Collecting Memories; Deep Condolence at the Sad Demise

A letter to my friend, who totally disturbed by the sad demise of the father and the nine-month old embryo of his friend once. It was by her, his life changed and made meaning to future. Though they loved each other and dreamt to live long together, it became impossible, being he was from a very humble background. The day her father commented "how can I imagine my daughter go with a person having a shattered family and without any sustenance in par with us” prompted him to kick start a new journey. When her parents plucked her away from his proximity, he decided to fight for a prosperous tomorrow by taking those words as a challenge. At last, he gave a tit for tat, though that not was enough to fulfill his dream. Even though the story is thrilling, it is heart breaking too........................................

Days were hard and nights were tiring for my friend. His father was a wholly drunkard person without any care and consideration for his family. It was difficult for him to find money for his education despite all the worries and perils. Being he had three elder sisters, the whole responsibility went in to his shoulders; their marriage, related expenses etc. became too heavy for him to afford.

He was not ready to give up. Working hard every day, he fought with all the challenges he forced to face at his tender age. In a short span of time he worked as news paper boy, chit fund agent, sales man, worker in hotels and bakery and many other possible options for earnings. Sadly, situations made him weak in his studies.  Being a hard working young man, his Master and his family cared him with special fondness. They had a chain of business and four ships.

While inching days, he happened to be in touch with the daughter of his Master that gradually deepened and became inseparable. To call a spade a spade, they became fell in a silent love. Though her parents found it as a friendship initially, they didn't like to progress this affair. As they wanted to deviate him from this, once commented;”how can I imagine my daughter go with a person having a humble family background and without any sustenance in par with us” prompted him to kick start a new journey. When her parents plucked her away from his proximity, he decided to fight for a prosperous tomorrow by taking these words as a challenge.

It was a few days after this incident I met him at my post graduation degree course. A lean long person with paled face! His hard experiences already made him harsh and short - tempered. He often found uncomfortable with many. However, we became closer day by day and thicker. Though he was not very intelligent, he striven hard and behaved very politely to teachers that also made him an acceptable student among the teaching fraternity. Behold and behold, he continued his part-time job till the end of the course. I clearly remember, he was very reluctant to move forward initially, but gradually he became an active contributor of our group. Beyond any second thought, I will say, he was honest, genuine, dedicated, pious and an individual with strong values and ethics. 

There was only one and last recruitment in that year where ten of us selected for the interview. The days where very crucial for us, being we were in a dire need of job. We prepared and prepared amid all limitations.  Desperately we dreamt for a job which can fetch at least ten or fifteen thousand that gradually reduced to eight thousand and finally a mere job. We were neither professional nor well groomed physically and mentally. Our communication was totally mundane which was not suitable for any corporate affairs. However, we uttered whatever came in our mind at the time of group discussion and interview, which we later realized nonsense. 

Days moved. We were in heels about the results and shared our apprehensions every day. At last, the results came. Adding agony to our tensions, none of us managed to enter in the main list and with luck I became listed as the last candidate in the waiting list. Being the job was not very promising; a few didn't turn out that helped me to be one among the choosers. The bidding of fare well was not very cherishing to us where we both kept away from celebrations being our mind and mood was in wilderness. 

I was deeply moved and pained by the poor fate of my friend and a little bit complained about the mercy of Almighty who blinded his eyes at a genuine disciple. The day, he back to his manual work and I moved to my professional job was totally painful.

I was with another close friend at the job and one among the three. With joy and aspirations, we spent days at the office. I was the weakest among them and performed very pathetically compared to my colleagues even though I boasted for many invaluable things. I and my friend weaved plans for future at the lodge a few kilometers from the office. He was very intelligent and organized but almost like another friend and very poor in all ways. We were find difficult to push days being our purse and belly were almost empty. Fortunately, among the two poorest people, I was rich and I helped him as much as possible. 

We shared and compared prospects of the job and salaries of the employees of the company and estimated a pay package of twenty five thousand. While days moved our dreams and aspirations also shrink and we were almost in a position of accepting a pay package of eight thousand. One day, as a bolt from the blue, we realized the truth - it was not a job; but only placement training. We were burnt out and cursed our teacher who pushed us to this trap. However, we hope to be a part of the organization as it had various projects. 

After a month, I was assigned for a field project and left the city. In between many things happened. Being I was very active in field projects I managed to bring their positive nod and became the only one who was in the final selection. The third among us was already decided to quit from there being it was not a cup of her tea.

It was another day of disappointment where I realized I should also leave my (another) friend in the mid way of despair. I am not capable to recollect the day and the withered face of my friend whom we together shared all our aspirations and apprehensions. Now both my friends are in misery and lead a lackluster life that made me restless. However, I enjoyed my job and proud of the admiration, despite I had only a very meager income. Both of my friends were wandering here and there for a job; but nothing happened. At last they found some jobs somewhere and moved as I cherished with my menial earnings. 

I still remember the day where my friend called - he wants to stay somewhere away from his house being he was disturbed by multiple issues. He attended some training programs and interview in Bangalore and returned without any job. In between, my job profile and salary improved to a modest level and I was about to shift to a new job. I helped my friends many ways possible within my limitations; but that was not enough to serve the purpose. He once said "It is my forty third exam and I have no money with me to apply any more. However, I have no option and I should". It cannot be faded from my memory where a day he returned a few sum of money which he brought from me a few months ago. He face looked lifeless and his eyes became welled - up. With despair and deeply excruciating agony he commented "we born in fire, live in fire and how we proceed.......can't give up". To an extent...... I was also about breaking down. As a last resort, I tried to position him in my position while I leave my company; but he failed to get through that too.

While I asked him about his girl friend, he maintained a cruel silence that was apparently portraying his wounded heart. "I never call her after that incident; but we meet rarely. I know she still loves me and me too........." He called me the day where she engaged with a rich business man. He found down and filled with haplessness. Amid this, he and his family exchanged their blessings.   

