பிச்சை

நான் பிச்சையெடுப்பதை அவ்வளவாக ஆதரிப்பதில்லை. எப்போதேனும் வயதானவர்கள் பிச்சை எடுக்கும்போது குறைந்தது ஐந்து அதிகபட்சம் பத்து ரூபாய் போடுவது உண்டு. பத்து ரூபாய் போடும்போது சற்று பெருமையாய் உணர்வதுண்டு. எல்லாம் நேற்று வரைதான் அந்த பெருமையும்.

கடந்த ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளாக என் வீட்டருகே ஒரு பெண்மணியைப் பார்ப்பதுண்டு. அவர் ஒரு ரஷ்ய பெயிண்டிங்கில் வரும் பெண்மணியப் போலிருப்பார். சற்றேற அறுபது வயதிலிருப்பார். பாந்தமாக உடையணி ந்திருப்பார்.காலை, இரவு என எந்நேரமும் தெருவிலிருக்கும் ஒரு டீக்கடை வாசலில் உட்கார்ந்திருப்பார். ஆனால், ஒரு போதும் அவர் பிச்சை எடுத்துப்பார்த்ததில்லை. அவரின் அதிகப்பட்ச உணவே டீ தான், நான் பார்த்தவரை.

வழக்கமான பூக்கடையில், நேற்று பூ வாங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்தபோது, அந்தப் பெண்மணி வந்தார், நின்றார். எதுவும் .கேட்கவில்லை. அந்த பூக்காரப்பெண் உடனே இருபது ரூபாய் நோட்டையெடுத்து நீட்டினார். வாங்கிகொண்டுப் போய்விட்டார். நான் ஆச்சரியம் தாங்காமல் கேட்டே விட்டேன். " யாரது? வந்து நின்னாங்க, காச நீட்டவும் வாங்கிட்டுப் போயிட்டாங்க, எங்க வீட்டாண்டப் பார்த்திருக்கேன்..! " என்றேன்.

" அந்தம்மா ஒரு டீச்சர்  (அண்)ணா .. ஒன்னுக்கு, ரெண்டு பசங்கண்ணா.. அந்தம்மா வீட்டுக்காரர் போயிட்டார். அப்பால, ரெண்டு பசங்களும் பொண்டாட்டி பேச்சுக் கேட்டுனு நீ அவன்ட போன்னு இவன் சொல்ல, அவன் இவன்ட போன்னு சொல்ல அந்தம்மா ரோஷம் வந்து வெளிய வந்துடுச்சு..யார் வீட்டுக்கும் போகாம தெருவிலேயே இர்ந்துடுச்சு. யார்ட்டயும் காசுன்னு கேக்காது ணா ..இந்த ஏரியால நிறையப்பேத்துக்கு தெரியும். ரொம்ப தெரிஞ்சவங்க, பிடிச்சவங்க ட்ட மட்டும் போய் நிக்கும். நாம உடனே காசு கொடுத்த வாங்கினு போயிரும் ..கொஞ்சம் லேட்டா னாலும் போயிரும்..அவ்வளவு சங்கடம்னா..அதான் அந்தம்மா வந்தாக்க உடனே காச கொடுத்துறுவேன். ..நானே எத்தினி வாட்டி அதுக்கு குட் மார்னிங் சொல்லிருப்பேன் ணா, இந்தாண்ட அது ஸ்கூல் போறச்ச ..எப்பவாச்சும் சேலத்துணி வாங்கி கொடுப்பேன். ஏதோ நம்மால முடிஞ்சதுண்ணா .." கண்களில் நீர் தேங்கியிருந்தது. என் பத்து ரூபாய் பெருமையை நினைத்து வெட்கப்பட்டேன்.


"ஆமா, அவங்க மகன்க எங்க இருக்காங்க இப்ப.." எனக் கேட்டேன்.

