This is downright silly

 Do you ever get silly thoughts? 

Not just silly, but downright idiotic? And then do you smile and say to yourself- how stupid can I get?. And at my age!

And ever so often  we ponder over life and the years gone by ? And we  frown in utter disbelief and think again - where in Dickens' name did that absurdity pop into my brain from!.

Now you know the facts -

I am quite old and quite it being moderately modest. 

I am an educational professional -  a post graduate trained teacher, with over 40 years experience 

I have taught hundreds of boys

Almost all are well placed all over the world 

Many are married with kids

Many read my posts - I love writing 

So many have asked me when my book would be published.

Some get their teens to read what I write. The articles are often inspirational 

Some are just stories of days gone by - at times nostalgia creeps in.

I write about Allahabad, my home town, Pune my adopted home town, and now the UAE.

Plenty of articles about BISHOPS too.

Often people say my writing is motivational .....

I also give talks.... I tell myself that people listen even when they are fiddling with their mobile.

So in a nutshell - when I write- people read.

Hence the pressure is ALWAYS there to ensure that the piece of writing  makes sense .

When I speak- people listen - or at least that's what I believe.

However, last evening , from out of nowhere, I got the most unintelligent,obscure, brainless thought, which zoomed into my cranium and refused to budge.

It's embarrassing to share - so don't judge me.

YOU CAN STOP READING HERE if you have anything better to do, as this is senseless trivia and will benefit you zilch.

So.

I was thinking of exotic pets and how people keep them. 

You know, the rare species of birds, animals, reptiles etc. 

The prohibited list - whereby, if you are caught, you could be fined or jailed.

Then there are people at the other end of the spectrum who keep rats ,  and cockroaches and are proud of doing so.

Now this is the embarrassing part , so take a deep breath and read on.

I was wondering- what if I had a centipede as a pet.

Not exotic but horribly strange !

Now you may not know, but all  centipedes don't have 100 legs. They could have anything over 10. Often they have an odd number - don't ask me why, but that's what Google said. Not sure why I researched this.

And they bite - by puncturing the skin. 

Well what if I had a pet centipede and I saw it limping ?

Would it be cruel to let it suffer ? Or should I console myself by saying ' what's one broken leg when it has so many ?

Food for thought ? 

Is there any deeper meaning to this ?

Why do these senseless thoughts plague me, when there are so many intelligent things I could be doing with my time right now?

After all, I am in a profession to educate the world ! This is far from anything remotely educational. 

Dear old boys - please don't let your kids read this.

 And if they do - and ask you who I am- just say it's Santa.

My type of morning

 My type of morning, my type of music and the first day of my vacation. 

Nothing special happening as such.

A slight back ache

A naughty cat that nipped me and ran upstairs.

A Gardener that completed watering and cleaning our little green patch in under five minutes. As salary day is approaching he gets a little more affable when he sees me.

Then there are two stray cats mewing for their morning snack outside the front door.

A newspaper man who threw one of my newspapers partially into a bowl of water.

A crow , a dove , a few mynahs and sparrows buzzing around also waiting for some tidbits, and me having a cup of self- made, steaming hot tea.

Very soon, I presume, there will be one of my granddaughters knocking on the door and arriving to spend the day .

That's another story.

 She takes over the house, the cat, the TV, the sofa,  and everything else at hand  and makes me feel out of place in my own home.

But grandkids are fun.

And when both are here, along with their mother , maid, and accompanying paraphernalia , it's chaos personified. 

Babies and kids need so many items these days, it's mind boggling. 

Then there is the wife factor to figure in. Thankfully I have just one. 

Am sure she is awake, and preparing a mental list of things for me to do. She will also have, stored away in the back of her memory, things she had asked me to do throughout the year, and which I haven't done as yet. She has a great memory for such stuff.

And with Christmas round the corner ......OMG  I am shuddering at the thought . 

That's why I am enjoying my ' me time' till it lasts.

COP 28

 

 

I do not profess to be an expert on climate change or an authority on sustainability.

 

What I do know, however, is that the ongoing Cop 28, has already inspired the world to wake up and take note, before it’s too late. We are running out of time, and that is a scary proposition.

 

If I am not an authority, then what right have I got to write on the subject? Let me answer myself – I have as many rights as anybody else in the world.

Today, i entreat you to join me and believe in the power of 1, and the realization, that every little drop, contributes to making an ocean.

 

 We must stand up and speak out, and the more people who do this – the better.

We are amid Cop 28 in the UAE, where many delegates, activists, observers, and leaders of countries have come together to save the planet and get us back on track.

 

 There is a clear message – unity is the need of the hour.

 

I guess the question on the mind of any discerning individual today is- what significance will Cop 28 achieve? We have had a similar conference  27 times to date with little progress to sure for them.

 

 We all know the problem, our planet is moving towards a breaking point, and leaders, multinationals, countries, you, and I must all get to work - fixing it.

 

Policies, conferences, memorandums, & and time frames are all fine. However, everybody wants to see a tangible difference.

 

 Till now, while the wheels have been in motion, progress has been slow.

 

The fact of the matter is that we are crawling when we should be sprinting, knowing fully well, that the consequences of lethargy will be disastrous.

 

Developing countries that did the least to cause the problems are suffering the most, with the climate crisis hitting their economies, and causing widespread suffering.

 

The earth is warming, greenhouse gases are increasing, polar ice is melting, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. There has been an increase in heatwaves, floods, droughts, famines, and fires. Are these not ominous signs?

 

However, it has been most heartening to see, over the last few days, how countries have opened their purse strings and promised large sums of money for various causes – we do hope they follow through on their promises, for the betterment of our planet.

The cost of climate action is in trillions – however, the cost of climate inaction will be in the hundreds of trillions – the choice is ours.

 

The UAE has committed to launching several initiatives, to support the goals of Cop 28, and foremost among them is the ‘green education initiative’ - to prepare a platform for future generations, to lead a climate action path.

It aims to educate children and youth and help them adapt, and address, the repercussions of climate change.

 

It believes that our children should not have to pay the price for political bickering and inaction.

 

The gems road to the Cop 28 conference empowers our students with the knowledge and skills required to actively engage in the global decisions made on environmental issues. It provides a platform for our students, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and the environment, fostering leadership and creating valuable learning experiences.’

 

In Gems, we have started to rethink the approaches to curriculum, linking teaching and learning with awareness about the environment. Everybody knows that there are no simple solutions. But as a starting point, we are ensuring that students and school communities are made aware of the problems and possible solutions because education is the tool for creating sustainable solutions for the future of our planet.

 

For this, we are partnering with schools in different parts of the world.