World moved and changed that also started to leave traces of change to me and my friends. After continuous search another friend found a job in an MNC; fortunately that was absolutely suitable for his interest. He is now the Country Head of Finance (an IT MNC based in UK)

It was a quiet calm evening around eight O' clock; my friend called me in rush. He was in jubilation and festivity. He said; "results are out; I am in the list. My rank is 72". It erupted and became an ecstasy. I was the first person to hear the glad news from him.  My friend is going to be a civil servant, one of the most prestigious posts in the Government of India.  

After years, we still continue as friends. We often share our past days and future plans and stay together once in a while. When I last met him at Trivandrum a few months ago and stayed with him for a couple of days; I understood; it will take more time to get a relief from injuries. He accepted frankly; “it often irks me deeply and not easy to obliterate from the walls of my heart”.

Very recently, I heard about the other side of the story. My friend only shared it with sadness. "Her father died in an accident after a few months of her marriage and a subsequent stroke made her mother a lifelong paralyzed. Adding salt to injuries, the baby she carried during this mourning period found lifeless after nine months".

I was stumbled and elusive. After a few days, I wrote a mail to my friend.......

"Deeply disturbed and upset over the pre-mature death of the infant of a already despaired lady in torturing fire of agony and anguish. After and introspect and ponder over the plight my fellow friend experienced for a long period, I am afraid to reasoning in to a probables and apprehend to blame my miffed friend. Though the sad state of developments became a bless in disguise to you, the repercussions cannot be afford by any human minds. 

The bad luck consistently haunt your friend may be curbed by a pious wish of yours. To grind a halt to her miseries and worries, let's pray for the poor girl for a while.

Certain things which are definitely beyond our control; she may be forced to follow the principle. But the truth alone will triumph at last, which proved right. 

Don't be mowed at any time. Be Resilent

With you at this sad moment.

Your friend in rain and rush

@P

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A Red Letter Day

It marked as a red letter day due to certain unique experiences and memorable events. I refer to the winding – up and valedictory session of Banking and Finance batch at the SDC Kattappana. Exhibiting their confidence and courage, a group of thirty made everything well by their inexplicable harmonious rhythm and sweet melodies. 

Beginning with a prayer song and an introduction, Mahesh stolen the show by his exemplary endeavor to express the skill he gained from ASAP, followed by the awe inspiring words of master Albin. Though Albin is from a very humble background, the values, attitudes and determination he holds is more than suffice to guide him to a bright future. “I was not at all confident to stand in front of even a sparsely audience and really longed to speak in English; but I was helpless and clueless. But ASAP blessed me with all the wishes materialized. Now I have no fear to stand even if the audience crosses thousands. I am at a dire need of a job and I should find a suitable career immediately after this course. Yes; I move unstoppable with this mission in mind”. He said in English.

It was a heart touching experience to me attending the whole function in English which was a far dream at my school days.  When students start one by one and shower praise and appreciations to their beloved teacher Shanthi and offer a gift as a token of their gratitude; she found almost at the brim of breaking down.  

They also remembered to thank the unrelenting support provided by Ms. Veena, PM, ASAP. Controlling their erupting emotions, students exchanged heartfelt thanks and shared sweets as a symbol of their everlasting commitment to everyone. Mr. Suneesh, Paul (PM's), and Kavitha spoke. It really marked as a red letter day in my life. 

A good Precedent - ASAP, Kattappana Government College

I was closely observing the foundation course for a few days which made me to trip down the memory lane of my college days where my ‘sole inspiring teacher’ always kept us away from the comfort zone of speaking mother tongue by speaking only in English, which enabled us to stretch our tongue muscles to try English. I am extremely indebted to my teacher, he helped us in many ways and taught “just try your hand first and be a master”.

I refer this to the Skill Development Executive (SDE) at the Government College Kattappana Ms. Geethu who reflects the same in the class and produces apparent results. When I looked at the tender faces of ASAP cadets, the exuberance they exhibit and the determination they hold on communication marveled me; while I try to recollect my same days from my foggy memory. Let the God Almighty empower them to pitch with great pace.

I personally believe this is a good precedent (at least for ASAP Foundation Course) that really lacks in our government institutions; above all Geethu is an emulating model for SDEs’. Being a stronghold, Ms. Veena, PM at the SDC always lend her hand for support and becomes a motivating figure to students with her generous attitude. Let’s wish, the hope ASAP brought in SDC Kattappana, may radiate all over.

ADDING SWEETS TO SMILE; DAUGHTER OF A SWEET MERCHANT

ADDING SWEETS TO SMILE; DAUGHTER OF A SWEET MERCHANT

“Siya has sufficiently good earnings for survival and has well family background. Her father basically a small sweet merchant who prepares sweets for ceremonial occasions; but he normally works in a bricks making yard. Siya is well versed in sweet preparation and often lends her hands for the support of her parents. However, she is always worried about the bad fate of her sister who was divorced by her husband after a short mental stroke; lives with them for a year. “Anyhow, I need a job to support my parents”; she says. 

Siya is a second year commerce batch student at the government Tribal Higher secondary School, Peringassery. She is average in studies and regular in both school and ASAP courses. Opting certificate course in Mutual Fund Agent, she feels satisfied with ASAP programs. Siya is very concerned about her family and take due care to peruse her ASAP aspirations.

She is not yet equipped to leave the painful memories in connection to her sister to oblivion. It happened after three months of the marriage of her sister. While she was working in the field, she terrified by something. Henceforth she became mentally challenged and began to respond very slowly. She fears to face people and not yet back to normal life. Her husband was not ready to afford this fate and sent her back to her home. That incident created a deep wound in the minds of young Siya, she ponders over the reasons behind sorrow and the bond which connects people. However, her sister lives with her parents while trying their hands in sweet preparation.

Siya’s father Sulfath Nazar was working in a brick making yard. He found it very hard and forced to discontinue considering the hectic and hazardous nature of the job. He now joined with her family and active in sweets business. When I asked about her sister, her mother replied; “she was very brilliant in studies and highest in school, but the destiny didn’t allow leading a family. She now supports us in works”. 

