Celebrating Maa Brahmacharini - the second form of the Goddesses of Navratri

 

Sheela loved her job. It was more of a passion for her. To be able to visualize designs and then get them on paper effortlessly was her USP. Every time the company took in new clients, her Manager would make sure she was in the team meetings and would always encourage her to complete the task well in advance. She loved the energy, the constant push and the look of triumph on her Manager’s face when she completed something.

She had been at this place for three years now and was the office felt like home.

However, there was something nagging her at the back of her mind; something that worried her too, but something that she could not pin point. Until, one day, when her friend mentioned something, supposedly in jest. The friend were all chilling in the office balcony (or smoke area) and they started talking about a project and promptly Sheel’s friend Jasmin said “oh yeh, we can rest, Shella will get the work done”, to which Nikhil replied “and yeh, Saurabh will take full credit.”

That’s absolutely truth thought Sheela. In the three years in the company, Sheela has excelled form day one and yet no acknowledgment or accolades ever came her way. Yes, she always got an applause at the end of the project; but always in the confines of the Manager’s cabin and with no one but the two of them. This would do, thought Sheela. It was time to get her dues.

She walked up to the Manager’s cabin and asked him point blank, “why do I always get underappreciated and overlooked in public?”

What!! Asked the Manager.

Well, said Sheela; “ive worked her for three years and in all this time, ive seen many of my peers grow financially and in post as well. While I have been stuck at the entry level while my work has been passed and used without the need for any correction. If that is not proof of my calibre; then what is?”

Her Manager was taken aback; never before had he seen Sheela so upfront or demanding. She has been meek all along, which is why he could take credit for her work. He had gotten used this this; how would he give it up! Nope, he was not ready to let go of the easy life just yet.

Well, said the Manager; “im sure we can work something out Sheela. Its not that you have not got your dues. We all appreciate you and truly believe that you are the heart of this team. Without you, we are mere designers; with you we are the thriving team in this company.”

Sheela was not satisfied and she knew she had to do something before she was made the laughing stock of the company.

The next project required minute detailing and only Sheela could do such delicate designing. She put her heart and soul into it and completed it much before time as was her style. However, this time, she added a design element that could be spotted easily but not fixed without her help.

At the next project meet, everyone was ready as usual. Sheela’s Manager too was at the head of the table with the client while the rest of the team including Sheela stood at the far end of the room around the table. The presentation began and the Manager started presenting. Somewhere towards the third-last slide; the client yelled ‘STOP’. He asked to go back and slide and then after peering at the screen for a few seconds stood up and asked, ‘who did this?’.

There was pin drop silence in the room. No one answered. The Manager looked around in confusion, till Sheela stepped forward and said “I did.”

“And, who are you?” asked the client.

“I am Sheela, a team member.”

‘How did you know and why did you put up that design?’ asked the client.

“I’ve been following your company since you booked us for your campaigns. I studied your company and understood its ethos and I know what this little logo means to you and hence decided to implement it in the design.”

“Well done,” said the client. You truly know your work and your client as well.

“I’ve actually included this in all the previous designs as well, well hidden from sight but visible to only those who understand it.” So, saying, Sheela opened up her laptop and ran through all the previous projects and pinpointed the logo element in each.

“You, are brilliant and if you can give such focus on something so minute but so integral to a company’s visibility; you are a genius. We would like to have you lead our team”.

Sheela’s Manager was stuck. He had never noticed the deign nor ever given much thought to the client. He simply did not know what to say.

Sheela smiled and as she shook the Client’s hands, she looked at her Manager and said, “Sir, its all in the detailing and that comes from being observant. Observant of not just what the client vocally says, but also what he unintentionally let’s slip in her discussions. I paid attention and understood how important that logo was for him and his company’s conversation with the world. I just drew his emotions onto paper.”

With this Sheela truly slayed the Maa Brahmacharini trait of penance and devotion and achieved her much due success and fame through hard work.

 

Celebrating Maa Shailputri- the first form of the Goddesses of Navratri

 

This is the story of a young woman – Maya, who believed in living a life of dignity and grace. She did all things right and never indulged in arguments, confrontations, conflicts or disagreements. She hated displeasing any one or hurting anyone. She lived her life by the Gandhian philosophy of live and let live and if someone slapped you on one cheek, you showed the other.

All this changed one night. She was on her way back home from work. Tired from an entire day of meetings and deadlines, all she wanted to do was get a seat on the crowded train back home. The train arrived and as practice, she jumped into the train before it came to halt and also managed to get a seat.

 Sighing, she slumped into her seat and then as the station rolled by, she shut her eyes and relaxed. Soon, she was fast asleep and oblivious to the world passing by. A little while later, she heard a commotion and woke up with a start.