 

It should be known that the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has explicitly affirmed children’s right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

 

This is the first cop where education is at the forefront, and that should fill us with optimism.

 

We must strive to get climate education right.

Countries are being asked to continue to promote child rights and climate actions. Very often, as individuals, we look at the lethargy of large world organizations, and say to ourselves “if they are so slow, what chance have we got - but I truly believe that we must not give up – we must help cop 28 succeed.

 

We hope and pray that as Cop 28 draws to a close there will be more deals and agreements at that will make a real difference.

 

That governments will stop taking baby steps when large, bold strides are needed.

 

That the rich countries will continue to put real money on the table and realize that scraps won't do any longer.

 

Finance is a great enabler, and money needs to flow in torrents, not trickles to developing countries, to boost climate resilience.

Education transformation is the catalyst for climate action. You get the education right, and things will begin to fall into place - it’s a mindset change.

 

Who knows- teaching may become the biggest green job of our time. 

 

 

 

Throw away the key

 There is something I don't understand . Putting it simply - it drives me crazy.

Every other day you put on the TV or read about someone shooting a person,  shooting a group of people, knife attacks and the like.

Then if they are lucky, the cops get hold of them alive and take them into custody.

Following me ?

Ok- now begins the tomfoolery. 

They are kept in jail and deliberations begin IF they are guilty or not.

Where does this IF  come in.

Then if they can't afford a lawyer, the state provides then one. 

Now that's a sweet and generous gesture if ever there was one!

It now becomes the perogative of that lawyer to DEFEND the rascal and try and either get him out of prison or get his sentence reduced to the minimum. 

The same guy who has caused untold misery- has taken a life or lives of innocents and often of kids too, now hopes to be set free! He has ruined people's lives and livelihood.  He has scarred others for life.  Does he deserve any mercy ? 

If all goes as per plan , he is often out, either freed or on parole before one can say Jack Robinson or whatever!.

Reports tell you he was on a 'Watch list' of some agency or the other. Or else he had just come out of prison or mental asylum.  At times he was supposed to be undergoing therapy.

Am I missing something ?

Who was watching him ?

Why was he not being watched properly ?

Why was he out of prison?

If he had mental issues and people knew he did - pray what the hell was he doing with a deadly weapon? 

Out on parole? Who gave him parole in the first place. 

We surely live in a strange world. 

Please don't tell me he deserves to be defended .

That's a load of bunk and balderdash. 

These imbeciles need to be put away for good.  No parole whatsoever.  

100 life sentences. 

Better still , deposit them all on some vague uninhabited island and let them do whatever they please with themselves and each other.

He or she doesn't make a difference .

What's with our world ?

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK AT LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

 Listening to Christmas carols

Somehow makes me sentimental.

But they are a staple in December. 

Jim Reeves, Daniel O'donnell

And the rest.

Today was very relaxing 

In the middle of an extended break

No suit and tie for once.

Sitting out in the morning sun 

Pottering around the little garden

While planning what to bake

How and when .

Ingredients to be sourced

And preparations to be made.

Nothing too fancy this year.

So..

Will I bake or will she?

Doing it together is what often happens 

Followed by arguments 

As to the method to use

The weight of ingredients 

And what to mix first!

Was thinking back a few decades

When people sent and received

Innumerable Christmas cards 

And of the wizzened up postman 

who did a big 'Salam' on Christmas morning

When he delivered the last few cards

And got a 'baksheeh' 

And a plate of goodies.

He was followed by the 'dhobi' 

And a few faithful helpers.

We would string up the Christmas cards

Across the mantlepiece. 

And count them too

They added to the Christmasy feeling. 

When I was a young brat,

Helping mince the peels

And decorate the tree

Was my job- partly .

Fun times.

Some of you may not know what 

a mincer is or a mantlepiece either !

It doesn't matter .

Those are memories I always cherish.

Xmas and New years 

Makes  me nostalgic 

And I think of you !

And please don't let me start

On the 'Auld lang syne'

Not a big fan of it either.

I've seen people almost 'tear up' 

The holiday season

Is round the corner

Good cheer and good wishes.

What has the school got to offer

                                         What has the school got to offer 

I have spent over four decades in Education, and they have been the best years of my life – figuratively and metaphorically speaking.  Probably, and by a rough estimate, I have met thousands of parents and interacted with a few thousand pupils since I became a teacher.

I have also visited quite a few schools, in different parts of the world. Many provide excellent education, some are good, while some are just about okay.

Here’s a thought that came to me.

Whenever parents visit a school, prior to admission, one sees them walking around and looking excitedly at the building.

They ask some generic questions, but by and large, they seem most concerned and visibly impressed with what the school has to offer by way of facilities. So, it usually starts with: -

What Board is the school affiliated with?

What is the fee structure?

What is the testing and promotion procedure?

And then quickly moves to: -

Is there a swimming pool and/or a gymnasium?

What about an auditorium? How many does it seat?

Can I see the kindergarten playroom?

What are the sizes of the classrooms?

How many laboratories and Libraries are there in the school?

Is there school transport?

Are there canteen facilities?

Is there a playing field?

These are all very pertinent questions that must be asked. However, the conversation is always about facilities first and then the core subjects – English, Mathematics, and Science. Surprisingly, the arts which include Dramatics, Dance, and Music are rarely talked about. I wonder why! Does it not strike you as odd?

If you think about it, aren’t those the periods that kids enjoy the most? Are we not killing creativity and taking the fun out of schooling?

Just let a pupil tell their parents that they want to become an actor, dancer, musician, singer, or writer and watch the colour drain from the parents’ faces- professions such as these are anathema to them – it’s almost as if they believe that their wards will be accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction if they even think of any of the above.

Another point of concern - Very rarely have I heard parents enquiring pointedly about the philosophy, vision, and experiences their child will have in school. Doesn't that count for something?

Shouldn’t all parents investigate a school’s approach to measuring student progress? Since it’s crucial to know how your child is doing, this is something you’ll want to keep your eye on- won't you? What about personalized learning, the disciplinary policy, community service, approach to Special education, and scope for gifted and talented pupils?  

Then there are other elements like life skills, respect, diversity, academic integrity, honesty, innovation, and career counseling that are taken for granted and rarely form part of the actual admission conversation. Now some may debate that these should form part of any good school, and so we do not need to ask about them.

However, one must only look around to see how many schools, the world over, put all their energies into advertising their infrastructure first, to get top billing!

Surprisingly that’s what attracts the bulk of parents. There are exceptions to the rule and by that, I mean not all schools use facilities as their trump card, and not all parents are gullible but that’s a minuscule number – I am talking about the majority here.

As I write this piece, I am reminded of my twenty years spent, at one of the premier educational institutions in India- The Bishop’s School, Pune.

