Lamp Lit In An Area Of Darkness

By Dileep Padgaonkar

One of the most tragicomic figures in Delhi is a senior civil servant who hangs on in the capital after retirement in the hope of wangling some government assignment or the other. A handful of these retired folk are lucky. They manage to land one job after another for years on end. The unlucky ones gravitate to the media where they turn into acerbic critics of the government which they have served with docile acquiescence for a greater part of their adult life.

But one also comes across civil servants who return to their hometowns and put their retirement to a more uplifting use. They write books, learn new skills, join local think tanks, engage in social work or, quite simply, develop interest in a new or unattended hobby. Singularly bereft of rancour and cynicism, they do not as a rule give vent to nostalgia about their years in harness.

Take the case of S K Sinha. He served the government of India for well over 30 years, rose to the rank of secretary in the cabinet secretariat and, within less than a month of his retirement in 2005, went back to his ancestral home in Patna. He had already made up his mind about what he would do next to keep himself busy. Nothing worried him more than the rural-urban and poor-rich divides in Bihar. They generated relentless social conflict in the state which, in turn, resulted in the growth of caste animosities, religious extremism and Naxalite violence.

Convinced that one could not rely on the state machinery alone to stem this violence, Sinha launched the Shoshit Seva Sangh (SSS) whose objective was to provide quality education to the poorest and most deprived community in Bihar the Mushars. These landless labourers, who lived in squalid ghettos, could not recall a day when they had two square meals or a respite from the abuse and blows heaped on them by upper-caste landlords.

The beginnings of the SSS were modest. Digging into his own savings, and with some contributions from friends and family members, he started an English-medium residential school in rented premises. It charged no fees and provided uniforms, toiletries, books, stationery and computers at no cost. But it recruited well-qualified teachers and paid them good salaries.

However, none of this impressed the Mushars at first. They could not imagine that the school in Patna would be any different from the village school with its absentee teachers, leaking roofs, lack of textbooks and, not least, pervasive caste discrimination. But within two years, their attitude had undergone a sea change. More than 750 children appeared for admission tests for the 50 seats for the pre-school and class I. Encouraged by the response, the SSS proceeded to rent more space, increase the number of classes to standard IX, recruit more teachers and expand dormitory and sports facilities. The teacher-student ratio was pegged at 1:17 better by far than in the most expensive private schools, let alone the government ones.

The journey of the SSS has not been an easy one though. Battered by centuries of poverty and discrimination, time and patience was needed to inculcate in the Mushars a sense of self-esteem. Only then could they develop the confidence that they would be able to acquire the knowledge and skills to face a competitive world.

None of this has deterred Sinha from expanding the scope of the project. Earlier this year the SSS purchased one acre of land in Patna to erect a school building. An agreement to purchase another acre adjacent to this one has been reached. The building work is expected to be completed by 2013 at a cost of Rs 5 crore. By and by the school will be able to house between 800-1,000 students.

Sinha hopes to collect funds from individuals and corporate groups that are convinced that his efforts are deserving of support. The achievements of the SSS so far are no more than a tiny step to bridge the rural-urban and rich-poor divide in Bihar. But for the Mushar children, who have been quick and eager to study, it is a giant leap forward in their quest for a life free of want and fear.

courtesy: TOI

The Bargain

As age progressed I understood the real meaning of the word ‘BARGAIN’. It is human nature to bargain; whether it is the seller or buyer we all bargain for our own profit. But  sometimes it creeps into real life situations. Bargaining has more connotations: adjustment, compromise, let go, forgive and so on.

Life has taught me more for my age. To take situations as it comes and sometimes as I want. I started pondering the plight of that Archana, when she was shunned by all known relatives on this earth - father, mother, husband, in-laws, friends and so on. The real life situation was worse which was yet to come. . .


My husband was always on a go - as he was working for a bank which never let him stay in a fixed place and kept transferring him. As the age old saying goes.. “Husband’s house is the real house for a married woman”. That saying seemed to have been followed by my relatives and me too. The result was that I was following him like a shadow with my children to wherever his bank transferred him. Only to lose my precious daughter to death due to unsophisticated medical facilities and poor living conditions.


Then I realized the real aim of my life. To lead life ‘independent’. The term independent is rather too vague. It is not the opposite of slavery, but it is more of being independent in one’s thoughts, actions and decision making which determines one’s maturity of mind. Today I am thankful for all my betraying relationships and hard times which has made me stand alone to face this life in any given conditions.  

