Teaching

There could not have been a better topic to start my second innings of blogging with. Today, teaching is my passion. I totally love it. However this happened accidentally.

I was going through this phase of life wherein I was dissatisfied with my work. There were a lot of things that I did not like about it and was thus looking for a change. I wanted to get away from PR itself but did not know what to do next. A lot of people suggested I take CAT but I was skeptical. I was never inclined towards MBA from the very beginning. When we were in final year of college, my friend/roommate Nisha advised that I should give it a try. She said a lot of English Hons students too appeared for it. But I wasn’t in the least interested. But who knew that some years down the line, I would be so closely related to this industry.

Ok, so I was in a dilemma and did not know what I wanted to do. It was THE discussion regarding MBA, with my cousin Apurva in Green Park CCD that made me seriously ponder over it. I decided to take the plunge. I joined IMS in Delhi and started with the preparations. However I was still shuttling between office and studies, and that wasn’t easy. I was messing up both and so had to take a call. I chose to quit work and came home for preparations. Time was limited as there was barely a month and a half to go. But I decided to give it my best. I took a transfer to IMS Siliguri. I got a lot of help there, but that wasn’t enough. Maths was a serious problem. Not that I did not have the basics in place. But time was too short. Anyway, I appeared for the exams but did not get through. The reason being I only had the top ten B-schools in mind. After having a MA degree it would have been pointless to join a second-rung B-school.

It was sometime in February when all the results were out and I knew I had not made it anywhere. I wasn’t disappointed though. I remember having a discussion with Sumit, who is the centre manager at IMS Siliguri. I told him I wasn’t in the mood to get back to the corporate world. He then asked me why I was even appearing for those B-schools exams as that’s where I would have to get back to after an MBA. Anyway it was sometime then that I got a call from Sumit asking me to see him. I went one day, and he asked me, generally, what my plans for the future were. I told him I had not decided anything as yet. It was then that he asked me if I were interested in teaching English at IMS. Huh! That was like a bombshell being dropped. I laughed it off and told him I had not in my weirdest moments thought about taking up teaching. He suggested I give it a try. I was still apprehensive so he asked me to think over it.

I came home and shared the news with a couple of close friends. They suggested I try it. I had nothing to lose after all. I wasn’t too keen on it but then the thought of coaching CAT aspirants sounded good. Only, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to. Having good command over English is one thing, teaching it in a class, that too CAT level, is quite another. But after some deliberation and discussion I decided to take the plunge. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today when I look back I feel glad I took that decision. I am totally into it now. Like I said, it has become a passion. It feels good to enrich and nurture minds. Moreover as they say, teaching is indeed a noble profession. Initially I used to be so overwhelmed by the respect I used to get from my students. In fact I was just not accustomed to it. I used to compare it with the corporate world all the time, where politics, abuses, manipulation and mind-games were an integral part of the job. Contrary to that, there was so much respect and courtesy here. There are many more things I like about teaching. More on that and about my students in the next post.

Back :)

It really seems like eternity – cant believe it's been more than a YEAR since I wrote my last blog post. I now realize that I have been so away from the world of writing. All this time, I used to hear about MY BLOG from the handful friends who have the link. Some of them had been urging that I start writing again. I was thinking of getting back to it but was still dilly dallying about the whole thing. In fact, I wasn't charged or geared up to write something today either. But then I happened to casually visit my own blog, more like a stranger, and the date of the last post almost shocked me. I still can't believe it's been that long. So I decided I HAD TO JUST WRITE something and break the hiatus.

So this is it, for a start. I am back (with a bang I hope)...

Cheers :)

Consistently Inconsistent

My status reads – “Consistently Inconsistent”

A lot of people will identify with this feeling I am sure. I am mostly inconsistent – I'm capricious and tend to get bored awfully fast with situations, things and even people, every so often. But there are times when this feeling is very strong. It is more like a phase and these days I am going through such a period (no pun intended here :P). Nothing appeals to me or fascinates me. And even if it does, it doesn’t hold my attention for long. I start something with great passion but then lose the enthusiasm soon. This explains the numerous drafts in my folder because I just do not have the willpower to finish them. I doubt if I will post this one too. But today I am determined to do so. Let’s see what happens! It is like challenging me and I am already enjoying it :)

Getting back to the topic…I do not like the company of even my closest pals. I just do not feel like talking to anyone. But then again I get irritated with the loneliness. I seek the company of people, I long to share my thoughts, I yearn for a good conversation; it is a vicious circle.