When I think of the campus it makes me smile. It was not flashy by any standards. It was not posh either. However, it had an old-world charm about it – basic yet functional. The education provided was well above the expected standards, and the board results were proof of the same. The games and co-curricular programme were the icing on the cake. Over the years the school has produced men (and now even women) of integrity, who are driven, determined, and confident of holding their own in society. They are Gentlemen/ ladies in every sense of the word.

There are so many schools, all over the world, like Bishops, that deliver world-class education from very ordinary campuses.  

It's a mindset that needs to change.

The gardener and me

 So his name is..... well let's just say it starts with the letter A.

I first met him when my daughter moved into her new premises and A was the gardener.

Short, of slight build and a million watt smile is how I would describe him. I would also add - rather talkative and a tad boastful of his accomplishments on the gardening front.  Also very simple .

My son in law and daughter seemed wonderstruck after he explained as to what he had  planned for their garden.

I didn't need any further persuasion and without so much as a little digging into his ' previous work experience' I appointed him too.

To be fair, my daughter and son in law's garden is pretty good.

You can read those last two words together or separately. 

Our little garden is another story. 

It's green; it's clean; and quite tidy.

However here is where my story takes a tiny bend.

Bear with me folks. If you've read till here then you must read on.

A digs when in the mood.

A plants when in the mood

A tends to the garden six days a week

But I don't believe A is a Gardner.

I am laying it bare for you to be the better judge.

If he is a Gardner- then I am an astronout.

He has a large blower with which he keeps the place clean. He spends about 7 minutes from the time he enters till he leaves. 

He hates my brother in law and probably gets irritated when told that he is not doing a good job.

My wife interacts with him more than me. She gives him fruit, biscuits and sweets etc as he looks malnourished. 

My interactions are only to pay him his salary and tell him occasionally that the garden does not look up to the mark. 

Mind you , he doesn't switch off the blower when I talk to him so I doubt he hears what I am saying because while I am speaking he is smiling and nodding.

When I go to pay him , he first pretends not to see me . Then when he does , he makes a sign to say ' put it on the garden table'.

I have threatened all and sundry that I will get rid of him , but that day has not come. A leads a charmed life I guess.

This morning he nearly lost his job.

I saw him entering, so went out to ask him why he hadn't brought the new plants I had asked him to.

I did this before he put on that noisy blower. 

He pointed to some miniscule plants and I almost exploded.

I then reminded him about what I wanted- the same plants he had bought for my daughter. He promised to do so.

Then came the icing on the cake.

He moved towards the tap.  

I couldn't fathom what he was doing .

(It has raised heavily for most of the night)

A connected the pipe and began watering the plants. 

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I walked out to confront him.

However I didn't have the heart to tell him he was being foolish and just stood transfixed as he watered every plant .

He gave them an extra dousing to prove to me he was doing his job .

Poor plants.

Poor me

God bless A!

Confetti and you

 Have you ever had the opportunity to throw or sprinkle  confetti on anyone ? 

If you have, you would have noticed the following- :

It's unadulterated fun

You're usually smiling 

It's easy 

It costs you nothing 

When others see you doing it ,they often join in, and try to out do you.

The receivers smile and giggle

They feel you are there for them 

They feel loved and appreciated.

It's the same when you shower people 

With kindness! 

Try it

You won't regret it

And then there is the dopamine effect thrown in for good measure!

A win win situation all round .

MG

The Queen of hearts

 I heard it somewhere 

Or maybe the universe

Planted it in my mind

To use it as unsolicited advice.

It goes something like this...

Sing

And don't let them win.

Dance-  like your Cinderella. 

And even if you loose your glass slipper

At the stroke of midnight 

Or shoe was it ...

Keep running ......

And don't let the prince find you 

Till you really want him to.

Remember 

The handsomeness will fade 

And when he finally does find you 

And that slipper fits like a glove 

Make sure he treats you

Like the princess you are.

Not a duchess

Not a marchioness 

More like a queen

Cos that's what you were born to be.

The Queen of hearts 

Sip your coffee silently

 Sip your coffee silently

And savour the moment.

It won't return .

Turn your life upside down

If you must 

Or inside out

If that's what you prefer.

But

Don't sit morose

And fade away

In your prison of gold 

That you've been placed in.

Stop being so gloomy.

A bright new day beckons.

It's there for the asking- 

Yours for the taking. 

So reach out 

And claim what's rightfully yours

Wake up and smell the roses

And put the ennui aside

It's just not you 

Start living the life you know

You deserve 

And don't leave it

For too late either.

For all you know,

It's not gold 

In the first place! 

And even if it is- 

You can't take it with you.

I had company

 I have noticed that when I am alone, I think of things I've never thought of before . I think back - I think of the present - and I think of the foreseeable future , and I feel it's therapeutic. 

For this reason I enjoy my walks, especially on weekends, when there is no pressure, and things are calm and unhurried.

This morning was no different.

I live in a rather peaceful neighbourhood, where everyone minds their own business , and that's exactly how I prefer it to be.

Weekend mornings are quiet and unhurried,  and my world couldn't be better.

Back to this morning's walk.

I was ready by six, and was soon walking at a good pace, under the thick green foliage . The freshly watered grass gave off a fresh, invigorating scent. I love it.

Headphones on. The Mavericks it was .

Then without warning I had company. Oh no - not now.

I ducked, in vain. 

I knew i had been spotted and getting away wouldn't be easy.

She has accompanied me on walks on at least two occasions, prior to today.

If she accompanied me without hassling me, it would be fine.

But unfortunately , she always has other, rather irritating plans- devious at times.

So it's my face, my neck ,my eyelids - and soon she is all over me. 

Affection ? I wouldn't say so. 

Being a pest ? More like it. To the nth degree.

I have even caught myself saying ' enough' and ' get lost', but she will have none of it . 

I finally began running, hoping I would get away from her unwanted affection. 

I succeeded .

Flies are irritating.  I detest them.

Premonitions and me

 Do you believe in premonitions? 

Ever encountered one ?

I did this morning.

Thankfully it came to pass but only partly - if not some of you would be in mourning. 

Ok that's not exactly correct.

More than some would be in mourning!

Ok so this is how things transpired - lend me your ears.

I went to have a hair cut at my favourite saloon. 

It's nothing fancy - like me.

The chappie who usually cuts my hair was busy. Another pretty nondescript guy made eye contact and pointed to a chair. 

I was a trifle embarrassed to say no, although looking back, that would not have been a bad decision. 

So I sat down, was wrapped in a 'swaddling cape' and there began my sorrow.

The guy seemed a trifle rough, in a hurry and rather distracted.

