A scientist/technologist has a greater contribution to society than teachers/professors.

The Best.. Always..!!

Whether we like it or not, no matter what facts and figures we may quote but the truth remains the same that a teacher/professor has made a greater contribution to the society than a scientist/technologist. So I am strictly against the motion.

Now, to prove my point, I would first like to talk about the basic level. When a child gets admitted in a school he is sent there not with the aim of him becoming a scientist or a doctor but with a hope that he will become a good human being or perhaps a ‘man of virtues’--- someone with ethics and moral values and I guess I am not wrong if I say that these moral values and ethics are inculcated in a child by a teacher itself. In fact the most important point is that “Scientists don’t make teachers but teachers do make scientists.”

Well moving on let me mention an instance of REEL life first. I guess you all must have probably seen the movie ‘Taare Zameen Par’. A film which beautifully portrayed a ‘student-teacher relationship’. It is worth mentioning that in the movie the important part was not that the child excelled in his field but that the child excelled because  his teacher saw in him that talent, that ability. That teacher was the one who found out what actually the child wanted to do. In fact I would like to ask you teachers a question that  don’t you feel like you make a really good nation as you are dealing with  the future of the nation, the building blocks of the society, the ‘YOUTH’.

In our REAL life also, India has had educationists like ‘Swami Vivekananda, C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan’ who influenced the whole society by simply teaching the masses. They were the ones who always remembered the famous saying, “To reject didactic teaching is to reject teaching itself.” Now if I talk about society, I would like to mention a famous quote, “If a free society can’t help the many who are poor, it can never help the few who are rich.” My friends, ‘TEACHERS’ are the ones who reduce this difference of rich and poor. They are the ones who in every possible way teach that morality has its own way and of course they teach it better than any scientist. My worthy opponents, I won’t forget to mention about that highly dreadful disease ‘AIDS’. Your scientists have still not found a permanent solution for this big problem but our teachers; they are busy educating the masses about the ‘preventive measures’ of this disease.

At the end, I would like to wrap up my words by again emphasizing on the fact that “What a teacher does with his book is far better than what a scientist does with his tools.” It is something no one can ever compare.

Adversity causes some people to break; and others to break records.

Adversity is just a test..!!

Adversity according to oxford dictionary is a difficult or an unpleasant situation and as the title suggests it breaks down some people entirely while for some others, it sets new standards of success. APJ Abdul Kalam stands as its best example. Since childhood, he was always surrounded with adversity of different kinds; whether it be lack of  financial  resources or the mental support, he always fought his way and broke records by being an excellent scientist, a prolific writer, an eminent philosopher and definitely the ‘First man of the nation’.

Rudyard Kipling in his poem ‘If’ states,

“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same

--- you’ll be a man, my son!”

M.K.Gandhi, Pt.Jawahar Lal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad are those names who abided by the above lines. They were not the ones who wasted their time lamenting over their failures nor did they get too enthusiased on their success. They were the jewels who remained the same throughout. Adversity spares no body and it may sound weird but it is so true, that it is very important to have adverse conditions in life, else one could never understand the true worth of happiness. Adversity teaches us how to fight the hard times with a smile and shine like a star-- like a real hero.

There was a story about two brothers born in the same situation but with an entirely different outlook towards life. Let me start by introducing their drunkard father who used to spend all his income on vices like drinks, drugs etc. Not to forget, he used to beat his innocent wife for literally ‘no reason at all’. Moreover, his attitude towards his children was horrifying: -- something which sent a shiver down the spine. His two sons suffered a lot in that adversity in the same manner but their attitude towards the adverse conditions made a big difference. The elder son chose to be an officer of high rank by educating himself properly and trying his best not to be like his father because he was well aware what actually “being like his father” meant to his family. He had the concept that those adverse conditions had taught him never to do things his father was habituated to while the younger one became a spoilt brat with the concept that his childhood upbringing was to blame. He learnt all this from his own father, from those adverse conditions. Such was the difference between the two souls sharing common fathers and definitely common adversities. The same situation molded the two children in two completely different ways.

