Welcome Me, Adulthood

Welcome Me, Adulthood

Welcome me, Adulthood, I have venturedthrough childhood with all the wonders and dangers in it.
I have placed my childhood fantasies aside,and picked up hopes of becoming who I want to be.
Embrace me knowledge, I am ready to know more and add to what I know already.I have conquered my fear of the night,now I only fear of becoming nothing.I have stopped pretending to be what I thought I was going to be,and realized that I am only what I make of myself.
I have come down from the land of make-believe,and I have found the strength to believe in me.So when I come upon you, open your arms,and welcome me, Adulthood,for I am headed your way.

by Christina Cooper

The city of Joy

I was in school when I read Dominique Lapierre's The City of Joy.Life not having unravelled its many experiences as a girl in her teens I did not fully understand why Dominique Lapierre referred to Kolkata-a dirty, sweaty , ocean of humanity as a city of 'joy'? I had spent some childhood years in Pondicherry and was least fascinated by Kolkata.

As I grew up and entered into the threshold of Presidency College I got the first taste of freedom. My parental control was slightly relaxed. I loved my college days in Presidency. I began to discover a new love for Kolkata- College Street was filled with excitement- the smell of old books, the addas at Coffeee House and the best of places was ofcourse our own Presidency College Canteen.College Street happened to be the 'raison d'être' for the city of joy. Those who existed beyond the peripheries of Presidency and College Street were hardly considered to be a part of the city of joy.
In the transition from College to University half the charm of the city of Joy was lost - we moved to the Ballygunge Campus of Calcutta University.The Best of my friends had left for other universities or for Civil Service. Without Presidency and without my best friend life was not the same.
Soon I fell in love- real love not infatuation. I again discovered the city of joy- this time it was Gariahat ( our meeting points), Esplanade, Park Street. I rediscovered the city of joy.The city of joy gave us space, shielded us from prying eyes and weaved our dreams. I was happy , I was a new 'me'?
In two years I completed my post graduation, got married and entered into a life which for a time was confusing, less amusing and seemed to be so very suffocatingly serious. I learnt to accept reality, I learnt the values of compassion, humility, acceptability and the realization that I am the builder of my life- I have the choice to be either happy and adjusting or miserable. I was growing up in the true sense of the word. But what happened to the city of joy- it had become a city of day to struggle, apprehensions with very few surprises.
Then on the 11th of May, 2001 came my little bundle of joy- my son Aurodeep. The City of Joy had given an everlasting , eternal source of Joy. I rediscovered all the happiness of life when my baby smiled at me.
When my baby was about a year old I decided it was time to put into use all my education, it was time to go out and do what I always dreamt of since a child- I wanted to be a teacher. I again began a life of struggle - the crucial balancing of career and home . I had all the support of a wonderful family . But the city of joy was kind of disappearing. I heard stories from friends and relatives of the how happy life was if one went out of the city.How I wished we could move to another city for a change.
That is how we came to Hyderabad. I was excited about starting a new chapter in life. We were happy with new jobs and a new life.
But even in times happiness I was trying to understand what was missing. Every joy was incomplete, for days I would wander why was there this sense of loss even amidst so much happiness and comfort. I began to look for this in Tagore's songs- it was like magic, I was back to the city of joy. When out in the streets my ears would strain to catch a few words in Bengali while my eyes would try catching a glimpse of arms wearing the red and white bangles. Kolkata , Kolkata why do you pull me back? Why do you entice me with your magical charm? Realisation- what was it about? The City of Joy had always existed- the rush, the dirt , the traffic, the 'miccheels' , the acceptability, the tolerance made up the city. The joy is not without but within.Kolkata embraces and shelters all.Now when I attend workshops and training programmes I always come across a homesick Calcuttan whose ultimate wish is to go back . Every moment of one's existence outside the city brings a longing for its missing warmth, its cultural richness, its intellect and enlightenment.
My love for the city has matured with age, its a different level of longing. I too am a Calcuttan waiting to go back to my city of dreams, to my city of love.

CHILDREN OF GOD

On the 8Th of February we left for Pondicherry- 22 children and three teachers.This trip was part of a programme called 'Domains of Development' .

