Happy Diwali 2021! Post 02 of 02

Post 2 on Diwali.

Have a fantabulous day, weekend and year, everyone. 

Caution: Rhyme 2 of the day ahead.

Clean up the mess created

Of environment, of the world, of our lives interrupted.

Throw out the old ways and convictions

Of fossil fuels, of material consumption. 

Usher in new beliefs, new systems

Of equality, of inclusion, of perseverance.

Discard over work and tiredness as the mantra

For progress, success, find a new abracadabra.

Adopt a new wholesome policy

Of defining worth by being happy.

Find treasures buried deep in mind:

Aspirations and talent, in the rat race, left behind.

Polish them lovingly, carve out time

They will give joy and is that not prime?

Display your passions, your aspirations, 

Boldly walk towards their realisation. 

Burst your insecurities, your trepidations, 

Let them sparkle towards extinction. 

Celebrate the world as one

This Diwali, 2021.

- Written on 04 November 2021.

-Self-explanatory

FB Link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157887580536230&id=692626229

Happy Diwali 2021! Post 01 of 02

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Safe Diwali 2021. 

Caution: My rhyme ahead, :) 

Lights! We need them so

In darkness we are tired, afraid, alone. 

Locked in, locked up, locked down

Our world has shrunk, thoughts tightly bound.

Now the world is opening up

Stay safe. Stay alert. Let not Covid reerupt. 

Diwali reminds that on the darkest of nights

If we persevere, we will triumph.

This festival is about victory

Of truth, of knowledge, of good, of plenty, 

Of sharing, of caring, of ensuring

That those around us are also thriving.

This festive season let us see light, 

The one within our hearts glowing bright

Of kindness, of sensibility, of the thirst to improve

Guiding us as towards prosperity and joy we move.

- Written on 04 November 2021.

- Self-explanatory. 

FB link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157887500716230&id=692626229 

Making Memories

The anticipation of meeting

The smells and sounds of travelling

The wait at the signal

The walk to Room 1, the destination final.

Yes we met on Zoom and Meet

On Telegram Groups everyday each other we greet.

But the heat of the day, the thirst we feel

The loud voices that over masks distances heal.

The roundabout introductions

The teasing and the one-on-one conversations

The informal tour of the campus as a TISSian

That to even old timers now feels alien

The talk of cats and monkeys

And of shortcuts and libraries

Seeing the new home of the Centre

The sun beating down on us admist the banter

The stillness of air, the sweat, the tea, the brownies

The contrast of an actual classroom earlier and the terrace wannabe

All coalesce in one unforgettable memory

This is why the virtual can never beat physical reality. 

- Written on 15 October 2021.

- On 14 October 2021, a few of us Mumbai-based students and faculty gathered together to finally meet after a year and half of online classes.

Self-Pity or Self-Care?

There is a fog in my head, 

I cannot hear or see

What my ears and eyes covey to me. 

There is a din that I hear

In the nothingness clouding my brain

Silence can be loud. Have you heard its refrain? 

There is an emptiness I so sorely feel

I see colours and yet everything feels grey

Is it the world or me that seems to be fading away? 

There is a mountain pressing my chest

It is difficult to breathe.

Exhale. Inhale. Difficult, but repeat. 

There is so much to do, my checklist awaits

Yet all I can do is write this rhyme

Complain, ironically, that I have no time. 

Yet, I regret not, these moments of self-pity

These are all that allow me to just BE. 

And find sanity in insanity, in chaos peace.

- Written on 13 Sep 2021. 

- Self-Explanatory. Am supposed to chase deadlines that I have no longer any energy for and no reason why I am so lethargic. 

Happy Ganesh Chathurthi - 2021

Ganesh Chathurthi is here again,

A year of strife, a year of strain.

The remover of obstacles reminding us

We have not yet learnt to focus

On issues important.

We will likely regret.

Climate change and hostile takeovers,

Children neglected, the poor lacking even leftovers.

While Bezos' and Ambanis' losses and rises recorded

And mindless WhatsApp messages forwarded.

Ekdanta did not proceed without understanding

Every word of the Mahabharat that he was scribing.

Vignaharta will not just wash away our troubles,

Sarvasiddhantha will wait for us to learn from our foibles.

So this year, Vinayaka, enable us to understand and act:

Prioritise lives and quality over dry economic fact.

Kripalu, help us feel for our fellow-beings,

Muktidaya, help us a lead a life of purpose, of meaning.

~ Anusha Ramanathan

Happy Ganesh Chathurthi, everyone.

- Written on 10 September 2021 and posted on Facebook.

