On a journey to solve one of the most complex issues in India - bringing out of school children back on a lifelong journey path!

Background

I have spent the last 3 years of my life, working on a very complex issue - ensuring that out of school children are brought back to schools. Having battled with so much last three years, trying to design contextual content for the children, mentoring and coaching teachers coming from different backgrounds and finally then working on everything along with the team at TAP India Foundation, suddenly the pandemic hits all of us. Personally, the pandemic jolted me to a level where I started questioning everything. All the curriculum that was designed couldn't be implemented as the schools got shut.  

I had switched to a consulting role with TAP India Foundation last year in October. Since then until the start of the lock-down, I was involved in designing curriculum, training and coaching teachers (as part of my consulting role). I spent a lot of time on building something so important and significant. Because of the school closures, I witnessed teachers' own emotional struggles and yet they had the will and the heart to do something meaningful with the children. I was truly moved with the intent that they all had and I must say that it was extremely difficult for them to be able to do whatever they were doing but they still persisted. I volunteered my time with them, spoke with them in the beginning, called them to check on them and also started a Teachers' series on YouTube - "How can we make our each day count?" As part of the series, I made 30 videos for Teachers. Each video had a specific idea as to things they could do at home so they all feel positive, connected and motivated to learn new things.

Constant Questioning

In the background, my own thinking and constant questioning on 'What can be done for the children in these tough times?' continued. And I wondered about children in rural communities who really do not have resources or proper internet bandwidth. So, as a small pilot I started making short audio lessons and implemented them with children around me just to see how much it works. Some of these children really enjoyed the lessons as the audios had specific concrete activities that they could do, at home.

The Hope

On further thinking, I decided to build this further. However, I needed a team along with me to make this possible. And so I started pitching for 'Audio Based Learning' to a number of organizations which were looking to fund interventions around providing support to under-served communities in these tough times. And fortunately, the Mercatus Centre at George Mason University liked the idea and decided to fund the initiative so I could bring it from 0 to 1. George Mason was recommended to me by a dear friend.

The Process

The news from them gave me so much hope. I started hunting for people I could work with. Something that I always was particular about the fact that it was important for me to work with youth from under-served communities as when it comes to understanding communities, they are the ones who understand them the best. Initally, I got a great support from two interns from TISS.  They worked with me for a month and then post that I was privileged to get Alohomora Alums work with me on the project. 

Being Alohomora Fellows, they have rich exposure of working in under-served communities with XIth and XIIth graders and they wanted to explore and learn in the Education sector. That is where I felt that an opportunity like what I had with me, would be a great next step for them. 

Suno aur Seekho via Youth Teacher Leaders

And, so I went from recruiting one to two to finally having four Alohomora Alums working with me dedicatedly to design Suno aur Seekho. By this time, my thinking of the 'Audio Based Learning' also evolved and we started designing what we call our program now - 'Suno aur Seekho'. Suno aur Seekho basically are short audio lessons for children (aged 6 to 10 years) to build their foundational literacy and numeracy skills. It has lessons aligned with the state curriculum and is designed to generate curiosity and build conceptual understanding through hands-on activities. The audio program is complemented with a workbook that is delivered to each child, and has visuals for each audio lesson for better understanding of concepts.

We were able to kick start the program in village Purkhas Rathi in Haryana with 16 children in the first week. With the same program, we are now at a 150 children in Haryana. What also happened in this journey was our decision to engage local youth from Purkhas Rathi so they facilitate lessons with children everyday and also keep track of their learning. We started in village Ghatampur via a youth leader located close to that village. We call these leaders 'Youth Teacher Leaders'.

The Growth

So, 5 months down the line, we became a team of 8 people working full time on the project, and we received help from so many Volunteers who showed interest in picking up different aspects of the program and supporting the team. Some of these volunteers have just passed school, some are still pursuing college and some are working. All of them wanted to do something meaningful in these tough times and so they collaborated with us. In these 5 months, we have been able to almost finish one whole year of audio lessons for children for both Hindi and Math (for grades 1 to 5) with an aligned workbook for both the subjects and all the five grades.