I have currently started reading about 8-9 books and each day I feel like taking up a new one. I tell myself that let others be; I will me start afresh and ensure that I finish this one. But it’s the same story :P

In fact sometimes I even don’t like listening to music. Then it kind of worries me because I really can’t picture life without music. So getting bored with it or not being up to it is unimaginable. But thankfully this is rare and happens for a very short time.

Basically, the whole point is…

Well there I go. I have lost the link…train of thoughts broken! Talk about being inconsistent!!

Now this doesn’t really qualify as a complete post but I will still put it up. That’s about it for now. And I seriously hope to transfer stuff from my drafts to the blog :P

You make me proud brother

Ravi, my brother, has topped his college (Hansraj, my Alma Mater too :D) in Eco Hons, 1st year. He has scored 80% - now such high percentage in a subject like Economics was unheard of, at least during my time. The standard might have gone up, as the university topper has scored close to 90% but the fact that he comes from a Science background makes it all the more special. Moreover, there was a huge hullabaloo over his taking up this course. I was rebuked by my dad and many others for encouraging him to drop Science and take up B.A (Hons).

Dad always wanted me to take up Science, but I was not interested. So I took up Commerce in the eleventh grade. He was a little disappointed but there still was some hope. It was, however, all lost when I chose to graduate in Literature. He was unhappy with my decision but Ravi kind of made up for it when he decided to take up Science. Lost hope was rekindled and papa was very happy. But maybe destiny had something else in store for him. He did not make it to any of the good engineering colleges, missing some of them by just a whisker. He did not want to drop a year and said that he wanted to shift to Economics instead. Now, the course is good and has great career prospects. But I too wasn't very comfortable with the idea of him dropping Science. However I had to change my mind as he was determined and absolutely sure that he did not want to drop a year. Plus he had other valid points too. So after weighing all the pros and cons, I agreed. Dad was dead against it but I explained things to him. There was no point in forcing him to either take up a college he did not want or get him to drop a year. So he eventually enrolled in Economics. Dad of course wasn't happy and I had to hear a lot of times that it was not a right decision.

Right or wrong I still do not know. I don't know if he would have done better with Science. I only know that I had trust him and he did not let me down. I also know that you are sincere and hardworking and will do well in life. You make me proud brother. Keep rocking :)

Ravi (left) with his friend after receiving the awards on the Annual Day :)

Receiving the award :)

Tin, this is for you :)

It’s been a while since I have written anything or even visited my blog for that matter. The past one month I was busy traveling. I also finally visited Darjeeling :) But I will write about my traveling escapades later, in the next post perhaps. I assured a dear friend of mine that the next post on my blog would be for her. So Tin, this one is dedicated to you.

It was the same with Prachi and you. I did not like either of you initially. I was actually mad at Archana for introducing us. But then our route was common so it only made sense to travel together. I then started interacting with you’ll and realized it was not that bad after all. (However, to be honest, I had never thought that we would be such good pals one day.) Then you started working and so it was Prachi and me most of the time. Naturally we got closer and this aroused jealousy in you. As much as you deny it, the Shivaji Stadium incident was proof enough :P Now I know you would still say that you don’t remember a thing but then that was the fact!

Anyway we did have lots of fun… in the class, in various places @ CP especially CCD, the walk from BVB to the Metro station, the race at the station, then the metro ride, last minute hurried studies for the exams… it was all memorable! BVB had given me all this and two good friends to be cherished for lifetime :)

The next phase was when I was at Comma and you at Businesswire. This time we mostly met while traveling, especially when my office shifted to CP temporarily. We also had Chiki for company now. Come to think of it Tin, most of the time we have spent together has been while traveling. Like we said – metro partners! And we have so many unforgettable instances at different metro stations. Remember when Prachi and you managed to get out of the metro but I was trapped inside at Kashmere Gate. We were, rather I was, already late that day and to make things worse, the unnecessary delay. And similarly the next time @ Netaji I got in the train but you could not make it on time. Gosh, what amazing moments they were!

