2014: The Blessed Year

Dear 2014 or life or whoever is reading this,

So, it’s finally the end of this year. What adjective should be attributed to 2014? Amazing? Fantastic? Boring? Hhhhmmm…it was a roller coaster ride, with highs and lows, lows so low that I had never imagined. However, the highs made it a blessed year for me. And the lows? They gave me new challenges I think I could overcome.

Sounding philosophical? This is just the beginning. As a little good girl, let me start thanking God for what I’ve gained. Good friends!!! They were as crazy as me. We didn’t hesitate to be our original selves with each other. I know I’ll miss them once we are done with Jamia. I’ve found new friends this year, and I hope our friendship grows stronger. My parents are always on the top of my list. The strength they gave me, their support, love and care…everything matters!

Well, I had bad experiences. Some were unimaginable. But, they strengthened me, renewed my relationship with God, and took me onto a whole new level, where I could feel His love. 2014 was the year where I explored my spirituality and it got a whole new dimension. I tasted God’s love in an altogether different manner and I experienced His promises. I had only read Bible verses like ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)’. But, 2014 was the year I truly experienced the promise. There was a day when I experienced His strength immensely when I found it too difficult to handle. He surrounded me with His wings and took care of me. I know many people might find me a bit religious. But, I cannot stop proclaiming His works after what I have gone through. I have no words to describe how God answered my prayers and I know He was by my side. Some might ask, ‘how do you know it was God?’ Well, I can just quote Dan Hayes here, who says, “All I know is that when I pray, coincidences happen; and when I don’t pray, they don’t happen.”

Being an individual who tries to think logically and questions everything, I haven’t believed in Christ just because I was born in a Christian family. I believe in Him because I have experienced him firsthand. When I was too sad, He held me up. He gave me His joy, and now, I am always happy, with no reason. I know He was in control. Without Him, things would have gone haywire. I am ready to make known His love amongst all those around me. When people question the existence of God, I wonder whether apologetics or theology could help them. You need to experience the living God to know whether He exists.

2014 taught me to worship God with freedom, and to praise Him in each and every situation. I am able to thank Him even in the worst circumstances. I have learnt to deal more maturely with people, and I am filled with love for everyone. There’s no place for hatred, and I am learning to step into the shoes of others, when they react in a particular way. But, to my caution, there’s room for improvement. And every individual is beautiful with her/his imperfections.

Surely, a lot of good and bad happenings have occurred. However, they taught me to look above and say, ‘God, I know you’re there.’

Hoping for the best in 2015!!!!

Yours lovingly,

Sarah J

***

HER EYES – HER DREAMS – HER HOPES!

The shop was laden with lights and lanterns. People exited their cars with elitism. Ladies drenched in glitter entered the door with vanity. Men with heavy wallets strolled through the sprawling lawns. Children held their parents’ hands with excitement.

Just beside the heavily decorated door, a pair of eyes searched for something. It looked for a coin, hoping it would buy her a sweet or two. She looked at the tall figures passing by, waiting for a tinkle in her bowl. She knew it was festival time, and she wished someone would be generous enough to moist her tongue with a rosagulla.

The sound of crackers scared her. It was too deafening. But, without a roof on her head and an empty stomach on most nights, this was nothing to bother about. She just wanted something to fill her tummy, it was grumbling since a few days. Her eyes gazed at the horizon, her mind thought of food.

But, she knew she can’t be lucky all the time. A morsel of food can never be guaranteed for children like her, she thought. Her mind said, ‘It’s okay if you don’t get food. Aren’t you used to it?’ However, she wasn’t alone. Her friends were scattered, in the hope of some money. She wondered whether her best friend got a penny. At least, she and her friend could fill their stomachs. But, she was too frightened to go to the nearby dhaba. The man with the big stomach would make them stay there at night. He would do things with her that she didn’t like. She looked at her empty bowl, and worried as to why she couldn’t say ‘no’ to that grumpy old fellow. A woman passed by; her child holding a doll. Seeing the child, she wished she could get enough food, she wished she could wear a good frock and play with a doll, she wished she could run around and play on the swings in the garden nearby, she wished no one would ‘shoo’ her away from the park, she wished there were elders to take care of her, she wished she knew who her parents were.

With a jolt, she came out of her dream world. Maasi slapped her because she wasn’t doing her work; she wasn’t begging. She took her bowl, stood in front of the sweets shop, full of hope, but also despair. She once again wished she could live her life, just as the children in the park. She once again wished she and her friend would get something to eat. She once again wished that man with a big stomach would leave her alone. She just wished her wishes would come true!

Determination For Better Quality Of Life

Friday was a normal day for me, a day just like any other. We had our radio recording session, and then a seminar to attend. I got ready for college, the metro was crowded as usual and I was in time for college.