But there were good and bad times in my kitty of memory. Some days were stormy with troubles and I was sure to compensate with rosy days in form of outing with kids, treating them with delicacies and so on. In the midst of all this my health sometimes gave a skip and I had to undergo treatments to pull back to life. My achievements stood in the form of my children doing well in studies, winning trophies in various competitions, supporting and understanding me and my neighbours, boss, and acquaints patting and acknowledging me on my single achievement. That has made me boost my confidence and encourage me to hit the life with all vigor and vengeance.  

Time is the only master - the maker and taker of life’s bounties. Today I am proud of my situation which has given me a part time job, a small house to live in, some assets to insure me and my children’s secure future and above all the unending support of friends and well wishers which keeps the engine of life still going.

Contributed by Ms. B A Archana

 

Growing up

‘What wonderful days were those
Mother’s lap and father’s shoulders
Today, I remember
Everything that has been left behind-
Sleeping, while still crying
Talking to myself
Lost in fancy thoughts
Calling desperately for mother
Fed patiently by her loving hand
Waiting day long for father to come
Awaiting the fulfillment of little desires
What wonderful days of childhood-
Why did everything go so far away?
Now it is only me and my rigidity
My own demands and frustrations
Whom should I tell what I want?
Searching for my goals, I lost myself
O! Why did I grow so much?’

Precious moments, shared with our dear mother and father, are memories today that are nostalgic but give a deep fulfillment. Words fail to express the love and care received so abundantly as a child, where every little pain suffered was erased by a loving cuddle and lots of kisses. To all the problems faced, there were only one solution- parents! All that needed to be done was to tell them and be rest assured!

That was childhood, however, and one does not remain a child forever.

Discovering oneself gradually is growth. Breaking off boundaries, seeking freedom to express, to act, to be oneself is a journey where one may relate to another or walk alone to reach a destination that may or may not be clear. It is time to make a choice, to decide, to walk the path, to shoulder responsibilities alone or with the help of a companion. There may not be anyone to lead, to hold hand, to console, to guide, to love and care, unlike during childhood. Now one is an adult and is expected to fly on his own, create his skies, for it is believed his wings are strong enough to reach loftier heights.

The bright horizon is in view, however the spirit within the man is in the dark. He alone knows what it holds, the joys, the fantasies, the dreams, the deep bruises, the tears, pains, the secrets, for there may not be any soul in sight to share!

For the world, he has won laurels for his fight to the finish, but his struggle within is to discover love and he has failed to find it! The smile he carries on his face is unnatural, hiding the grief of loneliness.

O Lord! Can I be a child again and be myself in the arms of love? Can I belong to all and can all be mine in a relationship that recognizes all equally? In the house of the ‘grown up’, I see the awards, the rewards, the name, the fame, the wealth, the relations that are a burden--- where is love, where is the life of gay abandon, of play and joy, of loving laps and brave arms, of forgiveness for every error, of faith that someone cares!

Where is my home, sweet home that I want to rush into, throwing all burdens into the air and jumping into open arms I trust and love, just like a bubbly kid returning home from school?

Growing up cannot be so painful- hey, am I on the wrong path?

Am I seeking out what is within?

Can I laugh and cry, forgive and forget, have faith and love, enjoy what I do—can I be a child within once again?

Can I grow within and relive the joys of childhood?

Can I feel like a child again? Can I live again?

CONTRIBUTED BY Ms HARINA, FACULTY, SBLC, INDORE

A Sad Note

Dale Steyn

I was pretty upset watching a programme on TV the other day about just how threatened the forests and wildlife of India is. Less than 20 % of the forests remain and less than 1500 tigers in the wild! I am passionate about preserving the natural world and I’m happier being in the ‘bush’ than anywhere else in the world. What a pity that some of the enormous wealth that went into the IPL - and is being generated by it - couldn’t be channelled towards something as important as the preservation of the Indian tiger.

PMG

FIND THE SOURCE OF EGO

By Sheodan

Ramana Maharishi of Arunachalam said that one should search for selfidentity by asking: “Who am I?” In meditation one should ask this question and with gradual evolution find calmness and peace.

The question really means, what is the source or origin of ego? To find the answers you need to be free of attitude. Give up the bhavana that you are the body related to name, profession, region, language and other such acquired identities. There is no need to have an attitude about your real nature. It exists as it always has. It is

real. Some ask that does not the enquiry “who am I?’’ turn out, in the end, to be an empty question?

Self-enquiry is not done in vain. It is more than the repetition of a mantra. If the enquiry were a mere mental exercise, it would not be of much value. The very purpose of self-enquiry is to focus the entire mind at its source. It is not one eye searching for another eye. Neither is self-enquiry an empty formula, for it involves an intense activity of the entire mind to keep it steadily poised in pure self-awareness. Until one realises that state of pure being, the enquiry should continue. By gradual evolution in this state, it is possible for one to get permanently established in the state of selfawareness. The state of self-awareness is termed as sat-chit-anand or total bliss.