- Self-Explanatory.

After a Hiatus - On Facebook -

I posted a request. I posted after a long time. Am touched by the number of people who helped me find translators and actively reached out. I am also touched by the many who asked why I had not been posting. I have been asked this earlier as well.

My Response in Verse (Bad verse strikes again 🙂)

I have been asked time and again

Why I have broken my posts chain.

Random ones on events occurring,

Of what some said or just pics and ramblings.

Why no post on the Covid-19 crisis?

And not on the Mizoram-Assam border conflict,

Not on Afghanistan nor the climate

Nor the Olympic wins. Why so quiet?

I have written, but I do not dare

My angsty pourings to so publicly share.

I have no patience for the comment or two awry

For someone to report me, for Facebook to block me.

And no I do not want to post

As it rains of having tea and toast.

Or a personal moment sad or happy

Does posting these bring the world closer to me?

The many deaths and illnesses among colleagues, friends and family.

The many births and recoveries that spread cheer in this time of difficulty.

The moments of escapism into worlds of fantasy

On TV and YouTube, in books and posts, in imagination roaming free.

Yes recording these and more might be useful, but what role then of memory?

The emotions felt, let them be.

In activism engage quietly

One-on-one converse sporadically.

On WhatsApp groups, On Telegram too

The promptness reduced.

The mails shorter and pointed

I can see some are worried, some disappointed.

This is a phase

Or may be a permanent change,

But as of now, this is me.

Sigh! Sharing takes up too much energy.

~ Anusha Ramanathan

And those who know me too well, will sigh and say, our peace is ruined, she has recovered some energy and will surely now yak away. 🤣

To them, I say, no, not yet. But I am recovering. Sympathies. 😜

- Written (mostly) on 29 August 2021. Posted on Facebook with some edits on 1 September 2021 in response to my request.

- Self-Explanatory.

An ex-student wrote the following as a response that touched me a lot. Thank you Souvik :)

Social commentary is tiring I agree

But requires patience like growing a tree

Remember the moment you had begun

Is the purpose now done?

Ur posts are like a beacon spreading light.

Most will be enlightened but some will put up a fight.

Do it for "your why"

Do it for those who are low or high

Do it for yourself

Your thoughts reach many and they help. 

Happy Teachers' Day - 2021

Happy Teachers' Day!

The following is part a tribute and part a diatribe, so feel free to skip.

My teachers have so influenced me

Encouraged me to be the best of me.

I do not always succeed, but I try,

For that was all they asked: that I strive.

To allow for change,

To failure acknowledge,

To wholeheartedly appreciate

Others' best and emulate.

At home, my first, my mother,

In school and college so many others,

But also in books, in films, on travels,

They come in all shapes and sizes, these marvels.

Not merely a sage on stage, the teacher.

A friend, a guide, a mentor, a healer.

With actions, with caring, always inspiring,

Imbuing learning, never stopping.

Some of my teachers are retired now,

But their legacy continues and how.

A class I took yesterday on grammar,

I remembered my UKG teacher.

Mrs D'Souza with her long nails

Coaxing me to speak correctly admist my wails.

So many more such memories of learning,

I am blessed. I know, but what of those currently suffering.

Schools shut down for a year and more.

Technology distant, more than before.

If today's young are to shape our tomorrows,

How will they be enabled. We are doling out only sorrows.

Rules changing. Fears overriding.

To be or not to be in schools parents deciding.

As if learning is an option, the primary neglected.

The vaccines developed: The older protected.

Yes, health is important, but have we tried,

To help teachers through their strife?

Reduced wages, job losses, technology woes.

Coping with so many obstacles, our heroes.

Hiring paused when we never needed them more.

To plug the gaps, relying on private players and NGOs.

Pass percentages and exams the focus still

Assessment not learning continues to be the drill.

Oh! the future, so bright and beautiful.

Without learning, is this possible?

Teachers are trying, but are we?

Could we focus on education for humanity?

~ Anusha Ramanathan

Happy Teachers' Day.

Actions speak louder than words.

- Written on 5 September 2021 and posted on Facebook. Shared initial part on WhatsApp, etc with Tecahers.

- Self-explanatory.

Afganistan, I pray - 2021

Kudah Gawah and Kabuliwala

A film and a short story

That sparked my imagination

As a child made me yearn.

To travel to this land dear

Towering mountains, a sky so clear,

Crystal water, hearts equally pure,

This land of Gandhari has always lured.

These days but, it reeks of terror

We read with trepidation of the many horrors

The land free is shackled tighter

Its people fleeing. So much fear.

