Worried about this madness

While scientists around the world are working 24/7 to fine tune a vaccine to fight COVID, some people in their wisdom are banging thalis, ringing bells and changing slogans of "go covid go" to get rid of the pandemic. If that were not enough there are papads for sale too, which apparently will prevent one getting the virus.. Praying that better sense prevails . PS. Meanwhile, media reports say that around the world, the numbers are hitting the ceiling and going through the roof as young people are celebrating the end of lockdown periods over enthusiastically at bars and pubs without taking necessary precautions. 40 countries have reported large single day increases in infection with over 280,000 new cases over this weekend alone. This is a frightening scenario. At this rate ,and pun intended, the party has only just begun. Such foolishness is calling for trouble. Looks like common sense has vanished the world over.

Worried about this madness

While scientists around the world are working 24/7 to fine tune a vaccine to fight COVID, some people in their wisdom are banging thalis, ringing bells and changing slogans of "go covid go" to get rid of the pandemic. If that were not enough there are papads for sale too, which apparently will prevent one getting the virus.. Praying that better sense prevails . PS. Meanwhile, media reports say that around the world, the numbers are hitting the ceiling and going through the roof as young people are celebrating the end of lockdown periods over enthusiastically at bars and pubs without taking necessary precautions. 40 countries have reported large single day increases in infection with over 280,000 new cases over this weekend alone. This is a frightening scenario. At this rate ,and pun intended, the party has only just begun. Such foolishness is calling for trouble. Looks like common sense has vanished the world over.

She loves me - she loves me not

SHE LOVES ME – SHE LOVES ME NOT …… Am sitting here, staring at my computer, and wondering what I should do – so seeking advice from all you “worldly experts” out there. Although I am not someone to “kiss and tell”, sometimes you must say it as it is. It may sound foolish to you, but this is the way I am. I loved her with all my heart (and still do) and she reciprocated the same – there was no denying the fact that there was a very special connection. Whenever possible, I spent as much time with her, much to the annoyance of so many others. I have spent quite a tidy sum on her as well and apparently that counts for nothing in this day and age. If you talk about photographs, well, I have clicked her in every angle and yes, she is quite the poser, extremely photogenic and very pretty too. You should just have a look at some of the snaps of us together …….!! However, now it seems the honeymoon period is over – she has begun to ignore me. This is something I am not able to understand, and it pains me. She has been spurning my advances for some time now – the last month or two, to be precise. Phone calls & Whats App messages were out of the question and hence I never even went down that route. I am positive that age, job title, status etc do not matter to her either. Then what is it? Others have noticed this change too and some of them are probably happy. In fact, looking back, I presume it all started the day I lost my temper with her and made my feelings clear in no uncertain terms. I am not one to beat about the bush. Well- I think the word ‘’presume” is wrong – I am confident I can pinpoint the exact moment this all started. I was determined that she stopped her silly antics, grew up, and stopped behaving like a kid. I probably raised my voice a little too much, and looking back on my actions, I must admit – I feel I overdid the “anger” part and was wrong- after all , she was probably just having a little innocent fun. I must have come across as threatening, although that was not the intention. Nevertheless, I guess it is my fault and now I am paying the price. I did try to apologise in various ways, on quite a few occasions – my apology was not accepted. In fact, when we came face to face, she seemed to look right through me. I swallowed my pride and, as meekly as possible whispered, “sorry baby”. I could swear she sniggered and just walked away. So, no one should fault me for not trying. Coming to think of it, she has always been a trifle cold, but I guess that is her nature, which I had learned to accept over the years. I have confided in a few trusted friends, and they did say that this will blow over and she will come round – it has not happened yet. So, I have to say I am in a bit of a quandary, and not sure what to do now – cats are such lovable creatures but “Chanel”, our little bundle of joy , takes the cake where stubbornness is concerned . Let me go and search for her and see what she is doing !

She loves me - she loves me not

SHE LOVES ME – SHE LOVES ME NOT …… Am sitting here, staring at my computer, and wondering what I should do – so seeking advice from all you “worldly experts” out there. Although I am not someone to “kiss and tell”, sometimes you must say it as it is. It may sound foolish to you, but this is the way I am. I loved her with all my heart (and still do) and she reciprocated the same – there was no denying the fact that there was a very special connection. Whenever possible, I spent as much time with her, much to the annoyance of so many others. I have spent quite a tidy sum on her as well and apparently that counts for nothing in this day and age. If you talk about photographs, well, I have clicked her in every angle and yes, she is quite the poser, extremely photogenic and very pretty too. You should just have a look at some of the snaps of us together …….!! However, now it seems the honeymoon period is over – she has begun to ignore me. This is something I am not able to understand, and it pains me. She has been spurning my advances for some time now – the last month or two, to be precise. Phone calls & Whats App messages were out of the question and hence I never even went down that route. I am positive that age, job title, status etc do not matter to her either. Then what is it? Others have noticed this change too and some of them are probably happy. In fact, looking back, I presume it all started the day I lost my temper with her and made my feelings clear in no uncertain terms. I am not one to beat about the bush. Well- I think the word ‘’presume” is wrong – I am confident I can pinpoint the exact moment this all started. I was determined that she stopped her silly antics, grew up, and stopped behaving like a kid. I probably raised my voice a little too much, and looking back on my actions, I must admit – I feel I overdid the “anger” part and was wrong- after all , she was probably just having a little innocent fun. I must have come across as threatening, although that was not the intention. Nevertheless, I guess it is my fault and now I am paying the price. I did try to apologise in various ways, on quite a few occasions – my apology was not accepted. In fact, when we came face to face, she seemed to look right through me. I swallowed my pride and, as meekly as possible whispered, “sorry baby”. I could swear she sniggered and just walked away. So, no one should fault me for not trying. Coming to think of it, she has always been a trifle cold, but I guess that is her nature, which I had learned to accept over the years. I have confided in a few trusted friends, and they did say that this will blow over and she will come round – it has not happened yet. So, I have to say I am in a bit of a quandary, and not sure what to do now – cats are such lovable creatures but “Chanel”, our little bundle of joy , takes the cake where stubbornness is concerned . Let me go and search for her and see what she is doing !

MY ARTISTIC ABILITIES

For a few years now I have been meaning to do a serious work of art. Something that would be time consuming and tedious, but which would give me a sense of accomplishment & utter fulfilment. Work commitments and often sheer laziness have always come in the way. The lockdown set me thinking, I could have done it at that time, or at least made a start, but then again, the online work kept me busier than ever. In fact, the computer has taken over our lives as we speak. At least that’s what I believe. Now that I am on leave, the urge to fulfil a long-cherished ambition has stirred within me once more – am certainly going for it this time. “It’s now or never”, I have said to myself. In reality, I have said that before as well, but this time am removing the “never”. Its “NOW”! I have made a firm resolve and will see it through. I vaguely remember when I was in Grade one, we were asked to draw an elephant in a test. I drew my elephant and handed in it – proud as punch. The teacher looked at it really hard and asked me what I had drawn. I reminded her that it was “an elephant”! I presume it must have been good, because the teacher showed it to a few teachers who passed by the class. They stared hard at my drawing and laughed out loud - and then she pointed me out to them! Anyway, forget that - this is the plan – this time I want to do a piece that is meaningful and deep – it should stir emotions – it should make people think. It should be something that people will admire , a piece that will have the wow factor – a sort of centre piece which people will look at ,gaze in wonderment, and enquire as to the source – the artist – have always wondered about a moment like that . Have pictured this so very often - We have a get together at home – about twenty friends come over for dinner. As each one walks in, the first thing that meets their eyes is my artwork. Two things here – it will be at eye level and it will have non reflective glass in a gilded frame. So, they look, in fact, they cannot stop examining – they go closer – they tilt their heads and some squint their eyes to get a better and different perspective - they ask about the medium used and nonchalantly I say “oil”. They then look at me and say, “where have you been hiding your talent you evil man” and I just smile and shrug! Not one to sit back, I did some basic research, and this is what I came up with: - Linen is the best of the best canvases to use but a trifle expensive. If you care about permanence (and I certainly do) and don't mind paying for it, (no I don’t) there is no better option. You can save some money by using a high-quality ‘cotton duck canvas’ which should weigh between 12-15 oz. It is cheaper than linen but is still a suitable choice for permanent paintings. So now I am in a bit of a quandary, as to whether I go for the Linen or the Cotton duck canvas but will work that out. It will be one of the two. Paints are a little more technical though and I have been consulting with a few friends and relatives. There is a wide choice in the market, and this took a few afternoons, but I have narrowed it down to any three of the following – Grumbacher, Bob Ross, Williamsburg & Sennelier. I know that I will never be the next Van Gogh but have also done a bit of reading and am now quite familiar with terms airbrush, blending , decoupage, gesso, high relief , encaustic, egg tempera and the like – words which till a month ago dazed me . There is just one major hurdle remaining – I can’t draw to save my life. Even a ball is difficult for me to draw – you see I am bad with symmetry. As for painting, the least said the better – to top it all I am genuinely colour blind. I guess I must start at the very beginning – that’s a very good place to start. As for my painting – have put that on hold for now .