Moving Ahead - Fellowship and Creating an Ecosystem via Partnerships

Next year, we all have bigger plans. While Suno aur Seekho will be leveraged as a ready TLM (Teaching Learning Material) for Youth Teacher Leaders to engage with out of school kids and support them in their foundational learning, we are planning to launch a Fellowship Program which would build the skills of many other such youth leaders so they dedicate themselves towards engaging out of school children in their communities and bring them back on a lifelong path of learning. The Fellowship will primarily engage such youth, tap on their existing strengths, enhance their leadership skills and contextual programs will be designed to ensure that children nowhere (where ever we begin) are left out!

The Fellowship alone, however, won't solve the problem. Consider, children from the families of migrant workers, for instance. Do we think that permanent schooling is a feasible solution for these children? NO! Because, they will keep relocating from one place to the other along with their families. Will a Fellowship model alone will help these kids? NO! We need to do something more! We need to create a support structure which can ensure an ecosystem for out of school children (OoSC) and their families wherever they go! For this ecosystem, we want to partner with other grassroots organizations across the country and ensure that via them we are able to map the support for OoSC and their families where ever they go! That is what we are aspiring to do! :)

My Overall Learning so far

1. Tapping on the power of community to design contextual interventions help.

2. With a team having the right intent and the heart, big problems begin to look small.

3. With the right intent, you need the right resources and consistent efforts to solve the problem.

4. Starting is easy, maintaining the same requires constant nudge and thinking. It is a tough process.

I look forward to sharing more, as the journey is further explored. 

One day! 

Acknowledgement is a sign of Compassion

Acknowledgement is a sign of Compassion

There is something that keeps bothering me in general. I thought of writing about it today and sharing something really heart-felt. This article is not meant to point anyone or anybody’s traits - a lot of times it is hard to comprehend and understand the situation of others, and so this article is just a perspective on something that I personally feel is very important and crucial - especially in times like these when everything seems uncertain! 

All of us these days are so tied up - with so much - trying to manage our lives at different layers, learning to live it in a way which is completely different from what it looked like a few months back. In this life, I think one should not forget to acknowledge. 

Acknowledgement looks like a hard thing to do, since we all have such busy lives. But sometimes, I think what we forget is the fact that others are busy too and yet they are taking out the time to reach out to us, or talk to us or send us an email or just staying in touch with us - all of that needs an acknowledgement. It is a sign that you care for someone’s attempt of staying in touch with you. Your acknowledgement is a sign that you feel the same way the others are feeling, it is a sign that the person’s attempt to stay in touch with you in these uncertain times is special and is appreciated. An acknowledgement means so much more! It is a small thing but is a sign of compassion, a sign of the basic belief that all of us are in this together and that something will come out of it. One definitely should attempt to - 

Acknowledge the little efforts,

Acknowledge someone’s email by responding back to it,

Acknowledge someone’s message by responding back it,

Acknowledge a situation by observing it, 

Acknowledge the good or even the bad, 

Acknowledge the happiness or the sadness by letting yourself out, 

Acknowledge a lot more! 

It is not necessary to always respond right at that moment. It is not always necessary to acknowledge with details. When you are busy, write it and say that you will get back, explain yourself a little so the other person does not feel left out. When you cannot get back, say that too. It is not always necessary to reply positively, or reply with what the person wants. But do acknowledge. Say that the perspective/thought/the talk is heard. Listening to someone requires courage too. When you are missing that courage, say that too! It is then, when people truly understand. It is then, when people do not feel left out.

Of all things happening, one does not want to feel left. That is the worst feeling to give someone. 

So, please acknowledge! It is a sign of compassion! :) 

Reflection from my Webinar Session today - Small Stories, Big Messages!

Small Stories, Big Messages! 