I am seriously glad I met you girl. I am not saying this only because of the fun times we have shared but for the reason that I like you as a person too. You are a fun-loving, bindaas, bubbly, chirpy girl, who maintains a perfect balance between friends and family, work and fun. I love your attitude towards life. I have seldom seen the emotional side of you; it has always been about the light happy moments. But I also know that beneath all this lies a matured, levelheaded persona who is extremely loveable.

You would soon be starting a new phase in your life. I wish you all the best. Love you…Muaah :)

Yet another personal (impulsive) reflection…

May seems to be the month for engagement announcements. The one that I got to know today came as a shock. She is a close pal but marriage was not on her cards. We were more or less sailing in the same boat. But like she herself put it, everything happened suddenly. Sometimes when I think about how most of my friends are married by now or have plans to in the near future I get very intimidated. It is during such times I feel that it’s time I too settled down. But this thought only occurs whenever I get the news of a friend tying the knot. Else I would still say that there is time for me.

Anyway I would like to divert my mind as of now and the best topic that comes to my mind is my upcoming trip to Delhi next week. I am really looking forward to it. There are so many people I have to meet; I just hope there is time enough for all. I so wish this trip could be extended. I have really been missing Yashi a lot for the last few days. Since it is not possible for her to come to Delhi I could have gone to Dehradun. It would have been ideal but I don’t see that happening this time. So this plan will have to wait. Right now hope to make the best of those two weeks. And of course the most important thing, the reason why I am traveling – my lil brother’s admission. I hope he makes it to CBS. Fingers crossed!!

Happy birthday dearest Bhai :)

Wish you a very happy birthday Bhai. This one is indeed very special for you – you are celebrating your 25th Birthday plus your engagement announcement exactly a week ago, adds to the celebration. I am sure all those numerous gifts, warmth and love from my would-be Bhabhi did make you feel special and made your day already. But there are other people too who care, a lot, it is just that they might not express it often. And I am of them.

Well, it is never easy to pen down our feelings for someone who is so dear to us. Sometimes we do not have the apt words, and sometimes it seems like words are not enough to express all that we want to say. When that someone is YOU – it is a Herculean task. And mind you, this is the second time (I shall not miss any opportunity to talk about the testimonial that I wrote for you and the one that is pending from your side ever since :P) I am attempting to write something about the remarkable bond that we share!   You know how our relation has been like. We have grown-up fighting – physical when we were kids and later on verbal, especially in college. We have outgrown those days, as we are matured now. But when I look back at all of it, I have a smile on my face.

Know what? Ever since childhood, I have pretty much been on my own. Most of friends at that time had elder brothers who, by their basic nature, were very possessive. I somehow missed that interference in my life and always wished I too had an elder brother. My friends told me I would not like it and they can really be a pain imposing restrictions and all that stuff. But you know how we always want something we don’t have. Similarly, I wanted someone to keep an eye on me and be concerned about my whereabouts. Things changed as I grew up, because my dominating attitude would not allow me to be under someone’s control. However, the desire to share that bond was always there. And today, I can so proudly say that my wish was granted. In fact I got much more – I got a wonderful friend in a brother.

You would soon be starting a new phase of your life and I wish you all the best. And yes, no matter the distance or time, you will always be a special and an important part of my life. Thanks so much for everything. Love you!

P.S. We don't have a single photograph together!!!!

IPL season 2 - getting better?

IPL season 2 saw a lot of drama before the real action of the matches begun. At one point of time it looked difficult to conduct the tournament. After various controversies, trials and tribulations, it was finally decided that IPL would be shifted to South Africa. There were again a lot of speculations if moving the tournament out of India was a good thing to do. Teams, franchises, sponsors, players and audience, all were divided in their opinion. A lot of them said IPL would not be the same in SA. Players said they would miss playing at their home grounds. At the end, all had no option but to accept the fate.

