Maa

Main Kabhi Batlata Nahin

Par Andhere Se Darta Hoon Main Maa

Yun To Main,Dikhlata Nahin

Teri Parwaah Karta Hoon Main Maa

Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa

Tujhe Sab Hain Pata,,Meri Maa

Thus starts one of the most meaningful and soothingly calming compositions of recent times. Written by Prasoon Joshi, the lyrics have the power of bringing tears to the eyes. And coupled to it, the music by Shankar Ehsaan and Loy and the voice of Shankar Mahadevan himself, it becomes one of the greatest songs of all times to listen.

It simply talks about one relationship in life. Mother!!! If someone deserves to be the most adored and respected person in my life, it is my mother. And I am sure many of you will have similar views. For the simple reason that, whatever I am today, wherever I am today, if I am able to stand on my own legs, its because of only one person, My Mother!!

Having seen her closely over these years, I would be committing a great crime if I dont appreciate whatever she has done for me. She has been one person, who has simply worked selflessly round the clock. Without expecting anything much. She has led a simple life, always maintained a very low profile in the society. She has always been the first to take up any responsibility, primarily at home and complete it very efficiently almost every time.

I still remember the days in my childhood, when I used to get punished by my dad for some misdeeds of mine!! And her laps were always there for me. There was a reassuring calmness in those laps. There still is. Over the years she has become one of my closest friends, the one who I can confide in about anything, at any time in the day. She is such an understanding person, always making it a point to listen first and then talk. I have learnt that great skill of listening more and talking less, from her.

Those days, when I used to go to school, she used to walk with us (me and my brother) all the way to school. In fact, I still remember my first few days in school. I, like many kids, was reluctant to go to school. She simply used to convince me that she would not go back and wait at the gate for the school to be over. And I used to believe her. She used to quickly go home, do the daily chores, washing clothes, cooking, taking care of my brother(till he also joined the school) taking care of my grandparents too and what not!! And in spite of all these, she made it a point to be present at the school main gate, 5 minutes before our classes were supposed to disperse. And she was never late, one single day!!!

Then came the days, when I started playing. Engaging in fights and falls those days were very common. Even during those days, she was always there. Trying to come and mediate, not always taking my side, but if I was right, she would never allow anything to happen to me. Even if I was wrong, she used to patiently talk to me, with an aura of conviction that I almost instantaneously used to accept my mistakes. Not that she wanted to find fault with me or make me feel ashamed. She only ensured, that I dont go the wrong way, that I dont learn from life the hard way. She along with my dad, have grown me up in such a way, that when the day of me facing the world comes, I would be fully prepared for it.

Another period of my life where she has played a major role is in my studies. Not necessarily academics only. I have been good at academics as well as co curricular activities throughout my life. And she always made a point that overconfidence never creeps into my mind. She always used to manage her time in such a way that she had time for everyone. For me and my brother, my dad, my grandparents, etc. My grandparents were staying with us meant we had guests visiting us frequently. And never once have I seen her complaining!! She has always spent an hour or so with us in the evenings, making sure, we don't go back to school the next day with a sorry face! With whatever she knew, she used to teach us. Not that she was a great learned soul or something. And with whatever she did not know, she made it a point that she will learn it and pass it on. I still remember a golden day in my life. After my 7th, when I passed to 8th, the local Municipality held a scholarship exam, for all local school students in that district. And whoever secured the first three places in the exam, got scholarship for the next three years. The questions were from 7th standard syllabus only, but I had seemingly forgotten a couple of concepts. I still remember the way, how she, late at night, was trying her best to convince me with the concept. That day, I had promised her, that should I win the award, I will give her half of what I get. Eventually I won the first prize. But the second part of my statement is still pending!! And she has never asked about it, even once!!

Dinner time always used to be a time of learning and interaction. All of us used to have dinner at the same pre decided time. And nobody has ever been late even a single day. Such was her charm and control over the house, that she has ensured that the basic discipline is well in place. Unlike other households where we frequently find maids for doing various chores, cooks for cooking and all, she used to do everything. That meant she did not get a fair deal with entertainment and all, but she was okay with it. The fact that, even to this day, we do not have satellite TV connection at our house, is a live testimony for that. And mind you, she is a great cricket freak. She badly missed cricket matches. But she was happy enough to sacrifice it for our futures!!

