The Whispers Of My Heart

 A former Chief Minister of Bihar, famous for his antics, came from a poor family.  But instead of making the lives of penurious better, he misused his position and amassed lot of unethical money.  Although most of our government officers, politicians had humble origins, sadly they have become megalomaniac, callous.  They ensconce themselves in air conditioner rooms, amidst all the luxuries and have lost touch with the commoners, ground realities.  The following write-up of mine is dedicated to a dutiful bank officer.  With the death of my father in law - an Indian Air Force Officer, my mother in law was entitled to the family pension.  I prepared the required documents and submitted them to the appropriate authorities.  Once, in connection with some rectification in the fixation of pension, I went to Mr. Rahi, a young officer with the State Bank Of India, Air force station branch, Chandigarh.  I pointed out the goof to him, requested him to ...

 Some people leave lasting imprints on one's life, mould one's personality.  Memories of such persons refuse to fade away.  Professor. K. L. Virmani taught us English at D.A.V. College, Chandigarh.  He was not only an erudite teacher, but also a renowned poet.  A handsome, simple, straight forward, he never shared his griefs with anyone.  Instead he chose words to vent his feelings.  His collection of poems titled "Springtime Raptures" became enormously popular.  Though he interacted with his colleagues/students, he was basically a loner, savoured his solitude.  I was fortunate to spend considerable time with him, gained his insights about life.  Once I met him at the Indian Coffee House, Sector 17 where he gave me an invaluable lesson, "Son, it is only by keeping oneself far from the madding crowd that one can attain something worthwhile."  While pursuing my post-graduation from Panjab University, I often had my lunch at G.C. Chatt...

 I often interact with people who have seen life, it's ups and downs.  Razdan uncle is a retired executive director from a renowned multinational corporation.  Yesterday I met him in the Japanese Garden.  He was conversing heartily, cracking jokes with the gardeners.  I went to him, humbly touched his feet.  He looked intently at me for a while. At last he recognized me.  "Oh Sanjay! How are you? How is your mother?" he inquired, hugging me warmly.  "I am good uncle. Mom is also fine." said I  "Uncle, you have retired as an executive director from a big corporation. It does not behove you to sit among the hoi polloi!" I teased him.  He smilingly said, "Son, an innocent child is without ego.  A lonely, aged person should also be sans ego.  Ego is an illusion that mostly afflicts naive, young people.  Any position or fame can never be a long term companion. The earlier one realizes this, the better."  After a pause he c...

 Yesterday I saw a group of five students from a government school, relishing samosas from a roadside vendor.  Perhaps due to paucity of money, they bought only three samosas, savoured them jointly with immense satisfaction, joyfulness.  As compared to their public / convent school counterparts, I have found that government school students are far more robust, realistic.  On my evening walks, I often see rickshaw pullers, huddled together, singing devotional songs, ecstatically beating dilapidated small drums.  Although they sleep in the open, have very little to eat or sometimes have to sleep empty stomach, they celebrate life, rejoice as if they have found heaven on earth.  On the contrary I have seen many wallowing in luxuries, but always with long faces, utterly discontented with their lives.  They can't sleep without taking sleeping pills! Clearly happiness does not lies in accumulation, riches.  I have observed that the inside world of most ...

 Obesity is the chief cause behind many deadly diseases like diabetes, hypertension.  According to a study by America's Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), 42% of US population was obese in 2018.  Presently about 67% of US population is overweight.  No wonder, US has been hard hit by Covid-19!  Realizing the importance of good health, Government Of India has launched Fit India movement with a catchy slogan :  "फिटनेस का डोज, आधा घंटा रोज"  ( to remain fit, one must do some kind of physical activity like jogging, yoga, climbing stairs for atleast half an hour every day ).   I firmly believe that human bodies are meant to move, not to sit endlessly behind computer screens, or lie lazily on a couch.  It is heartening to find that more and more people are coming out of their houses in Chandigarh, albeit for different, amusing reasons.  I have noticed that most of the youngsters jog with their mobiles tied firmly on their b...

 Last month, an old acquaintance of mine met me accidentally.  "Sharma ji, after putting in thirty years of service, I am going to retire this month (February).  I want to do some business after retirement. Kindly suggest." said he.  "But why the hell do you want to work again?"  "Are you going to face financial crunch after retirement?" "Won't you get retirement benefits, gratuity, pension?" I asked.  "By the grace of God, I would get hefty gratuity, pension.  All my children are well settled.  I want to start some business for my grandsons." he said "Don't be a stupid sir, just as the ripples created by a stone thrown in a pond multiply ceaselessly, likewise the worldly responsibilities never come to an end" I laughed.  "Then what should I do" he asked.  "Start preparing for your death!" I advised.  Stunned by my advice, my acquaintance became crestfallen and said, "Sharma ji, I have always c...

 During my teaching career I have taught students from various nationalities.  Once a group of young, handsome pathans called on me, "Sir, we are from Afghanistan. We have taken admission in different colleges of Chandigarh. We have taken Economics as one of our subjects. Due to civil unrest, poverty in our country, our studies have been sponsored by Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR).  Sir, we can only pay very nominal fee to you. Kindly teach us Economics."  Having seen life's ups and downs, people of various hues, I could easily see that they were sincere.  I agreed to teach them.  Withn a short time, they became very friendly with me, started treating me like their elder.  Once Najibullah asked me, "Sir, is there any mosque nearby? We often get late for our evening namaz after the class"  I told them that if they don't mind, they can offer their evening namaz in my house after their class.  Stunned by my response, Najibullah sai...