A Friend from Far Away by Dhruv Joshi

A Friend from Far Away by Dhruv Joshi

After spending restless days and sleepless nights for about a week over a research project in my college, I finally visited my students at Samvedana on 30^th December, Sunday. It was around 9 in the morning when I was about to start our regular class, Janaki madam came and told me that there is a history teacher from America who wants to take a class on history with the students. I was excited to know this and went straight to the class along with the kids.

There I first met this vibrant and energetic teacher, Will Cushing. He gave us information on Martin Luther King and his connection and relation with Gandhi, I helped translating couple of difficult English words into Gujarati for our students. But what I most liked and appreciate about his teaching ability is the fact that though he did not share a common language with the students, he could transcend the essence of the message he wanted to give, almost with negligible help of translator (perhaps Dilutor) like me.

After the lecture I met him and learned that he has done a study related to Gandhi, my curiosity further increased to know his approach and views on Gandhi. So I talked to Janaki Madam asking if I could get another opportunity to meet this friendly and enlightened young man. She quickly talked to him and arranged a dinner at her home on the 1^st of January. Meanwhile I had come to know that Will used to come to Samvedana every evening to teach students basket ball at 6 o clock. I was working on the current issue of our college wall magazine, and thought that it would be a good reading if an American teacher could share his views with us. So elated I was on getting this idea, that I did not wait for 1^st January dinner meeting and just went to Samvedana to request Mr. Will to write an article for us. At first I thought he would find such request rather frivolous, but on the contrary he willingly agreed to share his valuable thoughts with us. By now he was comfortable on the back seat of my bike (Even without a helmet!). On 31^st evening we departed thanking each other. Little idea I think we had that this accidental encounter was a beginning of a good friendship and a great learning experience for me.

We met on 1^st January at predetermined time to head towards Janaki madam’s home. We reached there 10-15 minutes earlier than the decided time. Janaki mam’s Grandfather in law had a good conversation with Will. Will, in the beginning found it bit hostile I guess but managed well. At this point what I liked about him was his ability to be polite as well as putting his view across firmly, grand father in law, was bit perturbed as he thought Will has come to India permanently, leaving all his duties to his parents. Will by citing example of his grand mother explained the distinction between the societies very well. On the dinner he talked mainly about his city though he also told us about apartheid, an inhuman system. On our way back I unintentionally revealed my deep rooted ambivalence to him.

I shared with him the guilt that I sometimes feel due my belonging to the class that is better off than most of my countrymen, he almost relating to this contradicting views of my mind calmly told me “you are not the only one to feel that ambivalence my friend, I also feel the same” this was so touchy that I could not stop water flowing from my eyes. It was delightful as well as surprising to know how could a person coming from such long distance share the same feeling that I had. I think this sharing and acknowledgement of that is what is human approach, and Will, for me, stand for this humanity which transcends all the borders and see the world as a whole. He also advised me (as he would advise his students) that to renounce everything and start living with the underprivileged ones would be a hypocrisy. We further talked about incidents which are a part of routine life but have larger significance. He also admitted his guilt for eating meat which in turn gives boost to meat industry which he later explained is dangerous for greenhouse effect. I think Will firmly believes that it is high time for us to learn live in balance with each other as the citizens of this earth.

He would have that, though this kid is not so bright, he is at least a good listener and a curious mind. So he invited me to Seva café for a dinner next day. I was more than ready to dine with him and know something more about his views so I accepted his offer at once.

Next day we met at Samvedana and headed towards the Seva café. By this time we had already conversed about my studies and education system in America and some other things while going from one place to the other on my bike. At seva café he treated me (Even after accusing me for being too polite with him) he shared a cogent argument behind the high number of deaths taking place in America due to gun shots. He explained why America had so many gun ownerships, with the help of the storyline of Micheal Moore’s movie. I also put across some analogous incidents that have taken place in India. I also asked him that wouldn’t it be better to any person to work in his own country, where he is aware of all the surroundings and situations. He almost agreed to my point and told that he also felt the same.

