Rainy Day

I was so eager to go on this partner assessment trip – it was a road trip and I was looking forward to reading another book on my way. This time I picked The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The first few pages fascinated me of the great literary depth I was being pulled into. Even as I read along, I was motivated to write.

This trip in the rain was so satisfying – I completed all trips during the last quarter as planned. One goal achieved for my key result area which I have to report by end of the month. As I look back on the assessment exercises, I believe this was possible also because my colleague who went along with me on these trips gave his time and attention towards achieving our common goal. Whatever are your efforts, there’s always someone who makes it happen for you and does his/her part to help you finish, even if we are not aware of such a coordination. This time, I cannot help but thank my dear colleague who gave me this sense of completion and closure.

As we drove back from the countryside, I was caught by the agricultural lands that were sometimes green and sometimes black, rich in soil and so fertile. Between the pages of the book I was engulfed in, I put up my head to see the hanging clouds – some so while and some completely dark. Wah! Hyderabad! I love the weather. Passing between splashes of rain and a little drizzle, and also when we even drove through sunny moments, I realized the length and breadth of nature. The 4-lane highway of the Andhra Pradesh roads looked clear and helped us speed towards home.

A day to remember

This was my day. A day I cannot forget because it was my birthday. But more so because, it was this day that over the last few years, I have felt the painful pangs of a loved one gone far. My child left the city every year this day to study at another, and one question that came back to my mind on each of these evenings - am I doing the right thing?

I heard of other young parents who had toddlers crying on this day when the schools opened for another academic year. Also heard of other parents who are keen to see their children off to school proudly displaying all the new stuff they have. But what about the many children who do not think of a school as they belonged to, or give a thought to parents who would like to see their child in school but the school is not accessible or too far. I am really blessed to see my teen opting to go far for study and be able to afford it.

By the way, this day is also World Day Against Child Labour. And child labour was the topic that struck a chord in my heart to feel for the disadvantaged class and gave me the courage to make a big move in life. Talking of child labour also made me realize that it is children who rise to the occasion more easily and normally than adults. Even as I grapple to get a hold on the programme that I support at my workplace to keep children in school, and the fact that child labour in my state is much higher in numbers, I wonder if children really want to stop working. The changing value in society for money earned (or money made?) is so deep and sound, we are made to believe that every disadvantage can be overcome with affordability.

As I return after dropping my child at the station and I know my day is coming to a close, I see an 8-year old rag-picking near a busy junction late in the evening when other children are ready for dinner after playing or are watching television with family, unaware of the loss of his rights and the joy of growing, only to make money for another meal may be !