Emphasizing on the real life now, I would like to share an experience which provoked me to write the article on a subject like ‘Adversity’. I got to know about one of my seniors who faced an immense adverse condition but conquered it with surprisingly great results. Just a day before his ISC Board Mathematics Examination, he lost his mother and was disturbed to the brim. Still he appeared in the examination and not only did he get 100/100 in mathematics but also topped the institution and made his mother feel proud spiritually. The irreplaceable loss filled in him that will power which his mother always longed for him. This extremely inspiring incident of my life reminds me about the famous quote by Shakespeare,

“Sweet are the uses of adversity; 

which like a toad, ugly and venomous

wears yet a precious jewel on his head.”

used effectively in his play ‘As You like It’. The quote holds true in real sense.

An Unnamed Relationship (Part-VIII)

A final *GOODBYE*..!!

The end. Yes, this part represents the end of the series “An Unnamed Relationship”. Sahil and Tanya became an integral part of my life too. They were not mere characters but two souls who could never be together in spite of that unnamed relationship which dwelled between the two hearts. Sahil proposed Tanya... She said yes... Tanya proposed Sahil... He said no... Then again Sahil proposed Tanya... and this time she said no... What the hell was happening in their life..?? No one knew; not even them.

It was like those feelings when you want a relationship… but you don’t… but you do… but you don’t… **confusion**... For her, trusting someone was impossible and for him a second chance was all that mattered the most. Things could have simplified but don’t know why they got even more complicated. They were trying for sure but were there personal issues letting them be together..? His ego and her trust issues were overpowering the love which wanted to blossom between the two. According to Tanya she had had enough and no more energy was left in her to get shattered again. She wanted a guarantee but relationships never work on conditions. There are no manufacturing and expiry dates.

Actually the problem with guys is that they say they love you when they don’t and the problem with girls is that they say they don’t love you when they actually do. Their priorities were never clear. They never understood what was more important for them. It’s as simple as that, if a person truly loves another, they make them the first priority in their lives but here it was all very different. Tanya wanted to scream, “Help me forget that eternal kiss, please.” Memories, they kill you from inside. Sahil and Tanya were not meant to be together. Maybe it is not the happy ending but this is the accurate ending for the two people who were only carrying a burden. When personal issues hover over love, love dies an unnatural death. They decided to just let go… it was an unnamed relationship and will always remain the same. I am sure that their place in each other’s heart can never be substituted by anyone. If they don’t say it doesn't mean they don’t feel. Being apart was not wanted by them but it was definitely needed.

* It’s sad when the person who gave you the best memories; ends up as a memory.*

An Unnamed Relationship (Part-VII)

Together..!! Still apart...!!

Soon came Tanya’s birthday. Sahil drove several kilometers to surprise her. Their meeting was definitely not like the usual ones but an entirely different experience and precisely for Tanya it was like a ‘dream-come-true’. That day while they were sitting and discussing some ‘not-so-important’ topic, Sahil suddenly insisted to hold Tanya’s hand. 

“Can I?” asked Sahil placing his hand in front of Tanya indicating her to give him her hand so that he can hold it.

“No, you’ll leave it soon”, replied Tanya implying the hidden meaning.

“Do you trust me, Tanya?” asked he knowing the answer quite well. 

“Yes, I do”, replied she taking a pause of 10 seconds. Sahil looked straight into her eyes and without even a blink said, “I promise to hold your hand forever”.

