A Wonderful Choice!

Some people have complained, that posts are too much philosophy, too li’l significance in reality, etc. I don’t intend to mend my ways, sorry folks! But ya- this is a bit different. I came across a personal biography kind of article by one Sushil Shintre, an IIT-B alumni, in our campus magazine n it touched my soul!

A civil engineering graduate in 2010, he is a part of Teach For India. It’s an organisation working for the education of the children in unprivileged sections of this vast country. He gets a not-so-bad pay and has a two year commitment. He gets two typical responses- ‘Are you insane?’ or ‘What a sacrifice!’. About the first, he says- just out of college, going with d herd n getting placed wasn’t so much suited 2 him, n he thought about smthng tat attracted his heart-education. So, he took d chance 2 experience. Besides he does hv all time afterwards 2 get in2 a ‘normal’ job, so it wasn’t tat big a risk And on d topic ofit being a sacrifice- salary, though nt comparable 2 IIT standards, is a notch higher tat wat fresh graduates get here. And in his own words ‘I get the most innocent and genuine colleagues to work with – the kids!.... I am going to have 60 children whose lives I may have helped change for good and who would, irrespective of what becomes of them, remember a certain Sushil Bhaiyya that taught them while in school. I would say it’s hardly a sacrifice’

Inspiring as his decision was, it makes us realize that we can always contribute to the cause of humanity in big or small ways, through our efforts. Besides, in his own words ‘it helps us to be able to find those moments that make us happy.’

P.S. You can read the entire article in Sushil on page 5 of the e-paper at http://www.iitb.ac.in/Magazine/JanuaryFebruaryMarchApril2011.pdf  n i’m sure you’ll love it.

Relationships- A Convenience?!

The other day, one of the comments of Raghu (owner of the hugely popular MTV show Roadies) caught my attention- People generally make relationships for convenience. When there is no need, there exists no relationship. I opine that though he generalized it too much, but he was also right in so many ways… Wasn’t he?

Let’s take the case of making friends when we go to a new place-college, work place or may be a short stay at a place. Honestly thinking about why we do make friends., the thoughts that run in our mind are- we have 2 adjust here, may b friends will help us later on, assist in achieving our objectives, or just plain survive. Or may b he/she is higher in stature in social terms, academics or charms and the influence will do us good. How often do we make friends just for the sake of it? This is not an accusation- just plain introspection…

Even when it is romantic love, if a girl is asked- why do u need a boyfriend, why do u love him, the answer is more often than not- I feel cared for, secure about my life n not lonely. A guy’s reply includes, she’s beautiful, she loves me, is my comfort zone and even “this is the age of having a date, all my friends have a girlfriend”. Do we not catch a hint of selfishness, of convenience enhancing measure and expectations? Why can’t one just say- I love him/her just for what she is. No demands, no expectations.

The gist is- no one’s gonna come n accuse us for what we do with our lie, whom we chose to get close to n what relations we maintain. But why not look beyond our convenience, n touch people’s lives just freely, without any motives, what so ever. N then take it as it comes. I’m sure it can b much more fun exploring it tat way!

Solitude- the Great Reveller

How often have u looked towards the heaven and admired the beauty of nature?! The other day, while chatting to one of my pals sitting on their terrace, he commented that he hasn’t seen the sunrise since a few months now. N for a moment I reflected on it- when did I see a perfect sunrise last, in fact when did anyone of us did so! Lost in the din n bustle of our hectic schedule, we rarely have time for such luxury as solitude!
             Many-a-times, when we go out with family or friends to places known for aesthetic  value, we are surprised and pleased by the view- amazed by so much that nature has to offer as gifts. But at the same time we’ve a perception that in order to see such beauty, we need to make an effort- go somewhere, create a window in our time schedule. Agreed, studies, extra-curriculars and (most importantly) plain laziness cramp our time and not all find d idea of blankly staring at the sky, so appealing. But there will b many of us who may have never thought of this-

             Get up in the morning n go look at d sunrise! Look at d clouds n the vista of colours in their wake! Get to d terrace at mid night, when most of us sit in front of d idiot box (or may b the screen, nowadays) and watch d pattern in d sky- d twinkling objects that have never failed to fascinate mankind. And while doing so, reflect on incidents that mattered to u n those that didn’t, people who touched ur life in some way- small but subtle, dreams of urs- serious or childish n how u can or cud hav made the come true. Or just let ur mind roam freely, whichever direction it may take n go along with it, as a spectator not a participant.  I bet, anyone who does this is gonna love every bit of it.

              The best idea of fun is with friends, n I perfectly agree to it. But simultaneously, I believe a personal time-out with nothing but us is also a must in our daily lifestyle. With no one but the person n his solitude all around, away from the world n looking at it from a distance (metaphorically) with just one’s own eyes n perspective- that’s is so important too! N when I do enjoy it, its really so refreshing, makes me see new things niot otherwise visible, explore new avenues and live in more than one way. Now, does not sound exciting enough?!