( Maybe he was contemplating the India Pakistan cricket match ) .

While I gave him some very general and basic  instructions he kept glancing out through  the glass door .

The ' cutting'  began with a number 4 pair of clippers. 

Let me cut to the chase .

While he was using the razor to do the cleaning up exercise near my year and behind my neck a strange thought came over me.

What if his hand slipped and he sliced my ear or neck!

As hurriedly as it entered,  I put it out of my mind!

Hair cut over a few minutes later and he asked me if I needed a shave .

The lazy me nodded in the affirmative. 

I was lathered up and the thought returned.

What if his blade slipped when he was shaving my neck- this time the front! 

It would all  be over in the blink of an eye.

Believe it or not  - a minute or so later his hand slipped or something happened and I he nicked me-  no not on my neck, but on my chin.

It bled and he wiped. It bled some more, and he wiped it with wet tissue. It continued and he used talcum powder. 

It refused to stop, and he then used some ointment. 

Finally after about 5 minutes, it stopped bleeding and he completed the shave.

No - the blood was not pouring or spurting out or anything so drastic ( or dramatic) but it did bleed.

I didn't panic as it was an accident . He didn't panic either, nor did he apologise. 

Probably he nicks people regularly , and it's become normal. 

Am home now. The match is on. The chin is fine.

No more shaves at the barber for me.

So much hate

 So much uncertainty 

So many wars

So much hate

Such unimaginable torture.

Thousands being killed

And those being forced to do the killing 

Often don't know why.

Senseless butchery of the innocents.....

So much greed

And hatred

And bitterness.

Women raped

Babies killed

The old and infirm decapitated 

And men tortured.

All this while large groups 

Of the supposedly intelligent 

sit and debate

As to who is right

And who is wrong

And never come up

With any concrete answers or solutions.

When will this ignorant world learn

That war and genocide 

Has never been the answer ?

It isn't today

It will not be tomorrow 

Not in the foreseeable future.

This madness 

This utter insanity must stop 

By whatever means possible 

By whoever can make it happen

Lest we consume ourselves 

"If you bite and devour each other

Watch out

Or you will be destroyed by each other"

MG

The late bloomers

 If you are a parent of a school going child then you may like to read this. 

He/ She need not always be 

The flag bearer on sports day 

The leader in the PE display 

The King or Queen in the school play 

Be in the play in the first place and have a speaking role

Selected to represent the school in competitions 

The class monitor

The House Captain

A school prefect 

The Head Boy or Head Girl

Come first in class

Score above 95% in school / board examinations

Have his/ her name up on the honours board 

Recognised / honoured at the school assembly .

The one selected to welcome the Chief Guest

The one chosen to present the gift/ bouquet to the guest of honour 

The teacher's pet

The one whose photo appears in the school magazine 

The main character in the school promotional video

The Rex/ Victor  ludorum ( Bishopites would remember this) 

There are pupils who are late bloomers. 

Considered shy or timid in school. 

Never selected for any prominent role 

Who teachers feel lack leadership qualities.

Who wait in vain to be recognised and given that one opportunity to prove themselves.

Often they do quite well in life - they rise to the top of their profession, while leading with distinction. 

The cream always rises to the top. 

It's all about self confidence and biding one's time . 

Patience and perseverance pays dividends.

St Michael the Archangel

 I have posted something similar some time ago, so if it rings a bell, stop reading and go about your business.

If you have nothing interesting to do - keep reading .

This morning, I woke a little later than normal. You see , it's a holiday and we have a long weekend, so am making the best of it. 

 I am usually up and about by around 4.45 am - having tea, reading the news papers, looking at my mail  to see if I have inherited a fortune from some unknown relative , checking Facebook and wishing people for their birthdays, then finally opening WhatsApp- not necessarily in that order. 

And there it was. A close friend wishing me a Happy Feast day. Thanks FM and MM.

At first I did a double take but then realized  that today is the feast of St Michael the archangel. 

So hear I was- smiling - Happy Feast day to me and all that ! Yippee. 

Almost like Father's day - hardly anyone remembers, till you remind them. 

Quite unlike Mother' s day which is celebrated with flowers, gifts and dinners twice or thrice a year ! 

Anyway, back to my Feast day.

Archangels are leaders so I got that right . 

Meanwhile , am thinking of the other angelic qualities I possess. 

Now please don't start sending me messages about how good I am - I already know that - okay!

But on to something different. 

I probably have done a similar post but I can't seem to trace it. Old age and all.

As a young boy I was a parishioner of St Patrick's Church in Allahabad- India.

For the purists , it's now Pryagraj. 

The parish priest was Fr Germain. Old residents would probably remember him.

He was a good human being and the youth of the parish gravitated towards him, as he was young at heart- like me now!

As a young teen - or probably a preteen, I observed that he had a comfortable residence , rode a scooter , and had a fridge- all luxuries back in the day. There was also a cook and a cleaning lady. 

I was a timid young boy with no idea as to what I would do in the future. I also knew that there was no ' family inheritance ' to look forward to.

So I began fancying myself becoming a priest. 

I fathomed that it was an easy job. I would be assured of food , accommodation , clothing and money. To top it all, everyone would call me ' Father ' . I didn't exactly fancy studying. 

For two or three years I toyed with this lovely  idea. 

I , with a few friends , spent a lot of time  helping out in church, serving at Mass, doing petty chores, attending all services etc. I was a good little Christian boy. 

At home, I also acted out being a priest,  and doused my cousins by sprinkling them with  plenty of tap water ! There were also the imaginary confessions and I often fantisized about people telling me their sins!

It was  a lot of fun. 

At church we were in the limelight- had a free run of the mango and guava trees , were occasionally given ten rupees to have a Dosa and were permitted to hang around in church at will. And there were girls ! 

Then came the teenage years and with that  came  innumerable distractions ,  and music, and my band,  and  parties and  without much thought, the vision for my future changed almost overnight .

So although I didn't end up wearing a cassock and being called father I ended up as a teacher being called Sir.

So - today is my Feast day, and I will make sure to say a silent prayer to St Michael the archangel , to bless me and all my lovely friends .

Am grateful

 Am grateful

 For innumerable things and moments.

For this life - The almighty has blessed me

In ways I could never have imagined 

Am grateful 

For my family - the immediate ones 

And my  two precious granddaughters!

Not forgetting all the others- spread around the globe - they all matter

In some way or the other.

Am grateful 

For my close friends

I don't have too many 

But I value their friendship and support.

All just a call away.

Am grateful 

For childhood friends - there are a few 

And sadly others have passed on

We made wonderful memories together 

Never to be forgotten

And when we reconnect in person

Or virtually 

Time stands still

As we are transported back to the decades

That have passed

We are teens and young adults once again

The laughter, the camaraderie, the madness, the love.