Without any second thoughts she placed her hand on his wishing never to be apart. She wanted to freeze the moment right there. Their fingers clutched each other tightly. Tanya like always started blushing and her hair strands split over her face. Sahil collected the hair strands and gently feeling Tanya’s face with his fingers placed them behind her ears after a lot of effort. Actually flicks sometimes dance on their own accord and become really stubborn. Once those flicks covered Tanya’s eyes blocking Sahil’s view. Then Sahil commented, “One is not able to simply look at a person even if he wishes to. Hard luck!” The chirpy bird became speechless. She didn’t know how to react but there was still much more left for her to remember throughout her life.

They stood up; started walking and again started talking on some not-so-important topic. This time they stood quite close to each other. Yes, this was also a kissable moment. Just before anything would happen, Tanya turned her face opposite to that of Sahil and moved away. Like every typical bollywood movie where the heroine decides to walk away and the hero holds her hand from the back; pulls her towards himself and hugs her tightly; the same happened here also. Sahil gave her a tight hug; put his one hand on her head and said, “Happy Birthday, Tanya”. Don’t know what was stopping Tanya because she could neither pay a ‘Thank-you’ nor could she hug him back. He even complained but to no avail. When Sahil planned to leave that day, Tanya bade her good-bye.

Tanya all of a sudden said, “Sahil” demanding him to stop.

He stopped, turned around and replied, “Yes” not knowing what Tanya wanted to say.

“Ummm… Take care. Happy journey and drive safe”, stammered Tanya maybe because she wanted to say something else.

Sahil again headed towards the door. Once again Tanya pronounced his name from behind but this time she caught hold of his hand. Nobody said a word because now the eyes were talking. Both of them understood that they needed a kiss to end this meeting. Sahil bent forward at a certain angle maintaining the eye contact and holding Tanya’s hand. While Tanya simply could not resist closing her eyes when Sahil came a bit close to her. Tanya was standing straight and still; allowing Sahil to do whatever he wants. Sahil planted a soft kiss on Tanya’s upper lip giving her the most memorable moment of her life; after all it was her first kiss. (I find your lips so kissable…And your kiss unmissible…Your finger tips so touchable…And your eyes IRRESISTIBLE). Sahil and Tanya were now living an unnamed relationship. They care for each other but how can ego ever overpower love? Sahil has shared his deepest secrets with Tanya and Tanya keeps falling in love everyday with his simple yet meaningful sentences. He once said, “See, even the first letters of our name are not apart. This proves that we’ll be together.” Tanya till today regards it as the best sentence spoken by him. She had given him the right to break her heart again but before it he promised her to emerge out as a better human being one day. They still fight claiming that the other person proposed first. They are opposites but still tied together with some knot of expectations.

“What relationship do we hold?” asked Tanya randomly one day.

“Whatever you want it to be”, came up a casual reply. Tanya knew that it can never be the way she wants it to be. They were still not each other’s after coming this close but undoubtedly they wanted this strange relationship to remain unnamed and continue but not unwanted at any cost.

*Nothing’s gonna change my love for you;

You ought to know by now how much I love you…. 

One thing you can be sure of; 

 I’ll never ask for more than your love….*

An Unnamed Relationship (Part-VI)

One shot... That was it...!!

They were missing each other. Maybe being distant was important for them to be close again. The phone-calls which earlier extended to two hours each day were now reduced to 2 minutes and that too after a gap of 15 days. They became very formal for the next five months and then came the ‘school farewell’. Sahil was not willing to attend it; the reason being the ‘pre-planned thoughts of farewell with his ex’. Memories were hovering his mind and he got really uneasy while Tanya was super-excited about this farewell stuff. Girls are generally like this. Ask them to get ready for a get-together and it just sets everything perfect. Tanya also wanted to look perfect in the sari (yes, sari was the dress code for girls) but above all she wanted to dress up ‘for’ Sahil. She wanted him to notice her and compliment her. In fact she was coming to the farewell because of him. Tanya wanted to spend her last official day in Sahil’s company but Sahil wasn’t ready for it. He always used to say that there was nothing left between him and his ex but Tanya never understood that why his ex was still making some difference to him. After a lot of persuasion and with the help of a common friend, Sahil agreed to attend the grand farewell and this made Tanya more than happy.

