ODD- EVEN formula in schools post-lockdown phase

Wow! What an ideal situation it would be!

Fifty percent of total strength a day in classroom with this new odd-even formula in schools would be like, dream come true. From both a parent and teacher’s perspective, the smaller the class size, the more significant benefits are for individualized- attention and support, result in greater accountability and involvement in the classroom as well as an enhanced learning experience.

During teacher training sessions conducted by CBSE, the instructors always focus on creating a  friendly atmosphere in classroom ignoring the pragmatic situation of 40 children sitting there in one class. Hope, the new schooling system will bring new approaches in teaching-learning process.

Both teachers and parents always desire this type of atmosphere in school where teacher- student ratio is rational and personal attention could be paid to a child. Researches show that students in smaller classes have higher grades and perform better.

During this lockdown, the need of a new kind of learning-from-home for school students was experienced but we also know that everything can’t be learnt from home. In-person interactions between teachers and students and- among students themselves- are vital for comprehension, developing soft skills and inculcating social maturity.

There would be so many positive effects with this 1:20 teacher and students ratio. It’s difficult for students to hide and get left behind. Teachers will have more opportunities to observe and assess the class as whole. Each child will be noticed. Each student will be encouraged to participate in activities. Learning will be enhanced. It will provide the opportunity to customize instructions and guidance, and students get their mentor’s undivided attention. Even shy students have the chance to embrace their ideas and share them with their peers. They are more likely to be confident and comfortable in responding to a question during a lesson. It will lead to more one-on-one attention from teacher. With fewer students the top student and the bottom student aren’t quite so far apart. Working on each student will surely abridge the gap of learning. Classroom with fewer students discipline is needed far less often.

The new schooling system needs to be different from what we had before COVID-19. This will give us insight and tools to better serve our students.

Pic credit - Google images

Definition of Patriotism has changed

What a great change has come in the definition of Patriotism (especially for Indians). Using Patanjali products, eating Parle G, driving Maruti are no more taboos of being poor Indian but a new definition of being TRUE INDIAN. People boasting of foreign trips, using imported products will be looked down upon whereas people using Indian products will be called PATRIOTIC, Economy Warriors..

Now, Patriotism is not taking bullets only at your chest any more but staying home and using Made in India products. People using local products will not feel ashamed any more, in contrast, it is their time to feel proud of playing an important part in improving Indian economy and can reiterate with pride to those who boast of using imported products.

I believe Indian products must be given a chance. When given opportunity, Jio became the need of today’s youth. Its connectivity to play games, videos, attending online classes and business meetings has overpowered other companies. When ‘Yoga’ was taken to international platform, it created magic. Ancient Ayurvedic medicine is growing fast in comparison of allopathic industry.

  

People may argue that habits cannot be changed overnight but the habit of using Indian FMCG products can bring a huge change in markets. This sector is so vast that even a small habit can bring a huge change. In his address to nation, desperation of PM Narendra Modi to make India ‘Aatmnirbhar’ could be noticed. He urged all Indians to use made in India products and take them global. He stated these so many branded products were once local only but they became global when their own people trusted and used them.

So what If we could not participate in Struggle for Independence Of India and become a martyr like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev. Now it’s our turn to become a true Indian and make this ‘Atmanirbhar Movement’ a success.

#BeVocalforLocal

#Atmanirbharmovement

THINKING BIG- Does this really work?

Is there really a power in ‘THINKING BIG’?

David J. Schwartz quotes -

‘When you believe you can do it, the how-to-do-it will follow’!

SRK also said in a movie  ‘Agar Kisi cheez ko dil se chaho…. to poori kainaat aapko usse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai’ (If you desire something from the heart…then the whole universe will work towards getting you that)

So, I too started ‘THINKING BIG’ of scoring 98% marks in UP Board in my high school 1992 during exams. Ha…Ha…Ha… (Why am I laughing ?...because I did not read between the lines David’s famous quote-

“Hope is a start. But hope needs action to win victories’.

I laugh whenever I think about those childish things I did. I wrote 98% on few pages and pasted on all four walls of my study room so that I could concentrate on my goal. When my siblings saw it they could not help laughing for which I felt offended at that time but now when we all sit together we laugh at all those childish acts we did at that age. So, without beating around the bush, I come back to my goal of obtaining 98% marks in 1992 in UP Board High School Exam (one of the toughest boards at that time and that too in science stream, when mugged up syllabus of 9^th class used to be tested again in the last month of 10^th class)

To my surprise, I got 1^st position with 64% marks(as I had only hoped but knew inside somewhere that I had not worked that hard) which was no doubt far less what I had thought of (read as not prepared for). However, all family members were happy as only 14.7% of total students had passed that year due to implementation of Nakal Adhyadesh (Ordinance on Anti-Copying) by the then U.P. Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and I was one of those fortunate ones to clear the exam. I was also happy and contented.