Be what you are. Lose your ego. You cannot run away from yourself. Maharishi said, reject all other thoughts and persist with the enquiry “who am I?” As per Maharishi’s formula, if you keep raising the enquiry “who am I?” many thought waves will get to disappear with the enquiry.

Self-enquiry leads to knowledge of Self. One is aware of the Self even though the Self is not objectified. When you say you do not know the Self, it means absence of related knowledge because we are so accustomed to relative knowledge that we always look for same. Because of this the goal of Self- realisation appears to be distant.

Feel yourself dismantling the false i that is ego and establish yourself in the real i and the answer to the query of “Who am I?” becomes evident. To gauge progress on the journey of Self-realisation see the degree of absence of thoughts. Self-realisation itself

does not admit to progress. The obstacles are thoughts. Progress is measured by the degree of removal of these obstacles.

With self-enquiry you go to the source of these thoughts and this enquiry removes that source of thought. This process will remove all doubts and finally peace will prevail. This way we will be able to say that Self-realisation is that which is peace. All that we need to do is to keep quiet.

Peace is our real nature. By realising the Self you can easily call yourself divine. Ahambrahmnsmi or “I am Brahmn” can be felt in word and spirit. Those who realise the Self are called saints. The journey is not difficult; it is achievable. Just meditate on the question: “Who am I?” and you will eventually find the answer.

Courtesy: The Speaking Tree/ Times of India

Reading and Writing for Good Health and Longevity

By Dr I C Gupta

An American organization named “Ever Care” conducted a survey of 100 persons aged above 100 yrs., about their life style and experiences. It concluded that these persons read everyday newspapers, books and magazines. They also remain in touch with the latest events and developments in the world. This was one of the most important aspects which kept them free of unnecessary tension in the old age. The no. of such persons presently 80,000, is likely to exceed 5 lakh, by 2040.

Reading for 10 minutes decreases depression by 2/3. It also provides a lot of pleasure. It induces creativity and leads to positive thinking. It increases imagination and argument power and also ability to understand new subjects. In fact books are best friends of a man which provide company when he is lonely. Loneliness tends to increase blood pressure. Reading books also help to achieve goal. The great scientist Verner Higenberg was very fond of reading. Adverse poverty forced him to start his career as security guard in a school at age of 19. One day he happened to read a book “Thimeses written by famous philosopher Plato.” The book contained some information about principle related with atom, in ancient time. This created a spark in his mind and his history. It enabled him to achieve his goal and win a Nobel Prize in physics. The great persons like Hitler never went to bed without reading some book.

Likewise, writing is also a Therapy which completely changes mind set. Writing is just like ‘Dhyan’ which provide stability to mind and reduces depression. It changes thinking ability, reduces blood pressure, make heart healthy and develop resistance against several disease. Writing is just like worship which through devoted writer gets an opportunity to have Holy Darshan of god. Large no. of person can read you through your writing. Writing blog strengthens your contact with many people. By writing blogs you can share with others, your activities, interest and important happenings. This increases the no. of friends; enlarges your circle, apart from so many inherent benefits of writing. Munshi Premchand, the great writer, never went to sleep without writing some pages. Reading and writing are in fact very good exercise of mind and body which keeps you healthy and make you perfect by taking care of depression, most of the diseases including those of heart are controlled automatically. Above all these are the secrets of Longevity.

The author is the Secretary of Indian Society of Salinity Research Scientists and Chief Editor of its official organ “ Current Agriculture “ in Jodhpur.

courtesy: Scratchmysoul.com

Learn to give

A street child’s spontaneous gesture teaches Mohini Jaisinghani a thing or two about the act of charity

PHILANTHROPY is a word often used for effect by business czars and socialites. From boardrooms to kitty parties, conversations are liberally sprinkled with it. But my best lesson in ‘philanthropy’ arrived disguised in the simplest of forms — a little street child down the road.

One day, driving down the Chirag Dilli BRT corridor, I was waiting for the signal to turn green, when a little child selling bright red dahlias walked up to me. His dazzling smile intact, he prompted me to buy some flowers. I gently refused, but he wouldn’t budge. Finally, I told him I didn’t need them and drove into a lane nearby. He followed me through into it and as I parked there to get some snacks packed, waiting for the parcel to arrive, there he came again, this time, a friend in tow!

