Independence Day

The day started looking pretty cloudy and the rains threatened to dampen our celebration...

Independence day- second only to the cricket world cup when I allow myself to feel patriotic and I let myself indulge in the mirage of nationalism... I don't know what it was about today that made me sad and dejected but well, that was what I felt.

I was very thankful for Sudeshna's company, who is a program leader with the marketing team. She had been meeting up with fellows and visiting schools in various locations in order to build an understanding of the fellows' life. In that context, she had come with me to school today. I was hyper  excited because I was happy with the work I had done from the past 3 days... Sudeshna and I spoke of a lot of things- why the fellows are unhappy, do we always work with headmasters, are program leaders understanding, what does it fell like to be a female fellow, do we get our reimbursements in time, negative publicity surrounding the fellowship, our dreams, writing for marketing, et cetera.

School visit went well as I was glad to be doing decent work, my headmaster and the staff were telling her that I was hard working ( a value I love being associated with). There was a cultural program in the school as it was our independence day and I loved watching the kids being so happy. The moment we entered school, the kids started running towards us, hi-five-ing us with great gusto. Today was one day were the kids were allowed to do things they loved to do- run around, play, sing, dance, shout, make merry and eat sweets... i loved seeing them have their moment under the sun. The villagers were sweet enough to talk to both of us and I loved conversing with them. 

I took some videos of the dances I had choreographed and excuse me for the poor video quality!

Enjoy, always

A

Work! Sigh

Today, I was a little anxious to go to school as I had just returned from Bangalore after a week long leave and I was so not looking forward to work. Yeah, WORK. I thought people crib about their work when they turn 30 or something... But at the age of 21, work was leading me towards depression! I knew I wanted to quit but I have never been a quitter and I was not ready to let this fellowship break my record. Often, when people back home compliment me on my "social" work, I always feel embarrassed- they think the fellowship is some great  thing to do with some romantic challenges thrown in. They don't know that the fellowship is a lot like their life. In what way? In the most simplest way of them all- city life is not always  about living it large, many a times it's about winning everyday battles- so is the fellowship. :) Not everyday is exciting with some great social project in hand, most days are about getting up in time to reach school before the morning assembly, giving oneself a pep talk on the bus, dealing with a lecherous teacher, calming down a new fellow, hurling  a 'logical' argument to the program leader and doing all of this patiently with a  smile (and an empty stomach).

Giving oneself  a pep talk...had to give myself one today. Why was I smiling today on my way to school? What was different today? The answer was most disappointing in its realism- I was happy because I was teaching dancing at school in preparation for 15th August celebrations (Indian Independence Day). Choreographing dance has always been my secret indulgence and now that I was about to get this decadent chance, boy wasn't I excited!! Just being able to pursue something I am interested in was enough to make work "fun". Is that all it takes?

Once I reached school,I was glad to see that the teachers were supportive about the "step by step" dance (as they christened my teaching style) I was teaching the kids. The fact that I was respected for my work fuelled me with more energy. I had a chance to redeem myself (for myself) and I was not about to miss it...

After all the dancing, we the school staff had to make an appearance in a function thrown by a villager- he had become a proud father of a baby BOY( it obviously qualified as a cause for celebration). Here I got the opportunity to mingle with the local community...

Today's conclusion: Hand sanitizer can double up as a thing worthy of a display in the museum.

I don't know what exactly I learnt today- maybe today was  a reinforcement of something I'd read a long time ago- start enjoying the work you do and never shall you work another day in your life.
Amen to that.

Love,
A

P.S. Oh dad, did you hear that?