MY ARTISTIC ABILITIES

For a few years now I have been meaning to do a serious work of art. Something that would be time consuming and tedious, but which would give me a sense of accomplishment & utter fulfilment. Work commitments and often sheer laziness have always come in the way. The lockdown set me thinking, I could have done it at that time, or at least made a start, but then again, the online work kept me busier than ever. In fact, the computer has taken over our lives as we speak. At least that’s what I believe. Now that I am on leave, the urge to fulfil a long-cherished ambition has stirred within me once more – am certainly going for it this time. “It’s now or never”, I have said to myself. In reality, I have said that before as well, but this time am removing the “never”. Its “NOW”! I have made a firm resolve and will see it through. I vaguely remember when I was in Grade one, we were asked to draw an elephant in a test. I drew my elephant and handed in it – proud as punch. The teacher looked at it really hard and asked me what I had drawn. I reminded her that it was “an elephant”! I presume it must have been good, because the teacher showed it to a few teachers who passed by the class. They stared hard at my drawing and laughed out loud - and then she pointed me out to them! Anyway, forget that - this is the plan – this time I want to do a piece that is meaningful and deep – it should stir emotions – it should make people think. It should be something that people will admire , a piece that will have the wow factor – a sort of centre piece which people will look at ,gaze in wonderment, and enquire as to the source – the artist – have always wondered about a moment like that . Have pictured this so very often - We have a get together at home – about twenty friends come over for dinner. As each one walks in, the first thing that meets their eyes is my artwork. Two things here – it will be at eye level and it will have non reflective glass in a gilded frame. So, they look, in fact, they cannot stop examining – they go closer – they tilt their heads and some squint their eyes to get a better and different perspective - they ask about the medium used and nonchalantly I say “oil”. They then look at me and say, “where have you been hiding your talent you evil man” and I just smile and shrug! Not one to sit back, I did some basic research, and this is what I came up with: - Linen is the best of the best canvases to use but a trifle expensive. If you care about permanence (and I certainly do) and don't mind paying for it, (no I don’t) there is no better option. You can save some money by using a high-quality ‘cotton duck canvas’ which should weigh between 12-15 oz. It is cheaper than linen but is still a suitable choice for permanent paintings. So now I am in a bit of a quandary, as to whether I go for the Linen or the Cotton duck canvas but will work that out. It will be one of the two. Paints are a little more technical though and I have been consulting with a few friends and relatives. There is a wide choice in the market, and this took a few afternoons, but I have narrowed it down to any three of the following – Grumbacher, Bob Ross, Williamsburg & Sennelier. I know that I will never be the next Van Gogh but have also done a bit of reading and am now quite familiar with terms airbrush, blending , decoupage, gesso, high relief , encaustic, egg tempera and the like – words which till a month ago dazed me . There is just one major hurdle remaining – I can’t draw to save my life. Even a ball is difficult for me to draw – you see I am bad with symmetry. As for painting, the least said the better – to top it all I am genuinely colour blind. I guess I must start at the very beginning – that’s a very good place to start. As for my painting – have put that on hold for now .

Diet and me

Am planning to go on a diet and cut out the following items - some of which I consume quiet frequently .
 1. All meat including chicken 2. Eggs 3. Fatty foods 4. Carbs and starchy foods 5. Junk food/ take aways 6. Sugar 7 Ice cream 8 Chocolates and sweets . 9 Alcohol 10. Cookies, doughnuts and biscuits 11. French fries, crisps. 12. Pizza and Pasta 13 Colas and sweetened drinks 14. Processed foods 15 Smoothies 16 Protein bars 17 Cakes In fact I made this plan about 10 years ago and just found it on an old computer,so am sharing, as it looks good . . Have still not put it into practice.

Diet and me

Am planning to go on a diet and cut out the following items - some of which I consume quiet frequently .
 1. All meat including chicken 2. Eggs 3. Fatty foods 4. Carbs and starchy foods 5. Junk food/ take aways 6. Sugar 7 Ice cream 8 Chocolates and sweets . 9 Alcohol 10. Cookies, doughnuts and biscuits 11. French fries, crisps. 12. Pizza and Pasta 13 Colas and sweetened drinks 14. Processed foods 15 Smoothies 16 Protein bars 17 Cakes In fact I made this plan about 10 years ago and just found it on an old computer,so am sharing, as it looks good . . Have still not put it into practice.

Yippee I am on holiday

So, I am finally on leave from tomorrow till the 1st of August 2020 Yippee – summer is here and its holiday time at last – much desired However, this year like so many others I am a trifle relieved A trifle relieved is putting it mildly I am extremely relieved, oh so light hearted, ecstatic, filled with a sense of hope and joy No travel this time. Tickets already cancelled – that was heart-breaking No itineraries to be planned – no hotels to be booked No wondering whether my credit card will be misused No suitcases to be taken out, dusted, and sunned No finding money in an old bag No old suitcases and bags to be discarded and new ones bought – I love this No locks and keys to be traced. I hate this I have about fifteen small locks and about fifty sets of keys. Will not have to hear statements like – “This suitcase is too big” “why are you taking so many clothes” , “do you need so many pairs of shoes”? What is the luggage allowance – at times it varies while going and returning too “Will so and so place be cold or hot” “check the weather in advance” “Let’s pray there is no rain” is another. “Take an umbrella – you never know” No No No ! No printing of tickets, no ensuring the passport and visa are valid for travel No comments like “see you don’t lose the passports, tickets, keys, money” Also, the ultimate “your father is so careless” I BEG YOUR PARDON MISSIE No checking out what clothes to take with me and what to discard as they are already too tight Another comment “you better get up early & go to the gym in all the hotels” No medicines to be packed for emergencies “take the Digene and Gaviscon for indigestion” No tickets to be bought in advance for trains, tramways, ferries, boats, hotels, entries to various cathedrals, palaces, museums, day trips, amusement parks etc etc etc No money to be exchanged for local currency – how much do we take? No weighing luggage umpteen times and straining my back while putting it on and off the scale No checking if I have a particular Sim card, extra phone, charging cable , multipurpose plug , adapter . No rushing to airports and no arguments about how early we should depart from home. No counting of items of luggage ever so often. No yellow, red, blue ribbons fluttering from all the items – no name tags to be printed No being over polite and requesting counter staff at airports for better seats, sparing a few kilos of extra luggage, fragile stickers. No eating and drinking in the airport lounge after already eating and drinking at home. Dirty habit of mine No having to smile at airhostesses who have that plastic smile pasted on their faces. No hoping that I am not sitting near an adult with a baby No hoping that the person next to me is not unduly overweight No stuffing of bags into overstuffed lockers and arguing as politely as possible with fellow passengers. No wondering which arm rest to use when sitting near a stranger No eating insipid food on the flight – the drinks are okay. What about those cramped toilets where you can’t swing a rabbit? (Now that is a stupid sentence because we don’t have a pet rabbit , I have never taken a rabbit anywhere with me either and if by chance I did , I would not take it to the toilet with me – and if by chance I even did that unexplainable thing , pray why would I swing it ? ) No getting into taxis and wondering if they will take you for a spin ( or kidnap you for that matter ) Not sure why anyone would like to kidnap us, but one never knows. No vague thought as to where I would hide my passport and purse if stopped by thieves. No hotel checks in and once again no asking for a “non-smoking good room with a view” I do not think hotel clerks look at the booking seriously enough No wondering how much to tip, when the bell boy puts the luggage in the room and smiles his simple smile No rushing to have the buffet breakfast and no overeating ! No jumping out of bed early in the morning in a strange city, to go and see a cathedral or a garden or a market or whatever – it’s a holiday for goodness sake. IT’S A H O L I D A Y – I W A N T TO RELAX No staring at menus and wondering what the dish is all about. Not having to bother with irritating waiters who hang around hurrying you to order Coddled eggs, Bubble and squeak, Clootie dumpling, Welsh Rabbit , Priest stranglers, little tongues , little worms, Armer Ritter, Kalter hund , Bienenstich? For goodness sake what ARE these dishes – so confusing. (And menus in foreign languages are even worse) No longing for Dal, rice, mutton curries, chapattis and masala dosa No Selfies, touristy must have photographs and purchasing of souvenirs. OMG – for goodness sake no more buying fridge magnets and shot glasses ( I have stopped buying beer mugs) No more browsing around in old second hand book shops hoping to find a rare manuscript that will make me a rich man No visiting relatives and friends you have not met in decades and did not want to in the first place No silly “check in” or Status updates on FB – no one cares in the first place No uploading of photographs too. It’s sort of mandatory – let’s tell the world we are on holiday No feeling sad when the end of the holiday is approaching, and you must catch the flight back to home sweet home No weighing luggage before flying back and realizing that the luggage is twelve kg overweight No unpacking – this is the worst part No coming home and wondering where to start with the cleaning and tidying Amen

