The Wait

 The driver must have been in his sixties. He was so still that his body seemed like an extension of the Auto-rickshaw itself. On the way, he gently asked “Beta, student ho ya naukari karte ho?”

Upon hearing my response, he looked at the rear view mirror. Our eyes exchanged notes. He turned his attention back to the road. “Mera graduate beta hai ghar pe. Kehta hai aap 5 saal aur Auto chalao. Uske baad wo naukari karega”. Perhaps words weren’t even needed. The eyes had given it away already, the desperate wait to retire. I had nothing to offer but prayers.

Deep Work

Bill Gates has this unique thing called "Think Weeks" where he disappears to an isolated place carrying along a stack of books. Author J.K.Rowling used to check into a hotel simply to work on her book "Deathly Hallows". There are numerous examples of people innovating to create quality work in this world full of distractions.

By the cover, one would think Cal Newport's book 'Deep Work' would simply tell you to focus. What else there can be to it. But certainly he has done his deep work. Small things that we usually ignore can have that butterfly effect. A fascinating read which will surely enhance outputs irrespective of the domains.

Prediction #11

In his book titled ‘91 Predictions-The fate of the world & it’s people in next half century’ , astrologer Greenstone Lobo talks about several things ranging from politics to cricket and much more. Of all the things he predicts, I really hope prediction#11 comes true. As per him, we shall make good progress on reducing carbon emissions and on enhancing our capabilities of harnessing renewable energy. 

For that to happen, we must accept Climate Change is real and that it is a consequence of what we have done to nature as a species. For that to happen, we need to stop and ponder. For that to happen, we must mend our ways and mend it now. And for that to happen, Planetary positions may not be enough.

The luxury of rest

It was an unusually hot morning for September. The rains and the sunlight playing hide and seek was making it worse. And the sultry mood of the capitol almost forced us to take a rickshaw. Soon enough we observed that the guy had to put in tremendous efforts on a seemingly flat road. Perhaps the heat. Perhaps our cumulative weight. 

Near to our destination he stopped for water. He was gasping for breath. We got down to check on him and told him to take rest for a while. He complained of dizziness. We helped him with wharever little we could do and decided to walk from there. He sat there for a while. When we turned back, he was gone. He had to. Like you and me, perhaps, he did not have the luxury of rest.

One Fine Morning

One fine morning in 2017, I decided to plant pineapples at SDO(C) Residence in Dadenggre. The resolve was a result of a preceding field visit to Chibinang, a place famous for extremely sweet variety of pineapple. As I joined the Mali in digging up the holes, he teasingly remarked, “Sir it will take 3-4 years to fruit, you will not be here”. I pointed towards all the flowers planted by previous incumbents amidst whose fragrance we stood. He perhaps understood.  

One fine morning in 2021, the present SDO(C) Dadenggre shares  a picture of a plate full of pineapple pieces sparkling with a delicious shade of yellow. “Thank you, they are amazing!”, he remarked. It felt great to know they came through. He tells me that they have also planted lots of other fruits this year. 

One fine morning, few years down the line, the story shall go on.

Roads and Trees

As we walked across the village to inspect the ongoing road construction, I saw an old man sitting in front of his house. He was still as a rock and yet there was storm of emotions in his eyes. “Aren’t you happy atchu(grandfather)? Your village will finally have a motorable road. 

“I am happy. But also worried. With road, transport becomes easy. Illegal felling of trees increases”. Silence followed. Silence which spoke volumes on the dilemmas of developmental discourse. I sat down next to him. We both looked at the lush green cover across. Hoping for balance to prevail.

Bee-ing Human

The poor creature was confused. She could see the bright lights coming into the room. But then why wasn’t she able to fly across the window and embrace the mother nature outside? How did she end up in this concrete cocoon while hunting for nector? Little did she know, it was a man-made thing called the glass creating an illusion of a passage back home. 

She tried again. And then again. Dejected, she lay on the floor. As I attempted to pick her up using a paper, she flew away. Scared perhaps. Why would a human being help, after ruining it in the first place. After finally convincing her of my intension to help, she hopped on the paper. As I kept her on the ground outside, she was still cautious. Expecting another invisible barrier. And as she gently flew into the wilderness, I pondered how we can reimagine this world? A world with harmony, balance and we, bee-ing human!