SHIFTING PARADIGMS THROUGH A PANDEMIC : PART 6 - 4 min read

Evolving Through Compassion

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” - Mother Teresa -

            All of us are looking for narratives; of how past catastrophic events have encouraged humans to act with remarkable compassion, courage and ingenuity. Can we foresee the same now; reverse the trend toward a meaner, lonelier, more polarized society?                 

  We are fortunate to be alive and breathing.  Interestingly, the threat of possibly needing a ventilator has sharpened our consciousness of the most advanced ventilator, our respiratory system. Late than never, we have accepted that we are experiencing a life-changing occurrence on a universal level. The only thing comparable in living history might be other pandemics like the Spanish flu and the world wars.

            We are wiser when we face the truth and progress practically but it's easy to retreat into denial or avoid accountability. The world has confronted and continues to do so with the Covid19 crisis with shutdowns unseen in living memory reminding us of some basic truths.

           As we watch the pandemic play out, we are compelled to adjust in trivial and monumental ways. However, we must also reflect on whether all should return to “normal” and think how our lives must alter, perhaps permanently.

    

        We live in a culture where we obsess on the “next” and “best”. While it has its positives, but constant up-gradation from methods of reorganising a closet, to the next best item to buy and general advancement at all times leads to low contentment. When someone offends us, or cease to fulfil our happiness, we walk away, looking for a better relationship. Our souls rarely settle, as our lives are planned, priced out, and seeking perfection. Sadly, we do not even notice the aching question behind our search for the next best thing. We desire fulfilment, rest, and joy that cannot be found in another person, place or project.

   

        The lockdown had reduced traffic and air pollution noticeably; lower attendance in offices and virtual ones at homes means spare commercial real estate that has freed up space for probable conversion into residences, educational institutes, clinics and playgrounds. Perhaps it is time to introspect whether construction of a shopping mall over a playground was a wise decision. Do we need more entertainment hubs to mushroom overnight by demolishing shelters and shanties?

         

   Colleges and universities today have expanded, turning accessible and affordable as distance learning is becoming commonplace. The on-campus college experience is transformed or eliminated; even if for the moment. Examinations requiring dozens, if not hundreds, of students to congregate are suspended and potentially discarded, as they discover possibilities online. An option of higher education for all from the remotest corners of the land looks promising.

   

        Circumstances have stimulated global acceleration of digitization; hence even if things return as before, voting by mail amongst many other activities may be one of the many new methods adopted, eliminating electoral expenses. Non-judgmental sick leave may become the norm where employers and coworkers will appreciate people staying home when they are ill. Universal health care, not just coverage will be a way forward. Telemedicine will hopefully be widespread as we concentrate on the expansion of local treatment centres and medical care facilities. Eradication of the virus is not the objective at this point. No one can wish the virus away; it won’t vanish - not before a successful vaccine is found. The goal is to slow it down and keep that curve level.

            Apart from individuals, we are directly responsible for like our household helps, chauffeur etc, we can find a family and send support. There are innumerous NGOs and Organizations who are doing it in a safe and structured manner. We may not be at ground zero currently but we can assist remotely. We can contact schools, maybe our own and pay someone's tuition fees, help someone restart a business or tweak it to something more doable. We can give the local vendor who has reopened his shop/business some extra amount when we buy his stuff. Leave the change for a taxi, auto-rickshaw etc. Pay someone's rent, or keep ration at a struggling family’s doorstep. Many organizations are assisting the needy. It could be difficult to entrust money to unknown sources but there are numerous connects who are involved with such activities and can be trusted.

           

        When we wish to create waves of change and positivity we find alternate paths. Let us hope and aspire sincerely that we all come out of the COVID nightmare not better but way better and allow ourselves to slow down. But then, choices are what we make - we either make efforts of coming out better or we stay back and worse we go back.

The choice is ours!

Technology Upgrades: Empowers and enhances life, effortlessly; balancing the equation!! : 2 min read

       

            The efficiency of living sans new technology can be very compromising! The debate is longstanding and daunting, both for and against.  

            Back in our days, a trunk call was a family gathering. Commuting alone meant leaving parents in trepidation. As for individual’s with special needs, there had to be an escort. 

            Today, in seconds we are traversing continents with our gadgets and the internet. Anything we want from information to entertainment is available at our fingertips. Travel is easier and accessible, movements possible to track reducing assisted travel for special people and almost cease worry for parents.

             Personally, travelling by public transport makes way for multiple experiences. One gets to see the populace from every strata and arena of society, rushing to make ends meet equipped with limited resources and even more limited time.

             Yet, for some of us like myself, who joined the bandwagon of "smart devices" later on, a slight shift from “normal” renders hushed judgment at times (my bad!).