Wow !

Am grateful 

For other friends I have met and made over the years

I know we could do better on the 

'Keeping in touch' front

But nevertheless- we connect when possible 

And those moments are special 

Even if they are brief.

Am grateful 

For colleagues I have worked with over 

The last four decades

And those I still work with even today 

Experiences and moments to cherish

A mixture of the brilliant,  the good 

The not so good and the in between 

But we are all still learning and growing. 

Am grateful 

For pupils I have taught and interacted with

In Allahabad, Pune and the UAE.

I am humbled and proud to say

I have probably touched quite a few lives.

May not have always been the perfect teacher 

Or human being, for that matter 

But perfection is a myth

And i am a  better person today

 than what I was yesterday 

And that's what matters.

My pupils have always been so special to me

Some young , some middle aged now- 

With kids of their own

But they are all still boys to me .

The 'Sir' is at times embarrassing 

But then

I refer to my teachers the same way.

May be old fashioned or outdated 

For the modern generation 

But  respect matters

I sit here

in the silence of the morning

Mind wandering 

 There is not a sound to be heard

Save my own breathing 

And reminisce on years gone bye.

On struggles, successes  - failures and achievements 

And when I pick up that scale 

And weigh things up

I smile in humble contentment. 

It's a gratifying moment of realization.

I take a deep breath of satisfaction 

Because with abundant  blessings from above 

Coupled with unadulterated 

Love, help and support from so many

Life continues to be good.

Of Malls Hotels and Airports

 Of Malls, Hotels and Airports.

Random musings. No offence meant to anyone . 

I have absolutely nothing to do right now  as it's the weekend, the wife is in India, and the guy who is supposed to be on the way to fix my Internet router seems to have gone elsewhere as he was 5 minutes away about 45  minutes ago.

It is on mornings like this, that my mind wanders on to aimless topics .

Please don't read further if you have something better to do, or you are one of those super duper types, who multi task all day long. You know those people - cooking  ,watching TV, helping the kid with homework, making a PPT while eating breakfast at the same time ! 

This post is for the lazy, for the aimless and for the old like me.

Malls first- this is India I am talking about. Now what's with the security at the entrance to Malls. Have often seen one over enthusiastic guy at the entrance ready to check your handbag and frisk you !. What exactly are they looking for?. And if by chance some sinister individual has something dangerous and they find it- what happens next? Will they blow their whistle? Start hammering the person with their lathi? Phone their head office ? Would this person remain standing and wait for the matter to run it's course ? And no one is so stupid to walk into a mall with something in a pocket or a shopping bag. 

Hotels? Drive into any five star hotel and you are politely stopped at the gate. There are usually two guards, and one has a rather starved looking dog on a leash. While this  guy gets the dog to sniff around the car, the other has a contraption on a metal pole . He then pushes it under the car on all 4 sides searching for you know what !. He also orders the driver to open the bonnet and peers in. The same for the boot of the car. He looks while the dog sniffs. Or at least it's supposed to . Once  my wife packed mutton roast and put it in the hand luggage. The dog went into a frenzy. The guys got excited. Their first big find in a decade. I had to get out of the car. When they saw the roast they looked dejected. Much ado about nothing.The whole searching procedure is repeated for every vehicle that enters. They don't check the inside of the car , nor the luggage. This has gone on for years now. Do they seriously believe they will find whatever they are searching for in such obvious places?. They look bored and worn out and so does the poor dog and I pity them. I once asked one of these men if they had ever found anything,and his smile said it all. And once again. Have they got an inkling as to what to do IF they find something ? 

Airports- I agree that thorough checking at the security counter is a must, but have you noticed how men are checked while standing on a sort of pedestal in the open while women are taken into a sort of curtain enclosed area to be checked. Often wondered about this. Looks like discrimination to me ? Just saying!

Ok got to go. Someone at the door.

An early morning walk

 So let me set the scene. 

I woke at 4.45 am. Yes it's absolutely absurd to do that when on holiday, but that's me. 

Out for a brisk walk by 5.45. It was a trifle sultry, but I was listening to some good music and feeling positive. 

A few crazy people like me were walking too - with their dogs. I always give them a wide berth. An early morning dog bite is not my thing.  In fact you can remove ' early morning '. A dog bite  is not my thing.

So I was  feeling energetic hence  I increased my pace.

Started swinging my arms, then realized that a similar, sudden burst of energy, caused me to pull a muscle some months ago. 

Yes I am not the super fit type- just ok. 

Pulled in my stomach  and imagined how good I'd look if it were like that permanently. 

Got those silly, inconsequential, imaginary thoughts out of my head, and walked on. 

More dogs sauntered by, on leashes held by maids, busy on their phones. 

Then stopped to record the moment and then in happened.

Two white geese appeared out of thin air and began flapping their wings.

They had probably just woken and like me swinging my arms,  they too were savouring the moment.

Then they began waddling behind me.

Not too concerned I walked on. 

When suddenly , without much warning I saw them sprint in my direction. 

I began to jog( to the best of my ability ).

Geese are faster than  you imagine. Geese determined to chase even faster.

Before I could say ' stop acting mad you crazy birds' they were on my case and almost at my heels.

No provocation and no reason. I guess they had chicks in the vicinity , and I was the perceived predator.

Luckily for me, a large brown cat darted out of the hedge and that scared them away.

So now, besides dogs that may try to nip me, and cats that harass for food, I must be wary of geese as well.

Waiting

 

We wait nine months to be born and for the rest of our lives, it’s all about waiting. We are forever ‘in line’ – waiting for opportunities to arise or something to happen.

We wait to finish school, complete our college education, and get a job. We then wait, while trying to find the right spouse and get married. It’s then a wait before we beget children and add to the world’s population- waiting seems to be an ever-present aspect of our lives. Not sure whether all this waiting teaches us patience, self-control, and resilience or makes us more impatient in the long run. They say waiting makes us understand the value of time, and when the waiting period is over, the rewards are more appreciated. This is debatable.  

In this fast-paced world in which we live, we have begun to expect instant gratification, and patience is a virtue long forgotten by most. All one must do is drive into a busy city and watch how many individuals behave, once behind the wheel, or just stand in a queue, and hear the peeved and at times, pretty nasty comments all around. Nowadays, even the nanoscopic wait suddenly becomes unbearable. The constant connectivity and easy and immediate access to information has heightened our impatience, leaving us unaccustomed to delayed appeasement.