As I grew up, life and studies became more and more challenging. 12th was a very important part of my career/life. I had to wake up early in the morning to attend classes, then normal college, then evening classes and then return home late in the evening. And study till late night. So hectic was my routine. But even in that situation, she always used to be up half an hour before me, and always made sure that I did not have to leave house in a hurry. And she even used to sit with me in the late nights. She could easily have slept. But no she chose to spend time with me, which always gave me a feeling of security.

After that, I slowly moved to college, stayed in hostel. Met lot of people from various walks of life. I became more mature. I started playing around with her. Teasing her became a routine. But she never did mind. She has been such a great sport all through her life, that its just a consequence that she always takes everything so lightly.

And now, both of us have moved out. In search of our careers. Both my grandparents have expired. And my dad has been transferred to a place quite far from home, which means he leaves home earlier than before and arrives back later than before. So all of a sudden, the house has become empty for her. She has become lonely. Though we can all lend her only emotional support, I can very well understand, what state he is going through. Luckily for us, they have moved to an area where all activities are happening. She somehow keeps involving with them, meeting people, and makes sure she keeps herself occupied with something or the other. And to this day, she has never once complained about it!!!!

You are the most important person in my life, and will always remain so. Whatever I am today, is solely because of you. I know I can never repay you for whatever you have given me. But I promise you, to keep you happy at all times.

Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata,,Meri Maa

How mean are we!!!!

How frequently do we get happy at the success of Sunita Williams?? How often have we not celebrated the success of Bobby Jindal when he got elected as a Governor?? How frequently do we not feel good when our fellow countryman achieves something in life?? That too especially in some foreign soil!! I have always wondered, WHY??? Is it because there is something wrong in our country, or achievers in our country?? Why do we fail to see the success of our people in our own land?? How many of us appreciate what the armed forces are doing for us?? How many of us appreciate the lakhs of NGO's in the country?? How many of us wholeheartedly rejoiced when Vishwanathan Anand won the World Championship??

Brain drain is one of the biggest issues debated over. A brain drain or human capital flight is an emigration of trained and talented individuals to other nations or jurisdictions, due to conflicts, lack of opportunity, health hazards where they are living or other reasons. Considering the scenario in India, conflicts is definitely not the reason. Lack of opportunity, to some extent is a contributing factor, but not so big either. Health hazards, definitely no!! Lets assume the thing, that opportunities are the only factor contributing to brain drain. If that were so, we would not have seen entrepreneurs like NR Narayanamurthy, and others. I can quote a lot of names here, but why i frozed on him is because he has started from the scratch. At a time when he could have gone out, earned a lot of money, settled down comfortably with his family and never bothered about anything else. But he chose to be different. He had a vision . Many people may say, money is an important parameter. I do agree. Investment is a major important factor. But then, we have a live example in front of us all. NRN did not have all that money. What was more important is that he had self belief and an astounding ability to create a team and move forward.

Frankly speaking, I dont feel its the lack of opportunities. I would say, its the lack of vision. Lack of clarity in thoughts. It tends to happen in the initial stages of the career. I dont say its wrong to go and work abroad. But, once someone goes out, its very very rare that he returns back before retirement. Just think of a very simple fact. The Govt spends lakhs of rupees on the education of every individual. Higher education is not cheap. Colleges offering quality infrastructure, quality manpower, quality lectures and facilities are very less in the country. And its not easy to retain things like that. One lack of focus is enough to just spoil the entire game. Inspite of all these, we have a good number of quality educational institutes offering professional courses at a very very subsidised fees. Its not that education is cheap. We only fail to realise that, our education is costing the exchequer something!! And its our moral responsibility to do something for that. I again remember my professors words here. Unless you do something for the society which has brought you up to whatever you are, everything else is waste.

I still adore a person from my hometown, who worked in Infosys, and has contributed substantially for the infrastructure development of the school he had studied in. And believe me, that Govt. school is today on par with all other private schools there. And it has benefitted thousands of students who are studying there. So as I said, its more of a lack of vision rather than lack of opportunities. We just cannot sit complaining saying there are not opportunities. Opportunities will not come to you everyday. We have to create opportunities.

One of my professors always used to say "You may find a thousand reasons to avoid doing a certain thing. You only need to find one reason to do it!! " My colleague also always keeps on telling me "Stop reasoning why something may fail. Instead start reasoning, how it will succed!!" Two thoughts on similar lines, from two people who dont even know each other!! So, once again I wish to reaffirm. Opportunities are present here in plenty. We just need to find one.