as Singaporeans observe and abide by all norms of courtesy and societal behaviour . May 'The Merlion Nation 'always preserve and maintain its core culture and soar to greater heights of excellence and meritocracy ! May the " daunting road" ahead lead to beautiful highways of progress and success !:

WHO IS AN ARTIST

Any form of art is a form of power ; it has impact , it can affect change .It can not only move us , it makes us move ! Art forms have been thriving ever since their inception . Dance, drama, music- vocal and instrumental , acting , mimicking, stand-up comedy , painting , sketching , writing- poetry, stories , scripts , short films, long short films etc all come under this vast umbrella called ART or The Fine Arts !! The present times seem to be a haven and a vibrant breeding ground for every art form ! Hordes of people irrespective of gender , age , class and even talent are frantically pursuing their passions as never before . ..This is the most positive and productive effect of the ongoing pandemic despite the trauma that trails with it ! The most lucrative and popular are the OTT platforms that are providing non- stop entertainment and have become a source of earning for many. There are several apps of various channels which cater to this new wave of films that are being released on such apps . Actors , Directors known and not so known are coming up with all kinds of films/ Web series to entertain the masses . However, it is just not films that are providing platforms to actors and artists to showcase their talents .Every art form is adding to its breed , for several , who have a passion and some talent are pursuing their visions ! This is happening not merely to gain popularity or fame , rather to hone their innate skills and to enjoy their creativity . Anyone who makes sincere efforts to pursue one's passion is an artist . The focus , the grit the resilience involved is nothing short of penance ! Talent alone cannot create an artist ! One needs to come out of one's inhibitions and more importantly comfort zone to further one's prowess .Infact this is the first step towards any achievement . Dedication , commitment , and a disciplined regimen are essential in the ardous journey to hone any skill one has been gifted with . "Every artist was first an amateur " said Emerson , the American poet .The amateur consistent attempts of anyone who has the zeal to pursue an art form are certainly commendable and should get the right promotion and motivation . Encouragement gives a sense of ability to the one who is ardently occupied in maturing and improving one's artistry .They are the real budding, promising artists for creativity needs courage ! One who is totally engrossed , immersed ,consumed and all- absorbed in one's creativity is an artist ! It has been rightly said that : Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time !!

LET GO !

Nobody is perfect , nobody is always correct! Everyone has faults ...call it a human failing or a stepping stone to success .Many a times faults and failings mar relationships . As values like endurance , patience , tolerance are rapidly waning , imperfections and shortcomings or weaknesses are becoming intolerable .Alas it also shows the lack of affection that is brewing and simmering continuously . Perfection is a relative word having different connotations and insinuations for people of different mindsets .It is believed that the only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible ! So the fervent desire to be perfect that besets and obsesses the mind that believes perfection is possible is a myth .The Lord has created human beings with all kinds of failings and imperfections with the sole purpose of controlling the ego so that they are not puffed up and remain grounded ! Most of us want everything around us to be perfect ...our situations , circumstances , our work place , home , the weather , the country we live in , the locality of our abodes , the people we interact with ....all need to be perfect to make us HAPPY ! Moreover we foolishly wish people whom we are closely or distantly connected with to be perfect too . There are some teachers who cannot tolerate imperfections...their pupils should render , reproduce, perform perfectly even if it is their first attempt ...undoubtedly such people are the worst of their fraternity ! But the amount of stress , anger , irritation that they pass on is hazardous and snaps the zeal and the readiness of the learner . It takes a toll on the pupils' minds , though their educators may be totally unaware of it after venting their dissatisfaction openly. It is always said that while guiding or instructing it is required of the instructor to come down to the level of the learner but few are able to adhere to this principle that makes them dreaded and unpopular educators and therefore such pedagogy is an utter failure even though these educators may be learned and well- qualified in their fields. What they fail to understand is that they are also NOT perfect and therefore should make a conscious effort to think likewise about those they are directly interacting with on a regular basis .If they are educators they have to realise that their pedagogy should consider the age and level of their learners for they are required to bring out the Best out of them and just not look for perfection in them. With this a certain level of bonhomie and affection is imperative between the teacher and the taught . If that is missing the purpose is annihilated . The frenetic and frantic pace of the desire to achieve the highest level of perfection is only serving to aggravate anxiety leading to severe depression and several other mental disorders as well as the overpowering dread of not being able to be PERFECT!! Hard-core perfectionists do not believe in the two Magical words LET GO for they cannot practise it This leads to discontentment that is followed by other unpleasant emotions as well. They thus become a harassed lot ! If we reverse this situation there would be more of joy and willingness to learn and also to achieve great heights .For that there is need for tolerance , endurance , patience which are all synonymous of affection . Life becomes so less complicated and less stressful if people are considerate , understanding and tolerant towards others . To be ambitious is definitely in the interest of the self and also in the larger context of society or the universe .Without Ambition and creativity progress is retarded .Futuristic plans and endeavours are all dependent on Ambition and a high level of creativity no doubt. However , a balance between Ambition and the haunting passion for perfection can be maintained by this human angle of tolerance and affection alone . With these two tranquilising values rendering a holistic approach , much can be done and achieved that can bring about some degree of contentment to the doer . Swami Vivekanand , Mahatma Gandhi , Mother Teresa ,Abdul Kalam to name a few of the unique , inspirational , unforgettable personalities moved mountains but with the humane aspects of tolerance and affection . They were not possessed with the idea of being perfect . Their noble missions were achieved with the two life- changing values of love and endurance ! I call them life- changing for if we are propelled by them we can radiate joy and in turn be brimming with happiness ourselves too. Let not the zeal for perfection quash our inherent , intrinsic and all - healing potent quality of Affection. So let us not allow perfection to dictate and possess us ...let us remain masters of ourselves so that good sense always prevails. It is imperative to understand that Affection is always greater than Perfection !