"இங்கேதா ணா  இருக்காங்க ..இப்பவும், டெய்லி அந்த வீட்டை ஒரு தபாவது சுத்தி வரும் இந்தாம்மா. ஆரம்பத்துல மகன்களும் கூப்பிட்டு பார்த்தானுக..அவங்களுக்கு அசிங்கமா இருக்குன்னுட்டு . இந்தாம்மா பேசவே இல்ல ..அவங்க கண்ணு முன்னாடியே அந்தம்மா தெருவிலேயேதான்  இருக்கு.. அந்த மகன்களுக்கு, இத விட என்ன தண்டனை ணா வேணும்..? "

Let him be handicapped..!

I keep my son's WhatsApp account in my phone's second space. The reason was he doesn't have a phone (many of his mates named him as peculiar creature for this 'defect'). Mistakenly and unfortunately he had his own WhatsApp number which is being used in my mobile's second space.
Need to say about the messages? OMG messages are pouring day and night from his old school mates and his new classmates. One way it's helpful when they share any study materials which I usually download and share with him.
Initially got irritated with the messages they shared and especially the language. Very common to use bad words among them, I understand gradually.
Recently, the first term exam was held. During every exam's before night, they exchanged messages in an extreme manner. Mostly, they asked each other what they are studying, did they complete the portion and a few asked about the portions also. And video they took at class when teacher taught them shared. (It was not allowed and candid capture).
Seriously wondered and worried that when would they study and how would they concentrate on their studies if they keep looking at mobile. Wouldn't be distracted from their focus?
Fortunately, happened to meet a parent and casually but purposely shared the mobile incident. He told me initially hesitated to allow a mobile to his daughter. But, she felt 'inferior' among her friends' circle and assured him that she would use mobile only for 'academic' purpose. He was convinced by his spouse and a few teachers. Only then he gifted her a smart phone it seems. But, noticed his face was gloomy.
He justified his decision by saying, "who doesn't have a mobile nowadays.. smartphone becomes a part of our body, kids are born with smartphone!"

While leaving, he asked me whether my son has got a smartphone or not.  Very curious to know since he has shared his daughter's story.

With a big smile replied him, "Let him be handicapped!".

Reading..an extinct habit?!

I just happened to discuss, a casual talk about technology invasion in our life with two of my young colleagues. Both are engineering graduates. How would be our day without internet facility? This is the topic discussed. I just told them, on Sundays I started following 'data fasting'. I am completely avoiding use of internet. No whatsapp, mail checking not even ordering food etc.
"Then, what do you do?" they asked me. I just laughed and asked them "So, you meant to say a person can't do anything without internet and smart phone especially?" One guy had told his story, a few weeks back his new phone had some error and not fetching internet connection it seems. He felt the day was horrible, that too a weekend it was. The other guy had told me that he could not imagine it and never experienced it.

Now, they hooked me a question "What do you do or What can you do without internet?!" I just replied them "Reading..a book!"
Both looked at each other and asked, "What book..magazine or a newspaper on weekend?"
I have lot of books to read and keep buying books periodically. Earlier, I used to read during my commutation to work. Everyday, to and fro 2-3 hours used to read. Now, fortunately on my data fasting got more to read.

I asked both of them about reading of books. Sadly, both told apart from college books nothing had read in their life. A younger guy mentioned that at least some comics had read during his school days. They never read a book out of their text books it seems, they promised! I wondered and asked them again, fiction, non-fiction, favourite writer, character inspired etc., They told big NO and added that none of his friends had 'such' habit! When I repeatedly asked both of them looked at me very weirdly as I am asking something inappropriate.

Proudly, I can say that not only in my school and college even at home we brought up with a reading habit. My father introduced me a (public) library before I saw my school library. And during my school days a class allotted for 45 minutes in a week to read books. In that 45 minutes, first 15 minutes to discuss among ourselves about the books read last week and 30 minutes to read our books at library. A teacher of any subject or a librarian accompanied with us every week. It made us comfortable with them and the relationship was beyond a student and teacher/librarian.