Here is a small story that I read out to teachers today in my Webinar session with them. Everyone should definitely give it a read - 

At the point where Christina says out the proxy attendance for her friend Sangitha and when Ms. Sudha finds out that the attendance has been said by someone else, I asked my teachers - "What would have been your reaction towards Christina if you were at Ms. Sudha's place?" All of them thought for a little while and most of them replied back saying that they would not really appreciate it and that giving a proxy attendance is not the right thing to do! I heard their perspectives and then read further. 

When they found out that Ms. Sudha actually just did not say anything to Christina and asked her to sit back again in the classroom, they all got the important message themselves - 

"Education is a combination of many things. And that it can never be imparted without faith, forgiveness, and second chances."

Such a bold and a powerful message this is! I further asked the teachers if they could relate this message with their own classroom experiences. And so they started thinking about children who deserve more from them! All children deserve a lot from us - that is what I am deriving for myself from the story! 

I will be reading out more such short stories in the upcoming webinars! You can also join me and inspire all of us at 'Fridays with Raman'! 

Questions....

Why grow up?!?!

Something caught my attention on a red light today - 

It was fun watching the child have fun with the tree. This is a busy street, yet he found something fun for him to do! 

Makes me think - why does one ever need to grow up?!?! Being able to have fun in a busy, polluted, crowded street like this makes this child a grown up, anyway! 

*Deep Thoughts*

Appreciating the small things in life! :)

Here's to the small moments! 

It is very important to appreciate small moments around yourself! I am liking the new me - have lost considerable amount of weight, my self-discipline with my new habit - everyday 3 kilometers walk (and it has been more than a month now!), and self-control on a few things I have been badly wanting to do (which includes blasting someone with my anger :X)! And I have been sick as well since last few days (I think that is because of the anger) - not liking this though! 

It is only when you start appreciating these small moments, you really start living your life more happily! So here goes mine!

I was on my way back from office in the metro, when something caught my attention - 

Yes, this was how the sky looked like, sometime last week! And the data said that this was one of the cleanest days in Delhi - air wise! I had a big smile looking at the delightful sky and its glory! And that very moment, I said to myself - 

Dear Sky, love you to the moon and back! 😊😊

I spent my last Saturday, with a friend from Barefoot College, Tilonia! I picked him up from the airport, took him home, got him to meet my family and then we both set out to roam around Delhi! Accompanied him to Hauz Khas Fort, then Deer park, then India Gate, saw the War Memorial there, then CP where we went to Oxford Book Store and Nando's! 

The thing which moved me the most that day was the time I spent at the War memorial. I saw a lady whose husband had lost his life fighting for the country. She had come to pay her tribute to all the soldiers - and I just could not get away with thinking about the emotions she must be going through - thinking about her husband who had lost his life too! Could not even imagine how it would have been for her! And she stood there upright, confident! *Speechless* Hats off! 

Then I met another friend - who is becoming a TFI Fellow now. Wished him all the very best for his journey ahead!

And this is what we had together -

Yummm! 

To life! To the small moments! :)

To Madan and more! 

~To Life~

I recently visited OELP - Organization for Early Literacy Promotion, in Rajasthan! It was a learning trip that I did with my colleagues from TAP India. Those of you who I have met in person, or spoken randomly post this trip - you all know how fantastic an experience it was! Right from the peaceful environment we were in, to the food we ate, to the classrooms we saw, to everything and anything that was a part of the trip - I must say that I truly am blessed that I got the chance to be there! 

The trip got me to reflect so much - think and experience inclusion from a different angle. I even suggested KD to get his team here (only if he takes my suggestions seriously - although I meant for him to make the trip with me first, but anyway! - he is a different story, altogether!) The trip got me to see teachers from a completely different lens! The trip got me to experience the saying - "It takes one entire village to raise a child!" The trip got me to experience what working on ground is like, what knowing each child in actual sense means, what caring for all children actually mean, and so much more! And I got to experience a live classroom teaching by this wonderful soul - Madan! 

Madan is 12th pass, and is from the same community as the children in his classroom. He studied in one of the night schools of his village and according to him - he is one of those rare persons from his village who have studied until the 12th grade. The classroom upon entry, gave me a very normal feeling - of course it was aptly print rich, not overdone at all, with a dari for the children to sit! But what followed next inside the classroom, was something that left me awestruck! 