This country, a pawn, in others' dare

A people we love, but how to show we care. 

The west, the east, blame game aplenty

I pray that we there be light soon, no more tragedy.

Yet, we know better, we can see clear, 

This has been brewing for many a year.

We need a global solution, not a coloniser's greed,

We all must to Afghanistan's peace pay heed.

~ Written on 16 August 2021.

- Reference: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/15/world/taliban-afghanistan-news.amp.html

 

Drip. Drip. Drip. Your Energy?

Drip. Drip. Drip. That is your energy.

Exiting slowly your body.

A message for a link that you heed

Just 5 minutes is all you need.

Calls ignored, but notification registers 1,2,3...

And your friendship slogan is "Count on Me"

You call back, how can you not

In times such as these so little to give you have got.

You listen to laments and cries

You tear up but console that time flies. 

There is so much sickness all around you

You see deadlines too

You know it just writing a page or two

You know what to write and how, but do you? 

Vessels get cleaned, the floor gets wiped

Clothes get washed, the food cooked fine

The laptop blinks: just a page or two,

The calendar reminds, but where are you? 

You hold your breath, can you feel yourself? 

You inhale and exhale till you are almost senseless.

Just a page or two, just one more call, just a meeting or two

Listen, write, it is not so much to do.

You can multitask: listen as you clean, 

Write as you weep.

Drip. Drip. Drip. That is not your energy.

It is you leaving the shell of your body.

Reset. Recover. Discover, the joy in you. 

No one can help, if you do not prioritise you.

- Written on 16 May 2021. 

- Self-explanatory. 

Panic or Revel?

Those breathless moments

Soaked in desperation

Monitors and pumps

May help tide over these bumps

But the memories, oh they do so linger

Waking you up gasping in fear

A life well lived, well loved is precious

Death's calling should not make one anxious

The best keepsakes are memories of love and laughter

Bodies may die, but people in our ideals and values live forever.

So, cherish these moments of togetherness

Revel that you were blessed with such greatness.

- Written on 15 May 2021. 

- Somehow times seem to become only increasingly challenging, making me feel anxious, tense, panicky and yet knowing all the while that I am one of the blessed. 

Mother's Day - 2021

I generally write something this day.

But words seem to fail me today.

Celebrate what? Cherish whom

In this era of increasing doom?

Mothers, Migrants, the story the remains the same

We mouth words, we placate

One year has passed

Yet nothing has really changed,

Mothers still sacrificers,

Migrants still unsupported,

It is still mayhem's reign

May Day! May Day!

Happy Mother's Day in 2021!

Will in 2022 at least we have a new chapter begun? - Written on 9 May 2021.

- Self-explanatory Also - Find on Facebook

A Story of a Woman in Covid-19 Times

It was a 1 room kitchen. A small bathroom-cum-toilet where one could touch the other end of the wall with just an outstretched arm. The wall paint was peeling. The blue-grey colour was morose anyway. It perhaps was good that the white of the spackle was showing up as patches. The rooms seemed more lively thus.

She peeled vegetables for the evening dinner as she spoke into her headset. Who would believe she was in marketing and sales. She was rotating the same 3 night suits for weeks now. The internet speed could not support the video if she turned her camera on, so she did not need to dress up.

No lipstick to add colour and courage to allow her to smile. No mascara to hide the sadness in her eyes and give a sense of joy, even if false. No blush to remind her of youth and hope. Now her tear swollen eyes stared back at her accusingly. Her lips drooped south and the only colour in them came from her biting them so often to hold back her pain. Her face did have colour, but purple not pink. Her husband too knew that she could not show her face, so he no longer seemed to care where he hit her.

Oh it was not often. Generally, because of his stress. His work was high pressure. He was a nurse. He could not help but feel distressed. The number of Covid-19 cases in his hospital had put the staff under so much pressure. Plus all the deaths. He had changed. How could he not? She needed to be more understanding. She needed to find better ways he could let off steam. She had tried. It was difficult to think of ways all by herself. But whom could she ask? It was just voice raised in temper, irritability and a couple of broken plates so far. Nothing drastic. She had tried. But, oh, she was so tired as well.

He mocked her. Just a few Zoom calls or Google Meets and housework. Try doing his job. She agreed. But how she yearned to escape. To go out for a movie. To let loose with friends over some food and drinks. To even go to his parents' house. Just anything. But yes, he had it tougher. How could she complain? 

