mask

Over the years, I have decided that the saying…“first impression is the last impression” is totally false. I am pretty sure that this is not a revelation to many many people out there. One decides about the other person on the first meeting itself and carries on that image until the next meeting. I know people say they do not judge people…that we are in no condition to judge people…But this is so untrue.
Someone may seem all rosy and goody goody at first, but you never know what’s behind that mask. The other may seem pretty detached and may appear proud and arrogant when in fact that person may be observant, shy, thoughtful human being. Whatever, I am glad I’ve learnt not to form opinions about people until I really know them…and just in case if anyone asks me for an opinion and I am not sure about it, I’d be diplomatic…not for fear of hurting someone, but infact to judge myself, for my own benefit.
I am selfish!!! :)

Superstition

One of my favorite moments is looking up at the night sky…
As we were loitering around in the school campus during my school days, suddenly my friend jumped up, touched her ear, closed her eyes and was silent for sometime. Seeing me surprised, she explained that whenever one sees a lone star in the sky, one should touch gold and make a wish. I guess that explained why she touched her ear, since she was wearing gold earrings. I just laughed at her that instant, but since then, whenever I see a lone star I make a silent wish.
While in school, I usually accompanied my father in his morning walks. We were out in the streets before there was any hint of daylight. It was then that I got to see shooting stars…I had heard that when one sees such an amazing spectacle, one should make a wish. It was then no wonder that I made a wish. I still do.
Superstitions…which have been coming down from ages still pretty much dominate our lives. Some few days back in the city, as I was returning home with my cousin in an auto rickshaw, we almost jerked out of the vehicle when the driver brought it to a sudden halt. Seeing our angry faces, he quickly explained that a black cat just crossed the road and he couldn’t afford to continue driving. Thankfully, another car drove past us and we continued to our destination. If I start taking note of such superstitions, am sure that the list is endless. With every step, there is some kind of superstition attached. I tell the world I do not believe in superstitions, save the star one, but then that makes me superstitious again.
Where did all these come from? There must have been a logical reason when it all first started. Like for instance, in my part of the world, when we were kids we used to hear that whoever eats more of vegetables than rice, then that person is unlucky. During the bygone days, maybe there was shortage of vegetables and a logical solution would be to introduce such an approach as a superstition!

education on...education

I come from a small town, a town where folks have heard about being an engineer or a doctor as the only real option after taking the science stream. Getting into the science stream after high school itself is such a big deal. I have seen people...some of my friends switching schools since their high schools marks did not qualify them to continue with science. Obviously, the school authorities have a viable reason for such a step since they know that those students would be better off without those subjects in their hands..yet, the parents seem to have a hard time digesting such information and rush off their kids to low-standard schools just to "expose" them towards the scientific side.
And, I have seen these friends struggle and somehow wriggle out from school just to see them facing yet another obstacle...getting into college. Such is the attitude back home...the struggle is endless.
The rest of the lot bright enough to get into the much respected stream then either opt for engineering or medicine. There are few who actually chart out what step they are going to take next, once they finish with their graduation.
Let me take the case of doctors. I have my cousins and friends who have just got their "Doctor" tag. These people, once they leave home for their higher studies are exposed to endless opportunities and struggles. Just getting the M.B.B.S degree isn't just enough these days. There is specialisation which takes another three years, then there is super-specialisation which is another two years, then there are fellowships....come to think of it...there is a long stretch ahead yet to cover. Had our folks realised this? I know they do not know about this. All they are obsessed upon is their kids being doctors.
Next comes the engineers. All we had heard about were the Mechanical and Civil Branch..and a little about the Computer Engineering. During my time, Electronics and Communication was much in vogue..and suddenly I was there studying antennas and mobile communication. A funny episode that happened with one of my seniors on returning home after completing his graduation was that he was given televisions and other electrical appliances to fix. Such is the mentality back home. Seems I am getting all the more bitter here as I am putting up this post but I just cannot help it. A career seminar atleast once a year should do the trick..

some imagination!!!

I close my eyes and I see myself standing on the edge of a cliff
The lone yellow flower blooming proudly right at the edge inspite of the strong crisp wind.
With the guitar in my hand, I try to sing a song...I have no song to sing
I look around, endless lifeless hillocks surround me.
Not a greenery in sight except for the long slender leaves of the yellow flower..

from my angle..

I may be very well wrong on what am putting up, but these are just my views..Comments are welcome.
Some amazing people that I have come across are great comedians. It is fun to be around them, hearing them talk about all the interesting stuff that seem to be happening to them only. They have a certain charm, an innocence about them that one just cannot miss...always surrounded by people, making them laugh...is what drives them.
After all these years, I have noticed something. They are lonely people. No, I do not pity them...I do not deserve to pity them. It is just that when I look at them, I feel sad. They have a whole world inside them...their hopes, their miseries..but they selflessly bury it. Maybe, they hide their sorrow by being the funny person. I do not know.