We had all types of kids with us- the studious types, the inquirers , thinkers and kinaesthically energetic ones and not to forget the Samurais from Korea.They were kids whose ages ranged from 11 to 13 years. I had strange feelings- anxiety and anticipation.

We boarded the Hyderabad- Chennai train in the evening.And the journey began. Little did I know that I was about to enter into a new chapter of my life as a teacher.

The journey was a hilarious one with kids crying one moment and smiling when the train sped leaving their anxious parents far behind.The girls excitedly hurdled together in a couple of berths.The boys quickly stuffing themselves with deliciously unhealthy food like chips and coke. The Korean Samurai exclaiming that they were hungry and demanded dinner right away(it was around 5 p.m).

I remember Min hopping from one berth to the other with aged co-passengers keeping their fingers crossed.Oh! not to forget the anxious Indian mother who actually feared that her two little kids might be killed by the Korean children- failing to understand that these giant like children are actually babies and innocent like one-year old.The funniest of all incidents was Yahiya turning in school uniform, asking every second where we were and then hopping on to the upper berth and constantly making his presence felt by dropping a variety of things from eatables to shoes. Joon , another Korean glopping his entire Korean food before Min could lay hands on it.

This is how we began our journey- heart filled with joy and anticipation.It was indeed one of the most beautiful trips I ever went on. Packed with rich educational experiences the children became aware of sustainable living, environmental concerns and responsibilities of global citizenship.I too learnt that education was a life long unending process.

But what did the trip do to improve me at a personal front? My children taught me that each of them were tiny diamonds waiting to be polished.I understood the meaning of love, empathy. Their laughter lightened my spirits. Yahiya taught me patience and tolerance and always doing things with a smile. I still remeber that little conversation I had with him - on our way back Yahiya came and sat next to me and asked if I could guess how much pocket money he had spent on the trip. I replied, 'some 3000' maybe. "No", he said," I had only 500 with me and spent 200 . Mom had advised me not to waste money so that she could give it to me for a second trip." I was speechless this child has the vision of a great man.
During our trip to the ravines we had to cross deep gorges in the canyon. I am terribly scared of depth or height.There my dear little Samurai warriors came to my rescue, they helped me cross and waited patiently for me till they were absolutely convinced I was safe. There was a time when I could not go to a certain point at all , Hoon and Seyeong actually brought back a piece of a 100 year old fossil for me saying "It is for you teachaar." Once while we were all rushing down to the dinning area for activities in the guest house, Jin Sil actually waited for me till I locked the door, it was dark and the floor was deserted. Look at the love filled heart that she has.All the other girls- Archana, Suchita, Ifra, Jyotsna were wonderful and filled the 7 odd days with fun and laughter. Charitha was perhaps the funniest of all , she would keep dropping things from her hand , but she always had that beautiful smile that she would helpless give whenever disaster struck- my heart would melt. Priyanka taught me how even silence speaks.Swetha was another happy soul. She had barely joined school a couple of day's back and it was as if I had known her for ages.The boys were fun too- Rohan and Anish the eternal inquirers, the mister 'whys'.Rahul our official photographer moving with camera. Ravikaanth with is ultra round eyes adding humour and Shim busy eating every type of food with his special Korean sauce.
I'll treasure these memories for the rest of my life.

Truth

Before dying falsehood rises in full swing.Still people understand only the lesson of catastrophe.Will it have to come before they open their eyes to the truth?

So I ask an effort from all so that it has not to be.It is only the Truth that can save us; truth in words, truth in will, truth in feelings.It is a choice between serving the Truth or being destroyed.

- The Mother

Harmony

The Mother says...

Surely we must always want peace and harmony and work for it as much as we can - but for that the best field of action is always within ourselves.Look for the inner causes of disharmony much more than the outer ones. It is the inside which governs the outside.

For all to agree, each one must rise to the summit of his consciousness: it is on the heights that harmony is created.

Beyond all preferences and limitations, there is a ground of mutual understanding where all can meet and find their harmony: it is the aspiration for a divine consciousness.

Internationalism

'Internationalism ' is a popular concept in today's world. It is a perfect saleable commodity in the educational world. In the business world it is globalization. And the saddest part is that we Indians belief that 'internationalism' is a borrowed philosophy from the west.