They like to find her daughter to be employed somewhere. That may be a great relief to their worrisome life. When I asked about her experiences with ASAP, she offered me a bundle of sweets along with a warm smile. Having tasting sweets mixed with smile seems special. Further she added, “I really enjoyed ASAP classes. It is a great sort of help to improving my IT skill. It also benefitted to developing my language and communication ability”. After short pause, she compelled me to have one more sweet, I reverted with a gentle smile and wished her all the best. 

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FROM THE HINTERLANDS OF IDUKKI

FROM THE HINTERLANDS OF IDUKKI

“She has no colorful dreams for her future. Just wants to push her days as an ordinary woman. Probably, she is a student suffers more to reach the school at time. I am afraid, not less than an hour journey through a deserted road covered with woods and thorns may restrict her from early morning classes. She reaches her house after seven many days; her mother says. The hardships and struggles she undertakes should be praised’.

Sruthi set out from a place where the Venniyani Mala situated. It was around a decade ago that terrible incident happened in her small village. Someone of us may remember Victor George, a chief photographer of the Malayala Manorama who died on July 9, 2001 while attempting to cover a landslide that had claimed three lives in Cheppukulam. Victor was washed away in that afternoon when the torrential rains unleashed a second landslide. Sruthi’s family was one among the victims of the landslide where an acre of land lashed away in that eruption.

Her house situated besides a picturesque stream flows with a unique rhythm and exuberance. It feels like ‘inside a jungle’. Walking for a long time, I reached her very weak and old small house. Her parents work as rubber tappers in a nearby estate. She also has a shy brother who studies with her in the same school. Sruthi is a second year humanities batch student opted Certificate Course in Junior Rubber Technician (JRT) with an ambition to get a job in rubber park, Perumbavoor. 

Despite she wants to continue her study, her immediate priority is to find a job. “Being she is only an average in studies and showing slight weak in learning, it is better for her to choose a job’ her teacher says. Sruthi’s father is a heart patient and needs to spend thousands of rupees for medicines and treatment. Amidst ill-health he works in the field to find earnings. Considering the poor health of her husband, Bindu, her mother needs to take care of her husband and to be a leading role in the family. While discussing about Sruthi, her mother actually pleaded for a job for her daughter, being their current income is not sufficient for anything. At utmost despair, she requested me to find some job for her child even in Kochi. 

Surthi is very thankful to ASAP course. Though she didn’t elaborate on the program, she found very happy with her experiences with ASAP and aspires for a suitable job. I was not in a position to speak more, being it was too late. I pushed off from that shadow of a deep valley after wishing all the lucks to our ASAPian.

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LIVE IN A TORTURING FIRE

LIVE IN A TORTURING FIRE

“Yet another story of broken family, Gulathi and her mother survive along with their sister in a rented house. Her eyes become welled up when she explains the tribulations and torture her mother experienced. Having criminal backgrounds, his father once smashed her wife’s vertebra followed by a quarrel. Being a victim of the bad effects of alcohol, she suffers silently and strives to find a meaning to her life”. 

Wavering while weaving her dreams
Life with a drunkard is miserable. Story of Gulathi proves it right. It is fact that this social evil kills peace and tranquility of people. This may be the reason behind the warning on drunkenness in the Bible. “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again”.

Gulathi is a second year Commerce students lives with her mother and younger sister in a rented house. Her father left her around seven years ago and lives with another lady. He was afflicted by drunkenness that in turn collapsed her family and life. Addiction to alcohol made him horrific and that dared him to involve with furious quarrels.

She remembers a quarrelsome day where her father and mother started with a verbal fight. That ended at tragedy; he hit her fatally and crumpled her vertebra. Henceforth, she undergoes different treatment and not yet recovered from the pains of that torment. However, she finds for survival by working in a hostel kitchen nearby. He was arrested for various criminal offences. She was trying control her tears while explaining her heart breaking story. 

However, her father is very fond to his children. They meet once in a while and exchange their feelings. But, that’s not enough to satisfy the deficit of a family. She was the first student I interacted in the school. Gulathi opted certificate course in Mutual Fund Agent. When I asked her to write about ASAP and her experiences, she wrote a two page matter and given to me. A summary of her feedback is as follows. ASAP and Me – Unstoppable “I am very happy to be an ASAP student. My skill development centre is at Perumbavoor, around eighty kilometers away from here. Being a student elected certificate course in mutual fund agent, I feel highly satisfied with the skill course. I try my level best to score high in exams, being I am aware about the benefits of this course. We can identify our hidden talents and abilities through ASAP programs.

It helped me to improve my communication, language, IT skills etc. One of the advantages of the course at SDC is that we get an opportunity to interact with people from different schools and areas that contributes to improve ourselves and provide better exposure. Skill course at the SDC really helped me to maintain good marks in my school subjects. To sit in the classes of well experienced and professional teachers is a rare opportunity. I fell privileged and thank to ASAP program. 

I am now confident about my future and will be a herald to spread the goodness of ASAP to my friends. I also believe that I can perform any job at my capacity very well. At last, I am in a dire need for a job and to find a job is my aim. Though I am confident, I will be truly happy if I get placed through ASAP”. 

A question people often ask hints to the job prospects of ASAP and the possibilities to be get placed through ASAP. Being students sacrifice their leisure and recreations for ASAP even though they gain skills, their questions and apprehensions need to be heard. As the success of a program totally depends up on its outcome, number of placements offered through ASAP course may be a gauge to measure its effectiveness.

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AN INQUISITIVE MIND OF ACADEMIC ACUMEN

AN INQUISITIVE MIND OF ACADEMIC ACUMEN

“Saranya comes from a hill land region of around five kilometers away from the school. She performs very well in academics and regular in ASAP classes. Being a second year science batch student, she is the first choice for teachers while sending students representatives for various programs and exhibitions. Even though Saranya has the intellect to climb high in the ladders of her career, she has only limited options. Her parents are more interested to find a job for her and very curious about the employment opportunities after this course. However, she is determined to peruse her study along with a job.”

ASAP – a change agent 
She remembers her first day in the class. Teacher asked her to introduce herself. She stood in front of the students. Though she tried to speak, her voice didn't come out; her tongues became dry and stomach filled with butterflies. At her wits’ end she succumbed to stage fear and returned to his place. 