After all recording at the radio studio, five of us got in to two auto rickshaws to travel to the Press Club of India for the seminar. As I travelled with two of my friends Farheen and Fayeza, our auto rickshaw driver played old songs, complimented a fellow auto rickshaw driver for his vehicle’s tyre, but drove carefully! He overheard our conversation on studies and his interest surged, asking us details of our college and course. We knew he wouldn’t understand development communication, and told him we were studying mass communication. Seeing his face, we explained, “Hum journalism/reporting padhte hai!” On hearing the word ‘communication’, his eyes sparkled and he exclaimed, “Meri beti electronic and communication padh rahi…B.Tech!” (My daughter is studying electronic and communication…B.Tech!)

Talking of his daughter, he continued, “My second daughter has studied English Literature from Delhi University, and my third child, my son, is preparing for civil services exam.” We were stunned and looked at each other in disbelief! It is rare that we hear such qualifications of an auto rickshaw driver’s children. Here, by addressing him as ‘auto rickshaw driver’, I don’t intend to look down upon the profession, but instead applaud the man for his story. When the income itself is low, very few youngsters aspire to make it big. They have challenges to face, not having enough money to pay their fees, and living in houses that aren’t suitable for a decent standard of living.

Then, you have the other side, where parents from low income background hardly send their daughters for higher studies. The fact that the aforementioned auto rickshaw driver sent his daughters for B.Tech and English Literature respectively, impressed us. In a world where the gap between the rich and the poor is constantly increasing, this man’s children surely have the determination to earn better income. After all, what are educational qualifications for? For better jobs, better income and better quality of life!

These youngsters have the promise of a bright future, although unemployment in India is another story altogether. However, this awe-inspiring story might be common to many of you out there, but indeed, the grit and the determination of the youngsters evoked praise amongst us. In the auto rickshaw driver’s words, “Dekho, aage aage hota hai kya!!”

***

His Unfailing Love, His majesty…Incomparable!

Photo Courtesy: Google Images

My God is faithful, and this I know.

His promises wake me every morning,

They give me a new hope every evening.

He said he’ll never forsake me,

He said he’ll never leave my hand.

In times of trouble, he will carry me;

In his arms, I know I am safe.

His unfailing love surrounds me,

His majesty fills me with awe.

He told the sun when to rise and set,

He told the moon to shine bright in the night.

He made the stars in a puff of breath, and placed them in the sky.

He is my God, and takes care of me.

I know his love, I know his mercy!

I’ll tell the world about Him; the King is coming back again. 

***

Marriage – drain on our pockets!

Photo Courtesy: Google Images

                          

Well, marriage is something I rarely talk of. But this M word struck me when I noticed some of my classmates talking about the relevance of court marriage on our Whatsapp group.

Marriage….a word which either shudders many youngsters or makes them blush, has been an important concept since the beginning of mankind’s existence. Hinduism states there are three important parts of a human being’s life – birth, marriage and death. Then, Quran reiterates the importance of marriage through, ‘“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in peace and tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect” . In Bible, in Genesis 2:24, ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.’ This unity has been celebrated with great fanfare throughout centuries. But it has also drained many families’ pockets.

In many traditions, the burden of marriage expenses has been on the girl’s family. In the current scenario, you have to buy designer dress for the bride and jewellery. Secondly, marriage halls come at a heavy price. Then, you have food to be served to the guests. Printing of invitation cards, dresses for family members and relatives, offering to be served to the priests, and what not. And do not forget the dowry. Isn’t this enough to leave a family grappling for enough finances? There have been cases where the parents are rendered paupers, selling their own houses and properties, to keep up the ‘honour’ of their family. In season one of Satyamev Jayate, an Indian TV show which focuses on social issues, a family in Kerala was brought into the limelight, because they sold their house, to marry off their daughter in an illustrious manner. Well, many know how Keralites marry, with heaps of gold necklaces on the bride and loads of bangles on her hands.

Photo Courtesy: Google Images

But, what makes marriage such a celebrated affair? Many say, it’s been our custom to celebrate the unity of a man and a woman. And some say, what’s the use of such a custom which drains you completely? Then, in the face of this custom of forced celebration, opting only for court marriage seems to be an alternative.

Court marriage is a process of uniting a man and a woman through registering their marriage legally, in a court. In India, every marriage is registered in a court. But not going for the big fat Indian wedding does not involve the showy stuff involved in a pompous wedding. A lot of money can be saved through court marriage. And what is the money to be saved for? No, no, I am not telling you to be a Good Samaritan. That’s your personal choice. But the money can be saved for the couple’s future and further expenses. Keya Saxena, a development communication student says, “Court marriage consumes less time and less money. It will also help reduce the pressure of dowry on the girl’s parents, and help them look at their daughter as a financial asset, and not as a financial liability.” She further adds, “The money can be invested in building and consolidating the new couple’s future, rather than channelizing it in giving pointless gifts to zillion guests.” Malika Munjal echoes the same sentiment, “I think court marriages are the best. The amount of expenditure done on daughter’s marriage is so huge.”