During college days, it was proud to keep multi library membership cards. We used to meet friends at library. For example, I was avail at Gandhi museum library on Saturday evenings and Simmakkal library on Sunday mornings (in Madurai). We knew each other's schedule and meet accordingly. If a person not avail, the librarian act as an information agent to communicate :) What sort of days they were.
No phone communication was available on those days. A librarian used to inform or passing message. I got to know my friend's engagement through a librarian only :)

A book shop named 'Mother land' (opposite to Railway station) in Madurai had an monthly chit scheme to buy books. Pay 20 rupees every month for 11 months, 12th month need not pay. But, you would get 240 rupees to buy books. I bought my Oxford english dictionary through that scheme only. It was around 200 rupees then. What an encouragement to buy books, read books!

I asked both of my colleagues why don't they give a try on reading and listed few of my regional language collection.
"If it is in video format the same story, please share via Whatsapp, would watch it. No reading business and all. Painful it is!" they laughed out but seriously.

What a son..!

After a big struggle and discussion, finally got PUC admission for my son into one of the best college in Bangalore. It was not a matter of not getting admission into college, it was all about Fees to pay! He got selected in four leading colleges and he preferred one among them which has expensive fee structure. Initially, hesitated and said 'No' to that college. Honestly told him that could not afford to pay the fees. But, with the points he defended made my mind to change. As usual, arranged money and paid fees for admission. Felt proud to made my son happy!

I just shared this experience with one of my young colleague. He is such a hard worker. He has raised in his life by his own effort and perseverance. With the pride, expressed him that how many parents are fulfilling such wishes of their children. Despite of my ability, I had afford to fulfill my son's wish. He listened and looked at my face sharply. I just asked him about his alma matter and curious to know whether he was able to choose his college for his higher studies at my son's age.

He smiled and paused for a while. He said, "I was an average student and got a decent score in my tenth standard. And, of course I got selected for PUC in the same school where did my tenth standard, that too in my preferred group (science stream). But, from eighth standard onwards started knowing the pain of paying school expenses. My father suffered a lot with family's commitments. He was the only bread earner of the family and looking after his aged parents, in-laws, two daughters wedding expenses. Surprisingly, he never been worried (of course not expressed to us) and never been proud of his doings. Once my mother was telling him to admit me into a government school to save money some extent. He strongly disagreed and told my mother that children should not think money matters for their studies. All I listened from my sleep. Suddenly, I felt matured and proud of my father and to share his burden at the age of fourteen. From then, I started working as a part time by delivering newspaper and milk to houses at morning.Initially, my parents scolded and not allowed to work. I was stubborn and convinced them would stop it after vacation. But, with my grand mother's support and encouragement continued even after school reopened.

Though I got a seat from the same school, I lied him that not interested in higher studies and especially that school. My plan to work and earn for my family. My father's health also got deteriorated day by day.
My parents shocked to hear about my decision. I got a tight slap from my father, that was my first ever slap in my life. More than my pain, understood his pain. Finally, compromised some extent to study part time in a government college. Earlier I worked for part time. Then, studied for part time!"

I felt small in front of him after his conversation.
Just remembered a Tamil saying "உன்னிலும் மிக்கார் உலகில் பலர் உளர் !"

In the name of freedom..!

I was waiting for the Principal's arrival to get an attestation for my son's grade statement at his school. A few known students and parents are seen at the campus. One of my son's classmate's father had come for the same reason. We discussed our ward's grades in exam and further admissions for PUC in colleges. His son who came late to the queue and joined with his father. I astonished by his look and verified with his name by saying. He smiled and his father laughed out loudly. "See, uncle doesn't recognize you in a matter of two months vacation..!" I said "of course, can't recognize since you have changed your hair style and very trendy costumes". He was looking in a pathetic hair dressing and a fade out t-shirt and very torn jeans. Earlier whenever, used to see him during open day -parents' meet he was in decent dress code. Now all of a sudden entirely changed.

The school attender asked only students to stand in a queue and parents could wait outside. We left from the queue and sat outside. His father accompanied me and he had noticed my reaction after seen his son's get-up transformation. He started the conversation, "Nowadays these boys are very adamant, conditional. When he was studying he felt very stress and waiting for the exams got over. As soon as exams finished, he went out and roamed for three days. All the malls he visited, had food outside from different restaurants. Took money from his mother, bought such three sets of clothes which I hate. Didn't groom himself for a month and suddenly came with such a hair style. I couldn't digest initially. But, at home his mother accepted and told let him the way he wants to be. I shouted and scolded him the way he behaved as only he had the stress from his exams".