Aspiring mind – to be an M. Tech in Rubber Technology 
Things have changed after she enrolled as an ASAP member. “It was a great experience to join with ASAP. It improved my communication skill and enhanced my self confidence. My stage fear vanished away after the foundation course. We got a number of opportunities to face people and to interact with students from different schools. I think ASAP program should make available to all”. She is a second year science students and opted certificate course in Rubber Technology. ASAP skill course influenced her a lot. Now she desires to take M.Tech in Rubber Technology.

Academic Acumen 
“Saranya is very serious in studies. She is also regular and keen in academics. Since she will not leave the school after all her doubts cleared, we normally give special consideration to her requirements’; science teacher said. “She handles things with due care and utter intelligence. Though she is not very outstanding, she undertakes duties with high responsibility and sufficient maturity. She often represents the school in science exhibitions, seminars etc.” Mr. Johnson, Skill Development Executive at the school said. Mr. Babu, faculty coordinator of ASAP has similar opinion. “She is one among the students who considers ASAP course with its own importance. She has sufficient attendance both in the foundation course as well as in the skill course. I would suggest you to select her, if any opportunity comes”; he said.

Sarnya has to take a long walk every day to reach his school. Being her house is in a high range region, it becomes more tiring. But she leads a happy life with his parents. Her father is engaged in rubber tapping and mother is a house wife. When I talk to her father, he was very anxious about the job prospectus of the course and its possibilities. Despite Saranya is good in studies and like to peruse her career in technology, he can’t afford the huge costs involved in education.

However, Saranya is not much worried about her future. She is determined to find a job to charge her dreams so that she can build her career in Rubber Technology. I firmly believe that the self-confidence she gained from ASAP is enough to fuel her future.

A BOY WITH A DIFFERENT NATURE; ASPIRES TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR

A BOY WITH A DIFFERENT NATURE; ASPIRES TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR

“He is a man with certain values and principles. Obviously, it was inherited from his parents, who are an embodiment to their children. Master Job is an equally accepted person among all and ready to lend support wherever and whenever required. Being a student of the certificate course in plumbing, he shows extraordinary skill in his sector and equipped to do job very professionally. Inter alia, he is an experienced hand in rubber tapping, stone walling, painting, cooking, concreting etc. Taking leverage out of the ASAP experiences, he aspires to be an entrepreneur in plumbing.” 

A good name 
Solomon, ‘the king of wisdom’ once said; “a good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth”. Though to gain a good image is a difficult, Master Job has succeeded in earning a good name. He is a second year Humanities student at the Government Tribal Higher secondary school at Peringassery, Thodupuzha. He needs no more introductions to his teachers or students, being he leaves his own foot mark by his unique nature.
According to Mr. Babu, faculty coordinator of ASAP at the school; “He is one among the most dedicated students of ASAP; hence deserve a job immediately after the course. He exhibits exemplary skills in diverse areas, and he always says ‘I am confident to undertake plumbing works”. Mr. Johnson, Skill Development Executive (SDE) at the school said; “being a human, Job needs special recognition. He is a helping hand to everyone and seen very attentive in the class”. “He loses temper and feels irritated some times. But he is very active in class and supportive in all our programs”. Ms. Jaseentha, school principal says. 

An edifice in a rocky foundation
His parents are ardent believers. Access to their home feels a little bit arduous; being it’s in a rocky terrain. While I walking through this uneven path towards his house, I remembered the words of Jesus Christ; “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Mr. George, father of Job, locally known as ‘Johnny’ is a man of values and ethics, was very scrupulous in nurturing his only one child. He taught him a bouquet of skills just to equip him stands alone. Mr. Johnny is also a person with multiple syndromes. A sudden heart stroke, while he has been fighting against asthma for a number of years, worsened his situation. As a bolt in blues, one of his kidneys started dysfunction after a few years. Thereafter, he decided to keep himself away from all kind of painstaking tasks and to lead a normal life. He now finds sustenance from rubber tapping. Now he is in an endeavor to start a way side ‘thattukada’. His wife Chinnamma is with him in all ups and downs as a comforter. Despite all the illness, he looks smart and vibrant with a heartening smile.

Being he was very aware about his sad state of affairs, he was compelled to teach his child a dozen of skilled or semi skilled jobs. “I wanted to see my child stand independently, if the Destiny decides me to leave him at his young age. I taught him plumbing, rubber tapping, farming, concreting, stonewalling etc. But, I never allowed him to work for earning”; He said. Further, he added, “I give him all the freedom. At the same time, I cautioned him about all the pros and cons and consequence of actions. So far, he never breached any boundaries we marked in our minds”. Mr. Johnny and family stay in a house constructed in five cents. He also has an agriculture field, where he planted different verities of corps. He has a policy of not using any chemical as it badly affects land, people and profit. Being pure organic, his products has huge demand in the market which are being sold away within minutes. Responding to his fondness to organic farming, he said; “I know the pain and perils cause by ill-health. Being I can’t give poison to my kids, I also can’t supply products which can create long lasting repercussions in the future generation”.

Entrepreneurial mind of an ASAPian
Master Job is studious at his home. I was amazed by his commendable sole effort to construct two rooms of his house. A stonewall constructed beautifully by Job around his compound requires special mention. The task became very strenuous; being his house is around two hundred meters away from vehicle access. I love to call it as ‘an art of stone walling’, being it has an absolute completeness and perfection. He also planted a few corps in the surrounding area. He made everything perfect without any external pressure and his own accord. He also helps his friends and neighbors to rectify problems if any in their plumbing lines. As a responsible student as well as a child, he is an embodiment to everyone. Job behaved very politely and with kindness. His interaction with teachers and elders has an exuberance to plunder their hearts. Being an individual carries multiple health risks, he doesn’t like to send his single child away from his sight. At the same time, he is eager to see Job employed after his course. Despite all the aspirations and apprehensions, he leaves everything to the hands of God Almighty. “I am a servant of God who is obliged to perform all the duties he gives to be. Whatever I do is for the fulfillment his satisfaction and everything is by his merit and not by my credit”; he concluded. Job requires someone to power his dreams. However, he hopefully steps ahead with the hope of a bright future. Let the confidence he gained from ASAP transform his life and may lead him till he achieves his mission. 