Madan started with a circle time, the students greeted each other, energizers were done, calendar was discussed - and with the calendar it seemed that he covered a lot of other Math concepts. Then he did a read aloud session, with all children completely captivated in the story - feeling sad when something wrong had happened, feeling genuinely happy when something good had happened in the story. He let his children lie down in the class, they spoke anything that their heart wanted to say, they participated in every small activity that Madan had planned for them and they took tremendous pride in showing us that they could read - any book that they were given! :) I saw such joy on their faces! 

I generally have a lot to say when I observe classes like this - but seeing this class, I literally just wanted to be silent and just embrace the moment - how seamlessly he transitioned from one concept to the next, how seamlessly he just happened to have done and discussed so much with the children in the class - it seemed like a perfect place to meditate for me! 

After finishing the class, Madan walks confidently towards us and asks for a feedback. I literally did not want to write anything in his feedback notebook - I just wished him all the very best for his journey in the sector and for making things so easy for his children! 

On my way back from the school to the place where we were staying, I just thought of one thing - I want to feel the same sense of satisfaction as probably Madan would be feeling post the end of his class with his kids! It is so important to feel this accomplished everyday in the sector we are working in! It's like saying everyday to yourself towards the end of the day - "Today, I left no stone untouched/unturned to make things possible for my children I work with!" 
I think all organizations working in this sector should be able to say this everyday! And that's when we will be able to achieve something for our kids in the society! 

I so wanted to write about Madan ever since I came back from OELP.  I had shared my reflections and notes with a few people earlier, but I waited to find the right time to write about him - so I could write my exact feelings! 

The second part of my blog is about my sickness  - since last 4 to 5 days, and I know the exact reason why! Just waiting for the mid next month to come asap! And meanwhile, let me traverse this road, confidently! :) 

To Life! 

To Realizations!

To More! 

And to kids!

Me engrossed in a story telling session with the kids in the community! 

What does setting of the sun mean for me?

I have a connection with the sun, in multiple ways:-

1. My father's name means 'The Sun'. 

2. I am a morning person - all rising days will have no meaning without the sun! 

3. I associate its rising and setting with everything 'life-like'! 

What does setting of the sun mean for me? 

So today while entering the metro station to head back home, the beauty of the setting sun caught my attention. 

Somewhere deep inside, I started feeling a bit sad as once its settled, everything would turn dark. The beauty of the sky, the feeling of being alive, the activities of everyone during the day-time - be it us humans, or animals, or birds, or any other living creature on this earth - all of those will slow down, comparatively. And I honestly have great apprehensions in being slow. I like being fast - very fast. And there are evidences from my daily life that would prove the same. The slowness sometimes kills me. And takes me on a guilt ride. Don't know from where this has come in - but it is there! 

And then I felt sad as night signifies darkness too. And I do not like being in the dark - unless I am lying on the floor and gazing at the shining stars (and for that, I for sure will have to live somewhere else and not in Delhi :P). But darkness makes me creepy and somewhere I do not really relate to darkness. 

The gloomy feeling was just settling in, but suddenly the thoughts inside my head started changing. I looked at the sun one more time and noticed the orange, glorifying, bright sparkle it showed even when it was setting down. And that very moment I thought to myself - even when it is setting and would be leaving behind the dark night sky, yet it is so proud, so powerful and so satisfied with all that it has done in the day! 

It is setting in like it has no regrets, whatsoever. It is setting in, like even after setting, it will still have a life. It is settling like someone who has sacrificed so much for others and yet is happy and content. It is setting in, leaving a mark. It is setting in, to come back again - with a life full of promises. It is setting in for a tough day yet again! 

In this life, I surely want to set like the sun! Yes, that is what I want! Its difficult though! As to shine like the sun, I will have to burn like one! 

Difficult, Very difficult! 

#Love you Sun! 

# Thank you! 

Some more pictures from today!