In Intermediate, I again started ‘THINKING BIG’ of becoming a doctor. Again battle started against one’s intellect, fulfilling parents’ expectations, one’s potential, capabilities and real interests. The entire scuffle in mind again lost the battle of achieving high goal and found a new goal to become a food–nutritionist after completing graduation. But I found that cooking and calculating nutritional value was not my cup of tea.

After graduation, again time came to prove one’s worth and again ‘THINKING BIG’ emerged in mind and high goal of becoming a lady army officer was set but soon this wish ended in borrowing and wearing a friend’s uniform and looking myself in mirror(obviously could not clear SSB even after three attempts). But I did not lose heart as it was told during SSB interview that Amitabh Bachchan was also not able to clear that exam.

Amitabh Bachchan has also stated “Of course there are emotions, dissatisfactions and disappointments but you have to move ahead with life. Fortunately, I was destined for something else.”

Keeping these words in mind, never-die-spirit surged once more and this time I thought of becoming a successful business woman but landed up as a high school teacher after completing Bachelor in Education. And once more the idea of ‘THINKING BIG’ provoked my mind and I thought of being promoted in the same job and envisaged myself working as a Post Graduate Teacher in a senior secondary school. I don’t know where that never-die-spirit of ‘THINKING BIG’ comes from but it is nonetheless with me till date whereas I am still working as a high school teacher in a private school.

Sometimes, I try to convince myself that my dreams were mere castles in the air and I might not have put my unfeigned efforts into my aspiration or “meri shiddat mein kahin kami reh gayi hogi”.  At the age of 40+, ‘THINKING BIG’ has given birth to fear of failure and brought me at the verge of contentment that ‘whatever happens, happens for good’. At the same time I feel this contentment brings stagnation and boredom to life. It takes away one’s energy and feels like dragging life till death. It slays adventurous spirit and the person struggles to be happy to hide his disappointment.

If I see my journey so far, I realize that in pursuit of different goals, my never-die-spirit taught me many lessons and kept my life breathing. What I have learnt is that ‘Thinking Big’ is a way of life that never ends.

“Zindagi zindadili ka naam hai, Murdadil kya khaak jiya karte hain.”

(Life is meant to be lively, what the hell do the dead hearts live.)

 Once again it is whispering me to set a high goal. Doesn’t matter, I succeed or fall but it makes me feel ‘I AM ALIVE’ and gives strength to keep me going. I am clear in my mind that killing time and waiting for my death is not my way of life. I have always believed in Rajesh Khanna’s dialogue-

“Babu Moshaay, Zindagi Badi honi chahiye, Lambi nahi!”

So, I will keep on “THINKING BIG” because for me, it is not only an Art of Life, but also a Part of My Life.

 

 This really works.

FOUND SOLACE IN SOLITUDE

FOUND SOLACE IN SOLITUDE

I first heard of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the beginning of March and did not take it seriously. My friend told me about it while rubbing her hands with sanitizer which I had mistaken as her obsession for cleanliness. At that time, I took it frivolously like any other virus that it would not affect Indians as we are burly enough to scare these kinds of viruses.

But I realized the gravity of situation when CBSE board postponed the exams till further notice and an unprecedented lockdown was imposed. Panic and fear surrounded everywhere. Our PM Narendra Modi urged the citizens to stay home and stay safe.

At the outset, I felt joyful for unexpected holidays to stay home amidst the hectic schedule of working late nights preparing report cards, CBSE board exam duties, and answer sheets evaluation etc. I felt in high spirits for not rushing to school at 7.00 in the morning, not wearing make-up, not gulping my breakfast, no guests and no travelling. It was completely ‘Me’ time when I was able to spend quality time with my son, play with him, and teach him which I really miss during my working days. It was like comfort and solace prevailed over. This was the time when I thought of practicing yoga (although it is a part of my daily routine but I perform it in haste) and meditation. I had read experiences of spiritual leaders and was curious to take a dive into it.

Unaware of its powerful impact, I started putting meditation into practice in an open space. First day, I sat facing east to sun and closed my eyes. It was the impeccable and absolute sun-rising time. As soon as, I closed my eyes, cool red sun’s image reflected into my eyes and settled there for 10 seconds. Gradually, the light of sun disseminated at full blast and turned into plasma or I will correlate it with mercury. As mercury keeps on undulating and does not embrace any shape on the plain surface, the same was with this substance. I endeavored to give it an elegant shape of my own preference but it rejected to take any form. After this, some bubbles started popping up. This all practice took about 10 minutes and I withdrew and got up.