Yippee I am on holiday

So, I am finally on leave from tomorrow till the 1st of August 2020 Yippee – summer is here and its holiday time at last – much desired However, this year like so many others I am a trifle relieved A trifle relieved is putting it mildly I am extremely relieved, oh so light hearted, ecstatic, filled with a sense of hope and joy No travel this time. Tickets already cancelled – that was heart-breaking No itineraries to be planned – no hotels to be booked No wondering whether my credit card will be misused No suitcases to be taken out, dusted, and sunned No finding money in an old bag No old suitcases and bags to be discarded and new ones bought – I love this No locks and keys to be traced. I hate this I have about fifteen small locks and about fifty sets of keys. Will not have to hear statements like – “This suitcase is too big” “why are you taking so many clothes” , “do you need so many pairs of shoes”? What is the luggage allowance – at times it varies while going and returning too “Will so and so place be cold or hot” “check the weather in advance” “Let’s pray there is no rain” is another. “Take an umbrella – you never know” No No No ! No printing of tickets, no ensuring the passport and visa are valid for travel No comments like “see you don’t lose the passports, tickets, keys, money” Also, the ultimate “your father is so careless” I BEG YOUR PARDON MISSIE No checking out what clothes to take with me and what to discard as they are already too tight Another comment “you better get up early & go to the gym in all the hotels” No medicines to be packed for emergencies “take the Digene and Gaviscon for indigestion” No tickets to be bought in advance for trains, tramways, ferries, boats, hotels, entries to various cathedrals, palaces, museums, day trips, amusement parks etc etc etc No money to be exchanged for local currency – how much do we take? No weighing luggage umpteen times and straining my back while putting it on and off the scale No checking if I have a particular Sim card, extra phone, charging cable , multipurpose plug , adapter . No rushing to airports and no arguments about how early we should depart from home. No counting of items of luggage ever so often. No yellow, red, blue ribbons fluttering from all the items – no name tags to be printed No being over polite and requesting counter staff at airports for better seats, sparing a few kilos of extra luggage, fragile stickers. No eating and drinking in the airport lounge after already eating and drinking at home. Dirty habit of mine No having to smile at airhostesses who have that plastic smile pasted on their faces. No hoping that I am not sitting near an adult with a baby No hoping that the person next to me is not unduly overweight No stuffing of bags into overstuffed lockers and arguing as politely as possible with fellow passengers. No wondering which arm rest to use when sitting near a stranger No eating insipid food on the flight – the drinks are okay. What about those cramped toilets where you can’t swing a rabbit? (Now that is a stupid sentence because we don’t have a pet rabbit , I have never taken a rabbit anywhere with me either and if by chance I did , I would not take it to the toilet with me – and if by chance I even did that unexplainable thing , pray why would I swing it ? ) No getting into taxis and wondering if they will take you for a spin ( or kidnap you for that matter ) Not sure why anyone would like to kidnap us, but one never knows. No vague thought as to where I would hide my passport and purse if stopped by thieves. No hotel checks in and once again no asking for a “non-smoking good room with a view” I do not think hotel clerks look at the booking seriously enough No wondering how much to tip, when the bell boy puts the luggage in the room and smiles his simple smile No rushing to have the buffet breakfast and no overeating ! No jumping out of bed early in the morning in a strange city, to go and see a cathedral or a garden or a market or whatever – it’s a holiday for goodness sake. IT’S A H O L I D A Y – I W A N T TO RELAX No staring at menus and wondering what the dish is all about. Not having to bother with irritating waiters who hang around hurrying you to order Coddled eggs, Bubble and squeak, Clootie dumpling, Welsh Rabbit , Priest stranglers, little tongues , little worms, Armer Ritter, Kalter hund , Bienenstich? For goodness sake what ARE these dishes – so confusing. (And menus in foreign languages are even worse) No longing for Dal, rice, mutton curries, chapattis and masala dosa No Selfies, touristy must have photographs and purchasing of souvenirs. OMG – for goodness sake no more buying fridge magnets and shot glasses ( I have stopped buying beer mugs) No more browsing around in old second hand book shops hoping to find a rare manuscript that will make me a rich man No visiting relatives and friends you have not met in decades and did not want to in the first place No silly “check in” or Status updates on FB – no one cares in the first place No uploading of photographs too. It’s sort of mandatory – let’s tell the world we are on holiday No feeling sad when the end of the holiday is approaching, and you must catch the flight back to home sweet home No weighing luggage before flying back and realizing that the luggage is twelve kg overweight No unpacking – this is the worst part No coming home and wondering where to start with the cleaning and tidying Amen

Are we lowering our sights?

So, finally we have the various board results from different parts of the world in hand. Everyone is elated and it is time to celebrate and congratulate. And why not? The results this year have surpassed all expectations and are so much better than before. Although a few papers could not be completed, and in some cases, the entire examination had to be cancelled, the various boards did their best to ensure, that pupils did not suffer in any way. What an amazing way to end your schooling and move on to college. So, to all educationists, pupils, and parents – HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS. Some degree of happiness amidst the gloom is always more than welcome. However, I feel rather confident in saying, that with me, there are probably innumerable discerning individuals out there who have a question on their mind. Mind you, this is not to take anything away from pupils who have worked extremely hard and teachers who have given it their best shot and then more. Are we lowering our sights a little too low? This is not a criticism but a fact of life. Are the marks and percentages too high for comfort? Aren’t we seeing this happening year after year? Are you having the same thoughts that I am? A few years ago, when the trend began, it was surprising, then incredulous, then genuine disbelief! Now it’s like “where can we go from here”? Are schools reaching the pinnacle of their success? We have pupils scoring full marks in all subjects! I can understand full marks in Math or for that matter a Science subject. But full marks in English, Social Studies, Economics? When most pupils of a grade score over 90 %, the scenario certainly appears skewed & not healthy. One is then forced to question the credibility of the examination system and mind you , before you decide to shoot me down with your poison tipped arrow , I am not referring to any school or board or country in particular – I question the system of Education and as an Educationist I must. Something is not right. Complacency is the bane of modern education and a rethink is the need of the hour- the quicker – the better. Innovation in the classroom is brilliant – what about innovation in the system? Does everything seem honky dory to you? It certainly does not to me! Mark you, this is not only in the board classes. This is a widespread problem in primary and secondary schools all over the world as well. If you dig below the surface, you may be surprised or depending on who you are, you may not be! High marks and grades seem to be becoming the norm. Kindergarten parents expect their wards to score all A’s and when they do not, they question the school as to why! They also say they are worried in case there is something wrong with their child. Is this even real? Further up in the grades, low marks on a report card are like a bear in a room – everyone at home is screaming, crying and in panic mode. The remarks one hears are not only strange but quite absurd. Supposedly “such low marks were not expected” they will certainly “lead to depression and a lowering of self-esteem”. “what will friends and relatives say”. What if the child “does something drastic”? “The school is to blame”! For goodness sake – what’s with us? Please can we all just realize that there is nothing wrong with a child who did not score high marks and you don’t have to run for counselling immediately – trust the school to give the right advice. To quote the renowned education academic, Professor John Hattie ““Part of our problem is that we’ve conceived success at the school level to be high achievement, and the unfortunate implication of this is, if you have high achievement to start with, you don’t have to do as much,” he said. “However, if you turn that on its side and say our job is to make sure that every student deserves at least a year’s growth for a year’s input, then every student – no matter where they start – will have to show progress.” Briefly, such high marks all round could boil down to ineffective paper setting, the quality of the assessment, faulty moderation patterns or just plain inflation of marks. There are other reasons too, but I will not go there. High examination scores may have their merit if you can call it so. They boost student morale, they please worried parents and they are some reward for years of consistent work by pupils, teachers, and schools. It looks like a win win situation all round and no one is cribbing and why would they? I agree that students are more focused, school education is better structured, teachers are better trained, they use modern methods & parents do all they can and more, to give their wards the best education possible. There are also smart private tuition classes attended by the toppers to get them to do even better. However, when almost everyone scores in the region of 95 % and above, the entire euphoria of saying “I have done well” boils down to zero and means very little. Reality hits home when the very same pupil who was elated when scoring a centum in almost every subject, is given a B or a C in the first college examination he or she appears in. Suddenly, from riding on a cloud of unbridled success and beaming from ear to ear after all the adulation, the very same pupil becomes a nervous wreck and feelings of incompetence, total disillusionment and depression set in. Mind you, this can last well into graduation and beyond and that is not healthy. Educationists around the world should continue to look at the deeper meanings of teaching and learning rather than relying disproportionately on often overly inflated numbers. Someone, somewhere, has to stand up and say “The buck stops here” This whole concept has become quite a vicious circle, because when pupils don’t get those high scores that everyone has come to expect , schools and teacher standards are under the scanner for all the wrong reasons . That is not fair. I truly believe, that in this so called modern, 21st century world, schools are so over saturated with testing and so dependent on scores that we are missing the overall end of education and this is indeed , extremely sad. We are sending pupils into the world with a false belief in their abilities, and they are, at times, too naive to know the difference . Somehow, we seem to be over controlling and undervaluing our students by making them believe they are overachieving and this needs to stop. We must realize that if we continue to focus entirely on metrics and data, true education will be a myth and that is a disaster the world can least afford.

Are we lowering our sights?