The rain and the sun! :)

Like water, can humans too become a 'universal solvent'?

The thought occurred in my mind when I saw this fountain right outside Humayun's Tomb, the other day.

For a minute, I thought, the water flowing through this fountain, spoke for itself - 'you put me where-ever and how-so-ever, I will surely adapt there'! There is so much power in the water that we see around us - the kind of power that one cannot even imagine. I wonder sometimes - if water would have been a living being, would it still be so adjusting and flexible? 

Now its time for me to throw some light on the subject on which I started writing this post. I thought about it, from different angles and tried relating it to one's life and even my life for that matter. I will try sharing those perspectives here and map them with the normal perceptions of human beings. 

Perspective # 1 - Take in everything, dissolve everything, accept everything

For a human being - Let's take in all the good, but the bad? Eh? 

Perspective # 2 - I am just so indispensable! 

For a human being - Should I become indispensable for anyone? Is this even possible? 

Perspective # 3 - Should I really take in everything I come across? 

From a human being's perspective - Even the shit? Not at all! 

Perspective # 4 - What about the exploitation? 

From a human being's perspective - Adapting in all situations = Getting yourself exploited! 

While it will be worthwhile to live a 'life' like the water on this earth (considering the fact that water does not have the 'life-like' elements to be even affected because of its exploitation), but humans possibly cannot ever be universal solvents. They are just meant to take in what they want, what they desire and have a permanent access to a 'universal filter' that makes them see things the way they want, that makes them do what they want, and that makes them control every other thing around them! Too much restriction, I must say - being a human! 

Got to live life! 

#Only if water could speak! 😵

#Love Delhi - Place 3 - Humayun's Tomb!

The day today for me at office ended really early - I was not in the office actually. I had a few meetings in South Delhi and by 3 PM I was all set. I had almost entered the metro station to come back home when I realized that I can actually detour a bit and see the Humayun's Tomb. Having lived in Delhi for so long, and this also being my hometown, I had never been here before! YES - that's true! But today, I finally saw it and am finding myself at peace post it!

I will not describe what I saw - for I think everyone would either know those facts, or if they don't -they can easily manage a google and find out OR visit themselves some day. I would instead describe the activities I did and the feelings I had post experiencing the different things that I did. 

Dilapidated Structure - on the path to the Humayun's Tomb

After having seen Isa Khan's Tomb and the mosque, I went to this dilapidated structure (it does not have a name and I am not quite sure about what it is - pic above). I could not see anyone around here - and since I love silence and isolation, I probably would have been the first one (today) to have thought about going there and seeing what it is. The structure has a staircase which directly leads one to its top and guess what - YES - that is what I did. I climbed up the staircase and it took me to a decent height - a height which made me feel good, watching nature from that angle and then others from a distance watching me and following my footsteps :P LOL. Yaaa - after 5 to 10 minutes, I saw a group of people wanting to climb up this staircase and then experiencing this height! <TOO MUCH DELHI CROWD 😝 > 

I drifted myself away from the people as soon as I saw there were more coming, and soon went to a place with very less people again. I walked until I found myself at the back side of a tomb which had graves of the 'Afsarwala - Officer people'. And there the sight that caught my attention was this - 

The parrots and the squirrel!

The squirrel wanted to go to its home-hole and the parrots had blocked its way. I stood for around 5 minutes here, and from 1 parrot, I was able to spot good 5 of them - all making parrot sounds and inviting me towards them to stay for a longer time :) 

Post seeing the Humayun's tomb, something else caught my attention - 

The sky

The tree

I sat under the tree (pic above) for good 30 minutes and guess what did I do in those 30 minutes - I wrote my diary :) - YES! And the things I was trying to write, were the things I have been thinking about for so long now. 

What kind of a person should one be?

