Romantic Rain

I am neither a poet nor a romanticist…but I love rains – a conclusion that probably defies logic. My romanticism with rains began since the very early days of my life. No, I was not influenced by the Bengali poetry (It requires a special mention here that lot of Bengali poetry, especially Tagore, has been inspired by rains), I was not influenced by the Bengali delicacy of ‘Khichudi’ (Hotchpotch, an English word which probably can never describe Khichudi) and ‘Bhaja Ilish’ (Deep fried Hilsa. Coincidentally, monsoon also marks the arrival of Hilsa fish, considered to be the most tasty fish, in the Bengali fish market) – an influence of sorts for lot of Bongs to like rains. But, as a kid I loved, and ever since love rains because of altogether different reasons. Pre-NDP days ‘Rainy Day’ – a chance to skip school and enjoy a lazy day at home, was the biggest influence. That actually changed when I went to NDP (NDP is always open – on a ‘Bandh’, on a day when it rains cats and dogs or on other ‘worldly’ holidays). I started enjoying the beauty of nature during rains and enjoy football. The dark skies, white lightning, smell of wet soil, toad’s croak, clean green tree leaves – ah! I love rains. And of course, football. Bongs love their F’s – Food and Football (Or else how do you explain a Hilsa fish as the logo of a football club?). Rain and football is a combination quite awesome. I should say that those who are lucky have had that opportunity to play football in rain. I got that chance while I was in NDP. Nothing is more fun than that. Really, even now I long for those football matches whenever it rains. I consider myself lucky to be born in a tropical country, which receives considerable rains.

Rainfall in India is one of the things which is very unpredictable. Some parts of the country receive record rainfall while others do not receive any. This monsoon probably is a record of sorts for Delhi. It received a lot of rains and ironically when it did not require it. Yes, this time Delhi would have been happy without rains or very little rains – the reason being the sports extravaganza, for which it is grossly underprepared. Even I, a lover of the monsoons, never wanted so much rain this time. Partly, because I love my country and I really want it to save itself from the blushes and partly, because it hurts to see the infrastructure crumbling so badly in a new metropolis (Gurgaon is touted as India’s latest metropolis).

From the bottom of my heart I want my Country to overcome all the challenges – especially posed by persistent rains, and organize an amazing Commonwealth Games. There’s nothing much I can do other than only praying for the rains to go away. The pride of India is at stake and I don’t want the rains to be a spoilsport. Oh! The least said about the infrastructure the better…Gurgaon has potholes a plenty with some roads, skyrocketing power bills without power and plenty of water to waste on its golf courses (golf courses in Gurgaon require a daily average of 300,000 gallons of water; is that the reason why the taps at home dry out very often? I can’t help myself but to believe it is). Apartments are built in Gurgaon as if every Indian will be accommodated in a Gurgaon apartment to live in, with utmost pomp and lavish, and of course at a premium price. But roads are built by misers – one spell of rain and everything is washed away. On one hand, the city dares to beat Mumbai and become the financial capital of the Country and on the other hand, it promises to beat even the modest of Indian towns in terms of infrastructure. No wonder, why it plans to woo the foreign delegates to its shopping malls by organizing shopping festivals. Other than malls it has nothing to showcase (even though I believe malls in other Indian cities are better, but of course Gurgaon pips everybody in terms of the number). I can’t do much myself (as I write this I hear a loud thunder, signaling rain. More rains and more problems…). As long as it rains I don’t how to react…whether to be happy or to be sad…I wish I could sing “Rain Rain Go Away…” Even if my mind sings so, ask my heart and you will get the answer…don’t get me wrong!!! I love India more than the rains…

Teacher's day

This Teacher’s Day I remembered or rather missed Narendrapur (NDP) for two reasons – one, the greatest teacher who taught me, Ajit da is no more and second, it had been ten years since I celebrated Teacher’s Day. A Teacher’s Day would be a celebration in any school, but in NDP it had a different meaning. Like everything else in NDP we celebrated Teacher’s Day differently. On every Teacher’s Day the students used to get an opportunity to teach a lesson or two to their revered and knowledgeable teachers. In a way it was simple role reversal. But it had a lot of meaning to lot of us. Some took it as an opportunity to showcase their teaching skills and some took it as an opportunity to make a mockery of our very humble teachers. To top it all, the day used to end with a football match featuring the teachers and students in two different teams. Mind you, it was no ordinary match – a full-fledged eleven a side football match on an 80x120 yard playing pitch (and not on a ground the size of a backyard) with the teachers and students cheering for their teams. All the cards were involved in the game. But the match was always refereed by a teacher. Nothing big was at stake but the pride was big enough stake to motivate each team. In the eight years which I spent at NDP, I think on most occasions the students used to win the match. Those days were pure fun…

This Teacher’s Day was also a celebration of sorts, which actually had started late on a Saturday evening. The evening was great in company of friends…and later ended with a sumptuous meal at Al-Jawahar, the famous Mughlai restaurant near Jama Masjid. The next day, I watched one of the better movies I have ever watched – Dead Poets Society. Starring Robin Williams at his motivational best, the film actually made me nostalgic about NDP. The story somewhat resembled the life at NDP – a boys hostel, strict time table, a strict principal and above all excellent teachers like Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams in the movie). I especially liked the last scene when Mr. Keating was leaving the classroom, and his beloved students were standing on their desks. After the movie, it was time for me to say good-bye to my friend…my heart was heavy thinking about office the next day…