Say NO to sticks and filthy words

A mother sends her seven years old son to school with brand new geometry box, polished shoe and well covered books. The boy then takes a leave with a kiss planted on his right cheek. His mom waits until the boy joins his friends and see them fade into the throngs of students.

In the school, the boy obeys his elders. His demeanor is admired by teachers and every other kids love to frolic with him. He never dirties his dress, writes with immaculate handwriting, never loses his pencils and comes back home on time.

As soon as he is home, he grooms his hands and legs. Then sits for cartoon network channel and settles down on assigned home works. If he is unable to do on his own, instead of closing the book, he seeks help from the mother. When everything is done, he is headed for bed on time.

Even at home, he exhibits good conduct and wins his mothers’ heart. The mother feels lucky to have son like him.

But how many would believe a boy of seven to have all the aforementioned traits? Who would not find the boy losing pencils and dirtying his dress frequently? Will it be complete shock to see him return home with torn books and laddered socks? Let alone a boy of seven, even the grown-ups today are unable to catch hold of their own.

Then does it take a beating to mend the decadence of the child.

I have been witness to some parents going unmerciful on their little ones. Some even to the extent of passing obnoxious remarks like “bastard or dead meat”. And paradoxically, they talk of the child messing up in school when all is not well with his upbringing at home.

A recent scene from a mother to her son shook me badly. Given her decent education, the way she dealt her son was not at par. The boy had returned home with pencils lost and dress dirtied. He appeared tensed. Everything was disordered. Moreover, to worsen the situation, he showed up home late than usual.

“What makes you late today?” rang the voice coarsely with harsh pull of the ear. The boy stooped and uttered nothing.

“Where is the geometry box?” “Ah…los….lost” came the quivering response.

Then commenced the drama. Were it not been for me than she could have whipped the child. She went all filthy while the boy trembled helplessly. I couldn’t interject either, rather her American way made me flee the scene.

Soon I doubted that she had an unhealthy way of parenting. When enquired, she admitted honestly. Vexed by her traditional approach, I made a feeble attempt to convince her. I told her to daily guide the child and do away with abusing or maltreating. She responded positively and supposedly repented for the vulgar treatment.

I suggested her to treat him in a way he would like and not to inject much of fear as it would kill the seeds of confidence in him. She beamed with smiles and I was hopeful.

My final suggestion to all the parents here is- say NO to sticks and invest time to nurture, for even Rome was not build in a day. 

Source: Google

  

Walking the path

“Knowing is not enough we must apply, willing is not enough we must do”, said Bruce Lee. True to his words, we learn only to excel in test and forget it afterwards.  We draw inspiration from charismatic figures, watch educational movies very often, and read a great deal of books. But what have we done after drawing inspiration, watching educational movies and reading books? How many of us learn and practice, aspire and inspire in everyday life. These are the questions that we hardly ask ourselves.

We fail to be pragmatic. Still, we dream of becoming great like Albert Einstein and be remembered for infinity.

Although, it is too inappropriate to compare, the least that we can do is tread on the remnants of path trodden by them. I am sure the path they travelled was not in the sky, it’s the same path and it is in every one of us. It is just a matter of to do or not to do.

Last weekend was a fulfilled one. Perhaps a dream come true. A plan projected since long time could be accomplished fruitfully. We moved out of our mundane weekend routines of lazing around. It was, indeed, a decent opportunity to practice what we have learned once upon a time in Dzongkha class- The act of giving by awakened ones.

Clothes, bags, kitchen-ware and foot wears were gathered from various source. Quite a bulky load we could amass. Though few were secondhand, majority of the stuffs were as good as new. Few not even used once. Anyways, it made a good collection.

Right after the lunch, we headed uphill towards the shacks where maximum of them inhabited. As anticipated, many of them were preparing hard for the afterlife voyage, circumambulating around the stupa with an over smoothed prayer beads. Wow! What a pacific sight it was. For a minute or two, I was soaked in a complete hush of the day. Their face were spiritually contented and had no time to fret about materialistic objects.

The interruption followed when one of us told about the purpose of our visit. Soon we were ushered in with brimming smiles and prayers in unison. Then we undid the loads and made the distribution- fair and just. The joy proliferated in leaps and bounds.

What more can be asked when it was already a boundless happiness from the other end. We celebrated the moment of bliss together. As a courtesy, they blessed us with good life and happiness in future. Good things eventually came to an end with a realization that no religion was higher than making someone happy.

We pledged that we would come again next time with other charitable things. It was a day unlike other ordinary days, yet full of extraordinary fulfilment.