There have been this thought that has been striking my mind since a really long time - what kind of a person should you be? Any kind you choose to be, has certain pros and cons. Like for example, if you are too generous, then probably people end up taking too much advantage of you. If you are too self-involved, then people do not really want to talk to you. When you express your liking for someone, then that person starts finding ways to not like you back. The thought is really deep - and this has been running ever since I started working with my friend KD. I have been forced to think about situations like these, as I feel too trapped in the way emotions are wired in my brain and in my heart. 

After making a mind map of what all is there and my understanding, I finally arrived at a conclusion that from now I will be an unaffected, generous on demand, focused and a carefree person. The best justice that I can do to myself at this point of time, is by giving time to ME and the people who are always going to be with me, irrespective. 

Don't know how much of this will remain with me, but at least, this time I am going to try. Its worth giving a shot! 

Until then - 

#Dream

#Love Delhi! 

The Love Life and Love Delhi Campaign

Someone wise has once said - 'You get what you give!' This thought has always provoked a lot in me - I do not know how much I truly resonate with it, but off lately have developed this habit of trying to be like what I expect, out of others around me.

And everyone in the world likes to happy, likes to be loved, likes to be cared for and receive compassion and warmth from people around. And I am a little 'negative' in all these 'positive' and 'happy' thoughts, honestly. Not that I do not like all these emotions, but because I have liked to be in a stressful state (almost in everything that I have done so far). I remember someone telling me once - ' Zyada khush raho toh nazar lag jaati hain' and I guess that is where it all began... 😛

Being stressed at times has honestly helped me in a lot of ways. To quote some evidences - the stress helped me during my semester exams in College - I never failed any exam :P (although this is not considered very normal for Engineering college students - if you know what I mean ;)! Then the stress has helped me work relentlessly being the Principal - generally it has helped me so far in my professional life! 

But being stressed has had a lot of disadvantages too. To quote some evidences here - you aren't the 'cool' one in your 'gang' of friends and then you are not the most 'sought after' one. And all this seemed pretty reasonable compromises for me to make. 

Being stressed has definitely made me pay some cost, too - like 'seriousness' is all I look for in anything.

I think I now want to experience emotions like compassion, warmth, real happiness, etc and the best way to do that, I feel, is to be compassionate on my own. I will not quote evidences as to some things that I did to be able to get these feelings in me or get them back, but will quote things that I want to do now to feel more complete and happy inside. 

Travelling is something that I have always enjoyed. I have traveled a lot for work and have been to many destinations within the country. Last 5 years, I actually lived out of Delhi (which is my hometown) and then when I came back here, I honestly could not relate to the city rush and the pollution and so much more...

But I believe that living in the moment is really important. And being little satisfied (and yet not be just a little satisfied) with what you have is also important. So, I have decided to start a 'Love Life and Love Delhi' campaign. As part of this, I plan to visit one place (could be a historical monument, a museum, etc) in Delhi every week for fun, leisure and, so I develop some liking for Delhi :)

And I think this is important in many ways - one, I get to do what I like - travelling and then I get to do something that I have never done since my childhood - EXPLORE DELHI - even when I was born here! 

I decided to roam around last Sunday, but honestly because of the work and the 'stress', I could not really go anywhere. But yesterday, finally, I got the chance to randomly drop by JNU - with my colleagues and know more about it (this wasn't the main purpose though - JNU was our meeting place - we were supposed to discuss WORK 😜). Being in Delhi, I never had visited it, even though I used to hear and read so much about it in the news! 

So, here is me lost somewhere in JNU - 

The time spent there was awesome - 'Forest University' is how I would like to describe it! The aura was just so fresh, so rejuvenating, just so so so.......<don't have words to express this 😛>. 

We also went to the 'dhaba canteens' and the three of us ate a few things for just 80 bucks 😮. And ofcourse - not to forget the interesting conversations we had! 

The day was just great! The cherry on the cake being this - 

(Something that will be treasured for a long time 😊)

#Love Life

#Love Delhi

The days gone by!

The days gone by! 

The past week has been one of a kind. I have mixed emotions. I feel blessed for having been in a place I have never been before - a different world - a world where I witnessed some real compassionate and happy people, a world where the acceptance by 'some' (not ALL) seemed really unconditional, a world where smiles are exchanged without any hassles, a world where you can just BE! 