So, finally we have the various board results from different parts of the world in hand. Everyone is elated and it is time to celebrate and congratulate. And why not? The results this year have surpassed all expectations and are so much better than before. Although a few papers could not be completed, and in some cases, the entire examination had to be cancelled, the various boards did their best to ensure, that pupils did not suffer in any way. What an amazing way to end your schooling and move on to college. So, to all educationists, pupils, and parents – HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS. Some degree of happiness amidst the gloom is always more than welcome. However, I feel rather confident in saying, that with me, there are probably innumerable discerning individuals out there who have a question on their mind. Mind you, this is not to take anything away from pupils who have worked extremely hard and teachers who have given it their best shot and then more. Are we lowering our sights a little too low? This is not a criticism but a fact of life. Are the marks and percentages too high for comfort? Aren’t we seeing this happening year after year? Are you having the same thoughts that I am? A few years ago, when the trend began, it was surprising, then incredulous, then genuine disbelief! Now it’s like “where can we go from here”? Are schools reaching the pinnacle of their success? We have pupils scoring full marks in all subjects! I can understand full marks in Math or for that matter a Science subject. But full marks in English, Social Studies, Economics? When most pupils of a grade score over 90 %, the scenario certainly appears skewed & not healthy. One is then forced to question the credibility of the examination system and mind you , before you decide to shoot me down with your poison tipped arrow , I am not referring to any school or board or country in particular – I question the system of Education and as an Educationist I must. Something is not right. Complacency is the bane of modern education and a rethink is the need of the hour- the quicker – the better. Innovation in the classroom is brilliant – what about innovation in the system? Does everything seem honky dory to you? It certainly does not to me! Mark you, this is not only in the board classes. This is a widespread problem in primary and secondary schools all over the world as well. If you dig below the surface, you may be surprised or depending on who you are, you may not be! High marks and grades seem to be becoming the norm. Kindergarten parents expect their wards to score all A’s and when they do not, they question the school as to why! They also say they are worried in case there is something wrong with their child. Is this even real? Further up in the grades, low marks on a report card are like a bear in a room – everyone at home is screaming, crying and in panic mode. The remarks one hears are not only strange but quite absurd. Supposedly “such low marks were not expected” they will certainly “lead to depression and a lowering of self-esteem”. “what will friends and relatives say”. What if the child “does something drastic”? “The school is to blame”! For goodness sake – what’s with us? Please can we all just realize that there is nothing wrong with a child who did not score high marks and you don’t have to run for counselling immediately – trust the school to give the right advice. To quote the renowned education academic, Professor John Hattie ““Part of our problem is that we’ve conceived success at the school level to be high achievement, and the unfortunate implication of this is, if you have high achievement to start with, you don’t have to do as much,” he said. “However, if you turn that on its side and say our job is to make sure that every student deserves at least a year’s growth for a year’s input, then every student – no matter where they start – will have to show progress.” Briefly, such high marks all round could boil down to ineffective paper setting, the quality of the assessment, faulty moderation patterns or just plain inflation of marks. There are other reasons too, but I will not go there. High examination scores may have their merit if you can call it so. They boost student morale, they please worried parents and they are some reward for years of consistent work by pupils, teachers, and schools. It looks like a win win situation all round and no one is cribbing and why would they? I agree that students are more focused, school education is better structured, teachers are better trained, they use modern methods & parents do all they can and more, to give their wards the best education possible. There are also smart private tuition classes attended by the toppers to get them to do even better. However, when almost everyone scores in the region of 95 % and above, the entire euphoria of saying “I have done well” boils down to zero and means very little. Reality hits home when the very same pupil who was elated when scoring a centum in almost every subject, is given a B or a C in the first college examination he or she appears in. Suddenly, from riding on a cloud of unbridled success and beaming from ear to ear after all the adulation, the very same pupil becomes a nervous wreck and feelings of incompetence, total disillusionment and depression set in. Mind you, this can last well into graduation and beyond and that is not healthy. Educationists around the world should continue to look at the deeper meanings of teaching and learning rather than relying disproportionately on often overly inflated numbers. Someone, somewhere, has to stand up and say “The buck stops here” This whole concept has become quite a vicious circle, because when pupils don’t get those high scores that everyone has come to expect , schools and teacher standards are under the scanner for all the wrong reasons . That is not fair. I truly believe, that in this so called modern, 21st century world, schools are so over saturated with testing and so dependent on scores that we are missing the overall end of education and this is indeed , extremely sad. We are sending pupils into the world with a false belief in their abilities, and they are, at times, too naive to know the difference . Somehow, we seem to be over controlling and undervaluing our students by making them believe they are overachieving and this needs to stop. We must realize that if we continue to focus entirely on metrics and data, true education will be a myth and that is a disaster the world can least afford.

Are good manners out of date ?

Growing up in a family with two strict ladies – my mother and my aunt, ensured that I was brought up well mannered. Not that gents are ill mannered or anything of that sort (!) but fathers, uncles and grandfathers are more often than not, more of the happy go lucky individuals , the friends of the kids, the fun guys , while the mothers, aunts and even grandmothers for that matter, are sticklers for discipline , manners , traditions and the like . My aunt Addie was the tougher of the two. She had no kids of her own, so I guess that compounded the problem for me (but made me a better person at the same time). So where do I begin? Well I guess my earliest recollection would be of going to church. We always reached church about fifteen minutes early, and the time before the service was spent with the adult’s chit- chatting among themselves. I would often hang around at the back of the group, counting the birds flying overhead or searching for faces and animals in the clouds – I was rather shy. However, before I could pluck up courage to slink away to meet friends of my own, I had to wish anybody and everybody who I happened to see. Back then everyone was greeted with either uncle or aunty, so it was a never ending “good morning aunty and good morning uncle”. I had also been told never to mutter under my breath but to be loud and clear, so also to smile and look the person in the eye while wishing them rather than at my shoes! We often went visiting and there too, the rules were clearly spelled out – Wish, smile, speak when spoken to, do always not grab at the snacks or cool drinks when offered, and be polite . Mealtimes were also, not a free for all, muck in barbecue! We ate at the table and usually had fixed places to sit while the Bush radio (with large valves) often played softly in the background. Chewing with the mouth closed and not emitting any sound while doing so are two of the basics I remember. Then of course there were the staples- elbows off the table, no talking with food in the mouth, not using the spoon like a shovel , no day dreaming or playing with food on the plate, no wasting food , no gulping water and being careful not to drop any food or spill any water on the pristine white damask table cloth . Please let me take the liberty of explaining as lucidly as possible what playing with the food on the plate means. I hated vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, brinjals, lady fingers and a few more. So rather than waste food and get scolded at the end while trying to slip away, I would attempt (more often than not in vain) to mash the vegetables up and spread them around the plate or hide them under mutton or chicken bones! When there was a party or guests were visiting formally, I always had to ensure I was bathed, dressed, and waiting. Any other way was frowned upon and those were some mighty large frowns. I was often the one who ran to open the door and welcome the guests in with a smile and a wish! I was then expected to make small talk if the adults were not yet in the room. That often revolved around my studies and my marks and I detested those times. If there are two words I remember being taught and reminded about ever so often, they were “Please and Thank you”. Asking for anything without preceding it with a “Please” was almost sacrilege so also with receiving something and not saying “Thank you”! Very few people had cars those days, but I distinctly remember the few occasions when a friend came over and took us for a drive. My excitement knew no bounds and I would contemplate the same for hours in advance. No sooner would we walk to the gate than I would open the door and jump in only to be told to come out and let the adults get in first! I had two female cousins who often spent times with all of us and that was fun, as being the only son, I was often quite lonely at home. So, whenever they came for a holiday we would play and enjoy ourselves thoroughly. Being around nine or ten, I was probably boisterous at times and some of the games we played would end in an argument and tears. In my defence I must add that my cousins were not saints and were often equally or more to blame. A few of those arguments unfortunately ended in hand to hand(read hair pulling ) combat as well. Irrespective of who was to blame or what the provocation was , I was always found to be the guilty party and the lesson that was imparted load and clear was “boys and men do not raise their hands to girls and women” I would then be sent to some room ,to sit quietly and study or read or whatever, while the cousins would be tip toeing around the house making fun and continuing to annoy me . Using bad language was unheard of in our home. No adult used it. I did attempt on a few occasions to use some very minor “so called bad words” that I had picked up in school, and what happened next is a fact – my mother lit a match and showed it to me saying “if you ever use those words again I will burn your tongue”. I was so scared that I vowed never to use a bad word again! Answering back, shouting in anger, and arguing with adults were also things which got me in quite a spot of trouble. While I was not the proverbial pest or anything, I probably argued a bit more than necessary and while I did not mean to be rude, I probably sounded awfully out of hand which truthfully, I was not ! While I never stole money, I remember being warned about the consequences if I did. There was also a story I recollect being told by my mother about an old wizened mother, who kept supporting her son in all his wrong doings as he grew up – she covered up for all his lies, petty crimes and inconsistencies, till one day he did something very dreadful and was jailed . On the day he was to be hanged, his mother went to see him. He supposedly wept bitterly & yelled at her in anger saying that if only she had corrected him as a small boy and later as a young man and not covered up for him, all this would never have happened. The story hit home & really made me think. Even today I firmly believe that “good manners and behaviour ” are not something old fashioned or which have gone out of date – they should be an essential part of very child’s life. In fact, they are crucial to good upbringing. As an educationist, I have worked closely with innumerable pupils and parents for close to four decades. I have interacted with some amazing parents who were very loving and kind, yet firm with their wards. They brooked no nonsense and did what was right for the kid. That I believe is good parenting. Then there are those for whom anything goes in the name of love, with kids getting away with blue murder and going scot free, irrespective of what they do or do not do for that matter! Unfortunately, that is setting the child up for failure in the years ahead . Yes, I know that times have changed, and relationships have evolved over the years with parents being almost friends to their children, but here is the bottom line – parents should hopefully know where to draw the line and when to say ‘no’ . Unfortunately, that is a word a child of today does not want to or like to hear and thereby lies the folly of our times. I have seen children ruling the roost at home , throwing temper tantrums and calling the shots. Saying ‘no’ often stirs up negative emotions, but a firm , polite ‘no’, with a brief explanation as to why it is not a ‘yes’ is always advisable, as it helps set up boundaries and limits – so very important for a growing child. We cannot deny that a large percentage of parents believe that the “yes culture” is the way forward & the best way to display love and appreciation, but then – like it or not – you are going to have a child who will be ill equipped to face the barriers and challenges of the real world. And barriers and challenges there will be. Of course, there is the other school of thought which says that you don’t have to use the word ‘no’ and can agree to disagree, but I would rather not beat about the bush. Just my opinion as a father and a teacher.