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STRIVE TO SURVIVE; LOOKING FOR KIND HEARTS

STRIVE TO SURVIVE; LOOKING FOR KIND HEARTS

“Broken family is not a rare seen in this region. Children either loose share of love of their mothers’ or fathers’ or are forced to be the mute witness of daily quarrels between their parents. When many instances, alcohol become a villain, certain cases remain elusive. Anoopa is one among the victims of afflicted families. Though she is brilliant in study and aspires to grow, the prevailing issues bring scratches to his dreams” 

Search for a ray of hope amid miseries
Let me begin with a quote of Christina Aguilera with the hope of it may console the grieving mind of Anoopa; “my parent's divorce and hard times at school, all those things combined to mold me, to make me grow up quicker. And it gave me the drive to pursue my dreams that I wouldn't necessarily have had otherwise”. Her dark days started when her father decided to leave her and to live with her friend’s mother. Adding salt to their injuries, when he went away leaving her wife and daughters, he also remembered to offer them a huge burden of liabilities. When she survives along with her mother in a very old and pathetic mansion which may be confiscated any time, she has only one aim; “at any cost I should comfort my loving mother with my humble deeds”.

It is a proved fact; broken family is always stressful for children. Many children in this situation experience hard time and undergo severe mental trepidation. It increases the risk that children will suffer from psychological and behavioral problems that are likely to develop problems with anger, disobedience, and rule violations. Students may compromise their education and become depressed and anxious. Many resilient children still report painful memories and ongoing worries about the broken relationship between their parents. Though these are the realities, Anoopa still lives with hope. In the mid of ebbs and flows; she says “I see my father only once in a blue moon, but my mother doesn’t allow me to talk to him. Being my mother shoulders all the pains and fears, I don’t do anything which makes my mom worry”. The agony, perils and plights that she should carry at her very young age cannot be affordable to anyone.

Anoopa also has an younger sister studies in ninth standard. Her mother works in the field to find sustenance and to make arrangements for the studies of her children. Being their house located in a hilly area far away from the centre, they need to struggle hard to avail various services. Her mother Anoopa wants her children to study more; but she truly gave up her aspiration, as the situation demands immediate requirement of a job. At the same time she doesn’t like to send her children away from her sight.

ASAP made me to stand confident 
She is one among the toppers in school and secured highest mark in the skill course- Certificate in Banking and Finance Professionals. Her achievements are to appreciated while considering her miserable life. “She is very good at studies, attentive, polite and regular’; teachers said. She studies in the second year Commerce batch. Anoopa believes that ASAP has made a significant change in her life. According to her; “It was a great privilege to be an ASAP student. Classes are outstanding. It improved my communication skill, confidence and knowledge. Now I am confident to speak English in front of others without any inhibition. ASAP has also helped to increase my IT skills. Above all, it provides me energy to strive hard despite all ambiguities on future”. When lives in a weak structure to be acquired any time by the lenders, they seek some kind hearts to get them out of woods. If someone can lend their hands for support, that will be of great relief to their brewing concerns. 

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TWIN SISTERS FROM THE HIGHLAND; SMILE IN THE LACKLUSTER LIFE

TWIN SISTERS FROM THE HIGHLAND; SMILE IN THE LACKLUSTER LIFE

“This was at the first time; their mother disclosed a hard truth. With wiping tears, she moved with compassion and embraced her children. Her throught stumbled and said “my days are counted, should leave you soon”. Anitha and Athira, the twin sisters shocked for a moment and paced to the corners of their small house. They broke down. I could never take a trip down the memory lane without my eyes welling up with tears with these loving children’s stories, hardships, and miseries all resonating in my inner self”.

Aspiring Minds
Suppressing their worries they always greet us with charming smiles. As their voice, they exhibit compassion and affection to everyone. The story of Anitha and Athira, twin sisters at the government Tribal Higher Secondary School is entirely different from others. Both of them are in second year commerce batch specialized in the certification of Banking and Finance. They stay with her parents and an elder brother who works in Trivandrum. Their father engaged in rubber tapping whereas mother is a beneficiary of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), despite her chronic illness. 

Painful Moments 
It was at the first time; their mother disclosed a sad truth. She was trying to control her erupting emotions. Proving true the words of Voltaire “every man is a walking volcano”, with tears rolling on her cheeks, she moved with compassion and embraced her children. With a stumbling block, she said “my days are counted, should leave you soon. This is the first time I unravel this sad fact before my children”. Anitha and Athira were seen slowly pacing towards the corners of their small house and weeping with deep agony. I could never take a trip down the memory lane without my eyes welling up with tears with these loving children’s stories, hardships, and miseries all resonating in my inner self.
It was around seven years ago, that bad luck started to haunt them. Followed by a heart stroke, Lalitha – their mother became weak and sluggish. After a few years, the same ill-health shattered their family very badly. Hence forth, Lalitha stopped to go for working outside. But her background tempted her to find some source for sustenance. Expenses for treatment and medicine, housing loan from the bank, and education of her beloved kids worsen her worries and miseries. Even though their father stationed somewhere away from the home and work as a rubber tapper, that was not sufficient for anything; being he spends a good sum of money for beverages. When I asked them about their father and brother, they kept a long silence. However, ignoring her bad health and weakening soma, still now, Lalitha works as an MNREGA beneficiary, only for the love of her children. Anjali and Anitha try their level best to ameliorate their situation by taking tuitions. When Anjali and Athira wish to go for higher study, their mother is at her wits end, not even capable to think about next day. “Being an individual who finds unease to meet the both ends of life, cannot dare to dream. I can’t even imagine the day they marry. We have huge liabilities that cannot be settled with our meager income. I at least want to see my children stand independent with a job, before my last breath”. Laitha said. 