Currently, the IPL fever is on and we are well past the mid way. And what an interesting situation! It seems like barring Kolkata any team can make it to the semi-finals. People are supporting one team or the other with great fervor. But I am not enjoying it. Not that I am not interested in cricket or am averse to this version of the game. The problem is something else.

I do not have a favorite team as such, as I like various players from different teams. However if you ask me which team am I supporting the first name that comes to my mind is Delhi Daredevils. I have spent seven memorable years in Delhi and thus the connection. Theirs is a good team too, and a lot of the names are familiar. Virendra Sehwag-Gautam Gambhir combination is no doubt one of the best though it’s little sad that this duo has not performed well this season. I am glad that Gambhir finally managed to shirk off his not-in-form status and bagged the much deserved Man of the Match award. I am now waiting to see Viru’s explosive batting. I also like Vettori, AB De Villiers and Nannes.

Things would be very simple if it were just this. But at the time I have a soft corner for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) too, for obvious reasons – no not Shah Rukh Khan, though most girls go gaga over him; I was born and brought up in Bengal. Plus, I admire Dada’s grit and never-say-die attitude. They have been extremely unlucky this season and I feel sad at their plight. KKR had been surrounded by controversies even before the real match begun. First it was the multiple-captain theory and then the captaincy issue, which was handed over to Brendon Mccullum. Now when they are at the bottom of the table, much is being said about their pre-hype and SRK’s publicity stunts which did not bring any results. I want this bad run to end for them and as their latest commercial says, come back “RELOADED”. But I know that the dream run of winning the trophy has come to an end this season. All they can do now is bounce back and win the rest of the matches to save themselves more humiliation and criticism for as we know, when it comes to cricket Indians are fanatics. When the team does well and they like someone, they praise them and go mad appreciating and showing their love and affection for them. But, if the same team starts losing matches and do no perform, the same people who earlier had garlands in their hands now have stones instead. They even start abusing the team and hold them guilty for not living up to the expectations. They forget that at the end of the day it is a game where someone wins and someone loses. In India, especially in cricket, fans only expect the team to do well and keep winning. I can see the same fate for KKR. The fans were already upset at Sourav not given charge of captaincy. Now they will be ready to pounce on everyone, seeing the team’s dismal performance. So a couple of wins here should them some good.

These are the two teams that I support. But, there are two other teams that I like for only one person each – Mumbai Indians for Sachin Tendulkar and Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rahul Dravid. Sachin as we all know is an iconic player and I don’t like to see his team lose. On the other hand I have been an ardent fan and supporter of Rahul Dravid ever since I started following the game of cricket, which was way back in class VI or VII. He is one player, who I feel has not got the appreciation that he deserved. He has scored more then 10000 runs in both versions of the game but people have more often criticized than praised him for his skills. He is always considered a slow player, despite the fact that he has been the person who has held the Indian innings together a lot of times. Never mind what people say. I liked him and I still do. It was really nice to see him begin with a bang. He is the sole reason why I do not want RCB to lose a match.

That’s four teams down. However it doesn’t end here too :P I somehow like Kings XI Punjab for no specific reason. And lastly, Chennai Super Kings. Dhoni again is such a brilliant leader that I do not like to see his side lose. I feel sad to see that dejected look whenever his team is in a bad position. Other than this, I do not like the team on the whole. Like if there is match between CSK and any of the teams mentioned above, I would be supporting the other team. The toughest situation is when Delhi and Kolkata play a match. In fact they will be playing one shortly and I am with both the teams. This is a difficult situation as one cannot possibly cheer both the teams simultaneously. Such is the dilemma that I land up not watching the match. At least that’s what I did the last time. Let’s see what happens today!

The last two teams – Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers are the only two teams I have never felt a connection with.  I do not want either of them to make it to the semi-finals. It would be great if Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab and Bangalore make it to the top four :)

How comfortable are girls in buying a sanitary napkin?