TEARS , THE DIVINE PANACEA !

Amongst the myriad blessings that The Almighty has showered on the human species, one of His most precious blessing is tears !! Tears are just not an expression of grief rather they are witness to several emotions that flit through the human mind constantly. They are not merely a form of lamentation or mourning. Though the human race has been created by Him for a significant purpose yet it is nothing short of a curse to be born and to go through the miseries of life that sorely affect the physical , mental, emotional sensibilities of His creation ! But He has endowed man with emotional strength,and the power of reasoning to handle the adversities of life. Nevertheless His most precious gift to mankind is the faculty of shedding tears ! It is the most effective cathartic measure to vent out , providing instant relief . It is the best cure for every malady. The cumbersome heart when burdened and heavy with emotional baggage immediately experiences a light feeling after the tears flow out . The misery , the agony whether physical or emotional may remain but that instant feeling of relief that fills the being is amazing.Tears have the power to soothe and heal ! This is a proven fact among humans ! In times of the worst calamities at times the shock hits so viciously and brutally that it snatches away all senses and reactions turning one into an emotionless hardened being . It is on such occasions that it is advisable to provoke the person to shed tears to get some immediate relief .Thus tears have the most tranquiliding and healing effect on hurting and psyches! It is unfortunate how this Divine elixir is misunderstood to be a sign of emotional weakness . It is shocking to find the apartheid as it has become gender based ! It has been ingrained in children that girls cry as they are weaklings and that boys should never shed tears for they are supposed to be strong. How pitiable is our upbringing that we deprive young innocent minds of God's gift of the highest form of emotional manifestation.. Tears of unalloyed joy overflow when we are genuinely moved or touched . Heartfelt genuine words of affection can touch one deeply bringing tears of love to the eyes . Needless to say that excessive happiness finds expression through tears alone.....even more than the cheek to cheek smiles ! The experience of Divine presence , the realisation of His kindness , the witnessing of His glorious , magnificent and majestic natural flaura and fauna as well as the sense of gratefulness for His uncountable blessings are all enough to bring tears to the eyes and when they start to flow unabashedly, the pleasure and peace experienced is indescribable ! Soulful music has the same effect as it touches the core of the consciousness. Heaetfelt devotional music in praise of The Lord often has the electrifying impact of moving one to tears causing a surreal experience. Happiness finds complete fruition when the eyes well up ! If only we shed our inhibitions and set aside societal pressures can we enjoy the blissful state that one experiences with the natural flow of unsuppressed emotional outbursts .It is then that one is unconsciously drawn into the sublime state of trance and meditation ! !

DON'T EXPECT ONLY ACCEPT

Wise Words! Age-old Advice! Mantra for a peaceful existence!! Gautam Buddha's universal teaching of avoiding misery by not having any expectations is not easy to inculcate and emulate!! Do good and expect nothing in return is rapidly losing its relevance . It's all a matter of having a big fat ego that causes havoc , ruins peace and happiness resulting in complications and utter disharmony ....for all are not that elevated or blessed to accept and digest the mayhem that ensues from a bloated ego which is without doubt a consequence of having innumerable expectations . Expectations range from very basic like people's reactions and responses to simple mundane issues to any and every matter , which makes them judgemental and irascible if not upto their mark. B K Sister Shivani goes on reiterating in every discourse of hers as to how we should show empathy and compassion for such disordered minds and keep sending positive vibes and blessings as it is futile to even think of changing that obstinate mindset .This insinuates that passive acceptance and continuously overlooking , suffering and ignoring is the only way to handle such egos to keep one's mental balance intact .However , clichéd as it may sound , it IS easier said than done....when one has to confront such apathetic attitudes persistently it is difficult to stay calm , balanced and even empathetic. What is even more frustrating is that though one may be blessed with all the necessary comforts in life for which one should be ever grateful to The Lord such unpleasant situations certainly serve to only destroy that sense of fulfilment and well-being in life. It is actually a testing time for those at the receiving end ....it is nerve-wracking for those who are counselled to keep on accepting such unsettling situations with no hope in sight . One can only find some solace in the thought that one's Karma is responsible for such acrimony even amidst all the affluence ...and no one can escape the law of karma . Karma is unforgiving !

DO YOUR BIT !!

