“How much more time to bring a pencil, Sarah?”, I cried out irritably. Seconds turned into minutes & still radio silence. Not a big fan of interruptions during our “homework-time”, got up & stormed to her room, all ready to rant. Finding her standing in the middle of the room, motionless like a mannequin, my heightened irritation, in a flash, gave way to concern. Thereafter only our eyes spoke.

Hers, raised an alarm seeing me still not taking the cue to turn absolute motionless. Transfixed, I too almost froze into a mannequin. Momentarily recovering from the spell, mine hesitantly asked hers for an explanation for both of us being in the state we were. In response, hers ordered mine to just comply & continue being a breathing statue. And I did, hypnotised by the determination in her eyes. Seconds turned into minutes & radio silence from our end.

Until the loudspeaker of a nearby school finished playing Jana Gana Mana.

Religion but for what?

This time when I returned from my official trip, mom insisted I watch the recording of Amitabh’s new serial, ‪#‎AajKiRaatHaiZindagi‬. (She records what she thinks I will or should like).

After watching the rather longish episode, googled about it. Enough is written on the packaging of the episode, being the maiden one. Not getting there. What stirred and shook us, were the bunch of people who were celebrated for Making a Difference in the truest sense of the phrase. Each story, humbling & inspiring. Brought lumps in the throat.

And suddenly, people who spend their lives, clinging to their respective religions only for self gratification seemed smaller and their energies spent in proclaiming their own religion as thee one, seemed pettier.

Alas, if only these beliefs and energies were channelized towards the religion of Humanity. What a future we could have given to our kids!

While schooling and students outside, are all on a vacation mode, one, here in my house is all ready with her book, eager to learn and speak in English like her "madams".

26 year old Zakhira has planned to finish her daily chores in all the houses, she works in, by early evening and sit with her equally enthu 8 year old teacher.

The daily dose of English will be revised at night with her own young kids. BTW, yesterday was the first day of school and here's first day's homework.

Recent Randomness

• When every second verdict given, starts with " Since my birth..." and ends with "...throughout my entire life." by a 8 year old.
• "Thank God, its Monday" -- Working Mom whose kids are on vacation.
• How do you respond to a compliment like "You are world's best-est best and one of my most most most favourite mummas"
• Parents' Day @ School with Hakim Badshah: Teachers on tenterhooks, exchanging nervous glances from the corners of the stage. All along, murmuring the lines with the kids. We parents, like jelly, constantly shifting in our seats, waiting to exhale. Our eyes relentlessly seeking out our kids from the various acts on stage, like it’s been ages we have seen our own kids ( after spending the entire morning, perfecting makeup & hairdo of our still dissatisfied kids). All of us, all along, holding onto to our mobiles & tablets with our dear life, clicking & recording. (The professional photographer present there seemed to be questioning his existence). And the kids...all oblivious to the world, confident, happy and having a blast! Looked like it was Children's Day instead

• Contrary to the essence of most of the Woman’s Day greetings & wishes which poured in and splashed across social media, I expect an equal status and not a ‘special’ status. My take as a woman.
• To set the record straight, women are not good at or enjoy multitasking, they simply don't have a choice!
• Companionship. Sought more by people who have a companion than those who don’t have any.

• .When I was a kid, home & school relentlessly drilled in my tiny head till I had no choice but to believe & blindly follow.
• “Do good & good will come to you.” “Ache logo ke saath acha hota hai”.
  Looking back, was a nice feeling to grow up with.
  While Gratefulness & Positivity are still the names of the game, time & tide has certainly dimmed the belief. Wish could go back in time

• #HyderabadHues . As I flew the miles, left behind the lush greens of Hyd to be greeted with a halo of grey. Wish my city takes a leaf or two. Literally.

• Funny how in one way or another, it always boils down to being at the right place at the right time.
• "In life, everything happens for a reason".
  Can we please, once in while, have justified reasons?