Rays of hope
ASAP was a blessing to them. “My score for English was only 52%. After I joined ASAP, it got enhanced to 71%” said Athira. She continued; “ASAP is an excellent program. When I joined in ASAP, I had an inhibition to speak English. But now I overcome that fear and able to speak English fluently”. When Angali feel very proud of her sister, she also has a number of things to comment on ASAP. “I was very shy and introvert. I was neither confident to speak publically nor equipped to communicate properly to others. Additionally, I was very afraid to travel especially to distance places. But ASAP evaded all my fears and helped me to stand independent and speak boldly. Opportunities to attend skill courses away from my home place dared me to travel, and provided me an opportunity to interact with students from diverse backgrounds. That really contributed to melt all my fears and shyness away from my premises. Now I am very confident about myself”. 

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ASAP paves way for her aspirations

ASAP paves way for her aspirations

Though there are no reasons to cherish, her face always looks smiley despite her wet eyes hint the agony she carries. A second year economic graduate from the government college Kattappna, Athira still holds the dreams for future. It was heart-breaking to listen to her sad state of affairs which melt away all the ‘so called’ claims of excuses we often find.

From the very days of her infancy, Athira’s mother was a salve of the chronic arthritis. “My father spent lots of money and resources to get rid from the illness of our mother; but all our efforts went vain; and gradually it went in to oblivion while my father forced to bear more responsibilities of our family. Now routine medicine and treatment are like once in blue moon to my mother”. Athira said. When pushing their hard days as a disguise, her beloved father became another victim of the destiny.  The blot from blues visited her father as a small growth in the throat that later found severe cancer. Hence after, the whole responsibility of the family fall in to the shoulders her only sister; she became a labor at the nearby cardamom plantation.

Initially they treated her father in a government medical college; witnessing the excruciating pain of his fellow members, who undergo the same plight, tempted him to try for indigenous medicines. Cost for medicine now reduced to around six thousand rupees for twenty days from an exorbitant rates earlier; apart from the expenses for her mother. The course of medicine interrupted many times due to their consistent wander to sustain. It was a day where her father failed to take the course for two months continuously and in a deep pain, an amount of five thousand reached her house unexpectedly.  She became filled with gratification and gratitude, while I ask her about the Jyothis Fund – charity fund of ASAP. She received an amount of ten thousand rupees in two installments during last year.  Arati continued; “the amount was a blessing to us and the whole money used for the treatment of my father immediately after its delivery.’”

Sister of Athira at her twenty eight, still strive hard to meet their daily needs as a solitude warrior. When her parents long to see her to be married at the earliest, that seems very difficult; when all sympathizes at their pathetic situation.  Athira aspires to complete her P.G amidst all the challenges she needs to face in her ways. ASAP added her confidence, IT skill and communications ability; with the courage gained from ASAP as a student of certificate course in customer care, she still marches against all the bad fates she should encounter in the patched paths ahead.

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. LIFE IN A DIFFICULT TERRAIN

LIFE IN A DIFFICULT TERRAIN

“Franklin, a fifteen year boy has the responsibility to take care of his family along with his studies. His toiled days and nights made him rough and harsh, education seems a mundane concept to him. The hard experiences he had never allow him to dream more and forced him to push his days as an ordinary individual. Shattered family background tempted him to join with a wide circle of friends with similar feathers. When probe in to the nittigritties of his journey; we become clueless, silent and may conclude “life is difficult”. 

So many questions! Answers are few. 
The campaign theme - the bouncy popular song of the American statesman and political leader Franklin D Roosevelt in 1932 was popularly known as “Happy Days Are Here Again”. Can we expect such a fair weather in the case of Franklin? It seems unlikely. He is neither an apple eye to teachers nor brilliant in studies. But he has an indomitable spirit to conquer his own built kingdom. He finds happiness by revolving around with his friends and work in a poultry farm. His sole aim is to get out from the melancholic life he has. However, it remains obscure to many of his acquaintances. Franklin is a second year commerce student in the class. He joined in ASAP for perusing certificate course in plumbing. He is not regular in school as well as in ASAP classes, neither interested in study nor in skill courses. When we dig in to the depth of the ways he traveled and the solitude he experiences, we too will refrain from blaming his actions. However, in the eyes of his teachers, he is a headache and a student with recalcitrant attitude. 

Hails from a hilly terrain
Franklin’s abode is very near to the forest; more specifically it located at the edge of the apex of upper boundary. It requires adequate physique to reach his dwelling place, being the path towards his house is hectic and adventurous. His sister also studies in the same school and survives along with his mother. She needs to undertake rigorous trials everyday to fetch water from a far distance place. I was asking about their parents; with a lethargic mood, he replied; “Father stays with his father in Thiruvananthapuram and mother went for some works”. We often call his parents to visit the school; but they hardly respond; teacher said. The structure they stay cannot be called as a house or building; better to call it as good shelter covered with tarpaulin. When we ask about his immediate priority, he will say “I want to build a house”. Life is not only terrible but also challenging to him. That may be the reason behind his determined effort to spend his hard earned money.

Hard days of Franklin
His day starts in a nearby poultry farm and end at the same place. His neighbors say ‘he reaches his house very late and behave very rigid to his mother’. I made a visitation to his house and sat with him for an hour. He found very innocent and shown great affection. Franklin opened his mouth and mind just to express his hardships. “I start work at the farm at around four O’ clock every morning. I have to carry poultry feed bags weigh around fifty kilograms and to work very hard in the farm. In between, I find some time to go to school. Being my friends are very close to me, I can’t simply ignore their requirements”; he said. He has a new bike which he bought with his hard earned money. He also involved in a few tussles happened between his fellow members. However, he feels very satisfied with ASAP events. In response to my questions on ASAP programs; he said. “ASAP classes are highly useful. It improved my IT skills and developed my communication abilities”. The question still irks my mind is “whom should be blamed for his character? “and “what kind change can we bring to people like Franklin?”.

TO BE A PROTAGONIST IN THE DRAMATIC OF LIFE

TO BE A PROTAGONIST IN THE DRAMATIC OF LIFE

“Master Aswin a little bit serious in attire aspires to become an actor, being he coordinates well and acceptable among his fellow friends, believes that he can take leverage out of his drama experience in school. His versatility in IT and travel make him unique among ASAPians. Aswin exhibits his courage and confidence by taking responsibilities at his tender age.”