Think of how you wait for a telephone call that doesn’t come, a mail you expected to see in your inbox, or just a simple message to say ‘hi’. We wait to go on vacation or for a loved one to return. You wait to be acknowledged for a job you think you did well. People wait for the ‘likes’ on their posts- external validation somehow boosts their self-esteem.  It's a dopamine effect and each to his / her own.

However, there is the flip side to compulsory waiting, and these are our own apprehensions, uncertainties, and fears, that make us wait, in what we force ourselves to believe, is ‘time to take stock of the situation and plan’. This tendency to ‘wait indefinitely’ which we inflict upon our unsuspecting minds, often leads to missed opportunities, as we postpone decisions and resultant actions, in the assumption or hope that something better or more rewarding, is around the corner.

 Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, but he who hesitates is lost! Thus, choose whichever suits you, but I believe that being decisive is key.

We don’t always realize it, but we are always waiting for the starter’s gun before we commence running; waiting for permission;  waiting for someone to say ‘yes’. ‘Take it easy’ and ‘Slow down’ are oft-heard phrases and they have their merit as well, but should we base our life on them?

 We are always told to embrace the journey, find solace in the present and make the most of every moment while striving towards our goal. Life for the day- smell the roses, take in the sights …... have heard it all.

I was recently asked what my Leadership style is where the waiting game is concerned.  

This is my take –

I am a trifle impatient, and I don’t shy away from saying it. Waiting around indefinitely for things to happen often causes my patience to wane, and restlessness to set in. Time seems to drag on eternally. I like to get out there, dirty my hands where necessary, and ensure the task is completed.

I believe that effective leaders should balance the need for thoughtful consideration with timely action. The waiting period depends on the situation's urgency, complexity, and potential consequences. Rapid decisions might be necessary in emergencies, while more complex issues will require more time for more detailed & in-depth analysis. Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits for leaders in navigating these decisions. And then there are always others one can seek advice from.  

Unfortunately, there’s no fail-safe way to know when to take decisive action, and when to prudently wait, until conditions are optimal. It’s a gut feeling that I rely on under these circumstances, and I have rarely been wrong.

All things being said, I have a deep longing for resolution, for progress, for change- hanging around is not my style.

 

 

Are you feeling drained or burnt out

 

Are you feeling drained or burnt out?

 

When speaking to friends and colleagues, an oft discussed topic is ‘’work”– obviously!

The conversation often veers towards ‘how much work is too much’ and what to do when one feels like ‘’throwing in the towel’ due to burn out, or because of feeling unappreciated.

In the present day and age, feeling burnt out and unappreciated is quite a common experience for many individuals, in various stages and aspects of life, and this includes work and relationships too. There are several contributory factors leading up to this emotional state, which finally lead to a sense of exhaustion and disenchantment.

Not feeling sufficiently acknowledged can significantly impact one's motivation and satisfaction. When individuals invest all their time, energy, and skills into something, they naturally desire recognition for their efforts. Without due appreciation, acknowledgement, or gratitude, it's easy to feel undervalued, leading to a diminishing sense of self-worth and an increasing belief that their contributions are taken for granted. Even worse is when someone else takes credit for the work you do or doesn’t seem to realize your value. That must be the icing on the cake.

I must clarify- and this should not come as a surprise - this does not only happen in the workplace – it happens very frequently at home as well.

In addition to that, excessive workload, poor leadership, unjustified demands, and insufficient time to complete a task, leads to burnout. Unfortunately, modern society often glorifies busyness, and places extremely high expectations on output & productivity. This constant pressure to perform at 100% forces individuals to work long hours, neglect self-care, and sacrifice personal time. Over a period, this unsustainable lifestyle depletes energy reserves, erodes motivation, and results in a state of emotional and physical exhaustion. It is then that there is a tilt in the work life balance and that has a downward spiraling effect. When this happens, it is only natural that families and organizations suffer.

 In this respect, technology hasn’t helped, as it keeps us constantly connected, thus eroding the boundaries between personal and professional life. This blurring of lines leads to a perpetual cycle of work-related stress, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed and drained, with little time or energy for family or personal pastimes.

There is no debating the fact that everyone is accountable, and everyone must deliver, but expectations must be realistic.

And if by chance the work environment is toxic, if there are negative interactions, conflicts, politics or one upmanship, emotional exhaustion sets in, and the thrill of working is lost.

Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach, including open communication, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and cultivating a supportive network. Recognizing and valuing the efforts of individuals is crucial, in fostering a sense of appreciation and reducing burnout, ultimately leading to greater well-being and productivity.

It is here that effective leadership is key. Leaders who are genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of their team should play an active part in ensuring that all employees in their team are assisted in establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life. Leaders must do more asking, coaching, supporting, listening, clearing roadblocks, removing red tape and overall, helping make life easier. Employees must want to come to work and there are no two ways about this.

Here are things a few suggestions that could help.

 

Start with believing in yourself and all you have accomplished – positivity pays.

 Spend time with loved ones and realize that sometimes it’s fine to do nothing!

Talk matters over with someone you trust and seek advice on how to cope better.

 Indulge in hobbies or just practice mindfulness and meditation.

 Effectively manage your time by prioritizing tasks, delegating when possible, and avoiding overcommitment.

Learn to ask for help – it doesn’t reflect on your capabilities in any way.

Learn to say no and realize that it's important to recognize your limits.

 Overcommitting, and always saying ‘’ YES’ can lead to increased stress and exhaustion.

Be more selective about what task you take on.

Be realistic about goals and timelines and avoid setting unrealistic expectations for yourself. Break down your goals into achievable steps.

 Remember that you are only human, and it's okay to make mistakes or re-adjust your plans when needed.

Take regular time off- utilize your weekends, holidays, or long vacations to recharge.

Whenever possible, disconnect from work-related activities, and allow yourself to instead engage in projects or tasks that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Learn not to be too hard on yourself or your own worst critic!

Remember, preventing burnout is an ongoing effort. It's important to listen to your body and mind and prioritize your well-being to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

"Love yourself unconditionally, for you are a magnificent creation worthy of all the love and happiness in the world."

                             

Religion and me

 

Recently, out of the blue, I was asked if I was religious, and it set me thinking seriously.  

Marx described religion as the opium of the masses, as it distorts reality, and that is a controversial statement, with innumerable connotations.

Religion is not easy to define, because it means different things to different people.

The definition itself is a controversial, and extremely complicated subject in religious studies, with most scholars failing to agree on any one definition.

 

My personal belief is that while religion is important in everyone’s life, being a good human being transcends all religious boundaries. It encompasses qualities such as empathy, honesty, and integrity and benefits society. While we all know that religion provides a moral framework, being a decent human being goes well beyond religious practices. It involves treating everyone with kindness and respect, and making a positive contribution to the world, even if you feel, that what you are achieving, is just a tiny drop in the ocean of life. Ultimately, it’s about fostering harmony, love, and understanding among people, despite their religious beliefs, more than anything else.