Yes, here I was! My birthday was spent here - doing very different things. The biggest birthday present was talking to people who I never would have met otherwise - too much to write in this regard. Thanks to A, for first letting me be here, then bringing the local 'Honey and Coconut Cake' and then asking me to stand right outside the mess with a friend and telling me to offer the cake to all, as they were coming out of the mess post the dinner. For the first time ever, I was receiving blessings from people I had never met before, but still they were excited to share the day with me and relish the little piece of cake. Truly moved by the emotions. 

The same day I did something I have been meaning to do ever since last April (when I had visited a children monks monastery in Palampur) - YES - teaching monks. I did a 75 minute English lesson with one great group - was a great learning experience!! 

Next was feeling connected with someone here, who took me back to my days in Gujarat - when I used to live on campus. His mention about his 24 x 7 work, then being on his toes so we all feel sorted for our stay and then sharing a few challenges with me - which were completely relatable, just took me back and blew me away. Just this small realization that someone else also could go through the same path, could choose to do something so similar (and with a family), inspired me a lot! 

Then spending my mornings MEDITATING - and then being lost in the nature - for this is something that I never get to do in Delhi. 

Then listening to individuals, almost 60 of them from different parts of the country and from outside, on topics like - 

1. Role of a Teacher

2. Imparting social-emotional skills in children

3. Different aspects of social-emotional training

4. Life

and a lot more...

Then being caught up in the emotion of detachment and the fact that I had to come back to the rush again. And then realizing the same things I have been thinking since the last week of December now - the fact that very few people can reciprocate the same kinda feeling - the feeling that you give them. Very few or no one can match your expectations, and no one can truly understand who you truly are! 

As these emotions were still sinking in, I found myself in yet another favorite place of mine. I risked exiting the airport in the layover (YESSS!). Went to meet some good people I know, and surprised them! :) Would have been complete, if I would have met 'the' one,  but that did not happen! Still - this, gave me happiness! 

And then savoring the 'adventure' sandwich and the bhel at a roadside restaurant, dreading whether we will reach the airport back on time! :) 

Then coming back home for this - 

 And a lot more...

Touchwood! 

2019 begins!

The last year brought in so much - so much so that a blog post cannot even do justice to what I experienced. Probably, I would need a mountain peak/sea beach, a peg or two of whiskey, and someone who I feel comfortable sharing with. And then I am sure the emotions, the experiences, and everything and anything will come out. Haha! 

The year started off with something really unusual. I came back home really late, last night. And then left home really early to go for work. YES! Believe or not - but I was officially working today - on 1st January, 2019. I definitely randomly have worked from home in the years gone on the first day of the year, but never have been to an official training workshop and today I was in one. And whhaatt a dayy it has been!! 

For the first time ever, I danced on a Haryanvi song - 'yaar tera Chetak chala re, tennu chaska Red Farari da' ! I never would have dared to dance or even listen to this song, had it not been in this training today! Had an amazing feeling when teachers especially invited me to dance with them! :)

Last 2 weeks of 2018 have been satisfactory in many ways. I finally was able to finish a chunk of my work - things which were pending since a really long time. Then on 29th - literally being up for the entire night, just so I could enjoy the 30th and 31st. Then the first time snow experience, and so much more - the conversations with a few people, the 'closure' with some, the call of someone who reminded me of early 2018, and then the feeling that no one in this world (except your family) can ever match your expectations, and that all you need to do is to find peace and happiness within yourself. 

And just when I wanted even more satisfaction, I am writing today just so I feel complete, within from all aspects. I need to find happiness within me, coz I know it is there, somewhere. 

I can feel good by doing so much more than what I have been doing so far. I can feel good by living a life in the present - also even thinking about the future a little. I can feel good by just letting things be the way they are. I can feel good by just being 'myself'. And that is what I am going to 'try' doing this year. 'Try' - because I do not know how will this look like! But all I know at this point of time is that it is going to be worth it! 