I nodded my head and agreed what his opinion. Me too experienced the same thing. When my son returned from his last exam, neighbours all were saying same thing. "oh god, finally all exams got over. relax yourself. sleep, eat next one week. stress out yourself by visiting malls, roam with friends..!" Only after hearing all these my son felt that he was stressed and want to burst out the stress by doing such things. It took long time for me to explain nothing like that and no need of doing such non-sense activities.

He continued his agony, " I was told not to interfere much about it. I should allow them to free the life they want to be. I can't allow such things in the name of freedom! But, finally me only got tensed and stressed. My wife is casually taking and children are taking it granted. I became their villain in family. Not only my wife, the neighbours and family friends are accepting such idiotic way of life in the name of freedom. Earlier, we had discipline in everything even if it is in-formal or casual  way of life." He couldn't continue thereafter, gasped. His son reached our place. Both left.

While return home, my son started "See, how David has changed pa. Looking nice. Have asked him whether his dad scold him for the hair style and attire. He replied as "why should he, it's my life and my freedom!" He just looked at my eyes and turned.

I don't understand whether my son expects me to allow such freedom to him or just shared what his friend has told.

Ashamed, Worried & Cried..!

Scene 1:
15th February morning, as usual visited our cafeteria along with colleagues for our breakfast. The guy who supervise the counter looks tiresome and his eyes are reddish. I just pulled his leg, "What man, valentines night..not slept well?!" blinked my eye with a meaningful smile. But, he was not even smiled back, saddened. Again, asked him what is the matter? He replied, "After read the news of Pulwama attack and many of our jawans killed in it, couldn't sleep whole night thinking about their families..!" I became speechless. When I came across the same news, it made me sad and bad some extent. Now I really felt ashamed of myself. He seems so big in front of me. I was not able to have my food on plate.

I started feeling somewhat guilty!

Scene 2:
On the same day, morning received a group mail from a student informing all of us to assemble to pay homage for the martyrs of pulwama. I thought it would be great to attend and pay homage. Shockingly, only very few gathered. I could count them from my fingers. That guy even announced orally to the crowd who were busy with their lunch. All of them are there only. But, none has turned up and looking at the small group of people paying homage.

I just worried on the young generation about their patriotism.

Scene 3:
The day was completely occupied with the emotions and thinking of my school and college days. Every morning we had assembly and prayer. It usually end up with National pledge and National anthem. Still remember those days, every 30th January paid homage for two minutes exactly the time our Mahatma Gandhiji assassinated. And we never allowed to stay at home to enjoy holiday on 15th August. We all should visit school for flag hoisting. We all assembled in clean uniforms and present early at morning. Now I don't think all schools are following such act.

I reminisced while returning home from office in a bus. A few office goers, young men were discussing about the tragic incident. Just listened their discussions;

"From where they got 350 kgs of RDX?" "It is all politics drama" "Either BJP or Congress played the game" "Until IPL, this would entertain us" "Why unnecessarily holding that Kashmir with us? Let it be with Pakistan"

Height of all, "Bumper prize for the family..Now central, state all would compensate their family with lump sum money..!" how shameless. A guy was telling, " That's their profession, everyone has their own risk of life. But, for them all praise and prize!". What sort of mindset? What's wrong with them? Intolerable.

Rather than anger, I felt sympathy, shame and agony about my 'brothers' (Indians are my brothers-as per my pledge).

I cried..!