It is in times of crisis when we are devastated and traumatised that we are fully able to comprehend The Almighty's efficient planning , for He is always looking upon us lovingly ! ! It is in such dire situations that Humanity is at its best ! To name just a few of such calamitous happenings , are the Freedom Struugle , the terrible Partition , the ensuing mass exodus , the violent fury , the inhuman gruesome atrocities, the slaughter of humans by humans....But amid all the barbarism and savagery there have been instances of humanity, kindness , generosity and supreme sacrifices by some individuals or groups who have come out to relieve people during such stressful circumstances. Charity and sublime charitable deeds are then witnessed !! It is not the particular individual or group of people who do this of their own accord BUT it is Divine Intervention , God , who sends His chosen angels to alleviate the sufferings of humankind. It then becomes Charity in its true spirit ! The recent Corona pandemic has seen a surge in philanthropic and humanitarian acts also . During the lockdown period of the first wave especially, several organisations came to the forefront to help those in need of basic amenities. Food packets were the most widely distributed items . The print media was proof of this , as besides the macabre and grim stories of the devastating effects of Corona , the newspapers were full of coverage of another ongoing hectic activity and that was the overflow of Charitable groups , organisations corporate sectors who were all out to frantically bring relief to the miserable . However, some were exploiting and encashing the crisis making it into an opportunity for their own fame and vested interests. Every day there were several photographs of the proud, beaming faces of the popularity - seeking people who flaunted their charitable deeds ! It was rather bizarre to find such acts being highlighted every day . However, at times in reality the situation was alas not so relieving....as eye witnesses were proof of such deeds that were done just for clicking some photographs for publication and gaining cheap popularity and not to really help the needy .Many a times on such charitable visits esp in slum areas, only a few could receive the alms ...this was done only till the time a few photographs were clicked .Once that was done the so-called caregivers were least bothered about catering to the rest of the crowd and would immediately leave in a huff unmindful of the expectations of the remaining beneficiaries left in the lurch ! Such deliberate acts of conceit and arrogance do not come under the word Charity ! Basking in the glory of one's generosity is stagnation ! कोई दान करे कोई पुण्य करे कोई दान का रोज बखान करे These lines from a popular bhajan insinuate that doing charitable deeds merely for the sake of self aggrandisment and gaining self praise is futile and meaningless .Acts of generosity should be performed with total detachment . Charity is the most noble and sublime act of supreme kindness and empathy .However , the doer should have a pure heart and good intention when he takes up this exalted deed . Actually only a person who does have good intentions is able to spontaneously come up with such acts . He does not give a second thought to it . On the flip side, those who believe in being charitable to gain mileage and publicity through such acts are annihilating and crushing the true purpose of Charity as well as maligning this divine concept . Indeed it requires a large heart flowing with the milk of human kindness , a fervent desire to somehow help those in distress in whatever limited way one can as per their own resources, and with no intention of being rewarded , acclaimed and applauded! It is then that the ego is totally quelled and negated and the feeling of arrogant doership ceases to exist . Coming back to those hard times of the lockdown it is significant to talk about the real charitable acts of people too . There is always a positive side of every situation or else how could humanity survive ! Amid all this grabbing of self image and importance there were quite a few who silently and selflessly served those who they knew were in desperate need of resources. They initially started with those in their vicinity and those whom they felt required immediate help for sustenance . The shoe peddlers the rickshaw pullers , the roadside vendors for whom every day that dawned came with the hope of earning some money for themselves to sustain their families .....such people were stranded with the enforcement of the lockdown , with no hope of earning the meagre daily wages that they were doing earlier. The Almighty was there to take care of such indigent sufferers too for Divine grace was bestowed on them through some merciful people who took up the cudgels to mitigate their sufferings by way of helping them out in whatever way they could . Besides that those were times when large contigents of police force were deployed at different pickets to keep a strict vigil of the lockdown .They were a set of people , the front line warriors who were doing their duty braving inclement weather conditions .. the blistering heat and sultry atmosphere with no relief .With all roadside eateries , even the tea vendors closed these police personnel could not provide anything for themselves despite their long hours of duty. But again how could Providence not understand their ardous work,?? and so He made a few good- intentioned people, His chosen angels , think of them too. As a result some thoughtful people realising their plight started distributing snacks , drinking water etc to them too and this continued for quite some time . One need not think of making large donations to various Funds in such times . Any kind of help to alleviate distress of even a few known and needy are charitable acts. Anyone who wishes to help others genuinely and selflessly without wishing for any kind of return is definitely a messenger of The Almighty ! The difference was that such people were doing what they did and could with an open heart and with the sole intention of attempting to contribute in some way to lessen the misery of others .....JUST not to make themselves popular or for any vested interests, or to just pose for photos to receive acclaim . Such people are truly the Fortunate few , the Blessed, God's chosen Angels whom He sends to give some relief to those in distress!! The clichéd maxim Charity begins at home has gained strength and momentum in recent times with people coming forward to help those around them , who they know are needy and Impoverished! Mother Teresa believed and said "Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest to you ." What is significant is that even if we are able to help just one or two not-so priveleged individuals around us or known to us , and bring SMILES on their worn faces, we will definitely be contributing in making the world a better place to live in ! We have to realise that whatever wealth / material gains we possess is Divine charity ! When such fortunate people who are in a relatively comfortable position and those who are revelling in material abundance and bounty , come out to help the underprivileged .... such acts are truly sublime , elevated and lofty !! Though no return is expected in any form in Charity nevertheless the amount of inner fulfilment and solace and the perennial Divine grace that flows is unfathomable!! Not only that it will further inspire , stimulate and motivate right- minded people to continue with their charitable acts and this will then become an unbroken chain that will ultimately benefit society . So Do your bit !! But remember the mantra : Do good and move on