Are good manners out of date ?

Growing up in a family with two strict ladies – my mother and my aunt, ensured that I was brought up well mannered. Not that gents are ill mannered or anything of that sort (!) but fathers, uncles and grandfathers are more often than not, more of the happy go lucky individuals , the friends of the kids, the fun guys , while the mothers, aunts and even grandmothers for that matter, are sticklers for discipline , manners , traditions and the like . My aunt Addie was the tougher of the two. She had no kids of her own, so I guess that compounded the problem for me (but made me a better person at the same time). So where do I begin? Well I guess my earliest recollection would be of going to church. We always reached church about fifteen minutes early, and the time before the service was spent with the adult’s chit- chatting among themselves. I would often hang around at the back of the group, counting the birds flying overhead or searching for faces and animals in the clouds – I was rather shy. However, before I could pluck up courage to slink away to meet friends of my own, I had to wish anybody and everybody who I happened to see. Back then everyone was greeted with either uncle or aunty, so it was a never ending “good morning aunty and good morning uncle”. I had also been told never to mutter under my breath but to be loud and clear, so also to smile and look the person in the eye while wishing them rather than at my shoes! We often went visiting and there too, the rules were clearly spelled out – Wish, smile, speak when spoken to, do always not grab at the snacks or cool drinks when offered, and be polite . Mealtimes were also, not a free for all, muck in barbecue! We ate at the table and usually had fixed places to sit while the Bush radio (with large valves) often played softly in the background. Chewing with the mouth closed and not emitting any sound while doing so are two of the basics I remember. Then of course there were the staples- elbows off the table, no talking with food in the mouth, not using the spoon like a shovel , no day dreaming or playing with food on the plate, no wasting food , no gulping water and being careful not to drop any food or spill any water on the pristine white damask table cloth . Please let me take the liberty of explaining as lucidly as possible what playing with the food on the plate means. I hated vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, brinjals, lady fingers and a few more. So rather than waste food and get scolded at the end while trying to slip away, I would attempt (more often than not in vain) to mash the vegetables up and spread them around the plate or hide them under mutton or chicken bones! When there was a party or guests were visiting formally, I always had to ensure I was bathed, dressed, and waiting. Any other way was frowned upon and those were some mighty large frowns. I was often the one who ran to open the door and welcome the guests in with a smile and a wish! I was then expected to make small talk if the adults were not yet in the room. That often revolved around my studies and my marks and I detested those times. If there are two words I remember being taught and reminded about ever so often, they were “Please and Thank you”. Asking for anything without preceding it with a “Please” was almost sacrilege so also with receiving something and not saying “Thank you”! Very few people had cars those days, but I distinctly remember the few occasions when a friend came over and took us for a drive. My excitement knew no bounds and I would contemplate the same for hours in advance. No sooner would we walk to the gate than I would open the door and jump in only to be told to come out and let the adults get in first! I had two female cousins who often spent times with all of us and that was fun, as being the only son, I was often quite lonely at home. So, whenever they came for a holiday we would play and enjoy ourselves thoroughly. Being around nine or ten, I was probably boisterous at times and some of the games we played would end in an argument and tears. In my defence I must add that my cousins were not saints and were often equally or more to blame. A few of those arguments unfortunately ended in hand to hand(read hair pulling ) combat as well. Irrespective of who was to blame or what the provocation was , I was always found to be the guilty party and the lesson that was imparted load and clear was “boys and men do not raise their hands to girls and women” I would then be sent to some room ,to sit quietly and study or read or whatever, while the cousins would be tip toeing around the house making fun and continuing to annoy me . Using bad language was unheard of in our home. No adult used it. I did attempt on a few occasions to use some very minor “so called bad words” that I had picked up in school, and what happened next is a fact – my mother lit a match and showed it to me saying “if you ever use those words again I will burn your tongue”. I was so scared that I vowed never to use a bad word again! Answering back, shouting in anger, and arguing with adults were also things which got me in quite a spot of trouble. While I was not the proverbial pest or anything, I probably argued a bit more than necessary and while I did not mean to be rude, I probably sounded awfully out of hand which truthfully, I was not ! While I never stole money, I remember being warned about the consequences if I did. There was also a story I recollect being told by my mother about an old wizened mother, who kept supporting her son in all his wrong doings as he grew up – she covered up for all his lies, petty crimes and inconsistencies, till one day he did something very dreadful and was jailed . On the day he was to be hanged, his mother went to see him. He supposedly wept bitterly & yelled at her in anger saying that if only she had corrected him as a small boy and later as a young man and not covered up for him, all this would never have happened. The story hit home & really made me think. Even today I firmly believe that “good manners and behaviour ” are not something old fashioned or which have gone out of date – they should be an essential part of very child’s life. In fact, they are crucial to good upbringing. As an educationist, I have worked closely with innumerable pupils and parents for close to four decades. I have interacted with some amazing parents who were very loving and kind, yet firm with their wards. They brooked no nonsense and did what was right for the kid. That I believe is good parenting. Then there are those for whom anything goes in the name of love, with kids getting away with blue murder and going scot free, irrespective of what they do or do not do for that matter! Unfortunately, that is setting the child up for failure in the years ahead . Yes, I know that times have changed, and relationships have evolved over the years with parents being almost friends to their children, but here is the bottom line – parents should hopefully know where to draw the line and when to say ‘no’ . Unfortunately, that is a word a child of today does not want to or like to hear and thereby lies the folly of our times. I have seen children ruling the roost at home , throwing temper tantrums and calling the shots. Saying ‘no’ often stirs up negative emotions, but a firm , polite ‘no’, with a brief explanation as to why it is not a ‘yes’ is always advisable, as it helps set up boundaries and limits – so very important for a growing child. We cannot deny that a large percentage of parents believe that the “yes culture” is the way forward & the best way to display love and appreciation, but then – like it or not – you are going to have a child who will be ill equipped to face the barriers and challenges of the real world. And barriers and challenges there will be. Of course, there is the other school of thought which says that you don’t have to use the word ‘no’ and can agree to disagree, but I would rather not beat about the bush. Just my opinion as a father and a teacher.

A simple lesson in Leadership

A simple lesson in Leadership. It was a very special day for me, and I was rather elated, as I had taken over as Headmaster of The Bishop’s school Pune. So, I now had my own office, a peon, a phone on the table, a higher salary and certainly more responsibilities. I had worked hard and was proud and thankful for the reward. Things were looking up for me. Incidentally, it was just my seventh year in the institution. Founder’s week was fast approaching and something I had to do without further delay, was to prepare the various duty lists – for the Church service , the PE display , the fete , the past vs present cricket match and the exhibition . I went about the job with gusto, determined to get the lists out well in time. It was the first task I was taking on since my appointment and my enthusiasm knew no bounds. For me it was a breeze – I had assisted others in similar jobs over the years and I thought nothing of it. However, I was soon to realize the folly of haste. No sooner was the list for the PE display put on the notice board in the staff room, than I got the message, that a certain senior master (we will call him Mr X ) was extremely upset. Further discreet enquiries revealed, that for years he had been assigned a certain job for this event and he had carried it out effortlessly - now I had given him something totally different to do - he felt it was a sort of demotion , considering the number of years he had served in the institution and it was a no brainer that others egged him on too . Everyone wants to put a new leader to the test! Mr X had apparently also mentioned that he would not do the duty and would be on leave that day. He added that he felt demoralized and dejected. So here was the situation – me in the hot seat for just a day and already I had a crisis on my hands. Not a very enviable position to be in for a young leader. The aggrieved gentleman had an elder brother working in Bishops too and I was quite friendly with him. A little later, I saw him pass by my office and requested him to come in. Rather than beat around the bush I asked him right away what needed to be done to remedy the situation as I did not intend to let it drag on .The event was about two weeks away and there was plenty of planning to be done – the last thing I needed on my plate was a disgruntled and upset senior member of staff, who was loved and respected by the boys and members of the faculty. He smiled a wry smile and agreed that there was a problem as his brother was upset. His then agreed with me that, rather than let the matter drag on, I should call Mr X and talk the matter over- he assured me that although he was quite hot headed by nature and was quite angry with me , he would probably understand . That evening I rehearsed what I would say and how I would broach the subject the next morning and yes, I was nervous and apprehensive, wondering as to what the outcome would be. Masters who did not live on campus came in at 7.00 am for morning tuition with the boarders and hence I was out in the quadrangle well before that- pacing impatiently and waiting for 7.00am. As soon as I saw him near the senior classroom, I requested him to come to my office. He raised his eyebrows rather incredulously but came towards me. We both walked the fifty meters to my office in ominous silence. We entered the room and I sat down beckoning him to do likewise. He replied that he preferred to stand and oh yes, he was scowling. This was rather awkward but I persisted. I tried offering him a cup of tea, but he refused that as well and instead asked me what I wanted of him. I am not exactly sure as to what came over me at that moment , but, contrary to what I had initially planned , I walked round the table, put my arm around his shoulder and just said I was sorry for hurting him. What happened next took me totally off guard. He hugged me and burst into tears. Seeing that reaction, my eyes welled up with tears too, but we then both sat down and neither spoke for a few minutes. Things calmed down and I guess we both felt a trifle relieved. I broke the ice by saying that I had prepared the list and made changes as I felt he would be better suited to the new task. I also added that it was the first task I was undertaking, and, in all probability, the over enthusiasm had done me in! I told him that if it helped, I would change the duty given to him. Throughout this time, Mr X kept looking down and never said a word. His tightly clasped hands told me in no uncertain terms that he was angry. He then suddenly stood up, came around to the side of the table and told me that there was no need to change the duty and that he would do it. It was now his time to apologise and he did so by saying that he had probably overreacted, which was wrong. We shook hands – it was a rather long shake. We then sat down and probably chatted for about an hour on various topics of school life. He accepted my offer of a cup of tea. I listened to the story of his life and I told him mine and I do believe, that day we both saw each other in a totally new light. He vowed to support me in everything I planned, and I felt happy that I had found a friend and a confidant I could consult and learn from. I informed him of how I planned to function and what needed to change, and he understood and appreciated the facts I presented. Thereafter, whenever there was an important event or function coming up, I ensured that I involved Mr X in the planning and execution. To his credit he took on all the most onerous tasks and carried them out willingly and to perfection. He also followed up to ensure that all staff and pupils carried out their duties as well. What more could I have asked for? He was reliable, loyal and was a valuable member of my core team henceforth. Although nothing was intentional, someone was hurt because of my actions and I did learn a few valuable leadership lessons from this incident. 1. Haste makes waste – spend more time but be thorough 2. Look at all angles 3. Consult, consult, consult 4. Teamwork is critical to success 5. Admit when at fault – saying sorry may not be easy, but it is the correct thing to do, when wrong 6. Remember that human beings have feelings and that some people are far more sensitive than others. 7. Being gentle and understanding does not make you a pushover 8. Tell the truth. 9. Rather than antagonize, attempt to win people over- having good people skills is crucial. 10. One must not come across as threatening or aggressive 11. Being approachable is important – it builds trust 12. Face a problem head on rather than letting it fester. 13. Never shy away from finding a solution. 14. Be a good listener – sometimes people just want to be heard. 15. Sometimes it is better to lose the battle to win the war. Mr X and I remained colleagues and good friends for years thereafter – there was so much mutual respect and admiration. Do not get me wrong –he was argumentative by nature and questioned several of my decisions, but was somebody, who, when convinced, was a gem of a man. He also recognized the fact that I took my job seriously, knew what I was doing and the direction I was steering the school in. He was a first-rate teacher, a firm disciplinarian, he looked after some important co-curricular activities and was well respected by all as he was one of the longest serving masters in the school. Sadly,when he passed on after serving the institution for over thirty years , I was one of the first people that was informed and along with other masters in the school , we made all the necessary arrangements for his burial. I will always remember Mr X as a good human being – one of the stalwarts and pillars of The Bishop’s school, Pune. Rest in peace my friend and thank you.