Below the pledge in my mother tongue, I remembered what we recited everyday in our school days 😢

"இந்தியா என் தாய்நாடு.
இந்தியர்கள் அனைவரும் என் சகோதர சகோதரிகள்.
என் நாட்டை நான் மிகவும் நேசிக்கிறேன்.
என் நாட்டின் பழம்பெருமைக்காகவும் ,பண்முக மரபு சிறப்பிற்காகவும் நான் பெருமிதம் கொள்கிறேன்.
என் நாட்டின் பெருமைக்கு தகுந்து விளங்கிட பெரிதும் பாடுபடுவேன்.
எனது பெற்றோர் ,ஆசிரியர் மற்றும் பெரியோர்களை மதித்து நடந்து கொள்வேன்.
அனைவரிடமும் அன்பும் மரியாதையும் காட்டுவேன்
என் நாட்டிற்கும் நாட்டு மக்களுக்கும் உழைத்திட பெரிதும் முனைந்து நிற்பேன்
என் மக்கள் அனைவரும் நலமும் வளமும் பெறுவதிலே தான் நான் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைகிறேன்.
வாழ்க நமது மணித்திரு நாடு"

Shattered..!

Happened to catch a last bus on the day to home. It was an auspicious day it seems, many wedding receptions held at the evening and everywhere people in their extra ordinary fittings. Hectic traffic jam at the evening. Since it was last bus, it's packed.

En route, a marriage hall located near bus stop. There many boys boarded, all must be in high school level. As soon as they entered we all noticed that the 'liquor odour' heavily. I just shocked and looked at them every face, all in their teens. The big shock is everyone hold a soft drink bottle in their hand. Whenever they opened up, we all smelt the spirit. It is easy to understand that the soft drink is mixed up with liquor.

An old person asked them Were they drunk? innocently. The boy told him "Naturally, our classmate's sister is getting married. He only gifted us this special drink bottle".  Now the crowd got a topic to discuss! One person started saying "Nowadays all started drinking invariably gender and age". The other one curious to know "When you reach home, don't they notice by odour?"

The boy's reply shattered me. "My dad must be at home now. He always reach home at night with the same smell. And he only allowed me take small drink at parties-occasionally. Now, I am in class 10. In PUC I will be allowed once in month a can of beer. My dad has promised me..!" Nobody got surprised by hearing and a person next to me "Good that what his dad did. Any way these boys will drink with their friends nowadays. Why unnecessarily hide from home. It is better to allow them rather than hide and get caught of it."

Parenting has got a new dimension..?!

Thooo..!

Spitting can be considered as our national mannerism, I think! Nowadays it become socially acceptable behaviour. Whether you chew tobacco or congested with cold invariably most of the people in public place spitting now and often. Earlier used to notice people, especially the old age who chew beetle leaf used to spit at public places and others looked at them in disgusting way. Gradually, the number has increased. Pan/tobacco chewers take it granted and spitting everywhere. While walking, riding two wheeler, car spitting with their indian red colored saliva. I have noticed people who drive the car on signal wait, open the door and spit on road. Never mind the people surround them. 

On the other hand, non-chewers but spitters! It is understand that during winter or when people suffer with cold and congestion used to spit the phlegm. That too it is not acceptable at public place. But, casually whenever they feel to puke they spit. This is highly dangerous and epidemic. Why should they worry about it? 

The other category is just spitting! No matter chewing pan or not, just spitting their saliva. Many are there in bus, train. While waiting at bus stops, Speaking with others, Over phone keep spitting in a prompt intervals. Just 'thoo' ing as reflex manner. Every morning at bus stop the corporation employee (pourakarmika) sweeps the area. A decent office goer who used to be there, keep spitting while waiting for his bus. People keep distance as when shark enter the zone. He spits left, right and front. After he leaves, his zone seems as wet saliva spots. Ironically, if I happen to notice those spots without him then considered myself as late for the day :) He is so punctual and prompt. The other day, pourakarmika while sweeping said, "ivadhu eno aagithu..innum mala baanthilla". She named him as 'Rain' and saying "something wrong today, the rain has not come yet" about his absence.

I started observing and noticed that 'just spitters' are more than 'chewers'. And very late found that my regular cab driver is a 'just spitter'. While driving he spits in regular intervals. Finally, asked him why he was spitting all the time. He felt sorry for his behaviour. But, insisted him since when and why he has such habit. He thought for a while and said that under stress spitting gives him relief it seems. 

What a Stress buster! 

So, next time when you come across such spitters be kind to them. They are under stress!