Will then told me the most important thing of all our conversations, he told me that he first used to teach at the interior school in America where there were rough kids. He, that being his first job was very idealistic and excited about teaching to these poor children. Then he tells “Dhruv, I learnt a lesson of my life that underprivileged people are not always good.” He further shared his experiences as a teacher and told me that usually kids find his class boring and complaint about it but once his student had told him that she had learnt more in his class than she had learnt in any of her previous history classes. Will’s excitement on this and his approach to see that incident as a complement to his teaching skills prove that he is a compassionate man with a kind heart. He also told how badly he was disappointed by the black kids as they were not at all interested in knowing their freedom struggle. There I could observe the enthusiasm of a good teacher in him, the fact that he continued even among some uninterested students shows his persistence and ability to stick to his beliefs.

He was, I believe, happy when I had told him that I had read somewhere that a “student- teacher interaction” is irreplaceable. I think we share the same reverence to the profession of teaching.

After dinner we sat at seva café for some time and then decided to visit Gandhi museum the next day, he was also supposed to give me the article that he had written. We met on the morning next day, 3^rd January. I gave him the article that I had written about caste system and reservations in India. He took some time to finish an article. Accidentally it was a birthday of some girl at Gandhi ashram so Will willingly, even leaving his lunch at halfway, played happy birthday tune on violin. I don’t have much sense of music but would certainly admit that the music he played was very sweet to the ears of those listening.

Today is the last day of Will in the city of Ahmedabad. I have given him one of the books that I had with me for long time, so that when we meet next could return it to me, it is not a gift to my friend but it is just as a part of a memory and the hope for a nice and miraculous reunion in future . I am also giving him the CDs of the movie named Pay it forward which I think he would like.

I am proud to admit that though he does not teach me everyday, he has made no less an impact on my life than an able teacher could make on his students’ life.

Thank you and may god bless you

With the hope that we Will meet again…..

Your student or friend

Dhruv

© 2008 DHRUV JOSHI & TARUN PATEL

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New Year- New Start…. Priya Sharma

New Year- New Start…. by Priya Sharma

Another new year, Once again time for

Ringing in the New and Ringing out the Old.

A time to begin afresh all the spheres of life,

To renew all the old vows and Swear some new.

To look forward to the Warm Summers,

The Bright Springs and Balmy colours.

To break free from the Frozen Fossils of:

anger, failure, jealousy and scorn,

To love, share, care and extend helping hands.

Time to rain incessant hard work and

put in the best to build shelters of awards and

rewards for oneself.

Time to achieve all those infinite dreams

Left unfulfilled in the past.

Time to just take confident strides to making the year ahead Successful!!

--- written by Priya Sharma

MIKE LITMAN: Why Self Discipline Is Tough

MIKE LITMAN » Blog Archive » Why Self Discipline Is Tough: "Why Self Discipline Is Tough
Motivation, Success Add comments

For so many years of my life my self-discipline was terrible.

This lack of self-discipline kept me running around in circles, procrastinating like a king, and always chasing the ‘latest greatest idea’.

Have you ever been ‘there’?" Go Ahead, Read The Complete Post

Review of "The inscrutable American" by Anurag Muthur

Hi friends,

After sharing the review of "Death of a salesman – Arthur Miller", here is another book review by Dhruv Joshi.

Review of "The inscrutable American" by Anurag Muthur

This is a hilarious novel written by Anurag Mathur. It is a story of an Indian young boy who goes to America to pursue his further studies. The process of his adjustments with the American society and culture adds good humor throughout the book.

Though, out rightly humorous this book successfully addresses to some of te deep rooted problems of an advanced American society like racism, discrimination to the dark skinned people and unemployment etc.

The most interesting and powerful part of the book is that its characters are very neatly and intently portrayed by the writer. Each character reveals to the reader the various kinds of people of America. May it be the old lady Gloria who constantly irritates Gopal with his poetry or Sue a divorcee whom Gopal loves but can’t get or Peacock, a dark skinned angry, well-built man who is very unhappy about the discrimination practiced to the dark skinned people. The character of Tom who stands for the staunch American man who wants no foreign or dark skinned people in America and Randy the savior, stands for modern, globalized American youth.