Bring it on 2019! :) 

And just before I close, here is a quick memory of today - 

Struggling to belong! 

L.I.F.E

It's been a long time again since I wrote last. I generally write when I am filled with different kinds of emotions. This is for the first time or after a while (that I cannot remember last when) that I am writing when I have no idea about how I feel.

Life has become quite hectic. It just is moving..moving with a pace that I do not really understand. Sometimes, I feel its just how headless chickens move..they just have to! And so am I - just moving without a direction! Sometimes I feel its pretty structured - managing different things and different aspects of life. For the first time ever, I have to think about the 'so-called' "Work Life Balance".

In the midst of all the structured and/or the unstructured life that I have - I am still finding myself. Sometimes its while I am driving, sometimes its in historical monuments, sometimes in books, sometimes in cafes I used to go back in TFI, sometimes in pictures from friends of the places and things I have treasured, and sometimes by just being LOST in this very world!

I have a huge weakness - my past tends to become a very significant present in my life! But I guess, something you are really true to, hardly ever leaves you!

And with this spirit, let me sign off by writing here a very small poem I recently wrote -

My life as I see it,

Is sometimes sweet,

As sweet as a rhythmic beat,

That sounds pleasing and complete!

My life as I see it,

Is sometimes bitter,

As bitter as a cycle squeak,

That causes jitters!

My life as I see it,

Is sometimes sour,

Sour like the sound of a loud horn,

That goes on and on and on!

My Life as I see it,

has all the flavors,

It depends on me,

Which one do I treasure!

For all days do have a night,

Darkness has its light,

There is nothing that cannot unfold,

we just need to be bold,

And celebrate each day

Before the time slips away! 

Raman Bahl
13th October, 2018

Ahmedabad Diaries! 

Dear Diary,

Here I am, stuck again! Ideally these are supposed to my last few hours here, before I head back to Delhi but my tickets are not confirmed yet. Thanks to K and his super-duper plans that this is happening for the second time with me in the past 15 days. It happened in Assam as well where my flight got cancelled and I had to get an another one for the next day (got a bonus day there!). Looks like this day's going to be bonus one too! ;) 

When it comes to Gujarat, I'll always be up for such bonuses! I worked here for good 2.5 years, in one of my favorite places - the place which taught me a lot, which gave me some 'life-long' (if I may use this term 😉) relations, some fantastic memories and a lot more! And while I still need to make up mind about what lies ahead (continued from the time of my previous write up - WELL FROM WAY BEFORE THAT), let me take a moment to remember the amazing last 5 days here, having spent them with my 'very special' (if I may use this term 😉) people! 

Gujju land has always come with its package of surprises for me. My all time favorite shopping spot - The National Handloom Emporium. I used to follow a very crazy routine when I was here (believe it or not) - I used to go there almost every Sundays and shop a nice Kurta for myself from there. By the end of those 2.5 years here, I would have owned (and still own) some 30 Kurtas, and 'Kurta-Denim Jeans' still is my dress-code almost on all days, where ever I go! 

As the custom routine, I went for Kurta shopping from National Handloom and bought a nice 'Haldi' color Kurta for myself (intelligent people would be able to guess why only 'Haldi' color 😊). And as I just mentioned about the surprise package, N surprised me there by showing up suddenly out of nowhere and I just could not control myself and shouted excitedly at the top of my voice, unintentionally grabbing the attention of almost everyone on the floor! 

My evenings were the usual 'junk' and conversations (not a lot though) about the 'junkies' of my life! 

Yesterday evening was even more special! Me and K were out at 11:30 PM, we hadn't had our dinner, so we were out this time to have special Noodles and Gujju Pizza! It was followed by a very special Gola place. K told me that this Gola guy makes 12K per day just by spending a few evening hours running this Gola stall! The Gola actually was delicious!!

I cannot ever forget the special evening when I asked to take me for a silent dinner, and then N arranged for something called as the 'moved by love dinner' for me, which was truly a moving experience! 

Thank you Ahmedabad! :)