It also helps set an example for many families who are dreadful of the D-day, because they know their financial capability. Many are forced to spend lavish sums of money for this one-day celebration. When they see more and more couples resorting to court marriage, this will be a trend. Lesser and lesser parents will be forced to spend money, and marriage in our society will see a paradigm shift. Sahiba Rais Khan innocently says, “Court marriages mean less expenditure and less wastage of food.”

­Court marriage is still a less-explored phenomenon in our society, but can be given more impetus, if the youngsters stand up and speak out against the burden of splurging of money on weddings, on their parents. You and I can make a difference!

The views are extremely personal. Readers may differ in their opinions and are free to give their feedback.

Garbage collectors: their job and their plight!

Photo Courtesy: Google Images

The man who collects garbage from your house every day…he is born in to a poor family, has never attended school, is not a skilled labourer, is married to a woman who belongs to a family just like his, has five to six children (who might end up like him), and has a job where he has to touch the dirtiest bits.  Ever thought of this?

Well, he also has to deal with rude residents who don’t even care to separate wet and dry garbage. An episode on popular TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ on waste management showed garbage collectors narrating their tales of how they hurt themselves while sorting the garbage, because of glass pieces carelessly dumped.

The plight of these garbage collectors is reiterated by an example of a man who collects garbage from our locality. He is well above 60 years of age and was affected by leprosy. With deformed hands, he has no option of any other livelihood. He has a large family and is forced to earn his living and fill their stomachs through this job. The monthly income of garbage collectors is only a few hundreds, and worse is when many residents refuse to pay the meagre amount of Rs 50 per month. Treated as untouchables, garbage collectors do not choose their job, but are forced because of their caste. This is so, because in India, many jobs are reserved for certain castes, for example, manual scavengers come from a certain so-called lower caste. Many of us have individuals, as young as 20 years old, collecting garbage from our houses. The scene of children collecting garbage from houses is worth a thought. Many of them are migrant labourers, who leave their families and villages, in the hope of getting a better job in metropolitan cities. Their hopes are dashed when they earn such a minimal amount, of which half the amount goes to their families. Their large families, back in the villages, cannot suffice their needs with such a paltry sum. And this leads to more poverty on both sides.

The sight of the garbage collectors having a lady boss, in our locality, makes me scoff at the fact that she controls them with full authority, takes away 3/4^th of the amount they get, does not ensure they are regular in their job, and reassures residents who complain against their irregularity. 

The fact that these people are human beings just like us should make us realise that we are violating their human rights. Their basic right to a dignified living is violated from time to time. With no safety clothing, they are forced to stand in the middle of heaps of stenching garbage. We should realise that there are a lot of factors which play in to a garbage collector becoming one.  Strong laws should be brought in to effect to protect their human rights, provide them with social security, regular income and fulfil their basic needs. They seem to be a voiceless community and are unaware of their rights. But the government should realise they too are a part of India’s citizenry. And as members of civil society, we can at least stop treating them as outcasts, give them their money on time, and empathize with them. 

***

Value-based Education: A Necessity

Photo Courtesy: Google Images

On my way home today, I came across this hoarding by a certain international school which claimed to nurture responsible citizens. I smirked on the words ‘WE BELIEVE IN VALUE-BASED EDUCATION SYSTEM’.

The last decade saw the inexplicable rise of international schools. Each of these schools claims to provide a ‘value-based education system’. But is this type of education system only on paper? Schools are the breeding ground for children to imbibe values, which are essential in making them responsible citizens. It is in the school that a child is supposed to learn to respect his/her parents, help people around him/her and many more values. It is in the school that a child is supposed to be nurtured spiritually. It is in the school that a boy learns to respect women, something which is being talked about extensively, in the wake of the recent discourse on changing mindsets for the betterment of women.

The debate here is not about international schools imparting values to its students, but about any school giving that type of education. 90’s kids will know how life-saving were good marks in mathematics, science, etc. Nonetheless, the scene is changing with importance being given to sports and other extra-curricular activities too.

Values taught in schools will reflect in the citizens of tomorrow. When the present generation learns important values, the future of the country becomes brighter on the moral stand. Ashwinder Kaur, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia, who worked extensively on research on the education systems in different schools, says, “In many schools, subjects like dharm shiksha (religious education) have been introduced. Humanity and respect are values taught in greater measure.” Well, this is a step in the direction of a responsible society.

Talking of my personal experience, my school has given equal weightage to values as other areas of education. Being from a convent school, I still cherish our value education classes. Values were not only taught in these classes, but also in other classes where it may not be in the curriculum of teachers to do so. Contradicting this memory is the way we were pressurised to score well in science and mathematics. The number of tuitions we joined for mathematics coaching (it was touted to be preparing us for IIT entrance and other engineering entrance tests) only stressed us more.

I see a different scenario nowadays, with more room for improvement. Reforms should be put in place for the education system to become more efficient in imparting moral values. Apart from schools, parents also have a duty to teach their children values. And we can put in our own efforts by imparting values to children around us, through our actions, hoping for a better India.