To bridge the gap

"I want to go back to my village so that I can help my people find a livelihood in some way. They are not aware about so many schemes and new technologies, I will spread awareness and help them to achieve their ambitions", said a young post graduate student hailing from Jharkhand upon being asked about her aspirations.

For Meghalaya and in fact for all rural areas across the nation, we need youngsters like her to take such a resolve. Especially those who have been fortunate enough to get education and exposure. If we have such volunteers in the field of education and rural development, we could certainly then dream of bridging the gap. More power to such souls.

Finish the race

On your mark, get, set, go. The 800 m boys race had started during the Inter school athletic meet in Williamnagar. Meanwhile some runners sweated hard for glory, some already gave up in between and stopped. Observing from the stands, I found myself tele-ported to my schooldays. Back then, I wasn't that good with sports, though I used to participate in everything.

Once I told my father about the forthcoming race and how I did not stand a chance for podium finish. He smiled, perhaps at my misplaced ambitions and disillusioned priorities, and with a hand on my shoulder, said "Just don't give up half way, finish the race, and I will be proud". That commandment went beyond the race and became a beacon for life. If only these boys were told the same before.

Degrading Evolution

A six year old kid from Mizoram takes a hurt chicken to hospital. A tremendous gesture of kindness and compassion. The viral picture speaks volumes about these critically endangered virtues.

Take a moment, revisit your childhood and ponder whether these virtues have degraded for you, or worse, extinct. What causes it then? This competitive materialistic world, the arrogance of being a dominant species, the illusion of omnipotence or the iniquity of greed? With every passing day, do we really grow 'up'?

The Climb

After the 0-2 defeat at home to PSG, not many would have thought that it could be turned around. Manchester United was already written off the Champions league. Even when the phoenix was rising from the ashes courtesy our baby-faced assassin, there was perhaps only a tinny possibility.

When Ole Solskjaer was told by a journalist after this defeat "You have got a mountain to climb in Paris now..", his instant reply was, "yeah, but mountains are there to be climbed, aren't they?". After a defeat, if one can be this determined and full of hope, anything is possible. What a turn around with Manchester United defeating PSG in Paris! And with Ole and Gaffer both there, it had to happen the way it did.

A Little Longer

It was a beautiful sunny day with the blue sky at it's picturesque best. The wind was a little mischievous flipping it's course every now and then. The candles placed outdoor were to be lit as part of the opening ceremony for celebration of Women's Day.

Among those who were accorded the task of lighting them up, few gave up too soon assuming that the wind was too strong. Perhaps one needed to hold the fire against the tip for some more time. After a while when I checked, only two had flames, the ones for which people endured for a little longer. Sometimes, the thing which we seek is just around the corner, if only we could endure, a littler longer.