A simple lesson in Leadership

A simple lesson in Leadership. It was a very special day for me, and I was rather elated, as I had taken over as Headmaster of The Bishop’s school Pune. So, I now had my own office, a peon, a phone on the table, a higher salary and certainly more responsibilities. I had worked hard and was proud and thankful for the reward. Things were looking up for me. Incidentally, it was just my seventh year in the institution. Founder’s week was fast approaching and something I had to do without further delay, was to prepare the various duty lists – for the Church service , the PE display , the fete , the past vs present cricket match and the exhibition . I went about the job with gusto, determined to get the lists out well in time. It was the first task I was taking on since my appointment and my enthusiasm knew no bounds. For me it was a breeze – I had assisted others in similar jobs over the years and I thought nothing of it. However, I was soon to realize the folly of haste. No sooner was the list for the PE display put on the notice board in the staff room, than I got the message, that a certain senior master (we will call him Mr X ) was extremely upset. Further discreet enquiries revealed, that for years he had been assigned a certain job for this event and he had carried it out effortlessly - now I had given him something totally different to do - he felt it was a sort of demotion , considering the number of years he had served in the institution and it was a no brainer that others egged him on too . Everyone wants to put a new leader to the test! Mr X had apparently also mentioned that he would not do the duty and would be on leave that day. He added that he felt demoralized and dejected. So here was the situation – me in the hot seat for just a day and already I had a crisis on my hands. Not a very enviable position to be in for a young leader. The aggrieved gentleman had an elder brother working in Bishops too and I was quite friendly with him. A little later, I saw him pass by my office and requested him to come in. Rather than beat around the bush I asked him right away what needed to be done to remedy the situation as I did not intend to let it drag on .The event was about two weeks away and there was plenty of planning to be done – the last thing I needed on my plate was a disgruntled and upset senior member of staff, who was loved and respected by the boys and members of the faculty. He smiled a wry smile and agreed that there was a problem as his brother was upset. His then agreed with me that, rather than let the matter drag on, I should call Mr X and talk the matter over- he assured me that although he was quite hot headed by nature and was quite angry with me , he would probably understand . That evening I rehearsed what I would say and how I would broach the subject the next morning and yes, I was nervous and apprehensive, wondering as to what the outcome would be. Masters who did not live on campus came in at 7.00 am for morning tuition with the boarders and hence I was out in the quadrangle well before that- pacing impatiently and waiting for 7.00am. As soon as I saw him near the senior classroom, I requested him to come to my office. He raised his eyebrows rather incredulously but came towards me. We both walked the fifty meters to my office in ominous silence. We entered the room and I sat down beckoning him to do likewise. He replied that he preferred to stand and oh yes, he was scowling. This was rather awkward but I persisted. I tried offering him a cup of tea, but he refused that as well and instead asked me what I wanted of him. I am not exactly sure as to what came over me at that moment , but, contrary to what I had initially planned , I walked round the table, put my arm around his shoulder and just said I was sorry for hurting him. What happened next took me totally off guard. He hugged me and burst into tears. Seeing that reaction, my eyes welled up with tears too, but we then both sat down and neither spoke for a few minutes. Things calmed down and I guess we both felt a trifle relieved. I broke the ice by saying that I had prepared the list and made changes as I felt he would be better suited to the new task. I also added that it was the first task I was undertaking, and, in all probability, the over enthusiasm had done me in! I told him that if it helped, I would change the duty given to him. Throughout this time, Mr X kept looking down and never said a word. His tightly clasped hands told me in no uncertain terms that he was angry. He then suddenly stood up, came around to the side of the table and told me that there was no need to change the duty and that he would do it. It was now his time to apologise and he did so by saying that he had probably overreacted, which was wrong. We shook hands – it was a rather long shake. We then sat down and probably chatted for about an hour on various topics of school life. He accepted my offer of a cup of tea. I listened to the story of his life and I told him mine and I do believe, that day we both saw each other in a totally new light. He vowed to support me in everything I planned, and I felt happy that I had found a friend and a confidant I could consult and learn from. I informed him of how I planned to function and what needed to change, and he understood and appreciated the facts I presented. Thereafter, whenever there was an important event or function coming up, I ensured that I involved Mr X in the planning and execution. To his credit he took on all the most onerous tasks and carried them out willingly and to perfection. He also followed up to ensure that all staff and pupils carried out their duties as well. What more could I have asked for? He was reliable, loyal and was a valuable member of my core team henceforth. Although nothing was intentional, someone was hurt because of my actions and I did learn a few valuable leadership lessons from this incident. 1. Haste makes waste – spend more time but be thorough 2. Look at all angles 3. Consult, consult, consult 4. Teamwork is critical to success 5. Admit when at fault – saying sorry may not be easy, but it is the correct thing to do, when wrong 6. Remember that human beings have feelings and that some people are far more sensitive than others. 7. Being gentle and understanding does not make you a pushover 8. Tell the truth. 9. Rather than antagonize, attempt to win people over- having good people skills is crucial. 10. One must not come across as threatening or aggressive 11. Being approachable is important – it builds trust 12. Face a problem head on rather than letting it fester. 13. Never shy away from finding a solution. 14. Be a good listener – sometimes people just want to be heard. 15. Sometimes it is better to lose the battle to win the war. Mr X and I remained colleagues and good friends for years thereafter – there was so much mutual respect and admiration. Do not get me wrong –he was argumentative by nature and questioned several of my decisions, but was somebody, who, when convinced, was a gem of a man. He also recognized the fact that I took my job seriously, knew what I was doing and the direction I was steering the school in. He was a first-rate teacher, a firm disciplinarian, he looked after some important co-curricular activities and was well respected by all as he was one of the longest serving masters in the school. Sadly,when he passed on after serving the institution for over thirty years , I was one of the first people that was informed and along with other masters in the school , we made all the necessary arrangements for his burial. I will always remember Mr X as a good human being – one of the stalwarts and pillars of The Bishop’s school, Pune. Rest in peace my friend and thank you.