Aesthetics , Art and Sensitivity

The title seems a bit heavy but the content of this blog is rather a simple though a sensitive issue !! PadmaVibhushan , Dadasaheb Phalke awardee , one of India's musical maestros, Asha Bhonsle who has mastered every genre of Bollywood music once said , that every cabaret song that she sings is like a BHAJAN for her !! Her statement has profound connotations !! Every song is a combination of harmonious melody , lyrical expression of thoughtfully coined eloquent lyrics and a representation of the spirit and mood of the one who is articulating it , generally in Films it is the actor. The role of the artist who is actually singing the song is crucial as he or she has to literally get involved in the character , the scene of the film and definitely the mood of the song .The artist without being in the limelight has to emote effectively for the character who is lipsinging the song.....be it a romantic number, a dance number , a cabaret or a devotional song ! Without the befitting emotional and theatrical expressions the singer will not be able to do justice to a song. Thus to judge a singer and his personality or character by the type of songs or genre of songs taken up is unwise! It is absurd and preposterous to consider their image to be tarnished or in any way maligned on the basis of their song selection. Music is a pure form of art and aesthetics which needs keen auditory sensitivity to be enjoyed !! Mundane , worldly complexes and image- consciousness interferes in assessing or appreciating music. An artist , a singer needs high energy levels , a zealous spirit, grit , hard work , dedication , commitment...and certainly has to invest a considerable amount of time to achieve some level of perfection. Once this happens the singer flows with the musical composition and is totally absorbed and fully immersed in the composition ...it is then that the composer gets his full reward for the song comes out from the heart of the artist and it becomes soulful singing ! Getting the right tune and tone , the scale and pitch , the twists and turns ,intonation, voice modulations , the voice throw and control are all integral facets of good singing but all is in vain if it is not a spontaneous outpouring from the heart ! I marvel and admire the talented music composers who wondrously create such soulful hearttouching compositions that touch the very core of one's inner self ...I feel they are the ones who are supremely Blessed. The artists who have to execute and reproduce the compositions have a grave responsibility for their rendition can make or mar a composition . Without going into the depths of the song the singer cannot do full justice for which he/,she has to come out of his shell , shed his / her inhibitions and articulate with all the theatrics required . To appreciate this requires pronounced aesthetic and artistic sensitivity and sensibilities!! Only then can music enchant and enthrall !!

SHINING IN THE TWILIGHT YEARS

Retirement is not the end of the road , it is the beginning of an open highway ! To not feel the actual age of retirement , rather to be the inner young person one has always been and always should be , allays all the ensuing uncertainties . For some it is the end of several possibilities and the thought of it causes a sense of vacuum and insecurity for not everyone has very favourable circumstances to look forward to post retirement. Nevertheless it should be taken positively for it is only after climbing the mountain that one can finally enjoy the view !! However, for others it grants the freedom and most importantly the time to indulge in and enjoy all the things one wished to. So retirement is when one stops living at work and starts working at living !! It is with this rejuvenated spirit that one should welcome the cessation of one's active remunerative working years and look ahead at all the wonderful possibilities that are still waiting to be experienced! The most valuable benefit of having the luxury of enjoying ample of free time is one of the greatest rewards of retirement! But before that luxury transforms into boredom and ennui it is good to think of getting involved with what one had desired always but could not pursue due to paucity of time . After all one can just not go on with life occupied with the mundane activities...there must be something to look forward to every day that keeps one productively engaged . Therefore this is the best time to take up one's hobbies and rekindle one's passion , be it any activity one has been interested in and wished to pursue .It could be any passion and hobby that could be revitalised, be it writing, reading, music- vocal or instrumental, sketching , painting to name a few . One of my friends started to try her hand at Doodling , a unique art form and excels in it now !! To explore new activities that are of one's interest could be a novel and very fulfilling experience. The byword to this , however is dedication and commitment towards one's passion. Nothing should be taken up half heartedly for that will only lead to a sense of discontentment and disillusionment. Once one identifies one's interest that has to be furthered and endeavours to hone one's skill in that field it can be truly very rewarding!! That all- engaging pursuit can make one's twilight years more happening, rejuvenating and satisfying. And what is more is that it can be very motivating even inspirational for other fellow beings too !! The precedence can initiate a more reassuring and more fulfilling life for others as well who could follow suit and take up some latent yet unexplored interest of theirs to pursue. The second innings will then turn out to be even more gratifying and enriching . Moreover if one is recognised , acknowledged and appreciated by one's near and dear ones , friends ,acquaintances well -wishers is an added bonus !!:After all anyone who is pursuing any art form is an artist ....so every artist whether big or small does need appreciation that leads to greater motivation for the pursuer ! The mind that is well occupied in any such fulfilling activity is certainly relieved of unnecessary stress and involuntary anxiety .The macabre word Retirement then has a more positive and refreshing connotation ! On a lighter note One can't retire from Being Awesome !!

