Emotions..! ;)

April 2nd 2011,


World cup finals-India v/s SriLanka and India wins!! (yayiiee!) 
My li'l brother tired and exhausted of all the shouting and dancing sits next to me, watching the players rejoice and celebrate! The commentators were going gung-ho about the "tough" players getting all emotional and crying. While the SriLankan players were shown smiling, hiding their disappointment and shaking hands with Indian players. On seeing this, my brother turns to me and says, "Funny na? we won and these people are crying and they lost and they are smiling!"
Which got me wondering, it IS weird! I mean, the ones who lost must be crying, not the ones who won! 


Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary.  ~Mark Twain


Emotions are soo spontaneous, and bring about soo many changes, many which go unnoticed and quite a few which make a huge difference! We have in us over 60 emotions, and never even realize before spending them! 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emotions


We have progressed soo much in every field...yet, there are soo many things which still remain a mystery...
Perhaps, that is why some questions are better when left unanswered...that's the beauty of human mind! :)


Regards,
Rithika

EDUCATION--> not mere degree, a way of living! :)

I always found personal response questions funny! Our English paper, every time has minimum 3 of such questions. Hmph. I never realized the logic of evaluating a person, and giving marks for his/her own opinion! Are you trying to encourage him to open up and express? Well, then imagine his plight when he would he receive the lowest marks for doing it. What an encouragement! :\

One of the topic for essay was--> "Role of educated women in development of the country."

"Okay, now WHAT DO I WRITE? what would fetch me a minimum 5.5 out of 10 for essay?" I tried, I thought..I racked my brains! Attractive proverbs? Couldn't remember any! (Damn it!)

Now what? I hardly had any time left..and still didn't have even the rough format prepared. I deleted few words from the title, focussed on "educated women" and "role in development."
And then, began my essay:

http://www.vri-online.org.uk/apk/index.php

According to the 2011 census, India's population is about 1.2 billion, while the sex ratio is 914 females against 1000 males, considered the lowest since independence (pehle ladkilog ko toh bachao!).. Still, Indian government makes efforts to improve women literacy in India Why? To increase the literacy rate! "Literacy" is a key-factor and indicator of a country's socio-economic progress. Now, if figures rise, India's position as a developing nation also rises (and, we also would feel a sense of satisfaction seeing an increase in rates!) 

What does education really mean? Z for zebra? teaching how many apples I would have if out of 10, 3 apples are taken away? knowing the names of Indian states? their geography, topography? history? No! The exams that we give are infact, mere milestones we cross, as we grow. And, finally end up getting a Bachelors or maybe, even a Phd. in a particular field. And always, we judge people their intelligence with THESE degrees! Elders never ask us, "How many NGOs have you joined, beta?" :P

Even, people who count census do the same! (For calculating "rates!")

Let's face it then, the government is doing its part and bringing about a statistical rise, but what about quality?

If the quality is not proper, how will a country with such a gigantic population ever "progress"?

I had once read definition of education in one of the websites as "the act or process imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for a mature life." (Huff! big na? :P)

And I agree with it! 

You call yourself educated and still agree to pay a bribe just for getting things done quickly than others? You say you were a topper of your class and still believe that girls are not meant to work after marriage and can't compete with men just 'coz they can't afford to tear shirts in public! What, are u in search of Sal-woman?! (btw, I HAVE had that argument hence, am writing!)  You drive a 97 lakh worth BMW and spit at every other signal, and call yourself educated? You don't vote during elections and go out off the country thinking that "mere vote se kya hoga?" You get molested in a crowd yet keep quiet thinking " faltu ka court ka chakkar kaun katega?" (Who will take the trouble of running to a court?) You get discriminated on the basis of color/ religion/ language and still feel "Ab jhagda kaun karne jayega!" (Let it be, who wants to fight now!)


Doesn't your conscience never ever stop you from doing it? Because it is WRONG! Have you ever realized that, it might be those Gandhiji lessons, value education classes, environmental education talking! These are always "student-friendly and scoring" subjects! But in reality, they are actually the ones which teach us lessons, for life! What we don't realize is that, as we grow, we learn, a lot more than we are taught!  And, somehow as we grow, we remember the mischief we did in those lectures, but forget the values that were taught or in other words, we prefer sticking to those things which are more convenient and benefit us! We were taught to "face" problems, not adjust and flow with it!
These are just a few examples. And in each case reflects our complacency, we get adjusted to the environment very fast! Mumbai, is one such city, has faced everything from bomb blasts to floods and yet bounced back to normalcy each time. But for how long? We know that we don't deserve to die just because few jerks wanted to "display their valor"! They CANNOT decide our faith! Every morning we leave home, and most of the time we aren't even sure WHEN we will be back, forget HOW! 