Softened by their warm smiles, I cheerily took out my phone camera and clicked a picture of them together and showed it to them. They seemed happy. And then, instinctively, he started plucking a beautiful dahlia from one of his flower bunches to give to me … just like that! No negotiations, no bargaining, nothing! I insisted and told him not to do it since he could sell it to someone else but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He handed me the flower and walked off. The flower remained there in my car for a good 3-4 days as a sweet memory.

I would have probably forgotten about this incident had I not bumped into the same kid again a few days later, this time selling a bunch of red roses. He recognised me, smiled and came running to sell me the flowers at least this time. Now, like every regular on the BRT stretch used to insistent hawkers at every traffic junction, I have also learnt the art of saying no to things I don’t need. That day too, after the initial request to buy and the ensuing happy chatter, he promptly took out a bunch of roses and gave them to me, with no expectations whatsoever and no guarantees if I would ever land up buying from him in the future. He gave a gift of love… simply, beautifully, merrily!

It set me thinking and I realised that giving has nothing to do with what or how much we have. It is surely not a matter of possessing money or material things. It’s about the willingness to share whatever we have with an open heart. We don’t need millions to be generous. We could have nothing and yet be the epitome of generosity, just the way this child was! If we don’t have the money, we could just lend a helping hand. We could give people our time, a patient hearing or just affectionate care. If we have nothing at all, we could just give them a smile that makes their day. As Kahlil Gibran soulfully wrote, “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

Courtesy: STOI / Life

Living with Totality

By OSHO

One morning in a garden, a strange event happened. There were small grass flowers that had grown, well protected by the protruding stones of a stone wall. Sheltered by the wall, those flowers never knew storms nor the light of the sun. They were living a sheltered life, not knowing the rains, nor the stars that twinkled in the night, but they were very safe, there was no danger for them.

One of the grass flowers lost his head and one day peeped out. He saw a roseflower rising upwards towards the sky. A desire arose in that grass flower, "Can I not be a roseflower? Cannot I rise upwards?" In the night he prayed to God to make him a roseflower. God told him that he should not be mad, that he was so well-protected, that the roseflower blossoms in the morning and withers in the evening and falls, whereas when he blossoms he lives on for weeks on end, he does not wither easily.

The grass flower replied, "That I understood. We stay blossoming because we don't really blossom in the first place. And the grass flower is not so juicy from the very beginning, so we don't wither away easily. No, I want to blossom like a roseflower, I want to have velvety petals like the roseflower. I do not want to live under the shadow of this stone wall, I want to rise up in the open sky -- even for a moment, but I want to rise."

The grass flower was adamant. The neighboring grass flowers also tried to persuade it, saying, "Have you gone mad? Such a thing has never been done in our family and tradition. This is an old custom, we just live here, buried in the stones. Even our forefathers never thought of going out in the open sky, nor did their forefathers. It is not written in our scriptures. What madness! It seems you have gone crazy! You are spoiled by the company of others. Remain within your limits. It is dangerous to step out of this place. You will die. Don't you see how much trouble roseflowers have to endure? The day before there was a storm and all the roseflowers were lying flat on the ground. One day when it was raining, all the rose petals were found weeping. If there are high-speed winds, the rosebush gets shaken to its very roots. We remain safe and happy.

The grass flower, however, did not agree. It said, "No, even for a day, but I want to be a roseflower." And when one does not agree, what can God do? God can do something only when one agrees. If you don't agree, he is helpless. So in the morning the grass flower became the roseflower. Soon the sun rose, the clouds gathered in the sky, and a strong wind began to blow. All those grass flowers began to shout at the new roseflower from below: "Oh you crazy flower! Now you will die! For a moment's happiness you lost your permanent comfort. Just for a moment, just to be a roseflower, you gave up your safety!"

Soon after, thundering rains came with very strong winds. The thin stems of the roseflower started moving this way and that, and the rose petals began to fall. Even the leaves fell off. After some time the roots of the rosebush, wet and weak, became uprooted and it fell over. While it was dying, a grass flower bent down and said, "You fool! Now have you come to your senses or not? For the sake of a moment's experience under the sky, how much didn't you suffer!"

The dying roseflower replied, "Friends, what I have known during these few moments, I never knew during a long life under the shadow of the stones. Rising for a moment towards the sky, struggling against the storm... maybe for a moment, but to stand facing the sun under an open sky! That struggle with the storm with my delicate branches! A few moments of blossoming -- but really blossoming! The joy I experienced, the juice I felt -- I am full of gratitude to God! And shame on you that you will never know what life is and what it means to struggle and live during a storm! You will live behind your safety wall and die there. Your life is unlived."