THE MURKY WORLD OF TV SOAPS!

A recent upcoming serial has frequent promotional ads popping up every now and then , which instead of luring viewers is rather shooing them away as there is nothing interesting to look forward to in it apart from the apparent dissolution and despair caused by strained relationships !! The inference any level- headed viewer can draw is that expectations only lead to misery !! If one's reactions ,responses, conversations even actions for that matter are not as per the receiver's presuppositions it can spell doom for any relationship casting a shadow of doubt , insecurity and undoubtedly unhappiness for both parties !! This trend is already rampant in families , and relationships are as a result becoming frail . Besides the pandemic has aggravated the situation for it is leading to too much familiarity breeding contempt ! So instead of fanning such detrimental negative behavioural patterns already existing and creating havoc in society why can't storylines have a healing therapeutic influence leading to positive and objective mindsets ? These writers need to Be The Change and foster social behavioural change that can alleviate several woes and create bonhomie ?? Is this just wishful thinking or can it be achieved ?? Having said that , the entertainment media does have a strong viewership, esp due to the compelling circumstances of the disastrous pandemic that has made people home- bound and entertainment starved which is being well encashed by the Idiot Box. Audiences are watching whatever is made available to them in the name of entertainment.This includes the saas-bahu daily soaps which every TV serial dishes out unmindful of the mental havoc and turmoil they cause . There is so much of back-biting , backlash , manipulative scheming plots and conspiracies being hatched that it becomes too unpleasant and unsettling so much do that instead of getting entertained audiences are left with a sense of discontentment and unpleasantness by the end of it.The melodrama and the fake sentimentality is adding fuel to fire and seems to be training people to be shrewd, cunning and calculative in their relationships and dealings. Some good sense should prevail upon the script writers of these serials to come up with inspirational , motivating positive storylines and content instead of just catering to and strengthening the sadistic leanings of the audiences ! After all when will they realise the grave responsibility they are shouldering of shaping , nurturing and influencing young and old minds alike . With the powerful influence that the media has on the gullible general masses, it is imperative and high time that the media esp the writers directors , makers of movies, videos , short films , Web series, and above all TV serials be acutely aware of their responsibility. They cannot take their viewers to be dumb onlookers who are incapable of assessing or predicting the hazardous twists and turns that mar relationships but which albeit do take a toll on their psyche. Let us try to get out of this rut and initiate some right healthy thinking !!:Enough is Enough !!

