There is nothing you can’t get in India. There is nothing you don’t have in India. These are the very words that struck my mind for the past few days when I meet so many interesting people in India it self. Interesting people who are buried away in unknown places stuck due to fate or due to sheer bond to the place they call home.
People who are exposed are exposed to various experiences and lessons of life. Lessons that can not be taught in school, lessons taught in school or universities and lessons that take hours to understand. This blog is about a few such people I happened to come across in my life! Short experiences, but beautiful because I had a chance to see much more in them than just appearances or qualifications.
First a boatman who took people on boat rides around a small back waters in the southern side of India. A place not many know, a place where many birds enjoy the warmth of summer in and a place many ‘biology experts’ enjoy a study in. A man who did not see the steps of a school because of family troubles and aged hair rattled away terms. Terms to do with specific sciences, words that many students from ‘elite schools’ spend great amounts of energy learning rattled of his lips with ease. His knowledge about the birds, his home and workspace was more than mind blowing. It has been nearly more than a year since I met that old man and I do not know if he still survives, but so much I know. The impression he left on me was unbelievable. A mark in my mind that today when I see old men with sun roasted skin and dirty clothes there is no disgust. The smell of toddy or any other drinks added to it does not press any fear in my heart. A fear and disgust that once existed, today has turned to respect. Respect for an individual who works so hard and drinks to forget troubles in his life, what troubles I can’t say. Despite that the respect I hold for that man reflects in my heart today.
The second is again set quiet close to home. The woman who works at my home, I won’t say my servant for the word would not justify her role. When I first met her, my only connection was a large smile as I open the door. Latter this changed drastically as I learned of her life. A woman who has get let her two daughters married and still face all the demands of her first one. Her life is about working hard, honest and with a smile. No is a word she does not speak every day as she works hard every single day. A woman who’s values and life has taught her never to say no to any one. Despite the pain, despite the constant pressure like many women in a place where drinking is something all men do she keeps her smile on her face. Her jovial approach to starving and pain: the one I personally love is the one comment about keeping offering for god. “He starves me almost every day so I starve him in return except for Thursday. Let him know what it is to suffer as well.”
Behind her smile is a pain that life inflicted upon. She may not know much about ‘education’ but there is so much to learn from her. How to smile and think positively, something many of us are forgetting. A life we lead may be filled with pressure and anger that can get waved away in a few smiles.
The third person I would like to mention is non-other than my self. All my life I was dubbed the filature, the idiot and someone not worthy. That was till I had made a paper presentation a few years ago. More than the presentation it was the reaction I got when I came back. A neighbor (who I deeply respected) had become a new grandmother. Holding a few month old baby she told the words that still ring in my ears. “When you grow up you would become like her.”
Her – something pointed towards me. At that moment my heart and mind was filled with something I never had before. Self-respect, that moment I knew. Education is not everything; any one can get a degree in their hand. Any one can get great marks by answering questions. Any one can develop programs or write accounts. Any one can tally accounts, but not many can do what I can. Think outside the box and find solutions. Solutions and ideas I am proud of – for I too can become some one.
The last person is a doctor who happed to cross my life. His words really turned around my life. Any one can study and become a doctor but they can become a good doctor only they have a passion for it. The art of healing should be socked in their blood. Its’ not about ‘brilliance’ it is about interest. The first time I made a decision – I would rather be a leader than a follower. Leaders cut their own paths not follow others. I can cut my own path. A path that would make me what I am destined to be. We have so much hope...I don't see why we look up to others.
Arya
People who are exposed are exposed to various experiences and lessons of life. Lessons that can not be taught in school, lessons taught in school or universities and lessons that take hours to understand. This blog is about a few such people I happened to come across in my life! Short experiences, but beautiful because I had a chance to see much more in them than just appearances or qualifications.
First a boatman who took people on boat rides around a small back waters in the southern side of India. A place not many know, a place where many birds enjoy the warmth of summer in and a place many ‘biology experts’ enjoy a study in. A man who did not see the steps of a school because of family troubles and aged hair rattled away terms. Terms to do with specific sciences, words that many students from ‘elite schools’ spend great amounts of energy learning rattled of his lips with ease. His knowledge about the birds, his home and workspace was more than mind blowing. It has been nearly more than a year since I met that old man and I do not know if he still survives, but so much I know. The impression he left on me was unbelievable. A mark in my mind that today when I see old men with sun roasted skin and dirty clothes there is no disgust. The smell of toddy or any other drinks added to it does not press any fear in my heart. A fear and disgust that once existed, today has turned to respect. Respect for an individual who works so hard and drinks to forget troubles in his life, what troubles I can’t say. Despite that the respect I hold for that man reflects in my heart today.
The second is again set quiet close to home. The woman who works at my home, I won’t say my servant for the word would not justify her role. When I first met her, my only connection was a large smile as I open the door. Latter this changed drastically as I learned of her life. A woman who has get let her two daughters married and still face all the demands of her first one. Her life is about working hard, honest and with a smile. No is a word she does not speak every day as she works hard every single day. A woman who’s values and life has taught her never to say no to any one. Despite the pain, despite the constant pressure like many women in a place where drinking is something all men do she keeps her smile on her face. Her jovial approach to starving and pain: the one I personally love is the one comment about keeping offering for god. “He starves me almost every day so I starve him in return except for Thursday. Let him know what it is to suffer as well.”
Behind her smile is a pain that life inflicted upon. She may not know much about ‘education’ but there is so much to learn from her. How to smile and think positively, something many of us are forgetting. A life we lead may be filled with pressure and anger that can get waved away in a few smiles.
The third person I would like to mention is non-other than my self. All my life I was dubbed the filature, the idiot and someone not worthy. That was till I had made a paper presentation a few years ago. More than the presentation it was the reaction I got when I came back. A neighbor (who I deeply respected) had become a new grandmother. Holding a few month old baby she told the words that still ring in my ears. “When you grow up you would become like her.”
Her – something pointed towards me. At that moment my heart and mind was filled with something I never had before. Self-respect, that moment I knew. Education is not everything; any one can get a degree in their hand. Any one can get great marks by answering questions. Any one can develop programs or write accounts. Any one can tally accounts, but not many can do what I can. Think outside the box and find solutions. Solutions and ideas I am proud of – for I too can become some one.
The last person is a doctor who happed to cross my life. His words really turned around my life. Any one can study and become a doctor but they can become a good doctor only they have a passion for it. The art of healing should be socked in their blood. Its’ not about ‘brilliance’ it is about interest. The first time I made a decision – I would rather be a leader than a follower. Leaders cut their own paths not follow others. I can cut my own path. A path that would make me what I am destined to be. We have so much hope...I don't see why we look up to others.
Arya
P.S: Contacting me is possible in arya.arumugam@gmail.com
1 comment:
Way to go Arya :) Like you said, creative work is truly different - its not something you can learn by heart or easily through hardwork! You just have to have it in you! Keep posting!
Post a Comment