            Last week, I stood next to a young boy on a video call with no earphones; I assumed the conversation was probably inaudible because of the train wheels crashing down the rails. I silently judged, "What if there wasn't any noise, the entire compartment would hear them; ridiculous youngsters!"

  

    As he impatiently gesticulated while he got off and I looked on, my haze lifted, allowing me to read his gestures. The day end fog rose and I became conscious of his speech and hearing impairment; perhaps talking to someone with either the same challenge or who had learnt the language to communicate.

             It was an incredible moment. Of course, initially I was embarrassed at judging the younger generation and their senseless use of gadgets. But then, I smiled at the thought he left with me and the unfettering resolve I witnessed. It spoke of empowerment.

             A few years ago, the world was mute for him. Today, with various inventions and advancements, the barriers of despair are breaking down. The need to be dependent, for the challenged, the differently enabled, and the marginalized; are reducing and will soon disappear.

            Amazing what opportunity the future holds. New technology unifies a larger group instantly; when geography, language, cultures, education, distances are no longer a barrier for citizens from all walks of life towards quality living.

Photo Credit: Sourced from Google Images

Originally  Published on May 7, 2019, for LinkedIn

RESILIENCE : 2 min read

             

 

            Our short trip to the North East, which was my fourth; revealed a very different beauty of this region. Earlier, I had mostly visited in winter. It was spring. While every sight of this stunning location was breathtaking, there was one unique aspect of a certain flowering plant that caught my attention. They appeared in various shades, shapes and clusters. Yet, strangely the entire shrub or creeper, as it had grown were bereft of leaves. If one would describe blandly, they seemed like dried reeds with blooms. I looked on and on quizzically as we drove through the spiralling highways and dusty villages. This time round I did not quite get to chat up the drivers of our vehicles which I often do, maybe on my next visit.

            However, the flowers made me contemplate. Have you ever been told, you are just a withered cluster of nothing? That you have decayed or dehydrated in the scorching heat? Your environs are akin to arid brushwood, not conducive to growth and splendour? Take a good, hard look at this flower. It's gorgeous, resilient and blooming amongst twigs and obscurity.

            Oh! Don’t forget to glance at the tiny bloom among the dry grass, blossoming a happy yellow. Spreading cheer and happiness in parched surroundings.

PS: - The fresh green leaves in the background in the first image is from another creeper growing together.

#resilience #travel #beautifulindia #growth #travellessons 

This article was originally written on Linkedin a year ago.

RUNWAY TAKEAWAY’S : 4 min read

(PS - This article was originally written and submitted to ITC E-News on 14th February 2020)

“I aM” in IMPOSSIBLE makes it POSSIBLE

            Several years back a close friend was amid a career obstacle.  A dynamic personality, not at ease by assuring words alone, needed an out of the box justification.  An asset to any organization, full of life workhorse was restless.

            So one day while we were at one of our regular calls; he said, "I can't sit still like this, I move; I used to run continuously, at times so fast that objects were blurred beside me.  I realised which city it was as car number plates whizzed by me.  I was always hopping on and off aeroplanes and should have been flying now".

            Out of the blue, without a pause, I asked him-"hey tell me from your experience, what happens when the plane has run quite a bit on the runway just before it takes off?"  He thought I was mad and did not understand my strange question.  So he asked me to complete my crazy illustration.

            I promptly replied, "It slows down and stops; then it runs like nobody's business and before one realises it flies into the sky, higher and higher".

            It took less than a second for this sharp mind to connect the dots and he was quite pleased with this straightforward illustration.  To my good fortune, he has not only started that fast run but is already flying high into the skies.

            Are you feeling like you have stopped? Stuck in a situation? Not moving at the same speed?  It is your pause moment.  Take a deep breath and wait.

            Don't ever limit your imagination; keep striving.  Dream the most impossible because there’s only an “IM” before possible.  

(I”LL Make it) POSSIBLE When it looks (IM) POSSIBLE.

RESET NOT  SETBACK

            Most of my trips are on holidays as I don't travel on work. The return journey from Pobitora, Assam,[1] in January this year, gave me a new experience. My aircraft began moving in the opposite direction before it could start taxiing and gather speed on the runway to takeoff.

 

            This was possibly a regular phenomenon but for a vacationer, it was a first. In fact, it took a second to figure out we were going backwards. I asked my husband, who walks into airports like they were his home (he is an auditor!) and also a couple of frequent flyer friends. Well, they all dispensed my observation as immense creativity.

 

            So I asked my niece, Head Cabin Crew, at Emirates to validate the incident. Thankfully she said, I was right and maybe the plane had been parked too close to another one or some obstruction wherein a backward movement was necessary. I searched the internet and found, it was rare but did occur while pulling away from the gate. Also known as reverse thrust. I realised airports, flights and tarmacs were not a novelty for them. Poor guys, they travelled far too much.