Old Age ... bane or a boon

Just recently there was an observation made by the Delhi High Court declaring that vaccinating the young was more imperative and urgent than the older generation of 60 plus and above. The blatant and obtrusive caption read 'Nation needs to save younger generation by vaccinating them '..The reason stated was that the younger lot were the future of our country and need to be safeguarded first rather than giving priority to 60 plus who have already lived their lives !! Saving the younger lot was more reasonable in this time of crisis if a choice had to be made , because an 80 year old will not take the country forward anymore ! Instead of honouring the senior citizens and giving them due credit and importance ..... for it is to the credit of every senior citizen for contributing in the development of the nation in whatever way they have ..... they are now being rendered unnecessary .The court is endorsing the unfortunate, ever-increasing unthoughtful , negligent behaviour of the younger generation towards the elderly proclaiming in other words that they are worthless. What did the court mean to signify ...that the ageing population should opt for Euthanasia ?? Or are they thinking of declaring it legal ! This unthinking statement has given the young generation food for their underlying thoughts . And this is in a country where we boast about Sanskaars !! It is understandable that the younger generation have their own dreams/ aspirations to fulfil , their own responsibilities to cater to which is strengthening what was insinuated by the court ...But it is definitely worrying to see the deteriorating sense of duty and the apathy towards the so - called aged ! Is old age a bane then ? With due regards to the Hon.Court , I can't help but finding this callous , insensitive and seemingly unreasonable statement as a harsh jibe at the unwanted status of the ageing section of society . Is it untrue that majority of our own politicians from the top brass to the ordinary who weild political clout with lesser portfolios esp in our own country are generally above 60 plus? . It is the septugenarians who are at the helm of affairs in leading the nation! Be it due to their experience or political prowess ! However , that is another issue . True the nation's future is in the hands of the youth and by all means they need to be protected . Nevertheless the ageing population cannot be sidelined . The naked truth is that the aged or ageing have this lurking fear and dread of physical dependence if God forbid they are struck with a terminal disease or illness which leaves them solely dependant on their offsprings and others causing grave problems for them and their attendants . That is why vaccinating initially began with this most vulnerable section . This brings into focus the helplessness of the dependants whether it is physical , financial and undoubtedly the emotional . When energy levels , responsiveness, physical capabilities, productivity starts waning it definitely affects the individual .To add to this if they are made aware that they now no longer need any fineries / luxuries and should forgo all latent or still existing desires, say of travelling for instance or other pursuits of pleasure it worsens their mental and emotional state .At least this is expected in our own country . ..where being only religiously and spiritually inclined with no other aspirations or the need for achievements or wishes is the accepted notion for senior citizens . The scenario is different in other developed nations where the oldies live life to the fullest , where they are encouraged by society, their offsprings , their friends to enjoy life till they can. An incident comes to my mind which just goes to show the compassion of wards for their parents .During our US trip we were in a cruise when we happened to see an elderly couple accompanied obviously by their adult children in the cruise ...the elderly gentleman was wearing dark glasses and had a walking stick with him and what was noticeable was that their son/ daughter and his wife / daughter-in-law wjatever their relation, were animatedly talking to him pointing out at the lovely scenic views along the way . .Once the ship anchored and we had to go offboard to an island we noticed that the elderly gentleman was being assisted by his wards as he was evidently fully BLIND!! We could not help exclaiming , marvelling and blessing the caring offsprings together with their spouses .... To take a blind man for a cruise and patiently share with him the visual experience was indeed no mean feat! Also in the same trip every evening of our four - day cruise we saw an old couple who could be in their late seventies , suitably and stylishly attired invariably dance through the evening....their spirit , their dignity and grace was worth a watch . Several things in this country are tabu as one attains a certain age ...and there is a curb , a restrain on elders to have a good time ! This has such a psychological impact that as they age they reluctantly mould their mindset and reconcile to live as per societal norms . Old age is a boon ,when one is free of pressing commitments and has almost fulfilled one's responsibilities. It is the time to relax and enjoy if health and well-being permits . And coupled with that if it comes with the pampering and caring of one's doting children and grandchildren that makes them feel needed and loved, .... it then is truly a blessing! Every single individual has the right to live well, enjoy life and indulge in whatever one desires in life whatever the world may think!! To live in the Present and enjoy it ..is the most spirited way of living life king-size!! It is important to realise that there is just a hairline difference between youth and old age as nothing is static and advancing years is inevitable....so the other side of the fence is not far off!! Let's hope it's really the greener side !!

First Anniversary of my Musical Stint !