She peeled the vegetables. She answered the sales queries. She bit her lip as another executive took the turn. She wondered how long this lockdown would last for and if she would ever be able to be the person she used to be. If there could be spring in her footsteps, a buoyancy in her smile and a sparkle in her eyes even if brought about by makeup. Even if it was all for performance for others. Even if. For that had been what had made her get up. Now that motive was gone. Why did she get up, she wondered. Why should she, she pondered. Maybe tomorrow I won't, she considered. No, tomorrow she wouldn't, she decided.

But was it her decision to make? Her husband shook her up and asked for breakfast. When it was not ready on time, a slap awaited her. Some more words. She could make no sense of them. But she nodded. She then, as usual, switched on her laptop, hooked on her headset and made the calls. 

Habits were funny things. They often times overrode decisions one had made.

- Written on 26 April 2021.

- Covid-19 has made me listen so often at the other end od the phone, feeling helpless against the anguish pouring out through the speaker. Not even a hug can be given. Never realised how comforting it is to comfort. This is just my imagination, but the inspiration is sadly all too real in not the events, but the double burden borne by so many women. 

April 2021

April is here - A new season

The arrival of Spring, harken!

Many partings 

For new beginnings. 

The old still lingering

As scents, as strengths supporting

The new await to welcome

As bursts of joy, of colour, as friends bosom. 

Partings are not endings

As they lend hope and strength for fresh beginnings.

To those who left us wonderful memories

Thank you. And fare well in your new journeys. 

We are ever there to egg you on

We are ever there to rely on.

- Written on 4 April 2021. 

- Many exits in my workplace and updates of more such on LinkedIn and Facebook. Sad times can also be happy. Trying to focus on the positive. 

Happy Holi - 2021

Throw colours merrily

Revel in the camaraderie

Enemies, strangers, friends, family

Can you identify them distinctly?

Clothes, skin, hair, nothing is different

Colours have seeped our pores even

Colours show us our superficiality

Why bother with trifles? Ware all one, essentially.

It may take days to wash the colours away

But I hope the feeling of oneness remains

Till next year when we meet again

In ourselves and each other renew our faith.

Play with colours or do not

But these human bonds we to celebrate ought.

Happy Holi!

- Written on 29 March 2021. 

- Self Explanatory. 

Friends

Friends, it is difficult to define them

They come in all forms, through all means

But essentially, they make you feel at ease. 

You take from them, you may give them

But this isn't an account to tally

The giving, the receiving all makes one be at peace. 

The time spent on chatting may seem a waste

But the minutes are precious, most heartening

They bolster a spirit weakening, deadening. 

It takes will and strength to get up and meet

It feels Hereculean and yet the rewards outshine easily

Just together being, of seeing, of breathing, makes one so happy.

- Written on 24 February 2021

- A friend, PS, took me out. We talked. We drank some form of iced tea. We talked. We drove back. Precious. 

Legacy: The Beginning of a New Start

10:49 PM, a strange number to haunt

But through a disturbed night this does taunt. 

I cannot imagine being in that room

Alone with warriors trying to wade off doom.

Yet is it? Or is it blessed release? 

The relentless pain for her now ceased. 

The soul, the breath, the life of a person dear

Leaves; Now just body as a shell we can see clear.

The cremation is more a ritual for those living

Something to do in the process of grieving.

Each has a unique take on what it must be

But what matters is not the mores of society.

She was loved. She will be missed. 

She will in memories and actions and beliefs onward live. 

That is a legacy enough. That is the important stuff. 

Bathing. Burning. Fasting. Feasting. Coping with emotions rough,

What comforts her loved ones is all she will want.

That is the goal. This is the beginning of a new start.

- Written on 14 January 2021 night/15 January 2021 Morning.

- A bereavement in the family on 13 Jan 2021. 

10:49 PM was the time on the sheet and it has stuck in my head and dreams. Hmm. 

Happy Birthday Sanju Saumi!

The twins: unique, distinct from each other

Yet so bonded, their names we ever say together.

The two scholars, one an Engineer, the other a Doctor

The ultimate of a South Indian family's Dream Achievers

Never stopped there and flew to higher places

Managing more responsibilities as if they were natural phases.

Never bemoaning, 

Through busy schedules still connecting

The twins, friends through all the times

I am so proud to have been a part of our childhood crimes.

The twins: loving, affectionate, tolerant (more so now)

Still wonder, still learn, still grow, still humble through all this and more.

To you two achievers, I say this today,

Sanju and Saumi, Happy Birthday!

Wish you all that makes you happy

Always Blessed Be.

- Written on 2 Jan 2020.

- Wishes to the first Twins I know. Faridabad Overachievers. 

Kickback, Relax

Dreams deferred, money a common thread

Productivity or the lack of is over what we fret. 

