Micro-entrepreneurs

I was just reading about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in India. Suddenly my focus shifted to the rural India where people with their positive approach, proactive thinking and enterprise are just looking for the right kind of opportunity to improve their lives. I came across a story of a woman from an orthodox Muslim family, having six children and a husband without a job. Finally, with the help of microfinance institutions, she set up her own school bag making unit. She is now earning comfortably enough to feed her six children. With the microcredit, microfinance, various non farm sector schemes, the rural women have become micro-entrepreneurs. And then I read a about a rural business school in Maharashtra. Now the women can look forward to technical training and know how on how to start and go about their project. The efforts, the spirit and the burning desire to do something, to move ahead with fervour is all that matters.
How the old adage stands true….”where there is a will, there is a way”.

My little Miss World

I thought that I'll write about the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in this world. Any guesses..well that's my grandma. With her shiny emerald blue eyes and a porcelain complexion, she has always been my Miss World! I remember my friends would come to my place and always remark, yaar, your grandmom is too beautiful. Till today, she enchants me and everybody around her with her beautiful smile and lovely eyes. With her crisp voice and a leader like attitude, I always thought she would have made a great business woman. The confidence with which she speaks English is amazing and she's never ever had any formal training in the language! She's always had thousands of anecdotes that we would listen to with gleaming eyes and eager ears. Today, even with episodes of lapses of memory, with her one liners, she keeps us in splits. She has taught us so many things by simply being what she is. Her petite frame, her tiny little steps, her innocent face, her sweet talks and above all, her warmth makes her the sweetest kid of the home....We all love you grandma!!!

Dussehra

My mother asked me to come along with her to the Dussehra celebrations that had been organised in the adjacent sector. Dussehra always brought some old memories. As kids, we would go to Parade Ground in sector 17 and enjoy the fireworks. I remember watching the 'Jhankis' and can never forget the grand Ravana. He used to be a small time vendor in one of the city markets but on Vijay Dashmi, sitting on a horse, having a huge frame, he would mesmerise people, me being one of them. As we grew up, the charm of Dussehra gradually started declining. It was finally reduced to Dussehra shopping. Till the last couple of years, my sister and I would go and buy something auspicious for our home. The only constant that remained was my father bringing home jalebis. This time, I was literally forced by my mother saying that it'll be a good change from the routine. I agreed, can never say no to my mom. While walking towards the venue, I could see parents and their little kids moving hastily and excitedly towards the fireworks. I pointed towards them and said, Mama, see the parents and the kids, the parents have come because of their kids. She said, 'I am also with my kid'. I couldn't help but smile. I guess, no matter how much we grow, we shall always remain kids for our parents. So, finally we got a seat, amidst a pleasant crowd. The enthusiasm of kids was enchanting. The children were so elated to shake hands with Ravana. Meghnath was the most artistic, he managed to enthrall people by making a stern face and strange eyes. The little kid sitting right next to me, she must be around four, said, Didi, why does Ravana have such bad hair, doesn't he use a shampoo? Again, I could not help smiling, these kids of today, being brought up on plastic money. I guess, why does he ride a horse, where is his car, was coming next. Finally, the time came for Ravana dehan. People started standing on the chairs to catch a glimpse of the sight. There were fireworks and then the finale, effigies of Ravana, Meghdoot and Kumbhkaran, brought to ashes. An old lady, standing next to us, said, finally, its over. Ravana was a very learned man. My mother nodded her head in affirmative. Then, they both agreed in unison and said, yeah, he only made one mistake in his life. I could see the concern on their faces.
Time to leave, but people were not ready to leave the premises. The policemen on duty were not allowing the people to go near the burnt effigies but people stood their waiting. We enquired from one of the women waiting near the last ashes, as to what was this all about. She told us that it was good to take the burnt twigs home, its auspicious. Next question, what do you do with the twigs....she had no answer, said that she herself had heard this from someone. An old policeman overheard and said that maybe it is to ward off evil spirits, but then he himself jokingly added, what about the 'bhoot' that people already have in their homes?? again a question with no answer, I guess. That lady did manage, a burnt branch from the Ravana effigies, it was much more than a twig...Some people worshipped, were bowing their heads in front of the effigies and some touched the feet of the people who had played the part of Ram, Laxman and Hanuman. At the end of the day, it's all faith, I believe. When we reached home, my father was there with his favourite garama garam jalebis. Some constants thankfully never change!

The Phoenix

In the streets of struggle
he found a little shade
Resting in that warmth
he found some sunshine
Rising in that beauty
he found loads of joy
Dancing in that happiness
he wrote merry songs
Singing those songs
he found his tranquility
In that peace
he found the gem of life

Spectacular

Just a few hours from now, we get to witness a spectacular event, 2007's second total lunar eclipse. Unfortunately, this would not be visible in India. The blood moon eclipse is going to be quite a phenomena!!
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/lunar.html
http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/2007-08-28/

निशा

आधा चांद , भीनी चांदनी

तारों की हसीं दमक
निशा की सांवली चमक
हलकी सी रौशनी
गहरीं सी छाओं
गहरी चादर
अनसुनी सी आहट

डगमगाता अम्बर
चमकता सितारा
खूबसूरत नज़ारा

और
आधा चांद

Que Sera Sera

It was my uncle's retirement party today. I was thinking how does the word 'retire' feel. Everybody plans for the future, short term plans.....long term plans.....each one of us has a vision for his/her future.....the one scary thought that I usually have.....is will I be what I have promised myself to be?? As the clock ticks on......the reality strikes.....time is less and there is so much to do...
Okay....so you have planned this and that for yourself, you think a lot about it, charter a program for yourself, talk about it daily to your own very self, take a few steps in that direction...... and then suddenly a wave comes in, a wave of calmness, serenity......you tend to go with that, take some rest, your plans could wait for sometime, you think this tide may not be there tomorrow.......let me relish the moment...and then again.........lightening strikes, you get up from your sweet slumber, prepared to fight...prepared to win.......one little achievement in the direction of your dreams, one little accomplishment.....tells you that you are going the right way..........but again......time is less and there is so much to do and loads to learn..........in the words of Robert Frost 'The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep'
Talking of my Uncle's party, the satisfaction that I saw on his face, the family love that surrounded him, the entire ambience was teething with joy, contentment and the most important ingredient in life, love. When his son surprised him with a bouquet, he was so elated, his eyes were beeming with happiness, and I do not remember seeing him as happy as he was today.
I guess, fulfilling your dreams and aspirations, seeing your children act like as if they were your parents, your spouse standing by your side, saying adieu could be a wonderful feeling. This is what my uncle taught me today. All I can think, at this moment is.... zindagi rocks!