I have had discussions on this topic with my girl friends many a times. And the response has more or less been the same – most of them are still very uncomfortable in buying a sanitary napkin, which I would refer to as ST henceforth [This is another thought – the abbreviation for a sanitary napkin should be SN and not ST. But that is how we have been referring to it always. I wonder why. I guess the ST comes from Sanitary, but then what about Napkin? Strange!]

You walk up to any store and ask for one; if there are men around, you will surely see them staring at you. The person at the counter takes it out in a hush hush manner and then wraps it in a newspaper or puts in a BLACK plastic bag, sometimes even both. I wonder why! Not that I don’t know the reason, but it is so baseless. Why should it draw attention if I carry it just like that? What is so disgraceful about it that it needs to be concealed?

A lot of girls I know never buy ST from the chemist next to their place or any other shop that they visit regularly as they know the person sitting in the shop and thus feel embarrassed and ill at ease. This thought really bewilders me. Not that I blame the girls for thinking in this manner. It is the mentality of the men around them that gives rise to such self-consciousness. But why, that’s my question! And are only men to be blamed for this?

I would say it is the psyche of the people in India and how they look down on this whole process. In some parts of India, menstruation is still considered to be a curse and linked with myths and taboos. Teenage girls, especially in rural parts are not comfortable in discussing it with their parents or elders in the family. As a result girls are shy and embarrassed. Many a times they go through a lot of pain or trouble but are unable to share it with anyone. There are many NGO’s and other bodies working towards this and educating the rural community. But what about the urban class who are well educated and aware of everything. Why don’t they treat it as a natural phenomenon and stop being embarrassed about it?

Some people might argue that this is not the case. Well, I was in Delhi for 7 years. Initially, in our first year of college we used to hesitate in even telling our guy friends that we are chumming [Now most of them, including some girls, will not understand this term too I guess. It is a colloquial term that we girls use for “periods”]. Things changed gradually, a lot of credit for which goes to Eng Hons. Today I have no qualms in discussing or talking about it with most of the people. But there are times, when I too am a little hesitant despite the “bold” and “liberal” girl that I am. For instance, I could never tell a male colleague in my office that I was chumming. However I am still better off than most of the people I know. Girls still are not at ease talking about this.

I remember, once I wasn’t feeling well as I was down, when a guy friend of mine called me up. When I told this to him, one of my girl friend who had come over to my place raised her eyebrow and looked up at me in a very surprised and shocked manner. She later asked me how I could tell a guy that I was down. I asked her what was wrong in telling him; we were good friends after all. She then told me that she could never talk about this with a guy, no matter how good a friend he is.

My earlier posts on PMS evoked mixed and varied reactions. Most of the girls liked it and appreciated that I have expressed the pain and feelings aptly. But some of them asked me how I could post such a thing on my blog. Till the time girls themselves have this notion in their heads, this issue will always remain as it is. They need to stop feeling shy about it in the first place. It is only when they are themselves comfortable, that they can expect people to behave normally.

A long break

I have not written for a long time again, but this time it was for lack of time. That’s no excuse because one has to take out time. However, April was an eventful month. A lot happened, with Prachi’s wedding being the main affair. So obviously I have lots to write about. And then marriage/engagement seems to in the air!! Two people who are very close to me got engaged on Sunday - my cousin Apporva and one of my best pals from school. I am obviously very happy. I will write about them in detail in the coming posts.

There are certain things on my to-do or to-learn list like guitar lessons, French classes, learning Salsa and most recently photography. But never really had the time to take them up. Now that I have time, there are no facilities. So basically something or the other keeps coming up. However, I am glad that I have finally, finally joined swimming. And it is the perfect time too; gives such a relief from this heat. It has only been a while and I will take some time to learn, but I am so happy that it is ultimately happening. The other good thing is that it is taking care of my sinus problem. I used to keep away from water for this reason, but it feels nice now :) Hope I am able to take up the other things too sometime! Till then it is HAPPY SWIMMING :)