Am not trying to be Pollyanna, but folks have a heart

Hope wins nothing much, but does it does not hurt to with it start.

All of us are tired, I so agree

To kickback and just read would be a treat. 

So let's make it happen, let's not worry

About making it perfect, let it be messy. 

A book club or a film one or both or more or none

We can carve time and let our stress be undone.

Midweek blues, Midweek yearning

For that time, some time for just lazing. 

Wish you that and more

Sleep well, leave aside those chores.

- Written on 13 January 2021.

- In a class group (TISS Language Education 1n2) in response to discussions there by the students. 

Happy New Year! Happy 2021!

Happy New Year! 

I write long, rambling odes this time of the year.

Presenting the gist - the Last three lines that are the crux.

Among years I hope 2021 has in abundance golden days.

Peace, Cheer, Reason the world over, I wish for

Oh Yes! Also Vaccines, Health and Equity for all. 😊

Have a Great 2021! 

__________________________________________________

For the more kind and merciful and patient among you here is the longer one. Read at your own risk.

Yes I know I have left out many many things good and bad, but here goes. 

___________________________________________________

This year was confounding,

My annual litany may be too.

My feelings I am just expressing

As to 2020 we bid adieu.

Parasite won the Oscars, a delight. 

Brexit became official, no one knew their plight. 

Harry and Meghan exited the Royal House, 

The world seemed to not know to cheer or to grouse.

India began 2020 with ongoing protests. 

Selective inclusion led to much unrest. 

And then we proved no matter the party, 

With curfews anew, we practiced unity. 

Yes, we played the blame game

Yes, stupidity and racism did hold sway

But largely the heart was in the right place

Difficult decisions through a pandemic we faced. 

And yet the class barriers stayed

The rich became richer, the poor more displaced

The migrant walk who can forget

We talked CAA, but our own on their own we left. 

Now the Farmers' Protest is underway, 

Again capitalism tries to persuade. 

Is a ‘free’ market worth all the clauses

Are we counting gains where there are losses? 

Be it Amphan or the Australian bushfire

Multiple events showed how close we are to the wire. 

As viruses respected no borders,

In the lockdown, nature showed her wonders. 

As we stayed in, Nature took her rightful place

But soon we again succumbed to pollution's haze

One thing we seem to need to learn still

We can change if only we will. 

Economy is not that difficult to manage

 We can make do with less when lives are at stake 

But while a small virus holds us in thrall

To combat Climate Change we still stall. 

The educated and the rich are a dangerous combination

Their privileges to sustain seems their ambition. 

And yet world over protests proved 

When it matters, to action we are moved. 

Statues came down, streets flooded

Governments were petitioned and largely heeded

Black Lives Matter, a global movement

But Dalit lives from this drive are still far removed. 

Suicides and Sushant and Nepotism and Drugs

We latched on to events and merrily gave up

We lost Rishi Kapoor, Irfan Khan and Chadwick Boseman to cancer. 

But the Selfish Gene maybe our worst danger.

Yet, religion bowed to science and shut its doors

Politics cast aside; For God's sake the Middle East had peace goals.

Yes Indo-China tensions are on the rise

Tempers are monitored; we know there is a price. 

We live and breathe alternate realities

Social Dilemma showed us but we refused to believe

Truths are a matter of perspective even if they be fantasies

Fact checking we leave to for-profit companies.

Struck gold this year, did Prime and Netflix

1992 was strangely a delight to revisit,

Online we lived, creating more microcosms

We cared not for the widening chasms.

We want what we want now

To success and work and money we bow

Yet some of us have worked to serve

Some of us have honed our selves.

Sonu Sood inspired, Jacinda Arden too,

The essential workers: doctors, nurses, sweepers.

Perhaps now our workers we will better value

As white collar was superseded by the blue.

Maybe the future protagonist will be the BMC sweeper, 

The overworked, underpaid Covid-19 survey administering teacher

May be the nurse wielding the swab or the vaccine

May be the transport worker ensuring our ease.

May be the delivery personnel. May be the local grocer.

As we locked in we learnt who provided what better. 

So to 2021, I proceed with hope and gratitude. 

I hope with reason and justice we will cease to feud. 

I know there will always be some who will stay in the fair lanes, 

Among years I hope 2021 has in abundance golden days.

Peace, Cheer, Reason the world over, I wish for

Oh Yes! Also Vaccines, Health and Equity for all. 😊 

Happy New Year!

Have a Wonderful 2021.

- Written on 31 Dec 2020/1 Jan 2021.

- Obviously. 

- Context and References GOOGLE please.