By the grace of The Almighty it has been a year since I began this musical journey of resuming my singing at the age of 65 , in the second innings of my life , post -retirement .Believing in oneself to enter into such a venture, I had to muster all the courage and stimulate my spirits to revive my passion. I began my endeavours with a lot of trepidation and diffidence as I took it up after a long hiatus of almost three decades .It was my husband's constant encouragement that goaded me on . The first Lockdown which began last year proved to be , by God's grace a fertile ground to restart my musical voyage and invest in it the requisite time and undivided attention to sharpen whatever musical abilities I possessed. As a result of my persistent endeavours and perseverance today I have in all 47 videos of my songs to my credit. ART is a form of self- expression and creativity. Visual art forms include objects that are produced depicting the skill ,creativity and passion of the artist. Music is a unique art form. It is a lyrical and auditory representation of a story and thought through words, rhythm and melody . I am referring to vocal music here as it is in context of my purpose of writing. Music being a purely subjective art form provides listeners with the insight to personal experiences and even in- depth interpretations of the world around together with tranquility and solace. At a personal level I think I have been characterised with this subjectivity which is evident from my penchant for literature (in which I had developed keen interest and later opted for higher studies) to my love for music as well as other art forms .I believe it was an inherent trait in me....I think it came as a 'sanskaar' by birth . Further this fondness for music was nurtured from a very early age by my parents .My father initiated me into learning this art by purchasing a harmonium for me when I was just 5 years old. During my growing years this fondness grew stronger as music enthralled me! As my consciousness of the external world started evolving I found myself enjoying listening to Bollywood numbers ....so intensely would I listen that I could instinctively memorise even the interlude music of almost every song that appealed to me. My training in vocals was intermittent and sporadic during my school and college years .Post marriage my husband , seeing my interest , did earnestly try by way of procuring learned Gurus for me .Unfortunately this was again interrupted due to various factors. Nevertheless my passion for music and singing was so intense that I revivified my zeal at this late stage of life . Nevertheless to be able to reproduce melodious strains requires total involvement and complete attention of the artist . Passion alone is not enough ...it needs to be sustained with perseverance and perpetual efforts to hone whatever skill one has. As it is said perfection comes with practice.....and thus began my ardous journey of regular practice. As luck would have it I found a Guru Shri Arun Das, who initiated me once again into the basics of classical music for without that training it is nearly impossible to get into the nuances of any song and render them perfectly . Together with this regular practice I took up songs that I loved and had grown up listening to them.Yet though they appeared to be easy they turned out to be quite typical when I started reproducing them . It was just not the tune that had to be reproduced but the pronunciation of every word by the singer the intonation, the voice modulation , the voice control and throw, the change in voice quality ...all were required to be perfected to bring out the desired result .Thus I realised every song was difficult and again continuous practice was the only key to achieve satisfactory results. It is true that it is unthinkable to be able to perfectly render the songs of legendary singers and maestros ,nonetheless to even come anyway near to them requires diligence , dedication and a certain amount of dexterity too ! However, It is true that when one is passionate about something the required efforts are bound to follow ...the point is they should not wane at any point of time for there are highs and lows for every artist ..and definitely it is difficult to tide over the Lows at times. Herein comes the support and encouragement of genuine well - wishers to urge one on to keep pursuing ! I consider myself very fortunate to have a soul mate who left no stone unturned in doing just that ! Be it in the form of encouragement , appreciation, advice , healthy sometimes even harsh criticism , the insistence that I could do it (in the case of some typical numbers I chose to sing ) or in his zeal to create videos , improve recordings etc. I got all the assistance needed! What is definitely worth mentioning is that though he is not a connoisseur in music , he listens to every song attentively and at times when I fail to get the right effect he tells me how to modulate my voice accordingly ....and it has worked !! So with my super Guru as my super critic I have achieved what I never thought I could!! An artist whether big or small ,famous or not so popular , widely-acclaimed or having a limited audience/ viewership wishes and yearns for acknowledgement, recognition ,applause and appreciation....for that is the staple diet for any and every artist that eggs him/her on to go on in their endeavours to hone and excel in one's skill. To return to my musical journey it started off with my rigorous practice sessions of songs accompanied with amateur unplugged recordings done on a mobile phone . However , my ever- creative , enthusiastic husband who wished to bring me into the limelight to showcase whatever talent I had began creating videos of every song that I practised .It was not an easy task at all as the background noises had to be taken care of .Often these videos done on a mobile were recorded with several takes and retakes, without even fans and air-conditioners despite the sweltering summer heat and humidity to ward off any noise . Thus began this journey of posting and uploading the videos on Facebook . Next was to collect all the videos in one place for watching them at one go ! YouTube ,was a suggestion given by dear ones .So once again my husband researched and successfully created a YouTube page for me . Presently what is more important is that these 47 videos on YouTube and Facebook have earned for me several friends, well- wishers , rock-solid supporters who have been with me with their encouraging, motivating and stimulating reactions .It is extremely heartening to note the affection and warmth I have received for the song videos from my friends and well-wishers for which I feel supremely Blessed ! Now I feel that I could carry on with my amateur endeavours of singing solely due to the sustained and continuous motivation and encouragement that I received from my dear friends and genuine well wishers . I understand it requires alot of sensitivity and compassion to encourage anyone's endeavours , to take out one's valuable time to view each video, to have the patience to listen to the songs, then to acknowledge, LIKE , and to feel eager to respond to it positively and comment on it is indeed very appreciable! It requires a heart of gold and a generous disposition to support someone for his / her endeavours ! I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone who have been acknowledging , liking, reacting and commenting on the song-videos !! It is so rewarding for me to be appreciated so warmly and I feel deeply indebted to them . A big round of applause for my loving , caring ,ever-enthusiastic sons and their ever- encouraging spouses and my adorable granddaughters who have given me unconditional support, emotional succour and have on several occasions also taken care of technical nitty - gritties in creating the videos. They are truly precious for me . And here I cannot help but reminiscing about my doting parents and my loving parents-in-law who I know are sending their blessings from the heavens above. Besides earnestly being in need of Divine intervention perenially without which nothing is possible , I do need the continuous support of all such thoughtful , compassionate and wonderful people to keep me going on in my humble endeavours !! 🙏🙏 I know that The Almighty has been extremely benevolent in showering and inundating me with His blessings. What is more important is that I FEEL FAVOURED AND BLESSED always and am ever so grateful to The Lord every single day of my life !!

God's Grace !!

My father always wanted me to sing...he had bought a harmonium for me when I was just 5 or 6 years old....but then the most unfortunate event happened in my life as he passed away when I was just 8 and his dream could not be fructified for a long time till my mother , when she finally managed to overcome her deep depression , initiated me into the realm of music as I stepped into college life .My revered Guru got me auditioned for AIR Lucknow where by the grace of God I was selected and started getting the opportunity to give programmes occasionally ...However that was shortlived as other important and life changing events happened in the course of time and music again took a back seat.. Fortunately my husband , keenly interested in my achievements tried to revive my singing in every way he could...my revered Gurus Late Kashinath Bodas and Late Ghulam Dastagir Khan were indeed wonderful teachers and I did learn alot from them .But that too did not sustain and I got totally immersed in the humdrum of other pressing commitments. Maa Saraswati has been very kind to me in this later phase of life ,as now in my post retirement years especially during the last one year I have revived my singing and realised that this is what my passion always was ! Again I owe this to my dear husband for revivifying my interest , allocating a wonderful Guru for me so that I could resume my passion, though late in life ,and sing to my heart's content ... Now that my songs , which are heightened and embellished by the artistic camera work of my husband and which I share on Facebook and You tube , which again is solely due to my spouse's encouragement .. get Likes , Comments , Appreciation and warm loving words of encouragement certainly boost my morale and motivate me to continue in such endeavours till by His grace I am able to 🙏🙏 This has happened definitely due to the blessings of my dear parents and also my in-laws who were very fond of my singing. They would have been so happy to witness whatever amateur attempts I am carrying on with...I firmly believe they are witnessing it ..and blessing me profusely from wherever they are now 🙏 🙏