I would like to leave the following lose translations from the book- The way/act of Bodhisattva:

If one wishes to seek Buddhahood by sacrificing their own body

Then, there is no question of giving up worldly possessions’

After all, giving generously without expecting in return is the act of Buddha.

Even Rajnikanth wouldn't do what aunty did

Whose shop would not want to get rich and hoard piles of money when the question of sustainability is right below our nose? In a cutthroat world of business, even Rajnikanth would fear to thrive on paltry wages unless it is a well to do store. And in a pricey city like Thimphu where money is everything, who would dare to ward off customers and keep away bunch of money. After all, it is the money that every tom, dick and harry is after.

But not all shops are alike as we may think.

Few days before, I was out with my friends to purchase vegetables from a nearby average grocery. Bit later, a group of youth showed up in the same shop. The shop was also licensed to run a bar. Few of low quality brandies were topping the list in the rack. What my instinct had is that the bar was famed mainly for those elderly people who are not very used to superior qualities.

Hardly had I finished clearing the bill than the group placed their order for the night. Maybe they don’t want to get drunk from expensive bars because getting drunk from expensive taverns would also mean fat wallet. I was one step away to exit when the shop owner did something which I haven’t expected and seen in last many years. Initially I thought aunty was going nuts.

She was reluctant to serve their order. Her face bore the looks of suspicion. Not that they would take French leave after the round, but she thought the customers were juvenile. Immediately, the notice on the sale of alcohol to those below 18 became her subject. I felt foolish for not understanding her genuine concern.

I was mentally absorbed in the scene. However, I didn’t poke my nose fearing that I might add fuel to the already charring fire. But If I were to umpire them, I would straightaway give red card to the group. Only two or three of them seems to qualify for drinks but certainly next year. Since I am sufficiently exposed to “give no damn” stance of our young people, I was not impressed by their bravery and fight backs. It was, in fact, a pitiful sight of them for not accepting the law.

Although the quarrel perpetuated after my leave, I only wished that aunty didn’t lose her side.

I know Auntie’s valor caused her own loss. The money fetched from the boys could have helped her pay the rent or invest in her child’s schooling or fuel up the car if she had one, otherwise. But more than the money, she earned the highest degree of honor which money can’t buy.

While it may sound absurd for many others, what aunty did is, indubitably, a global concern and take home message to all the shop keepers out there. If we have more of responsible shopkeepers like aunty, Bhutan would have the finest generation today, tomorrow and always. 

Let’s remind bar owners what they have for today’s youth before recklessly pouring liquors of any kind, to students or drop outs below sweet 18.

Lively June

June month have seen several significant events unfold- both national and international. At the national front, the state visit of a newly elected Indian prime minister ushered in new dimension to the already stabilized ties of the two countries. Further, the prime ministers’ address to the national assembly gave new hopes for politicians and Bhutanese people, initially, of which it was rumored to have aroused tension in the air. Now that we are aware of his noble intentions behind the visit, there is hardly any room for one to harbor suspicion. Interestingly, his articulation of upholding the age old friendship between the two like milk and water was yet another strong message that assures future assistance of any sorts.

Other areas of interest included doubling of scholarship slots, tourism and installation of e-libraries across the length and breadth of the country. I am of steadfast faith that the man would come up with list of priorities that will best suit Bhutan’s interest.

On the contrary, there were lots of grievances over the media on the recent pay revision. It took parliamentarians several rounds of discussion to arrive at a consensus that made everyone at least not go gaga. Whether or not the decision is palatable, everything is out on the newsprint, and the tentative implementation is due in come July. 

While away from home, it is the destination Brazil which is still underway with so much of twists and turns. There is no denying that the global event is once in a life time affair for few countries and that this time of the year is most jubilant. Not only does the show comes in great surprise packages and frustrations for field fans, but also for those viewing live through television. Of the many, the early check out of defending champion, Spain, was the greatest surprise ever. It was sad to see world number 1 make their exit out of world cup. Even Spanish fans around me are exasperated to the brink and have already teamed up with Brazil to avenge the Dutch for great humiliation done to Spain. However, I am hopeful that if the two goes on head to head with each other anytime, the Dutch is going to be no different from what they were in 2010 world cup.

The other package is my students who are compromising destination Zhemgang in the name of cheering up for their teams. Even exam doesn’t seem to bring them fear. Few opined that the world cup is rare event and not a single match should be missed at least for this time. Are they going nuts?

While on the other end, the school has officially embarked on its maiden journey of autonomy towards achieving greater feats in future. Community and stakeholders were also involved to work towards the well-being of the institution. And having witnessed the response, it was encouraging to see many of our parents take up the concern and responsibilities. We are certain that the contribution would help school maneuver in right direction and earn us the good reputation.