I am a broad-minded Christian. I go to church, and I pray as well. However, I would still be able to pray in a mosque, temple, gurudwara, fire temple, synagogue, empty hall, or out in the open, in a group or all alone- makes very little difference to me. I am less about formal prayers, and more about communication with a superior being, who I believe exists.  Don’t ask me the how, when, where, or why.  Let’s not bring science into it either – it’s my belief- take it or leave it.

Does that make me religious? I don’t know.

All religious texts emphasize the importance of leading virtuous lives, and provide a foundation for adherents, to be good within the context of their religious belief. Religious communities foster a sense of togetherness and belonging while offering support, encouragement, and a shared purpose.  One of the reasons why religion is such a personal matter is that it addresses existential concerns, that are unique to everyone. People seek answers to profound questions and feel confident in communicating with someone greater than themselves- in whatever form that communication is. These questions are often deeply personal and subjective, often arising from struggles and reflections. Religious practices and rituals also offer a way to connect with something greater, in the quest to navigate life’s challenges. It’s all a matter of faith and belief, and that is a deep, personal conviction, that goes far and beyond empirical evidence and rationality.

Religion deals with concepts like life, death, morality, and the afterlife, and it is topics such as these, that can evoke strong emotions, convictions, and differences of opinion. That is one of the reasons why I will not get into a debate or argument on the topic. Each to his own!

Over the centuries, while religion has remained personal, it has also had social and communal dimensions, while having indirect control over societies, cultures, and political systems. This has fostered both unity and diversity.

However, while religion has shaped culture and human history wonderfully well, it has also been associated with extreme violence throughout the ages- more than we would like to admit. While no religions support violence, the historical and contemporary impact of religious-motivated conflicts cannot be ignored.

Statistics may not always give the correct picture, but one only needs to turn back the pages of history and be stunned by the gory details.

The Crusades, (1096- 1291) resulted in widespread bloodshed, and millions of lives were lost.

The European wars of religion, (1524- 1648) which involved Catholics, Protestants, and other Christian denominations, led to massive casualties which ran into over ten million.

The Partition of India (1947) resulted in large-scale communal violence and massacre of unimaginable proportions. Once again there were millions of lives sacrificed.

The Bosnian war, the Middle East crisis, the wars in Syria and Iraq, the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, and innumerable others, have had their fair share of deaths too.

These are just some examples, and the appalling list goes on.  It is imperative to emphasize that these unpleasant statistics in no way account for all the religiously motivated violence, as numerous other incidents, the world over, have occurred and continue to occur even today.

Mark you – this madness, this utter insanity, is unlikely to stop, and I am no prophet of doom- just seems inevitable.

Like any other ideology, religious teaching can be manipulated and misinterpreted to justify acts of violence, and peace and tolerance are tossed aside without thought. Surprisingly, it’s not only the gullible or the ignorant who fall into the ‘my religion is superior’ trap. We have all seen those dubious, fanatic, radical, extremist, religious leaders, with millions of followers whom they sway with seeming ease, into a false sense of supremacy.  

The need of the hour is to be more open about religion, as it will contribute positively to our world in several ways. Openness about religion allows for critical reflection and intellectual growth. Encouraging dialogue promotes a deeper understanding of the complexities of faith and spirituality while motivating individuals to examine their own beliefs, values, and assumptions, leading to personal growth and a more nuanced understanding of the world.

By engaging in respectful conversations about our beliefs, we can challenge stereotypes, dispel misconceptions, and promote tolerance.

Ghostly tales

 This popped up on my page this morning so sharing for those who may have missed it.

Not for thefaint-heartedd

Disclaimer

As you all know I worked in The Bishop’s school, Pune for twenty years and lived on campus, in five different flats over the years. Now, I am not implying that the school was haunted when I was there. No harm ever came to me or my family, and I was never terrified or any such thing. I also believe I am a bit of a psychic but then again …….

You can attribute this story to a very fertile & vivid imagination, poor eyesight, or just an old schoolmaster pulling the legs of his pupils.

Whatever your interpretation – I am just amusing myself, so do not read too much into it, or ask me to elaborate.

On the other hand, it could be thought-provoking- it may bring back memories – it may awaken the senses, and may make you say “Oh goodness me, so that was it.’’ Or you may just pass it off with a guffaw and a smile …………. whatever Sir!!

“Maybe all the people who say ghosts don’t exist are just afraid to admit that they do.”

- Michael Ende, ‘The Neverending Story’.

Whether you believe these stories or not, does not matter. However, innumerable people at my time maintained that the school campus had its fair share of supernatural happenings. Staff and pupils did often discuss some strange occurrences in and around the campus, but it was all passed off as a joke. I did meet a few pupils who had passed out in the sixties and seventies and even before that – all boarders – I must say that some of them told me some creepy & bizarre stories too. However, none could ever be substantiated- nor can mine for that matter. This could be the joke of 2023!

Now let me attempt to jog your memory.

Just close your eyes & think about the innumerable times you had to carry piles of chairs and put them back, under the stage, after the Friday movie. All boarders and a few day scholars. How did you feel? Eerie? Creepy? Felt someone was staring at you from a dark recess? Heard a strange noise?

What about that narrow, dingy passage near the infirmary and past grade 9 A and B? Most boys avoided it after dark! I wonder why? I did too and so did the school support staff!

What about when you were sent to get the Logbook from the MOD’s table after dinner, and the area was unlighted and gloomy– and then you had to pass the Billiard room? Somehow the wind howled louder around that building, didn’t it? Going home after filling in the MOD logbook after dinner, I often looked over my shoulder as I felt someone was following me. I was once practicing billiards all alone – I could have sworn I saw a shadow leaning over the table at the opposite end. It happened in a split second, but I suddenly felt cold – never practiced alone ever again.

Mark my words- I am not using the word haunted, because haunted somehow has evil connotations for me - let me just reiterate – I was in Bishops for 20 years, and yes, we did feel peculiar at times. However, there were no ghastly apparitions, no phantoms, or specters but I think I know what I saw, heard, and felt and the term I will use is ‘spooky’. I could be wrong, and it could be my imagination but read on if you care.

Am going to divide this article into a few parts, as this is a story with no beginning or end – not even a middle for that matter.

The Lunn block terrace

As a young family back in the early 80s, we often slept on the terrace of Lunn block, during the summer vacation, as I was the dormitory in charge and lived on the second floor just beside the dormitory. It was cool, fresh, and mosquito free on the terrace, and sleeping under the starlit sky was exhilarating. I owned a ‘Bush Two in one radio cum tape recorder’, so there was music too.