The Face Off

Huge applause for our Hon. prime minister who has always manifested his astute vision in the declaration of radical and reformatory life- changing resolves for his countrymen. Right from Demonetisation to CAA to the 2020 immediate and complete Covid lockdown to the recent decision of vaccination of 18+(to name a few) ...his strategic planning is laudable as he is always and only thinking of the benefit and betterment of his dear junta.😚 Demonetisation was hailed as a bold step rendering his dear deshvasiyon almost destitute as withdrawing their own money from banks became an uphill task there being no ready cash flow but ofcourse our strong-willed PM with his zealous intention to rout out corruption overlooked the need to ensure liquidity of cash causing abysmal inconvenience to the distraught masses. The CAA and The Kisan bill uproar and agitation leading to loss of lives fell on deaf ears as again our headstrong Head of the country remained firm in his decision of not complying or intending to acquiese with his countrymen come what may, again for vested interests . Then suddenly erupted Covid 19 ,a problem not faced hitherto by any PM it was said in sympathy ,but he rose to the occasion once again and came up with the solution of an abrupt complete lockdown which was a jolt for all and sundry. But then it was his genuine interest in saving lives and preventing the spread of the devastating disease that overtook his consciousness making him oblivious to the plethora of problems that could arise and , did arise resulting in mass exodus of the fluid population from 29 states and 7 Union territories to their respective 669,369( statistics as of 2019 ) native villages. By God's grace the first wave abated and complacency set in although a second wave had been predicted. Elections , Rallies , religious congregations started with a never- before witnessed fervour and frenzy which continued even in the midst of the second surge of Covid . However , there was no ban imposed on rallies or elections ....courtesy the certainty of the ruling party winning !! And after all how could the PM's foresightedness of growing a flowing white Tagore- beard to woo the Bengalis go waste ! Then came the second wave of Covid with the double mutant virus more fierce and ruthless causing havoc and unprecedented disaster, affecting new born, children young and old. The frenetic pace of the apocalyptic pandemic was a sudden jolt and all resources were inadequate to meet the catastrophic consequences. Oxygen , the elixir of life ran out of supplies ...several died and still are dying due to unavailability of this precious commodity . However, once again our strong-willed PM despite his busy schedule of the upcoming elections ,which ofcourse he dared not postpone even in the wake of the calamity, started high level digital meetings with the CMs to take stock of the situation simultaneously appearing on Television addressing his' pyare bhaiya aur behno 'to maintain strict Covid protocol. Those involved in election work rallies or attending and participating in the most sacred religious gatherings were surprisingly spared as if Covid protocol could be avoided by them....the aftermath is yet to be witnessed. Then started the two -dose Vaccination drive ...First came the decision to vaccinate front line warriors then the 60+ masses then 45+ .. So far was so good ...all heaved a sigh of relief that this was an efficacious precautionary measure to ward off Covid and minimise its severity . The drive began successfully but before the so-called elderly and vulnerable could complete the two doses of the shots all of a sudden one fine day came this wonderful path-breaking news of vaccinating all above 18+ ... A great initiative no doubt...though with alarming repercussions! With the acute shortage of vaccines the second dose - vaccination aspirants are running from pillar to post now. Centres are closing down as there are no vaccines ....do we consider this as the Ruler's far sightedness or narrow vision 🤔 So with the raging surge in Covid cases, short supply of medicines, oxygen, hospital beds, vaccines and a total collapse of infrastructure Bharat is in doldrums .. Opinions of think tanks , planning and organising, strategy, availability of resources are essential for implementation of initiatives .Instead of driving his energy and resources in brainwashing the endangered defenceless 'junta' and putting on a shrewd garb of righteousness which unfortunately the ardent followers, the blind Modi bhakts are failing to realise even now , instead of lambasting the opposition ( whatever is left ...for either they are behind bars ...or whatever they say form news clippings that is visible to the discerning reader in the smallest of fonts on the 3rd / 4th page of newspapers! ) and envisioning an opposition - free democracy it would be better if he forsakes his apathetic attitude, thinks judiciously in the immediate and long term interest of his voters ,his 'pyare deshvasiyon '. We have to surrender and have faith in The Almighty for He alone is our saviour 🙏 🙏 I am a proud Indian national and I respect the PM for the measures he has taken or is taking . I do not wish to malign his image or the country's image . It is agonising to see our country being in the news for not being able to contain the second wave . What I do wish to highlight is that all right thinking citizens do expect some wise, well- thought of , properly planned ,effective and responsible actions from those at the helm of affairs . May normalcy be restored soon .