Getting influenza this year- the Covid effect

I am not a big fan of Nostradamus neither am I a prophet of doom. However, Come September – October and the flu season will be upon us. Now this is something to think about. Every family, going by statistics, has a few people who get influenza every year. Colds, fever etc are all taken in their stride. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. You are then left a little weak but up and about. If things get worse as they sometimes do – the person consults a doctor, gets a few medicines coupled with the soothing doctor’s advice which works wonders for me and soon everything is under control. This year the whole scenario will be very different for obvious reasons. School infirmaries will be buzzing with activity with kids and staff by the dozen, coming down with fever and beginning to sneeze and get body aches while in school. Usually, they are given some simple over the counter medication and sent back to class as soon as they feel a little better. At times, if the temperature is on the high side or the kid feels poorly, the parents are informed, and the kid is taken home - what about this year? Fear psychosis, a sense of helplessness, the worry about impending isolation, sanitization, ambulance, anxious parents, WhatsApp messages circulating & causing unnecessary confusion, ? Hopefully not. I am just sitting and thinking about the impending panic, which, whether you like it or care to believe or not- will follow in schools, in homes, in offices and factories all over the world this year. I am not a hypochondriac, but, like many others, getting the normal flu this year will surely worry me. IT WILL BE DIFFERENT AND STRESSFUL . Should I have a Covid test? – should I play a wait and watch game? Should I – Should I – Should I? I really do not know. Pray that better sense prevails, and everyone is cautious and following the instructions of the authorities in whichever country they are. To overcome this, we all must be responsible. This is not something to scoff at or attempt to brush under the carpet hoping it will go away. This is not the time to be rash, brash, or foolhardy either. This is serious business and must be taken as such. Comparing the statistics to Asian flu, Spanish flu, Ebola , Zika Virus , H1N1 Swine flu ,Sars , Bird flu and Aids will not help . It is so very painful and frighteningly disgusting to see people in large groups chatting – all without masks on, or masks pulled down under the chin without a care in the world. People without gloves in supermarkets touching and feeling vegetables, milk bottles and other items. Unadulterated ignorance and pure stupidity, to put it bluntly, is what I term it. Cannot help but quote that rather sinister saying which I read somewhere a few weeks ago “better to be six feet apart than six feet under”

Getting influenza this year- the Covid effect

I am not a big fan of Nostradamus neither am I a prophet of doom. However, Come September – October and the flu season will be upon us. Now this is something to think about. Every family, going by statistics, has a few people who get influenza every year. Colds, fever etc are all taken in their stride. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. You are then left a little weak but up and about. If things get worse as they sometimes do – the person consults a doctor, gets a few medicines coupled with the soothing doctor’s advice which works wonders for me and soon everything is under control. This year the whole scenario will be very different for obvious reasons. School infirmaries will be buzzing with activity with kids and staff by the dozen, coming down with fever and beginning to sneeze and get body aches while in school. Usually, they are given some simple over the counter medication and sent back to class as soon as they feel a little better. At times, if the temperature is on the high side or the kid feels poorly, the parents are informed, and the kid is taken home - what about this year? Fear psychosis, a sense of helplessness, the worry about impending isolation, sanitization, ambulance, anxious parents, WhatsApp messages circulating & causing unnecessary confusion, ? Hopefully not. I am just sitting and thinking about the impending panic, which, whether you like it or care to believe or not- will follow in schools, in homes, in offices and factories all over the world this year. I am not a hypochondriac, but, like many others, getting the normal flu this year will surely worry me. IT WILL BE DIFFERENT AND STRESSFUL . Should I have a Covid test? – should I play a wait and watch game? Should I – Should I – Should I? I really do not know. Pray that better sense prevails, and everyone is cautious and following the instructions of the authorities in whichever country they are. To overcome this, we all must be responsible. This is not something to scoff at or attempt to brush under the carpet hoping it will go away. This is not the time to be rash, brash, or foolhardy either. This is serious business and must be taken as such. Comparing the statistics to Asian flu, Spanish flu, Ebola , Zika Virus , H1N1 Swine flu ,Sars , Bird flu and Aids will not help . It is so very painful and frighteningly disgusting to see people in large groups chatting – all without masks on, or masks pulled down under the chin without a care in the world. People without gloves in supermarkets touching and feeling vegetables, milk bottles and other items. Unadulterated ignorance and pure stupidity, to put it bluntly, is what I term it. Cannot help but quote that rather sinister saying which I read somewhere a few weeks ago “better to be six feet apart than six feet under”

My first job

In the course of my job, over the years, I have had the opportunity to interact with countless hard-working individuals, some inevitable dodgers, innumerable managers and a few exceptional leaders. These have not all been in the education field. I will not take names, so a resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. This is about my first job. Let me start at the very beginning. I started working at a very early age – and studying full time simultaneously - needed to. Before I ventured into teaching, I was kind of in a quandary as to what I should do. I did seriously consider becoming a priest but I have already told that story ! There was a large, very reputed company in Allahabad that manufactured Torches and batteries so I joined as an Administrative Assistant – was probably the youngest in a company of around 3000 employees. I will admit that it did help, that my mother was a friend of the Personal Assistant( a lovely lady ) to the owner, who put in a kind word for me and after a brief interview I was appointed as a Junior Assistant in the Administration department. My first interview was a breeze and went something like this. Miss C. – Come in – sit down – So Michael , how is your dear mother- please give her my regards and tell her I have not heard from her for ages? Me – Thank you aunty - she is well. I will tell her Miss C- If you get this job you will not call me aunty! Me – Ok sorry aunty! Miss C- Are you a hard-working boy? Me – Yes, I am (Smiling) Miss C – Do you know how to use a typewriter? (Remember no computers back then ) Me – Yes (I was learning and my speed was 35wpm) Miss C – Do you have a bicycle to ride to work? Me – Yes Miss C – Ok I think you are suitable – come to the office tomorrow. And so, I joined on the princely sum of four hundred and seventy-five rupees a month. If you were never late and never took leave, you got an additional fifteen rupees as a regularity bonus! I was trained in all departments of the company – Purchase, Finance, General Administration, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, and the like. It was a terrific learning experience which has stood me in good stead. Within six months I had probably proved that I had it in me to work hard and smart & I was promoted to the position of Assistant and attached directly to the Additional General Manager. While I was thrilled, others told me in no uncertain terms that it would be like working for the devil. He was a known hard task master; he arrived early and left the office after all the others. He made people work on weekends. I also gathered that two others, in this very post, had left within a year, apparently unable to bear the workload and his volatile temper which incidentally he was known to lose at the drop of a hat. Mr N was a tall, big made man with a booming voice, who made doubly sure that his presence was felt. His arrival in office every morning was met with a scurry of anxious activity - people vanishing from the corridors, silence when he passed by, peons running to fetch his files and other paraphernalia, his typist rushing to greet him etc . He sure knew how to announce his arrival. He was a retired Income tax professional and had been very high up in the hierarchy of the Tax department. I was quite chuffed that I had been given an office which I shared with the typist attached to him – we also had a peon which was a luxury in those days. I was also given a phone on my table – I was over the moon, especially when I saw so many others in large common offices with just a table and chair to their name. I will admit that it caused a certain amount of heartburn among colleagues, but I was young and raring to go so I scoffed at the snide remarks. Oh yes – I even had my name on the wall outside the office ! My job was to render Administrative support – so I arranged transport, got bills paid, visited the Municipality and Electricity departments in the city, booked train tickets, kept a tab on his bank statements etc . He also had shares in a large no of companies, so I had to follow up to see that the share certificates had been received and deposited in the bank and credited. It also called for a large amount of correspondence with these companies, so I learnt to type short letters as well. I was also quite happy that I was permitted to dictate letters to the typist – a pretty young lady who was around my age (that is another story) . I cycled all over to get the various jobs done and quite enjoyed the freedom – I would often go home for lunch too and that was a bonus. When I visited some offices for the first time, I would be permitted to give out a few torches and that helped me get the job done. So back to the boss and my first real tough experience of the workplace. It happened one afternoon. Mr N worked on a large number of legal matters for the company and probably a case had not gone as planned so he returned from the court at around two and everyone who saw him strut in said he was furious like never before . His driver confirmed the ominous news. I had, over the first few weeks seen him lose his temper but it was nothing that I could not handle – I often wondered what all the fuss was about. That afternoon I was about to learn the truth. Soon I was summoned over the two-way intercom to his office. I usually entered from a side door and when I did, I sensed imminent danger. There was a large no of files open on the massive table – a half drunk cup of coffee and a few biscuits lay unattended , his tie lose around his neck, his white hair dishevelled and he was scowling and muttering to himself . I stood in silence at the side of the very large table and waited for instructions. While I did , he talked on the phone and yelled at someone on the other end of the line – he banged the phone down after the call and almost smashed the instrument , he rang the bell in frustration and had two peons running in , in panic. He barked instruction to them, and they scurried off – all the while I was waiting! A few more tense minutes elapsed and then he looked up and shouted at me, asking me what I was doing there and why I was staring ! When I informed him that he had sent for me he looked incredulous and angry at the same time. He had obviously forgotten what he had summoned me for, so rather than admit the same, he picked up a few files and flung them in my direction while muttering words like “useless, fed up , disgusting” under his breath . The files and all their papers flew in my direction and landed near my feet. Something within me told me not to pick them up so I stepped out, called the peon, and requested him to come in and do the needful. As Mr N was on the phone again- I left and went back to my office. Do not get me wrong- I was literally shaking in fear but somehow, I didn’t show it. Thereafter, silence prevailed in the department and everyone tip toed around on eggshells. Soon it was five in the evening and people packed up and left, save the peon, the driver and me. Usually I would go and inform him that I was leaving but that day I was terrified to even do that, so the old peon and I sat wondering what to do next. An hour passed and it was then around six pm. Then I heard the buzz of the intercom – no voice, just the incessant buzzing – it meant “come to the office” Taking my notebook, I rushed there. Entering timidly, I was shocked to see Mr N beaming. He beckoned to a chair and asked me to sit down. He then asked me about the work I had done that day concerning his shares . I have always been very methodical, so I showed him all the work and gave him the list for the day. He was a smart man and he knew that everyone was dead scared of him. He suddenly burst out laughing – it was a booming laughter which could be heard down the corridor. He asked me, in a rather serious tone, as to why I had not picked up the files he had thrown. Seriously I was stumped for words. He then said something that surprised me, and I can almost quote him verbatim “You are the first person who has not picked up the files I have thrown and you did not shed a tear- smart boy” He guffawed & I was shocked and rather taken aback, not knowing if that was the end of my job in the company. He then seemed calm – he apologised and said he was just very upset as the company had lost a big case that day. He also added that I should never be afraid of him again. He went on to talk about Leadership and that evening I learnt some very valuable lessons that I have never forgotten. He admitted that losing his temper was very wrong- a weak facet of his personality & how, despite his age, he was working on it.( He was 75 years old ) He seemed to be a soft and gentle giant within. Suddenly, my entire perception of Mr N changed - I saw in him a good, hard working, highly intelligent man. He loved the company and it was his life. He took no holidays, worked on weekends and till late every night. He accomplished a lot, was an asset to the company and saved lakhs of rupees for the owner. I then thought back at how, very often, I had seen the Managing Director and the owner going to his office to speak to him rather than summoning him to theirs. It said a lot about his standing in the company.Yes, he had a volatile temper but there is one thing I remember – he never held a grudge. I worked for a year and a half in this company and his tantrums lessened. I still carry good memories. I learned to work with people twice my age & with all castes, creeds, and religions, very peacefully. I learned to stand up for myself and get a point across through dialogue and discussion. Being so young had its advantages but there were those who did try bullying tactics – and I learned after a few hard knocks, that if you stand up to a bully, he or she usually backs off. I learned to be diplomatic and to hold my peace when necessary. I learned the art of correspondence. Above all, I think the biggest take away was that the job did wonders for my confidence and really set me up for life – have never looked back.