We don't expect a dandi march all over again! But we can atleast ensure that we aren't destitute of our fundamental rights, any time! We can atleast ensure that our lives, lives about 1.2 billion are not tossed to-and-fro by handful of people sitting on those chairs! 
The main idea for educating people is so that, they can have a brain which functions and thinks on its own, and decides what is right and wrong....if u don't hve thoughts of ur own...ur degree is sheer waste of time, money and a tree! You are supposed to be doing what YOU feel is right! Break open those chains, open up your thoughts, don't let your brain get washed away by some moron! NO NO! You weren't taught to do that! Speak, shout and do!! People will listen, they will HAVE TO! 

I realize one thing, today...India will never progress...not if if the citizens, rather the youth keep running away from their homework everytime! 


P.S.: If my blog post doesn't fuel the fire, try watching A WEDNESDAY and RANG DE BASANTI! I'm sure films have their own way of advising! ;) 
Until next time, take care and do good! 


Regards,

Rithika

The day I died...

(P.S: The names and the story mentioned are fictional.The most cruel thing to ever happen to a girl...in this case, a girl named Seema..)

It was a wonderful morning! Exams were over...and vacations had begun...She felt soo relaxed, happy and a kind of joy that can't be expressed! After the "morning-routine",she sat on the sofa watching Tom & Jerry, her all time favorite show! :)

Just then, Rashmi called her...

"Seeeemmmmmaaaaa....arre bahar aa....hide-n-seek khelte hai!" (Seema, come out..we will play hide and seek.)

But, she wanted to watch T.V.!! Nevertheless, knowing she could never win an argument with Rashmi, she switched off the T.V. and went out...

And, the day was indeed beautiful...a day she wished would never end...She wanted to live this day, this moment forever!

Soon, the game started...Each one was trying to find a place where they couldn't be found easily...Seema hid in the long, thin lane that was at quite a distance from her building, along with Rashmi...And after a while, they heard footsteps coming towards them..They both couldn't stop giggling, however!

Rashmi said, "Arre baba hasa mat warna pakde jaayenge paagal ladki!" (Don't make me laugh or else we'll be caught crazy girl!)

To which, she giggled even more! The noises of footsteps

became more clear...and they realized it was shoes not some chappal...There was a sudden anxiety, fear building up within them...They began to sweat...They knew we were in some kind of danger and couldn't do anything as there wasn't a soul around....They raised their heads to see who it was...

Three men, tall, bulky were standing in front of them...giving a devil grin to each other....

"Right-waali ko utha", said one of them.

And suddenly Seema realized, it was her, he was talking about! And, before she could do anything she already being swayed in the air, and carried by one of the men...She could see Rashmi behind, running, yelling, pleading them to leave her..One of the men, hit her on the head and immediately she fell down unconscious...

Seema soon realized that she was being carried to the "Old man's house", a

garage which was no longer used and were all kids were forbidden to go...On opening the door, she saw two more men in front of her and heard one of them saying, "Aaj toh mazza aayega!" (Today will be fun!)

The guy who was carrying her, threw her on the floor...Her elbow scraped a bit...while she was wiping the blood that was oozing out, she was, all of a sudden, pushed behind with a jerk...after that what happened, still appears blurred to her...

All that she remembers now are her shouts, her plea...She remembers feeling the rough hands over her body and not liking it a bit...She remembers the pain, the blood...She remembers my clothes being ripped apart and their laughter, which still echoes in her ears...She remembers...BEING RAPED!!!

She was just 10 years old and was feasted by 5 beasts..

For? their 30 mins of pleasure...??

And the irony is that, the day she wished to live....forever....was the day she died...

Seema is just one of the many girls, who have become a victim of rape...after which they are forced into illegal and immoral activities such as prostitution, sex trade and many more...

Next time, you look at a prostitute and comment, "Oh! Look that is a prostitute..how low do people stoop to earn money!"

Just zip your mouth...'coz you don't even know the real reason for the life they chose...And if you want to know...

Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV5W6F4L5i8&feature=related

And decide for yourself...

It is when Man turns into an animal, that humanity loses its glory...Women are not MERE SEX OBJECTS...we have life..we have emotions...we are NOT brought into this world to "satisfy" someone...we cannot be "sold" for someone's personal pleasure...

And, this is where a struggle begins....a struggle of every girl in the world, to protect her dignity, honour and self-respect from human cannibals...every minute, every second...

Being a girl-2

(continued)

9th std., where we were being polished and gearing up for the next "important" year of our life..Glimpses of friends getting into "first-relationships." By now, even started developing a certain manner of talking and interacting, especially with friends of the opposite gender. It wasn't the usual "jumping hyper" response that were given out! It became more subtle. Being taught how to cook for the first time, lessons given by mum on how to behave when guests come at home. Dealing with problems on monthly basis.! These were changes that took place over a period of time, yet went unnoticed. After completing of 10th, whenever there were talks on what career to choose, I would always be advised on choosing something, that would be flexible so that I could adjust with new priorities, in future. Those priorities, whose name was also yet unknown. Sometimes, I wonder...will that "priority" also be getting similar advice or instead, would be encouraged on doing what he likes to do!