 

            The aeroplane had gone behind for a good three minutes, then taxiied, picked up the pace, halted, sped some more and we were in the skies.  While the plane went behind, it moved very slowly. I was almost worried and felt it was a snag. A quick flash of a previous runway lesson led me to introspect about the backward movement. I thought for a moment, isn't it familiar? Do I see a parallel? Often, in life, we move backwards either by choice or by force. Should we stop moving?

 

            No! We need to step back and taxii slowly, steadily and calmly to the right spot before we ascent.  Never hesitate to back off. We can always use the occurrence to fine-tune our position before soaring again.  A reverse thrust dealt appropriately can propel our flight safely and smoothly to greater heights.

 

            A step back is never a setback if you choose not to sit back. Seize the moment to stop and retrace your path. Deskill, unlearn, take a beating; then make a U-turn- re-skill, learn afresh and soar the skies.

A Setback is to Reset.

---

[1] http://www.maibongecoresort.com/

https://www.mywildindia.com/

http://www.pobitora.com/

HUNGER and the VIRUS - 4 min read

            The first catastrophe I ever understood was the floods of 1978. Wars, emergency, riots and many more did pass by both closely and from afar; however, the current pandemic resulting in the lockdown has been the first major global crisis in my lifetime.

            Am not depressed or fretful in any way; however, at the same time I am definitely not ecstatic and exuberant about the troubled waters we are sailing through. I sincerely apologize for not 'accepting' any challenges, not posting food and bakes (as enquired by many of my friends). Not doing the stuff I generally do and love to share. Yet I appreciate every challenge, every

post, picture, games, dares, every fun and positive images floated on Social Media.

            Hunger and unemployment have engulfed the world as the Covid-19 digs its tentacles deeper on the socially vulnerable and they fall into destitution quickly. "Hunger will kill us before any disease does," said the rickshaw puller from Jaunpur, in Uttar Pradesh. Thousands queue up daily at government-run shelters, private facilities, NGO's, Volunteer Groups, Free food mobiles etc for food and water --out of hunger subsuming the virus threat and the need for social distancing. In-between battling hunger and joblessness, they know about COVID19 and its risk. Yet it's an awareness that barely registers in their conscious as they wait alike amongst a large crowd of the daily wagers, jobless, homeless, beggars and many forced to beg for the first time in their lives They gather outside shelters, the vitality of food overriding the necessity to maintain at least one-meter social distance and the risk of infection.

            Most people are without masks, leaving them vulnerable to the disease that has affected more than 590,000 people worldwide and claimed over 27,000 lives. "What option do I have? Where else can I go? I am hungry. I am homeless", is what you hear repeatedly. It's the same everywhere; no face masks no washing of hands regularly or following social distancing. Their first priority is food. Videos of serpentine queues of people, sitting close on the floor as they are served their meal or handed out boxes, foils and containers of food have been doing the rounds on social media. Many continue to be hungry, images of children eating stale rice from a polythene bag, a beggar foraging for food in a garbage bin behind a toilet or the marginally better one's borrowing money from their friends every day because their kids are hungry and they have no money left.

Personally, a few things have kept me away from "experimenting with my culinary skills".

1.     While we are happily replenishing our stocks, millions are on the streets without food.

2.      I have four kids of my family and kids like my own, who are currently in different cities of the world. No, they aren't starving but battling a pandemic alone in various degrees of lockdown and uncertainties of career and employment is different from being alone under "normal" circumstances.

         3.  Ranjit, my husband is the sole caretaker for all external needs of a family of six.  Therefore, the more I exhaust my stocks, the more I push him out of the house increasing his exposure to the virus (home delivery isn't frequent in our locality).

          4. I have comfortably cooked exotic meals for almost 50 people at a time and I always dream of starting a 'free kitchen' to will cook and bake for the underprivileged.  Yet today, when I could use this capability, am unable due to the rules and complexities.

The silly sensitive me finds the timing all haywire. I have paused. I desire to halt; it is my time to slow down. If we all make it to the other side of COVID 19, I will be able to joyfully share my kosha mangsho, biryani, steak, manchurians, focaccia and pasta. I will offer you the visual treats of my bakes and pot roasts. And if you promise to drop by, my table will be laid out with love in every dish and warmth in every condiment.

But, don't tell me now.

 This is not a vacation we are spending. This isn't a holiday. This is war the entire world is fighting against an invisible, currently invincible enemy. I cannot find a cure, I can but support just a few and be of minimal assistance even if I want to. I am utilizing my time to go within. I know a hunger-free world sounds utopian. However, I do wish to hang in on this seemingly endless battlefield by practising minimalism; at least till hunger due to the death dance dies down.