The cool breeze ensured a good night’s sleep. We had a Pomeranian as a pet, and often she would bark at night, and charge about in a frenzy but we thought nothing of it.

At first, we would scold her for disturbing us, but one night is extremely vivid in my memory. It was a cloudy night and very still. We awoke with a start, to the dog barking very differently, and looked around to try and see what had provoked her. She seemed to be scrutinizing the corner of the terrace near and under the water tank- barking ferociously, backing off, and yelping at the same time. I tried to call her back, in vain. She then suddenly charged toward the terrace door and began jumping up in the air as if to catch something. I stood up, picked up a hockey stick I kept nearby, but saw nothing. Then the unexpected happened – the dog made one last lunge, barked uncontrollably, and then, bawling, with her tail tucked between her legs, she ran backward, towards our beds, and sat down, crying out loud. She refused to budge, despite my coaxing. We folded up the bedding and went downstairs immediately & never slept on the terrace thereafter. When I told the watchman about it, he said it was probably a monkey. I still do not know what to believe and yes it could have been a monkey for sure!

The Simba dormitory

This was another place where something rather bizarre once took place. I was the dormitory in charge and lived on the second floor just beside the dormitory.

We returned rather late from a party. To keep the rather skillful boarders inside, and make sure that they did not try and slip out for a midnight meal, we had started locking the three gates – at the entrance to the dorm; just before you descended the steps, and then downstairs at the entrance to the building. Not sure if they had made duplicate keys, as some were quite devious and were up to all the tricks.

Anyway, as we entered the building, we clearly heard footsteps going up the steps ahead of us. At first, I thought it was an echo but was wrong. I called out “Who’s there’. There was no reply.

Every time we stopped; the footsteps stopped as well. This happened twice or thrice. I thought I heard someone coughing but could not be sure. We went till the top – all sixty-five steps carrying our two young daughters. As we reached the gate at the top, footsteps were heard one last time and then fell silent. I opened the gate to the top floor gingerly, and yes, I think I was trembling. The dormitory was locked, so no one could have been out by any chance. Who was on the steps ahead of us and where did that person go? The door to the terrace was locked hence anyone going up there was out of the question. The person had vanished into thin air. The mystery baffled me. I asked some boarders the next morning, but they all said they were asleep.

The Cambridge dormitory

This dormitory with its creaking staircase, cobwebs, and loose floorboards had its own share of alien footfalls. Mr. Derek Beaman, whom we all remember fondly, was no more, and his quarters in Cambridge block and the entire top floor remained locked up ever since he had passed. We had stopped using the dormitory for over a year or so, hence it was a trifle dark & rather dilapidated. One dim light at the entrance was switched on daily, after dinner, by the watchman.

We stayed in the staff quarters in Simba Block, and could almost look into his flat through the window which was parallel to ours

On a few evenings, we thought we heard the distinct sound of a vessel being washed and put down/ at times dropped – then there was the sound of a tap being opened and water flowing ----------- things that Mr. Beaman did regularly at about the same time, after the boarders’ s supper, while he stayed there. What were those noises and who was making them? Were we imagining? The building was empty. The strange sounds baffled us. We never fathomed them out .

Late one night

Came home past midnight, all four of us on our scooter- driving up from East Street towards the roundabout outside Bishops, past the large palatial Talera bungalow on the left. We could either go straight past the crossing and enter through the wicket gate near the school kitchen, or go right, and enter through the wicket gate near the office. As we approached the small roundabout, we saw something freakish. Standing in the middle of the road which went towards the kitchen gate/ Racecourse, was a very tall fair woman, in a white knee-length dress, carrying a large blue suitcase in her right hand. It seemed light and empty. Her left hand was up - palm facing outwards as if she wanted to stop oncoming traffic and request a lift. I saw her from about twenty meters and my heart skipped a beat or two. Needless to say, I accelerated, turned right, and sped toward the office gate from where I entered the campus. Yes, my wife saw her too.

On making inquiries the next day, I was told by the school support staff that a similar figure was seen on that road once or twice a year and in the vicinity of the army house at the crossing. There is a story about her, they said- it was not a very pleasant one so I will not repeat it here. That sighting was eerie, and it played on my mind every time we came home late at night. Thankfully, we never saw her again. Were we imagining?

The principal’s bungalow

Returning home after a movie one night, and entering on my scooter from the office gate, we saw the watchman sitting at the gate to the principal’s bungalow. He was facing the office gate. About ten feet behind him, lying on his stomach and peering into the bungalow was a figure of a man- his face almost touching the bungalow steps. I rode passed on my scooter but thought it so strange. So, I parked outside the billiard room, reached the family upstairs in Simba block, and walked back to check. The watchman, when asked as to whom I had seen a few minutes ago, feigned complete ignorance, and said that he had no idea. He swore he had not seen or heard anybody. To his credit, he was wide awake and sober.

The wedding

We returned from a relative’s wedding, and it must have been past one am. We were about to go to sleep on the Simba dorm terrace – summertime as usual. Had barely closed the terrace door, when we heard a female voice, distinctly calling out my wife’s name. At first, we thought it was her mother, who was visiting us at the time. When the call was repeated for the third time, I opened the terrace door & went down- I opened the door to our flat and went in. All was completely silent, and no relatives were awake. I then went downstairs to see if there was anyone outside. As expected, there was no one. Who called out and why, we will never know.

The Face on the cupboard

One night, there was a minor fire in one of the residential master’s flats – they resided on the first floor of the Junior school building – it may have been around midnight. I will make this short – I rushed to help & together we managed to extinguish the fire which had begun when a large candle had fallen onto a cushion. When we cleared up the mess in the room, we were shocked when we looked at the cupboard – etched on the front, and very clear, was the face of an old man or woman (my memory fails me here) . “The house smelled musty and damp, and a little sweet, as if it were haunted by the ghosts of long-dead cookies.”

I can tell you who the face resembles if ever you want to know. I presume the family discarded that cupboard the next day!

The Piano

There was a story of the sound of a piano being played in the principal’s bungalow late at night, and this was from a very reliable source. I once asked the principal about the supposed ‘music at midnight’, but he just guffawed in his typical style and said ‘Rubbish- people make up all these stories’. I dare not tell him who told me! She would have been in serious trouble.

I heard several other stories from visiting Bishopites over the years – some eerie and others which made me think and believe that I was not going off my head.

Coming to think of it, I am writing this story here in Dubai – and even if it ever did, all this supposedly happened over twenty years ago – was it just a frightening dream?)

Frankly, I am not sure. Am I an oneironaut?

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