Let us sit back and think... Who taught us about it ? What is its actual meaning?
Internationalism is the attempt of the human mind to break free from the national identity in the larger interest of mankind.What inspires this is the idea of humanity as a single race and with a single goal.

Why does man break free from the narrow feelings of nationalism? It is because nationalism ties him down and binds him with prejudice, narrow mindedness , oppression and arrogance.

There is a definite difference between patriotism and narrow nationalism. A true patriot is a one who loves his own nation and at the same time respects the feelings of nationalism of others. To him 'love for the nation' is an universal value that he cherishes and never violates.

However, the patterns of human life today are more in favour of INTERNATIONALISM as the threads of communication are drawing humanity closer together. Science and knowledge are perhaps the two strongest reasons for the world closing in as one community.

Coming to the question as to who taught us about internationalism?
Swami Vivekananda in his Chicago Address spoke about internationalism:
"Sisters and Brothers of America, It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. l thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration.I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. ...."

The very first line tells about the principle of universal brotherhood, love and tolerance. Yet Swamiji's patriotism and devotion to the motherland has been one of the strongest in human history.

Patriotism is complementary to internationalism.They are not diametrically opposed to each other. Who teaches brings out feelings of love in a newborn? Is it not the mother?

Yes like Swamiji we are all proud to belong to a nation that has taught the world love and tolerance.And at this moment of grave danger when terrorism is rocking the world and more so our nation, we shall proudly claim to the world that we still belief in the ideals of Swamiji and we will never cease to do so. It is only then that we can fight fanaticism and violence. Let us not boil in the wrath of vengeance , let us not take lessons in violence, let us not generalize. Let us not ask the Indian Musalman to again and again prove his patriotism. We must remember that people who breed violence have no religion at all.

But how do we achieve all this? How do we show a ray of hope to the victims of fanaticism?

It is by believing in the goodness of humanity. It is by identifying ourselves as part of a greater community- a world community where every nation shares the burdens of another, where every nations transmits its knowledge to the other.

This world community cannot be alone built on economic well -being or socio-cultural influences. It has to be built on the foundations of a universal religion of man that worships the human spirit and promotes human dignity.
Whose responsibility is it to build this religion?

'It is mine and mine alone.'

'The little wise man who taught me magic''

The other day I attended a lecture session - 'rediscovering the self' and the question that bothered me the most was- 'self' .Do I know who this 'self' really is. I have multiple identities and my 'self' is lost for ever. Tired after the day's work I slumped
down on my couch wanting to rediscover myself-my eyes fell on Paulo Coelho's 'Brida' ... I wanted to lose myself in the world of books.

''I want to learn about magic, '' said the girl...'' so that I can find answers to some of the questions I have regarding life, ...''.

Life, Coelho says is a journey and on her journey Brida meets a wise man who teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world.Brida's eternal search is for her soulmate, her search for love never ceases.

What is this strange feeling called 'love'? Who was my 'wise man'? Who taught me what the true meaning of love?

My little wise man is my little baby boy- Aurodeep. He taught me that love is unconditional and life is a beautiful journey that has no destination for it is love that keeps it going. He is my little bundle of joy.

He has taught me that self in isolation has little meaning or can bring little happiness. The 'Self' does not get lost in our day to day life- you can rediscover it if you can make your surroundings a perpetual source of joy. Finding happiness in everything we do adds meaning to life.

There are times when I simply sit back and watch my baby... there is so much I learn from him that even books fail to teach... deriving happiness from the simplest of things, his love for his grandparents...his wisdom. I remember the other day when he scolded me for having been angry with Granma... '' Mammam so what if she wants to sit all by herself, you must understand that Thammi ( granny)is growing old...you must understand.'' That's my wise man of 7.

A few months back his grandparents left for Kolkata. My wise man was in tears... '' my family is like a delicious chocolate cake and now two pieces have gone away...''

This little bundle of joy has taught me the values of family life... the lessons of coexistence. I have begun to see life though his eyes and I have learnt that in making little sacrifices we don't lose our 'self''... after all love is giving or sharing the most precious thing that one has.

My wise man , my magician is always by my side... I don't have to set out on a journey. When I am happy and see his smiling face my happiness knows no bound... when in sadness I hold him close to my heart ... his touch itself is magic.