Sitting up straight, she looked around to figure out what was happening. She saw a group of young teen boys surrounding a girl in the adjacent compartment. The girl looked uncomfortable and on the verge of tears. The boys seemed to be having fun teasing her. Maya watched the interaction between the boys and the girl.

Slowly she realised that the boys seemed to be harassing the girl. The girl seemed to be in distress and the compartment she was in was almost deserted, but for a few men sitting at the far side of the compartment

Maya looked around. All the other women too were sitting up and watching the commotion. Likewise in the compartment that the girl was in, the few men seated on the far side too were taking note of the alteration, but no one seemed to be wanting to take any action.

The boys seemed to have gained courage from this lack of action or interference by anyone and now were gently nudging and pushing the girl. The terrified girl, with tears in her eyes looked around for help. As she tried to make eye contact with the women, she finally locked eyes with Maya. She seemed to beseech Maya for help.

Maya looked around once more and realized that no one wanted to do anything. Maya felt torn between wanting to help the girl and minding her own business. She looked at the girl once again and this time the girl’s eye pleaded for help. Maya had enough and stood up. She walked up to the partition between the two compartments and shouted at the boys to stop. The boys froze, but as soon as they realized that Maya was on the other side of the partition, they jeered at her and started mocking the girl and Maya.

Maya now could not take it any more and much to her surprise as well as those of the boys and the men & women watching her; she climbed on the seat and jumped over the railing of the partition into the next compartment. The boys were stunned and did not know how to react.

Seeing Maya jump over to their compartment, the men seated there also stood up and walked up to the boys.

The terrified girl rushed to Maya and hid behind her, all the while holding onto Maya for dear life. The men gathered around the boys and started heckling them and pushed them off at the next platform. Thankfully a few Railway Police Officers were stationed at the platform and took the boys into custody.

All those in the compartments started clapping for Maya, who held the girl in her arms. The girl folded her palms and thanked Maya and called her ‘Devi’ for saving her.

Did Maya feel like a Devi; or was she simply a girl looking out for herself and those in need.

To the girl, Maya seemed like Maa Shailputri; full of Strength, Courage and Composure.

Truly Maya was one of the forms of the Divine Goddess.  

 

 

What is trauma?

 

Trauma is defined as “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.” It sounds rather sad; right! Yes, its sad and for someone who recently went through it; it’s a very fresh and raw experience.

What’s the experience, you ask? Well, it was friendship day!!

What!! You may exclaim. How can friendship day be traumatic!!!

Then, let me explain.

All my life (till I was 35) my mom was my best friend. I never had to look out towards anyone else; because she was there with me. She was my guide, my mentor, my critic, my buddy, my all. 

If I had to share juicy details about a crush, she lent me her ear and we would giggle like school girls. If I had to sort out a dilemma, she sat with me and heard me out; never once judging or commenting. If I was emotionally railed up about something; she would hold my hand and comfort me. If I needed sometime to chill; she joined me and we chilled together.

Often, friends would tell me that my mom was the coolest. They too would come hang with us.

So, when 9 years back, my mom met her maker – I was bereft. My one and only friend had been taken away from me. I sought other friends; but no one got me like she did. No one laughed at my jokes like she did, nor did anyone understand my sorrow when I shut myself within myself.

Over the past nine years, I’ve made peace with myself. I make friends, but don’t form a bond. I connect with people, but don’t make a connection. I am available to them at all times, but I refrain from seeking help. I am my best friend and my best friend is me.

Now, you probably understand why friendship was traumatic for me? All those posts declaring undying friendship, unwavering connections and ever lasting bonds. I am happy for you; but I am cynical. 

In a world where opinions and impressions change with changing tides and seasons; how can we proclaim such affiliations? Don’t misunderstand me. I wish you and your fraternity well and pray for it to strengthen over the years.

But for now; I beg to be excused and allowed to wallow at my loss.

Yes, this is trauma….. for me!! 

Bedtime Stories with VJ - Dhwani kept her cool

Dhwani is in a new school and realizes that she has missed her school bus. She is all alone in a new campus without a friend or a phone to call her mother. What does she do? Does she panic or keep her cool? Stay tuned to find out...... Listen to this true story on Bedtime Stories on ArdhyaAkshar by VJ

#school #smartchild #presenceofmind #resilience #smart #intelligent #vandanajoshil

Appu gets a new family

 

Appu looked up started. Who was that? Had Teju come back or was it someone else? As Appu smelt the wind with his trunk, he saw Teju and sat up. However, Teju was not alone. With him was a man. A huge man like the ones who killed his herd. Why had Teju brought a man with him?

Appu got agitated and started trumpeting loudly. He swayed from side to side, flapping his ears and stomping his front leg.

