Yesterday- Part IV

Mom woke up from a bad dream. She dreamt someone was knocking heavily on the door, a wild mob possibly. And the clatter woke her up. When she refused to open the door , the mob barged in breaking the door, which is quite possible in an apartment. The fear and agony she woke up from made her run to see if her children are safe. I hadn't caught sleep yet so I got up to her side and tried to talk her out into something else so she could forget it. My mom's one of the bravest people I know, but fear is another thing altogether. Specially the fear of something you imagined, which you cannot fight back since you are not face to face with it. The elder sister was to return from work in the wee hours of the morning and we stayed up until she did. Somehow we had a nice chat afterwards and went to sleep.

I thought I would have dreams of the same scene mom dreamt of, since my head is quite actively fanciful. vigorously actually. But, I dreamt of something entirely different. It was such a beautifully untrue 'dream'.

I woke up wanting to go back to sleep in a hope I would see more of that gauze of that sweet vision. End up quoting Shakespeare:

"Prospero:
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

The Tempest Act 4, scene 1, 148–158

""

Yesterday Part-III

I was studying and I realized medicine is a way of service too! I knew I was just trying to lift my fallen spirits. After all we are our own medicine, right? As much as we hurt ourselves, we cure ourselves. [<- Irrespective of whether you are a doctor, that is!]

Yesterday- Part-II

So, the next article was about the corporal punishments, child laborers et al. This is an issue, no doubt. My only brush with corporal punishment was when I was in my 9th std and one of the teachers had picked up a 6th std student for gross lack of behavior. She had made this girl stand out of the class and slapped her. I could almost hear it.I didn't know it was such a huge issue. Back then, since I did not know the kid much, I was convinced she must've deserved it somehow because this female teacher was one of the most lively and enthusiastic teachers I've ever come across. There wasn't a single cultural event that was complete without her contribution in the form of choreography/singing/make-up (no, she was a teacher of social studies, if you were thinking it was natural). Anyway, that scene stayed in my head and I did not much accuse anyone for it. The girl was fine and I saw she was dancing alongside this teacher in the cultural event next week. So, I thought a little punishment or reprimand never did anyone bad, more so, since I've seen what totally spoilt kids are like, at home and elsewhere.
This article went on to blame various people and came up with a plethora of sensible solutions.
One striking thought was, however, quite unsettling. That the poor are given 'charity education'. As much as I dwell on it, I think it to be true. But the answers are always out of reach or implementation.
On that note, why are we so convinced? So fatalistic? Why do we resign so easily?
Couldn't we help kids with our little means? Aren't they the future? Religiously, I google for 'charitable' organizations in the country. CRY is the first result. I check the page only to discover I had joined it years ago. Maybe that was another moment in time I had felt for the cause. Another such inspiration dulled by time. Callousness!
Then I say to myself, "charity begins at home sweetheart. Weren't you the one who planned the donation campaign with friends such that we supply the missionaries of charity near college with stuff they need on our birthdays? since our birthdays are quite well spread over the year? Ah, there, I am satisfied. Now, you ARE doing your part! Sweet dreams!

Yesterday..! Part-I

In the morning, while reading the newspapers I was suddenly grabbed by Mallika Sarabhai's candidacy. She's chosen to contest against Advani![Like I said, I haven't had the news about it.] [Pardon the conspicuous absence of any 'ji's or 'sir/madam et al. I cannot start to explain it now, anyway.] This is what I thought:
1. Wow. Against Advani? The possible prime ministerial candidate? BJP's Advani? Look at her guts! Thats like a woman who's head-strong and focused. If not anything, at least we can nurture a tiny glint of hope.
2. Ah Advani! Our dear dear Advani will use up all his means. She will not win, if we know anything about Advani, we can bet our money! I was imagining what he'd say against her at the campaigns. BJP loves slinging the mud under its own feet anyway. Any established political outfit for that matter! Will he now go singing that a danseuse cannot head an office? Something like that. He can always come up with surprising accusations. He's got talent!
3. Okay, so, I am thinking this woman is better than her rival in terms of her thinking, intellectuality, morality et al. How do I know this? I knew it all because she said it at her campaigns. So am I more impressed with her because she looks intellectual and communicates in fine and charming words? Because she represents the educated, the urban classes?
4. The power of communication. A well communicated thought is such a clincher! You might at first not even ponder on the thought per se, just the words used might charm you, quite without your volition .
5. I conclude, okay, I am impressed by her. But I do not trust her too. Politics is such. Blah blah, the usual, what difference does it make anyway.
6. My socio-political self is laid to rest.

Revamping..!

I had deleted this blog, and today somehow I came to blogger to read my friends' posts and I find this option - 'undelete this blog'. Didn't quite want to all this while, so, perhaps I didn't imagine the existence of such an option. Anyway,when I did see it today, I clicked on it. And my blog is back on the space.
Only yesterday I had been thinking of starting up a new blog. But when sudden inspirations are rested awhile, they settle into unreachable corners. The reason: yesterday, after a very long while I found both the time and interest to finish every article on the paper that piqued my taste. Come to think of it, it was a great day in the sense of how many emotions it elicited in me.

I will cut them into several posts today. Read on ..!