     

SHIFTING PARADIGMS THROUGH A PANDEMIC : PART 5 - 3 min read

“Unearth the Possibilities – Unfold your Core” 

                                            

           “It's never too late to begin again”, honestly, I only survived by returning to the starting point; often, despite reaching the finish line. Yet why does it feel so difficult every time? Is it because we have to make a choice; to focus on coming out enhanced or to stay back or worse go reverse? Beginnings end now and the end begins here; so we hope to come out of the Covid19 nightmare not just better but transforming into more than we can envisage!

            Let us be like new leaves and dew-kissed flora armed with kind words on our lips, priceless skills around our fingers and a spring in our feet. Can we cherish sitting on a park bench, listening to the wind rustling the tree leaves as soon as we can breathe free again? Could we pledge to find comfort in the first showers of the summer rains? Take a second to be grateful as the sun peeps through half-drawn blinds and the moon shines into our quiet nights. Will the sound of waves crashing against the shore excite us more than the buzz of grandiose shopping malls? Would we find joy in the smell of new books, the crispy flicker of unused copies? How will we respond to the heady fragrance of seasonal flowers and the flavour of plain food? Are we willing to find contentment wherever we look?

           Be brave to remove non-essentials from your life but forgive each person who has depleted you. Sounds tough? Make it tougher; include the people who have revealed that you don’t mean much to them. Then build in therapy, return to who you thought was unimportant especially those waiting from afar, as you mean the world to them. In your hurry to revert to normal, pause and consider what is worth rushing to.

 

            Life is uncertain and unpredictable. We don’t know when we will close our eyes forever. Time may be short to love someone from our core so let’s not waste a single moment nurturing enmity with the ones we adore. It is futile to rear resentment on things that don’t matter more than our relationships. What matters is how much you treasured when you had the time, the amount you cherished a relationship when you could. So haste, create and foster healthy associations; consider comprehending your Creator in humility to adjust your ways.

 

            Look up, smile and follow your dreams hoping to make a difference. Forgive and learn something novel about those who hurt you. Have you felt torn apart and pulled down? Been conspired against and shaken? Have the courage, be inspired. Do what you always wanted to, say sorry, be brilliant and put your past behind. The last but never the least, take the risk to return injury with kindness; or hostility will never turn to goodwill.

  

         The tiny virus taught us without a doubt that the world to come must be very different from mostly what it has been thus far. Time to leave the past and assumptions that convinced we are doing enough and fine. Even if it means taking drastic steps, the task of doing the ordinary, extraordinarily, is, therefore, the ultimate lesson from the Coronavirus pandemic to the world.

 

            

Repurposing Gently : 2 min read

“I am not a hoarder. I am the curator of an extensive private craft supply collection."

-Unknown-

That's me! Everything I collect, from buttons to cardboard boxes and most 'rubbish' is a piece of splendour.  Oh yes, to make matters worse, part of these have memories and even others bear sentimental values.  If I narrate a few tales, therapy would surely be advised.  Here are some of my creations from the past week that birthed a thought and I decided to journal the same.

 These pieces seemed similar to us.  There are the near perfects – requiring nothing more than a coat of paint or a little bow and bead to sparkle.  Then the one's with some rough patches, but not necessarily needing a complete makeover.  Perhaps, a tiny embellishment with the rest untouched was good to go.

 Perusing the better side of us takes the attention off the flaws; keeping self-worth intact.  It consolidates inherent strength.  We feel confident of our core existence and become receptive to minor touches.

 Quick to accept our absurdities, we hold back appreciation for those who previously caught our interest with something unique.  Suddenly as a blemish peeps out we hastily attempt to work on them to fit our framework.  Like these waste items, we render the individual's inadequate till we remodel, remix totally; overlooking their natural beauty. We reverse and modify; if not, they are forgotten forever.

 Appreciate the cranberries on the label; look at the pretty pink hearts; wanting no more than lace, a mirror or some simple strips of paper.  Watch them before they are enhanced.  They will speak a different language.  Whispering, "You don't have to change me entirely; I am beautiful if only you observe.

"Repurposing need not be Reconstructing. Not crafts, nor people, not anything ever."- Smita Toppo

These were some of the many boxes that I had saved up.	Downloaded this image as  I forgot to take a picture before starting to work on it.
This is the supplement bottle I repurposed without destroying the picture.   From the moment it had come in my hands, I fell in love with the portion that had the image of the cranberries.  However, removing the rest of the label and painting the bottle was an experience in itself.	This was also something I liked as it is and did not want to change completely.
From little to, much... they all changed !!	Just a sparkle strip was all it needed.
Sure...it had to change completely, to have a finished exterior.  I did not touch its core.	They didn't need much...and they are perfect.

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