“Hush, hush dear Appu”, said Teju. “Don’t worry, we are not here to harm you. This is my father and we want to help you.”

Appu could not understand and was angry, hurt and upset. He was angry at Teju for bringing a man to the hideout. He was hurt because he thought he could trust Teju and he was upset because he did not feel safe anymore.

Teju realized that Appu was confused, so he slowly went up to Appu and stroked his head like before. Teju kept talking in a soft voice, while his dad stood in the distance. Teju kept stroking Appu’s head and trunk and talking softly. After a few mins, his father too stepped forward and he started humming in a low voice. Appu listed intently. He liked the soothing humming and slowly he started swaying his head to the sound of Teju’s father’s song. Soon Teju and his father were both next to Appu with their arms around him.

Appu now felt at ease. He trusted Teju and so he trusted this man too. The man had a sack with him from which he pulled out a bunch of bananas. Appu was thrilled. The man plucked two and gave it to Appu who gobbled it down in a jiffy. Soon the entire bunch was in Appu’s tummy and he was no longer hungry. He started playing with the man and Teju. He nudged their feet and then would run away when they tried to catch him. He was enjoying himself.

In the meantime, Teju and his dad were discussing how to help Appu. They could not keep him alone in the jungle, they could not take him home; what could they do? Teju’s father was a havildar in the forest office and he knew Appu was not safe by himself. What could they do? As the two sat discussing, they heard a jeep. Appu too heard the jeep and he ran up to Teju and hid behind him.

The jeep rolled up to the trio and stopped.  Out stepped a huge man with a kind face in a khaki uniform. “What’s happening here? Who is this?” asked the man. Teju’s father stood up straight and after saluting smartly said, ‘Sir this baby elephant was orphaned when the villagers shot the entire herd of elephants yesterday. My son found this little one all alone, frightened and hungry. He brought me here to show me the elephant. We have fed him bananas and are trying to figure out what do with him. I was going to call in the office and ask for your advice, Sir.”

The huge man was the Forest Officer and after hearing about the elephant shootings and had come to investigate. He had been told that all the elephants had been killed and he was pleasantly surprised to see little Appu. “Yes Dharmveer (that was Teju’s father’s name), we must save this little fellow”, said the Forest Officer.

He then stepped forward and stroked Appu’s head too. He seemed like a nice man and his touch was caring and warm. Appu like this man too. All humans were not bad after all.

The officer then pulled out a map and spread it on the bonnet of the jeep and started marking out areas in a red circle. Teju’s father took a walkie-talkie and started connecting with other Forest rangers in the area. After calling a number of people, Teju’s father seemed excited. “Sir, we have found another elephant herd on the far side of the forest,” said Teju’s father to the officer.

Teju and the two men seemed excited. Teju quickly came over and hugged Appu. Teju’s father too patted Appu’s head.

Then just as suddenly, the humans became serious.

“How will we get Appu to the far side of the forest?” asked Teju.

“Yes, that will be a challenge. But we must hurry because that elephant herd in on the move and we must reach them before they move from the current location. Also, we must introduce Appu to a new herd before he becomes too used to human presence,” said the Forest Officer.

The three then looked at him and then at the jeep and then looked at each other and smiled. They had an idea!!! Appu would have to get into the back of the jeep and they could then drive him to the other side of the forest. But how would they get him on?

Teju came up with an idea and quickly ran to get a broken piece of raft he had seen on his way to school. He brought that and inclined it onto the side on the jeep. Then he stood in front of Appu and showed him a banana. As expected Appu took it, then Teju climbed up the ramp and showed Appu another banana and Appu too climbed up the ramp and took it. Slowly and steadily Teju got Appu into the back of the jeep. Then Teju’s dad and the forest officer secured Appu to ensure that he did not bang himself when the jeep was on the road and with Teju sitting next to Appu in the back, all four set off towards the other side of the forest.

After travelling over roads that were sometimes mucky, sometimes dry and most often bumpy the jeep hurtled within sight of the other herd of elephants. All four on the jeep looked at the herd anxiously. The herd too put out their trunks to figure out who the intruders were.

Slowly Teju got Appu to get off the jeep via the ramp. The two stood watching the elephants. Appu was excited seeing other elephants, but was scared of them too. He did not know any of them. Teju, his father and the Forest officer were anxious too; they worried if the herd would accept Appu or not.

After watching the elephants for some time, Teju slowly hugged Appu and then said, “Its time you went to the herd. I hope they accept you and love you like your own family did. I don’t want to let you go, but I know you will be safer with your kind than with me.” So, saying, Teju slowly pushed Appu towards the herd. The elephants, seeing a baby elephant came forward and trumpeted.  Appu walked slowly towards them, and then picked up some speed and then when he was within a few feet he got scared. They looked so huge!!! A Mama elephant from the herd came forward and smelled Appu and then put her trunk around him and pulled him into the herd.