Forwarding a li'l more, the first time I travelled alone by public transport, the first day of junior college. Usually, there used to always be someone accompanying, but the day I first time took a train, I still remember, my dad's 45 mins advise on "HOW TO TRAVEL IN MUMBAI"...and that too for a mere 10mins journey!! Right from how to buy a ticket, to taking care of the belongings, I was told everything...and the conversation went on till I reached the college safe!!

But, the lesson wasn't over yet! I had just learnt how to buy a ticket, board and get down the train...the main lesson was yet to come! Over the days, I learnt about staying alert as to the kind of people around me, ignoring crooks who sat on the platform and whistled, turn away when any man looks at you, carrying chilli powder and pen-knife, just in case!

I also recollect the first time, we girl-friends went out....out of our locality, alone, for the first time! Convincing parents, interrogation about who and all are coming, giving contact details of ALL the girls in the group...huff!! And finally, after getting a "yes" calling up and asking "Mummy ne haa bola...accha tu kya pehenrahi hai?" (Mummy told yes, what are you wearing anyways!) :P ;) :D

Such incidents happen only once in life! I call them "First-time experiences!".

No, it isn't that parents don't care where we go after we have grown but the hidden anxiety and care all those calls were filled with, which were irritating then, I somehow miss them now!!

I end here, for now...but before that all you girls reading this, I hope you've realized how special you were and are, maybe not for your boyfriends, but definitely for that Dad, who stayed up at night and changed your diapers when your mum was tired and asleep, who listened to all your annoying poems, who carried you every evening, home, when you stretched your hands up! You are special for that Mom, who sees her reflection in you and plays the role of a ''hidden lover"....who's ultimate goal in life is to get you married off to a guy and see you settled in life! :)

You must know, you are special...you deserve to be!

P.S: I apologize to the guys, that they do not have much to read...but then too...I hope there was something you liked! :)

Till then, have fun!

Regards,

Rithika

Being a girl-1

It was one of those days in class, when the teacher was taking rounds to see how many students had brought their notebooks. (God alone knows, what struck him that day, to do so!) For the boys, it was a whack and for the girls, it was just a "don't do it again look". I was one amongst, the girls who did not have their book! And, just as we heard, the boy behind us shouting "Ouch!", one of my friends whispered-"Aren't we lucky to be a girl? Soo many advantages naa? for example this one!" The teacher was anyways on a "whacking session", so I let my mind wander off, and started wondering how is it actually to be a girl...!!

I rewind to the time of my birth, my dad would have been the most happiest person on planet earth! He wanted a girl, and there I was smiling, with huge eyes!! My dad till date, becomes emotional when he speaks about it, and believe me...you feel extremely happy that atleast someone is happy that you were born! As far as mum was concerned, I was her "doll" apparently! She used to love dressing me up...! I guess, this "make up-ing" habit, is hereditary in girls! (We usually, dont prefer to be the one, "making-up" though!)

I don't remember too much about my childhood...But I guess, all the above holds true for most the girls, no matter how old they grow, aint it?

Okay, fast forwarding a li'l more, I remember the first time I got a doll..though I wasn't too fond of pinky-toys, I had just one doll (not Barbie, for sure!) and a soft toy...which were my favorite...I din't need anything else....!!

Later, came the kitchen set...

And then few years later...something which still holds on to me...

I vividly remember those days...When I was about 7-9 years old...the "dupatta" that we used to wear, with salwaar-kameez became one of my most preferred and favorite "toy". I used to love wrapping it around me, sometimes like a saree, used to love it when it used to fly in the air (just like Bollywood films!!). I used to love it even more when it used to fall over my face, and then gently glide down...!!! :)

Then we entered secondary section. We had grown up...atleast from what we were...started using a PEN for the first time!! I know, it sounds silly, but I still remember the first day of 5th std., when used a blue gel pen for the first time...and it leaked...spoiling the entire FIRST PAGE of my new notebook!:(

6 and 7th std. too passed by and I don't even remember much of it.

8th std. bought about many changes....Physical, emotional and biological...First crush...Friendship with seniors...Partcipation in more events, than before! Formation of "girl gangs"....Getting to know people, who I did not know even existed! Birthday party's venue changed from home to McDonalds...!!!

First vibes of "As a grown-up girl, you should/should not..."

Those days, I never understood why...but later on....things changed!! even more than I expected and wanted 'em too...

(to be continued)