Sahil and Tanya reached the venue at approximately same time and Sahil even clicked Tanya’s picture with his brand new camera without her noticing it. Oh! He is an awesome photographer. Anybody can fall in love with his clicks. The farewell turned out not exactly what Tanya wanted it to be. They didn’t converse. Sahil was busy with his ex-girlfriend because he made some promises to her but what about Tanya…? How intolerable was it for her to see the love of her life with someone else on such a beautiful day? She sometimes wanted to go up to Sahil and say, “I need you right now” but never said so because to her it appeared as if she was interfering between two souls who were very close to each other some time ago. When it became almost impossible for her to resist him she went up to him and said, “Sahil, let’s have a photo session.” “Yeah, sure”, replied he. Sahil came close to her; in fact ‘very close’. He bent a little towards Tanya; put his hand on her lower back; held her by the waist and pulled her towards himself. Yes, they were inches apart. That moment demanded a kiss. Tanya was in utter surprise. Sahil’s sudden behavior gave her goose-bumps as well as it made her blush. She had never been so close to anybody. She could feel him and then a perfect picture was clicked making it the ‘best’ among the ‘rest’. Even today they both relish that photo-session and Sahil keeps complementing Tanya for her elegant wear. Tanya in her loneliness often asks herself, “Why that picture is so important to Sahil that even after five months he has made it his Facebook and WhatsApp profile picture?” “Do I mean something to him?” Well! Their days and nights passed observing each other in that epic click. The intensity and the closeness were visible and the features were zoomed again and again for a better view. It was flawless.


To Be Continued...

An Unnamed Relationship (Part-V)

Another Chance, please..???

What annoyed Tanya the most was the fact that Sahil was deceiving even himself. He was betraying his own soul. She could not find what her fault was. Why was she being punished for loving and trusting someone? That was the very first moment when Tanya thought that she was in love with the ‘wrong guy’. Maybe he had his own reasons for doing any such thing but this logic never satisfied Tanya. Soon, when they had a phone-call Tanya got to know about Sahil’s road accident when he was going home after that rude ‘no-you’re-my-nothing’ conversation with her. This filled her heart with guilt and she blamed herself for Sahil’s mental distraction. Tanya kept saying sorry but Sahil was now being sarcastic. He commented that she should not show concern as ‘he was her nothing’. Tanya felt that everything happened because of her but then she cross-questioned herself, “Why should I be sorry to an untrustworthy soul?”

Soon things settled and it was exactly 13 days after the incident when Sahil called Tanya and said, “I’ve to make a confession.”

“Go ahead”, replied Tanya knowing well where this was heading to.

“I was double-dating.”

"I know."

“I am sorry Tanya”, said Sahil with a guilty voice.

“I don’t need your sorry. I knew all this before you told me.” 

“As you wish but it’s just an advice Tanya that don’t ever treat a person like this when he confesses because it takes courage to speak the truth.” 

“This is not a confession Sahil. I’m getting to know things about you from other people which you were supposed to tell me earlier. I was only waiting to see how much time will you take to accept the reality and yes, why are you confessing this to me?”

“Because, I strongly feel that I was doing wrong to you. I was making you suffer because of me.” A single sentence and Tanya was speechless. She could understand that Sahil realized his mistake and this was what the most important part. She felt relaxed.

Emotions were taking a complete U-turn. It started with “I love you’s”; headed towards “No, I don’t love you” and then the final “You are my nothing” but was it really supposed to be like this? Earlier what appeared beautiful was now a burden which both of them were carrying. Tanya wanted to ask, “Can we start it all over again?” but she couldn’t muster up enough courage since a common friend made her realize that Sahil was losing his confidence because of her. Tanya kept on blaming herself for Sahil’s low self-esteem. She decided to just stay away….


To Be Continued...