I’m
not fond of long vacations. Work keeps
me engaged and happy. This is the first
time I took a long holiday (one full month) in Kerala. I needed it.
One
of the first persons I met after returning to Delhi (whose afternoon sun reeked
of malice and vengeance in stark contrast with the monsoon that drummed a
relentless yet enchanting rhythm on the roof of my brother’s car as he drove us
to the Cochin airport) was the boss of a commercial conglomerate in the
national capital.
I
met him this morning, two days after I reached Delhi. Why didn’t I meet anyone in these two
days? People seem to be hiding themselves
somewhere on the campus. Did I smell
fear on the campus? Not even the
children played in the courtyard of the staff quarters as they used to do till
late into the night in summer. Why weren’t
my colleagues coming out of their homes on their usual evening walks, I
wondered. Even those who dared to come out did not seem to dare to start any
communication with anyone!
“Your
school is becoming famous,” said the person whom I had to meet for a personal
reason. “It got some place in a national newspaper recently.”
He
was very much aware of what was going on.
“The new management is dismissing or suspending the staff like children
throwing pebbles into the river,” he said.
I
smiled at the simile. Is life a silly game
like those played by children, I wondered.
Or is it a nefarious game manipulated by people with protracted
childhood? People who failed to live their
childhood as it should have been are some of the most dangerous creatures on
earth.
“It’s
an unfair game,” said the person as if he had read my thoughts. “But where on earth do you get fairness? Has anyone succeeded fighting the system?”
Just a memory of a bygone holiday |
Money
and political clout rule the world, he suggested. “If you want to save yourself you can.”
I
knew what he meant. Never don the garb
of a messiah. Every messiah was martyred
by the same people whom he tried to save.
Loved the first line: I’m not fond of long vacations. Work keeps me engaged and happy.
ReplyDeleteCan totally relate and yes, I hope things get better.
Hope sustains me too. Thanks.
DeleteHello sir..this short writing gave me a bigger picture of thunderstorms waiting 4 sawan.. whats wrong with this so called new management? What do they want n how fair is their demand?
ReplyDeleteWorried fr the temple(sawan) I enjoyed living..
Rishi, what I've written is a mere 10% of what my 'friend' (I can't call him exactly that) shared with me... Obviously I can't write everything here. Why don't you make an attempt to find out more?
DeleteUnlike most people, I am not worried about Sawan per se. I am worried about its legacy(although some would say that its legacy is what feeds its existence). Its interesting that they too patronize the Red color(the color of Naxalism). I hope that they will mend there ways and stop their invisible yet profound breed of militancy.
ReplyDeleteWho is worried about Sawan per se, Sid? I'm worried about my job, I guess, just like any other employee. A student will be concerned (not worried, because worry belongs to parents) about his future. Who else bothers?
DeleteNever thought school too has so much of politics. I thought this kind of petty games belonged to corporate sector. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteSome schools stop being schools in some hands!
DeleteSchools are supposed to be the fountains of knowledge. They have now become fountains of money and politics. God bless the future generations. And yes, I do long for vacation in such exotic places.
ReplyDeleteWe can understand why the world is in such a mess!
DeleteSad to know that .. enjoyed your holiday experience through your posts ... but still life can't stand still for long .... works engages us ...and this is what life is !!
ReplyDeleteNo complaints. I take life as it comes. Life is the best teacher.
DeleteHello sir, totally appreciate yor words.
ReplyDeletedon't worry everything will be fine soon
Very consoling words, Shiv.
DeleteBy the way, I'm not worried at all. I'm amused.
One month Kerala holiday. U must be totally recharged!
ReplyDeleteIam
Delete