My first job

In the course of my job, over the years, I have had the opportunity to interact with countless hard-working individuals, some inevitable dodgers, innumerable managers and a few exceptional leaders. These have not all been in the education field. I will not take names, so a resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. This is about my first job. Let me start at the very beginning. I started working at a very early age – and studying full time simultaneously - needed to. Before I ventured into teaching, I was kind of in a quandary as to what I should do. I did seriously consider becoming a priest but I have already told that story ! There was a large, very reputed company in Allahabad that manufactured Torches and batteries so I joined as an Administrative Assistant – was probably the youngest in a company of around 3000 employees. I will admit that it did help, that my mother was a friend of the Personal Assistant( a lovely lady ) to the owner, who put in a kind word for me and after a brief interview I was appointed as a Junior Assistant in the Administration department. My first interview was a breeze and went something like this. Miss C. – Come in – sit down – So Michael , how is your dear mother- please give her my regards and tell her I have not heard from her for ages? Me – Thank you aunty - she is well. I will tell her Miss C- If you get this job you will not call me aunty! Me – Ok sorry aunty! Miss C- Are you a hard-working boy? Me – Yes, I am (Smiling) Miss C – Do you know how to use a typewriter? (Remember no computers back then ) Me – Yes (I was learning and my speed was 35wpm) Miss C – Do you have a bicycle to ride to work? Me – Yes Miss C – Ok I think you are suitable – come to the office tomorrow. And so, I joined on the princely sum of four hundred and seventy-five rupees a month. If you were never late and never took leave, you got an additional fifteen rupees as a regularity bonus! I was trained in all departments of the company – Purchase, Finance, General Administration, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, and the like. It was a terrific learning experience which has stood me in good stead. Within six months I had probably proved that I had it in me to work hard and smart & I was promoted to the position of Assistant and attached directly to the Additional General Manager. While I was thrilled, others told me in no uncertain terms that it would be like working for the devil. He was a known hard task master; he arrived early and left the office after all the others. He made people work on weekends. I also gathered that two others, in this very post, had left within a year, apparently unable to bear the workload and his volatile temper which incidentally he was known to lose at the drop of a hat. Mr N was a tall, big made man with a booming voice, who made doubly sure that his presence was felt. His arrival in office every morning was met with a scurry of anxious activity - people vanishing from the corridors, silence when he passed by, peons running to fetch his files and other paraphernalia, his typist rushing to greet him etc . He sure knew how to announce his arrival. He was a retired Income tax professional and had been very high up in the hierarchy of the Tax department. I was quite chuffed that I had been given an office which I shared with the typist attached to him – we also had a peon which was a luxury in those days. I was also given a phone on my table – I was over the moon, especially when I saw so many others in large common offices with just a table and chair to their name. I will admit that it caused a certain amount of heartburn among colleagues, but I was young and raring to go so I scoffed at the snide remarks. Oh yes – I even had my name on the wall outside the office ! My job was to render Administrative support – so I arranged transport, got bills paid, visited the Municipality and Electricity departments in the city, booked train tickets, kept a tab on his bank statements etc . He also had shares in a large no of companies, so I had to follow up to see that the share certificates had been received and deposited in the bank and credited. It also called for a large amount of correspondence with these companies, so I learnt to type short letters as well. I was also quite happy that I was permitted to dictate letters to the typist – a pretty young lady who was around my age (that is another story) . I cycled all over to get the various jobs done and quite enjoyed the freedom – I would often go home for lunch too and that was a bonus. When I visited some offices for the first time, I would be permitted to give out a few torches and that helped me get the job done. So back to the boss and my first real tough experience of the workplace. It happened one afternoon. Mr N worked on a large number of legal matters for the company and probably a case had not gone as planned so he returned from the court at around two and everyone who saw him strut in said he was furious like never before . His driver confirmed the ominous news. I had, over the first few weeks seen him lose his temper but it was nothing that I could not handle – I often wondered what all the fuss was about. That afternoon I was about to learn the truth. Soon I was summoned over the two-way intercom to his office. I usually entered from a side door and when I did, I sensed imminent danger. There was a large no of files open on the massive table – a half drunk cup of coffee and a few biscuits lay unattended , his tie lose around his neck, his white hair dishevelled and he was scowling and muttering to himself . I stood in silence at the side of the very large table and waited for instructions. While I did , he talked on the phone and yelled at someone on the other end of the line – he banged the phone down after the call and almost smashed the instrument , he rang the bell in frustration and had two peons running in , in panic. He barked instruction to them, and they scurried off – all the while I was waiting! A few more tense minutes elapsed and then he looked up and shouted at me, asking me what I was doing there and why I was staring ! When I informed him that he had sent for me he looked incredulous and angry at the same time. He had obviously forgotten what he had summoned me for, so rather than admit the same, he picked up a few files and flung them in my direction while muttering words like “useless, fed up , disgusting” under his breath . The files and all their papers flew in my direction and landed near my feet. Something within me told me not to pick them up so I stepped out, called the peon, and requested him to come in and do the needful. As Mr N was on the phone again- I left and went back to my office. Do not get me wrong- I was literally shaking in fear but somehow, I didn’t show it. Thereafter, silence prevailed in the department and everyone tip toed around on eggshells. Soon it was five in the evening and people packed up and left, save the peon, the driver and me. Usually I would go and inform him that I was leaving but that day I was terrified to even do that, so the old peon and I sat wondering what to do next. An hour passed and it was then around six pm. Then I heard the buzz of the intercom – no voice, just the incessant buzzing – it meant “come to the office” Taking my notebook, I rushed there. Entering timidly, I was shocked to see Mr N beaming. He beckoned to a chair and asked me to sit down. He then asked me about the work I had done that day concerning his shares . I have always been very methodical, so I showed him all the work and gave him the list for the day. He was a smart man and he knew that everyone was dead scared of him. He suddenly burst out laughing – it was a booming laughter which could be heard down the corridor. He asked me, in a rather serious tone, as to why I had not picked up the files he had thrown. Seriously I was stumped for words. He then said something that surprised me, and I can almost quote him verbatim “You are the first person who has not picked up the files I have thrown and you did not shed a tear- smart boy” He guffawed & I was shocked and rather taken aback, not knowing if that was the end of my job in the company. He then seemed calm – he apologised and said he was just very upset as the company had lost a big case that day. He also added that I should never be afraid of him again. He went on to talk about Leadership and that evening I learnt some very valuable lessons that I have never forgotten. He admitted that losing his temper was very wrong- a weak facet of his personality & how, despite his age, he was working on it.( He was 75 years old ) He seemed to be a soft and gentle giant within. Suddenly, my entire perception of Mr N changed - I saw in him a good, hard working, highly intelligent man. He loved the company and it was his life. He took no holidays, worked on weekends and till late every night. He accomplished a lot, was an asset to the company and saved lakhs of rupees for the owner. I then thought back at how, very often, I had seen the Managing Director and the owner going to his office to speak to him rather than summoning him to theirs. It said a lot about his standing in the company.Yes, he had a volatile temper but there is one thing I remember – he never held a grudge. I worked for a year and a half in this company and his tantrums lessened. I still carry good memories. I learned to work with people twice my age & with all castes, creeds, and religions, very peacefully. I learned to stand up for myself and get a point across through dialogue and discussion. Being so young had its advantages but there were those who did try bullying tactics – and I learned after a few hard knocks, that if you stand up to a bully, he or she usually backs off. I learned to be diplomatic and to hold my peace when necessary. I learned the art of correspondence. Above all, I think the biggest take away was that the job did wonders for my confidence and really set me up for life – have never looked back.