As Teju watched in wonder, he saw Appu being greeted by the other elephants and before long the entire herd started moving on. Teju stood watching in silence with tears running down his cheeks. He had gained a friend and lost him too within a day; but his friend had lost and found a family within a day. He was happy that Appu was finally safe. Teju hugged his father and silently waved good bye to Appu.

Appu walked a few meters and then turned around and trumpeted loudly, as if saying, “good by my human friend... good bye.”

This is the Story of a boy and an elephant.

 

Allthatswritten: Appu finds a friend

Allthatswritten: Appu finds a friend:   Appu stood watching and crying. What should he do? What could he do? Should he rush down and scare all the people away from his mom and ...

Appu finds a friend

 

Appu stood watching and crying. What should he do? What could he do?

Should he rush down and scare all the people away from his mom and his herd? Should he stay right there or should he sneak into the forest unnoticed?

As Appu stood watching the chaos far away, he suddenly heard a twig crack. He swiftly turned around and put out his trunk to smell the wind, just like his mummy had taught him. He smelt a human. He froze.

He trumpeted loudly and stomped his front leg. He was scared, but he knew that if he did not show that he was strong; then he too might be captured or worse killed like his mother. He stomped, trumpeted and flapped his ears. He still could not see any human, but he could smell the human.

Where was the human? Why was he not showing himself?

Appu heard another twig crackle on his right and he turned and he finally saw him. A Human!!! But this human was not as big as the others! Why, this human was shorter than Appu himself!!!

Appu was looking at a little boy, no taller than him, dressed in shorts and a shirt, looking intently at Appu. The boy put out his hand and spoke softly. Appu cocked his ears. He had never heard a human talk so softly. Usually, humans screamed or yelled and threw stones or crackers at the elephant heard. This human was different. He was not as huge as the others, he was not screaming or yelling and most importantly he was actually putting out a hand towards Appu.

Appu still did not move. He watched the boy intently. The boy then put his hand into a bag on his shoulder and took out a banana and held it out. Appu was surprised. Appu was hungry because he had not eaten anything since last evening; but could he trust this human?

The boy slowly took a step forward, then two more and then a few more, till he was standing right next to Appu. The boy still had the banana in his outstretched hands and he kept softly calling out to Appu.

Appu sniffed the air, then slowly put out his trunk to sniff the boy. The boy seemed harmless. Slowly Appu put his trunk on the boy’s hand; the hand smelled of bananas!!! Wow!!!

The boy stood still while Appu smelled him and touched him. Then slowly he stroked Appu’s trunk with the banana. Appu liked it. Appu felt ticklish too. Then Appu took the banana from the little boy and gobbled it up hungrily. The banana went in so fast that Appu could hardly taste it! He looked at the boy again and then with his trunk nudged the boy.

The boy smiled and put his hand back into his bag and brought out another banana. Appu was thrilled. He quickly snatched the banana and gobbled that one down too and once again nudged the boy. This time the boy started laughing and said, “you like bananas don’t you. But that was all I had!”

Appu could not understand what the boy was saying. So he gave the boy a slight push. This time the boy fell down and instead of crying, he started laughing even more loudly. The boy then put out his hand towards Appu and stroked it gently and said, “I don’t have any more bananas, but I can get you some. Let me go to school now and on my way back I shall get you some.” The boy then stood up and Appu nuzzled up to him. The boy held Appu’s trunk and said, “we are friends now. My name is Teja but everyone calls me Teju.. you can also call me Teju and I shall call you Appu.”.

Appu was shocked, how did this boy know my name!!!! But it did not matter, the boy looked kind and had even fed Appu and not thrown sticks or stones at him. He liked Teju.

Teju then started walking away and Appu got alarmed. Where was his friend going? Was he leaving him too? Appu started whimpering and with his trunk held on to Teju.

Teju realized what was happening. He stopped, hugged Appu and softly spoke to him again. “Appu you are my friend. I shall never leave you. I will always take care of you, but to do that I must go get you some food. Let me go now and I promise, I shall be back before long with food for you.” Saying this Teju gave Appu a long hug and slowly pushed him away.

Appu stood in tears as he watched his new friend walk away. Appu saw Teju turning time and again before he disappeared in the thick trees. 

Appu was scared. Should he stay here or follow Teju? Should he run into the forest and find shelter or should he blend into the thick trees till Teju came back? Appu was confused, but then decided to stay put. He hoped his friend would come back. He sat down and tucked his trunk between his front legs. Before long, Appu fell asleep.

Suddenly he heard a noise and he looked up. What did he see…….????    

 

To be continued……..