I always considered myself not so lucky where gift vouchers , freebies and contests are concerned. Even in the ladies kitty parties the pittance prize money for participating to win in Tambola (Housie) too eludes me.
But today the jinx is broken and I am one of the twenty recipients of the early bird vouchers from Flipcart worth Rs. 500/- . The contest was organised by Blogadda , Do Right Stories : An initiative by Tata Capital.
You can read my post here.
I am one of the two winners of the Kwikdeko Wall decal. You can check it here.
One can buy Kwikdeko wall decal , to decorate the wall , door or any surface, for yourself or you can gift it to your friends.
I am sharing my Do RIght Stories at BlogAdda.com in association with Tata Capital.
In my maternal house we depended on the services of our household maid,
Gayabai , who was honest to the core and had been our Man Friday in times
of difficulties. Her work never attracted criticism but gathered awe in her
clean shiny dishes and sparkling floor. The cash and jewelry were as safe
as they could be in a bank locker in her presence. But any need arose she
would defend herself as a fierce lawyer and ask for her rightful share of
money but never ever thought of taking it by wrong means.
I had observed that my mother fed her everyday with the same fresh food as
we cooked and partook. She was never fed leftovers. One day as a matter of
curiosity , I questioned my mom about the same. My mom's answer revealed
a compassionate side of her personality who otherwise ruled us with an iron
hand. Mom told me that Gayabai being a needy lady who
toiled hard , honestly to make both ends meet, was not a lesser human
being than us. It was because of her hard work that we led a comfortable
life. Hence she should be respected that she so rightly deserves. My mom's
firm opinion that the needy be given their due self-respect helped in fostering
a life-long association with our Gayabai. She worked till the last day with my
mom .These associations still mean a lot to me.
During the festival of Diwali, the mom applied haldi (tumeric) and
kumkum(vermilion) on her forehead , as a mark of respect for a married lady,
presented her with flowers , green glass bangles and new saree , which was
bought specially from my mom's maternal town, famous for a particular
weave . Gayabai loved the attention , importance and respect given to her
by her employer on an auspicious occasion. After receiving her rightful share,
she would touch my mom's feet and ask for blessings for her family. I would
notice she had tears in her eyes as my mom was the only employer who
treated her in an humane way.
Though Gayabai was a woman of integrity and honesty she lacked the sharp
acumen that was needed to run a household. My mom taught her to plough
back a part of her earnings for a rainy day. For this my mom had kept side a
Bournvita tin box for her savings . In the beginning she resented my mom's
suggestion but mom was adamant. Whenever an extra work was done, my
mom added a descent amount to her kitty. Each month she was asked to
count her savings and her chest swelled with pride.Soon she made it a habit
to contribute to her tin box. At the time of her daughter's wedding , this
forced savings made by her stood in good stead. My mom contributed
towards buying steel utensils for her daughter. This tin box was Gayabai's
mutual fund and capital .She had thanked mom profusely for making her learn
a valuable lesson in savings.
My mom's preachings combined with her actions of kindness and compassion
sowed seeds of compassion,respect and kindness in my tender mind from
early childhood and all emotions went hand-in-hand and one without the
other is of no value. I do believe that as human being born on this earth,
whether loaded with money or not or bestowed with intelligence of varying
degrees, respect is paramount in the hierarchy of essential ingredients to
living. The honesty and integrity that dwelled in my maid's psyche was
recognised and respected in my home.
A good human emotion begets another good human emotion and the chain
continues. And I still try to continue the good-work handed down by my mom.
Readers, what are your views and do you agree with me?
My son was only four months, when I along with my mom and brother were returning by Hussain Sagar train. My son had a slight breathing problem but the doctor had assured that there was nothing to worry about and that he would be fine soon. But the mother in me was not satisfied and would unnecessarily worry a lot.I used to be very tensed. My mom had asked me to take it easy but I never heeded to her advice. We had our dinner in the train and I had breastfed my baby, when a lady came and asked us to allow her and her son to sleep in the passage(aisle) as they did not have a confirmed ticket. We agreed. She got her son from another berth and spread the bedding and made him sit down. I noticed that her son , I guessed him to be around 12 years of age, was a 'special' child. She fed him rice and sambhar and made him drink water, all the while talking sweetly and patiently. She patted her son's back ,appreciating him for partaking his dinner without fuss.She did not have an iota of worry , regret or irritation in her demeanor . Her calm attitude gave me courage. My mom looked at me and I read what she wanted to drive home the point.My son had a minor health issue and I had worry lines all writ over my face.As a result of my anxiety , I passed on the negative emotion to my baby .But this lady was a picture of calm posture and her positive behaviour must have rubbed on her child. I saw and I learnt that the emotions housed in oneself is passed on the off-spring,whether good or bad. I realised the truth in my doctor's advise. I try my level best to implement the said advise and I remember the lady with a 'special' child whenever I am having a difficult time.And most of my problems seem small.
Now my son has just entered his teens. Everyday we hear pedophile,kidnapping , ragging and teen suicide cases in the print and visual media. The parents of my son's classmates regularly discussed about these sensitive issues and we decided to educate our children subtly on these topics. Anybody touching the body parts indecently or an unknown person offering them sweets are not to be ignored but reported to the parents without delay. If the kids fared a bit poorly in academics, they should be lovingly encouraged to do better the next time. The parents in turn should enforce confidence and faith in their own children and that the children should not be afraid or hesitate to confide sensitive and delicate problems with their parents. Many untoward incidents can be averted by properly educating not only the children but the parents too. By open discussion with other parents , a broad spectrum of problems as well as its solution can be found out. I can say many cooks do not spoil the broth but enhance the flavour.
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