Dreams for future
At the very outset, he commented “I really love ASAP skill development program and courses. I am hopefully longing to embrace a bright future”. Being many great people didn’t know that heart stirring moments are in store for them in future at their childhood; his dreams cannot be summarily ignored. “I was involved in drama club and various other activities at school from the beginning. Even though, still I have a strong passion for engaging with similar activities, I feel difficult to find likeminded people. However, I really enjoy organizing events and taking part activities of similar in nature”; said Aswin. 

The mind of a tech savvy
To call a spade a spade, it seems exaggerating while he speaks. He was working as a part-time graphic designer at Global info-tech, a Bangalore based company. At his fifteens, he earned around 1.5 lakhs in a year by working two hours a day. Aswin was the coordinator of youth festivals and a main character in drama in his school days. This may ignited his drive to be an actor. He loves travelling and experience adventure journeys. Being him already has a niche in the temple of fame as a dramatist and techno savvy; his hanker after for achievements seems praise worthy. The same was reflected and felt true while I engaged in a close to heart interaction with Aswin. 

The way ASAP influenced
“He grabs things well and gets noticed immediately by his self-start and initiative in nature. Aswin needs no special attention as he gained amble knowledge in IT. He also has better communication skill compared to others”. Said; Mr. Johnson, Skill Development Executive (SDE) at the centre. “He is at a call distance whenever we face difficult to understand IT subjects” says an ASAP student. According to teachers, he takes leading role in school functions which requires coordination and participation especially in the matter of events. Aswin recalls; his mark for English was thirty five out of eighty that improved to sixty six after he enrolled in ASAP. 

Freedom to Choose 
His family consists of father, mother, younger brother and grandparents. His father is an upholstery worker and mother is a home maker. Despite his mother has certain illness, she is very supportive to his aspirations. A walking distance from the main road, his small mansion doesn’t have enough space to accommodate all. In the midst of apprehensions, he is not ready to disown his ambitions. Beyond any doubt of uncertainty, he decided to move ahead.

Aswin enjoys freedom of choice in his career, being his parents leave everything to his choice. Though he carries his dreams on drama and belongs to Humanities stream, he has certain plans to climb on the ladders of career in IT. He believes his cousin and teachers will help him to power his dreams. Harriet Tubman once said; “every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world”. Let’s wish may the God Almighty empower him to chase his dreams unrelentingly. 

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INNOVATE FOR SURVIVAL; AN UNFAILING ATTITUDE FOR SUSTENANCE

INNOVATE FOR SURVIVAL; AN UNFAILING ATTITUDE FOR SUSTENANCE

“A young charming boy hails from an outskirt of a village resides in the mid of woody and thorny bushes, innovates for survival. Even though absence of electricity, lack of connectivity, and insufficient earnings pull him back, he is not ready to fail. His inquisitive mind to understand the nuances of the working nature of electrical appliances and to overcome the dark tiring nights made him to reproduce solar equipments from scraps. He is also a helping hand to his parents in their farm fields”. 

The Day begins
‘Christmas Day in the Morning’, a thrilling short story by Pearl S. Buck starts like this; “he waked suddenly and completely. It was four o’clock, the hour at which his father had always called him to get up and help with the milking”. The case is reverse in the case of Cibin. He wakes up four o’clock in the morning and calls her parents to wake-up to milk the cow. When Buck offered a surprise gift to her parents in a Christmas day by rose-up earlier than four o’clock, and got all the milking done, “Cibin initiatives our work in the cattle farm. He is really a helping hand”; his mother says. 

Muddy and Woody land 
Beyond the back, Cibin’s house is away from the main land and can be reached after a tough journey through muddy and rough roads. The gentle stream Voolar river flows near to his house adds beauty to their lives. His parents bought land in this region where only eight residents, many of them either sold or already left there dwellings because of difficult survival; just to get rid from a deep debt crisis. Though fresh air, water and picturesque nature bless them, they are forced to go to bed early; being electricity is a far dream for them. His small house and its premises are surrounded with different domestic animals and colorful birds.

Provoke to innovate
Cibin was not willing to easily give up. His mind travelled in wilderness, pondered over the ways to bring a grinding halt to his hard days. His curiosity in electronics helped him at last; with a few scraps of electronics appliances, Cibin managed to make a couple solar lamps which flashed light in to his dark tiring nights. His invention didn’t end with these solar lamps. His never ending exploration and probing in to the working principles of electronic appliances equipped him to develop ‘an indigenous motor fan’ and a ‘mobile phone sound amplifier’. His experiments of developing a motor fan sound interesting. Leaves carved from the metal sheets, a pellet, and a regulator was enough for this invention. An in-depth search on the working principles of DVD players triggered his mind to create a mobile phone sound amplifier. “Cibin is a sort of an immediate resort to rectify our electrical issues. He is a like a local electrician to us”. Said; a friend and neighbor of Cibin.

ASAP Experiences Master 
Cibin was very eager to join for a certificate course in Electronics. Though his first enquiry to ASAP was this, while choosing skill course; he was left without many options, as the bouquet offered by ASAP was limited. However, he decided to join for Certificate Course in Junior Rubber Technician (JRT). “ASAP improved my confidence and dared to think for a job after my plus two”. Cibin said. He is a second year science group student in school and average in his studies. Teachers have good opinion about Cibin. Despite he wants to pursue his career, he prefers to work along with his studies After hard episodes in his life, Thomas Alva Edison once said; “my mother was the making of me... She was always so true and sure of me... And always made me feel I had someone to live for and must not disappoint”. Being an ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), his teacher was once called young Edison “addled”. After spending three months in a noisy class room, his formal schooling ended. But he revived by the constant inspiration of his mother that made him as “"the Wizard of Menlo Park". When people demarcate students on the basis of low academic scores, more emphasis should be on unveiling the latent talents and skills; that may be the learning from Cibin’s story. Initiatives like ASAP can bring hope to their lives by nurturing and fostering the hidden talents within.