Second day, I did not start off by staring at sun. First, I did Surya Namaskara, Pranayam, Kapalabhati and Bhramari Yoga. While doing the last one, I once more saw the alike transparent, watery substance flowing into my brain which I call mercury. It was like scattering different types of substances like oil, water on the floor and trying mixing it by blowing air , they touch each other’s circumference but do not get mixed. It happened for several minutes and then it started obtaining colours especially sea green colour. These drops were moving into the shapes of an amoeba and transmitting different colours. First it turned into green, then grey and then golden, again green, grey and golden. Finally it completely turned  golden and spread all over my body. I felt that I was deep inside it up to my neck and was able to see the trees and blue sky even with my closed eyes. Deep into golden, now blue sky came all over my head. I kept on seeing this for several minutes. I felt overwhelmed and smiled. It was an experience like being in heaven.

Since then, I have never missed my practice even for a single day because I don’t want to miss my those ecstatic moments at the break of the day. I had no idea that I would rediscover my inner being in this time of lockdown. We all know, this time will not remain the same. The vaccine for COVID-19 will be discovered soon but the change it has brought to my attitude towards myself and change in my life-style is definitely going to stay for long.

Pic credit - Google images

Poem - On Aurobindo Ghosh 'The Great'

Sri Aurobindo Ghosh ‘ The Great’

      

            The greatest poet ever remembered on the earth,

Your poems were worship worth.

You made your pen your weapon,

Without you it would not have happened.

Being the one who wrote India’s fate,

He is Aurobindo Ghosh the Great.

       

            You wanted to make world of your dream,

In the darkness you were the beam.

Like the sun you shone bright,

You fought for Indian people’s fight.

Being the one who wrote India’s fate,

He is Aurobindo Ghosh the Great.

      

        Secularism and materialism were at its peak,

Transcendental reality you emphasized to seek.

Liberation of human race was your goal,

You were the Indian literature’s soul.

Being the one who wrote India’s fate,

He is Aurobindo Ghosh the Great.

        A critic of capitalism and socialism,

There was no parallel to your idea of patriotism.

You remained luminous till the end of your life,

And your principles of education will remain alive.

Being the one who wrote India’s fate,

He is Aurobindo Ghosh the Great.

Kitchen -My Best Friend from a distinctive view

Kitchen --- My Best Friend

Being a girl I have spent most of the time of my existence in kitchen. Everyone expected me to be an ordinary, unpretentious homemaker. But being a Sagittarian by birth I never perceived to be a good cook. I used to cook to the degree that is vital for subsistence functioning.

After my elder sister’s wedding, responsibility to look after my asthmatic mother, grandmother and my father fell on my shoulders. That was the time when I started employing most of my time in kitchen. First of all, I tried to be skilled at new dishes to sway on others’ heart as there is a saying that you can acquire somebody’s affection by offering scrumptious food but I didn’t find myself apt for the job. Then I thought to take advantage of my time. Just to kill time, I started doing post-graduation in English. It was really a hard-hitting job to stand these peculiar books written in idiosyncratic language especially for a girl who had completed her studies from Hindi medium school. Still I began to take glance at these unusual works of fiction while cooking. Sporadically it produced curiosity and this curiosity transformed into inclination of analysis.

While working in kitchen I started analysing things even in the kitchen like  I noticed that Gas burner frowns on turning its nostril, stares angrily at utensils kept on it( as a boss throws his fierce look at a short tenure promoted employee)  and starts flaming with anger.

Green vegetables like a father of the family, laugh and find solace by satisfying others' appetite. Red chilli never forgives anybody and always ready to take its revenge. Coriander enhances the flavour of dishes as some people bring colours to others’ lives.

Utensils conspire against housewife by gathering again and again in the sink and housewife gets ready with her weapons of bar and scrubber for the battle. After being bereaved at the battle from the housewife, Utensils settle down unconcerned, unresponsive and indifferent.

This observation helped me first of all in improving my English and lately in becoming an English Trainer. Most of my readings have been done at the time of boiling milk. Even my interest in writing poems also developed at that time. Even right now, lines you are reading, have also cropped up during my kitchen time when I am making preparation for Aalu ka Paranthas.

Today all my family members are proud of me for being perfect in studies but that perfection has furthermore led me to love my kitchen and has transformed me into an admirable cook also. So I regard my kitchen my incomparable, distinctive and unique  friend which helped me in devouring each bit of my time in valuable approach for being constructive for my family as well as the society.

Pic credit – Google images