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With a Different Mission

ASAP - Adding Smiles to Aspiring People

The day started with a stunning ride heading towards Kattappana whirling through misty mountains and deep valleys. The day truly persuaded me to think about the ways to bring a grinding halt to the miseries and perils of young buds in the school. Students unveiled their mind by disclosing the hurdles and challenges they face at their tender age. Behold and behold, even my eyes became wet when I happened to witness the lives heavily burdened with troubles, and tears rolling on their cheeks. 

I personally talked to a few students and also visited some of their houses. Situated beyond the back, it can be reached only after a hectic and dusty trial. Master Franklin and his sister Rinu study in the same school struggle a lot to meet both the ends of their life, survive with their mother in a shelter which is not easily accessible. Being his day starts at 4 A.M in a nearby farm and wants to return to job immediately after the school hour, he is not very regular.  Homes of Master Franklin and Ms. Sarnya are situated in a peak of the hill, ten kilometers away from the school. Master Job, one among the most vibrant ASAP cadets, is an embodiment by his well-matured words and deeds. Though he lives in a rocky terrain 15 km away from the school and strives hard with his parents to sustain, his family hopes for a bright future.   

I could never take a trip down the memory lane without my eyes welling up with tears with their stories, hardships, life style, cultures all resonating in my inner self. I will be continuing exploring the nuances of lives of students and the way ASAP influenced their career.

Beyond any second thought, students enthusiastically commented and cheered for ASAP, especially it has improved their communication skills and confidence. Despite a few aired their apprehensions, they still love to reminisce their good days at ASAP.

Program Manager, ASAP, Government of Kerala

A voice for the poor and deprived fades away

• Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer used to spend his evenings with a walk along the banks of the Kochi backwaters. He has to his credit around 70 books, mostly on law, and four travelogues.
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The legendary jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer, who took up the cause of the poor and the underprivileged in his capacities as a Minister in Kerala, a Supreme Court judge, and post-retirement, a human rights activist, is no more. He was 99.

“Without exaggeration or pessimism, I may sum up my long period in this world as the ‘home of lost causes, forsaken beliefs, unpopular names and impossible loyalties.’ What redeems my mind and mood is the satisfaction that I have dedicated my capacities not for making money but for wiping the tears of others — this being my tryst with destiny,” he said in the preface to his autobiography, Wandering in Many Worlds.

This humane bent of mind was on display earlier this year, when Justice Iyer, braving ill health, actively campaigned against the death penalty for the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. When the Supreme Court commuted the sentence, he wrote in an article, The barbarity of the death penalty, in The Hindu: “This marks a point where India has touched its cultural Everest.”

He took human suffering seriously

Krishna Iyer, an anonymous benefactor of society’s forgotten

Krishna Iyer had all the attributes expected of a judge: erudition, quickness of mind, good memory for decided cases and patience in deciding cases. Above all, Krishna Iyer possessed one outstanding quality. He took human suffering seriously, an indispensable requirement in the dispensation of justice. That is what made him not only a great judge but also a human being par excellence.

Krishna Iyer’s life was spent not in hankering after fame and fortune with pomp and glory but in the service of humanity with transparent sincerity. As a judge, Krishna Iyer had been the anonymous benefactor of numerous forgotten members of society whom we call prisoners and jail birds. No longer will they have to rot in jails in degrading and inhuman conditions; nor suffer the torture of iron bars or chains fastened on them.

Thanks to his judgments, the horrors of solitary confinement were banished. No more could the jailer and his minions be the monarchs of all they surveyed, because prisoners now have rights and remedies to combat prison arbitrariness and assert their human dignity.

Krishna Iyer also raised his voice in combating gender discrimination whereby several women have benefited. After retirement from the Bench, Krishna Iyer intensified his zest for service to his fellow beings. He had been on platforms in different parts of India and abroad, always raising his voice fearlessly for the downtrodden and exploited segments of humanity. He tirelessly filled the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run. Krishna Iyer led what can truly be described as a many splendoured life. He was truly a man for all seasons.

One outstanding human quality of Krishna Iyer was compassion. Compassion, not pity. There is a marked difference. Compassion is whereby we make others’ misery our own and which moves us to the relief of those who are in distress. His guiding star, his mission in life can be summed up in the moving poem by Emily Dickinson.

If I can stop one heart from breaking I shall not live in vain/If I can ease one life the aching or cool one pain/

Or help one fainting robin unto its nest again/I shall not live in vain.

Dear Krishna Iyer did not live in vain. Now you have departed from our midst leaving us orphaned. Goodnight good judge and may host of angels carry you to your eternal rest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Fine lawyer, eminent jurist, incredible philosopher and above all a phenomenal human being. I bow to Justice Krishna Iyer.”

(The hindu, KOCHI, December 4, 2014)

Who is the real Change Agent

You too can introspect

At the very outset, let me paint an answer to the question ‘why do you want to dedicate your time to achieving this vision?” with a question and an answer. It lies in the question “How people will remember you after a long journey in this world or what kind of footprint do you like to leave for your followers?” Let’s take a deep breath and revitalize! I did it and left without any clues. However, I reached a conclusion which is engraved in the lovely Chinese proverb; “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people”.

If the master is right, his disciples often go upright. This may the logic behind a Judge’s verdict to punish teachers and parents of an adult who committed a criminal offense.  Though we have myriad issues like meager infrastructure, inadequate sanitation facilities, lack of fund etc.; the real challenge we face today is the lack of accountability and shortage of behavioral skills of teachers. Today morning only I read an article titled ‘schools in danger’; reiterating ‘with public schools not performing and private schools teaching students to compete rather than learn, India’s primary sites of education are at risk’. Providing sufficient training for teachers to ensure imparting skills scientifically and correcting structural issues which brings down the accountability of teachers are the need of this hour. This can be achieved only through do a re-read on the value education approach of our father of Nation.

Education obliterates ignorance and a real teacher removes darkness. Though it’s a little philosophical, it is a truth that when vision vanishes people perish. A true education is not about desks and digits, but about daring to dream. A real educator provides roots and wings to silent kids who sit at his footsteps and eagerly watching at the teacher’s mouth to collect priceless treasures.  When our Abe sat under a street light to enunciate lessons, he never thought the changes it brings to him. Beyond any second thought Nelson Mandela proclaimed; “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.