The ability of Anurag Mathur to blend serious issues with humor commands high amount of praise. Moreover the continuous but futile attempts from Randy to get Gopal laid with someone while he is in America keeps readers chuckling all the time.

© 2008 DHRUV JOSHI & TARUN PATEL

Book Review of "Death of a salesman – Arthur Miller"

Hello friends,

After publishing the story "Mother" - a story by Neha Joshi,here is a book review.

Dhruv has reviewed Arthur Miller's book titled "Death of a salesman".

I would like to write the copyright note: This review is the intellectual property of Dhruv Joshi. No part of the review can be copied, edited and posted anywhere in any form.

Book Review of "Death of a salesman – Arthur Miller"

This play is considered to be a theatrical masterpiece of American literature. The socialist playwright Arthur miller, makes a strong blow in the roots of the capitalist, society. The central theme of this play is the incessant craving of a common man, Willy Loman, to achieve his dreams. The story of the play unfolds the poignant situations resulting from the obsession of man with his dreams. Arthur Miller has also authored other good plays like “all my sons”, “a view from the bridge”, “the crucible” etc. It should be noted that the author had won the Pulitzer prize for “death of a salesman”.

Willy is a salesman by profession. He is so much intoxicated by the wine of capitalist society that he starts living in dreams. His thirst for success and recognition in the society remains unsatisfied till his death as it is highly irrational. Having almost lived a mediocre life Willy is so frustrated that he seeks solace for his failures in his sons’ success. However his sons, Biff and Happy are also not much successful, moreover they are not happy to bear the load of impractical expectations that Willy has from them. At one point of the play Biff gets so disturbed and irritated that he says “ Why must everyone conquer the world?” This dialogue is an example of ingenuity of the author, the complaint from the youth bearing unbearable load of dreams could not have come in better words.

Willy is willing to go to any extent to see his family as a rich family. As the plot progresses, dreams of Willy loman start getting on his head. He is burning in his own dreams, he does not, CAN NOT, give up attempts to achieve his dreams. He had an insurance of 20000$. Hoping that its maturity will help his family being rich and his sons do good business, The salesman committed suicide.

The play leaves many questions, did Willy’s family get the amount of insurance? Must everyone conquer the world? Are dreams more important than actual reality? Unfortunately answers to these questions are not easy as there is always going to be a thin line between Complacency and Contentment.

This is an extremely well-written play. Directions for staging are also very specific. Miller is well-known for his ability to interweave the incidents of past and present in his plays. The beauty of his writing is that though he exposes some vices of Willy Loman’s character, i.e. his extra marital affair, Willy never generates hatred in the readers’ mind, we only feel sympathetic towards him.

This is a wonderful play also because of the fact that none in it stops to make an objective speech on the issues which the play so directly embodies. Arthur Miller has said,on record, that it was less a play than statement of a fact. It refuses admissions to anybody’s perceptions and open itself to revelation and operations of an ethic, of social laws of actions that have huge effects on individuals. We realize that Willy has broken a law, it is that law of society which says that a failure in a society and in business has no right to live. This law is not administered by a statute or church but it is very nearly as powerful in its grip upon men.

A very important way of looking at the end of this play is to see the powerful assertion in the death of the salesman. His death, the ultimate negative, appears to be an assertion of bravery. An assertion of a heroic commitment to his dreams. It is an expression of the agony of Willy for being in a false position. He is so constantly haunted by the hollowness of all he had placed his faith in, so aware, that he must somehow fly apart, that he staked his very life on the ultimate assertion.

To conclude, I would like to say that Death of a salesman is an enjoyable reading. It is such a work that has many aspects, emotions of Father-Son relationship, infidelity resulting from frustrations of life, omnivorous hunger for success and ironic realities, and much more….

It is a tragic tale of a victorious hero (common man), Willy. Read it.

- written by Dhruv Joshi.

© 2008 DHRUV JOSHI & TARUN PATEL

"Mother" - a story by Neha Joshi

"M o t h e r" - a story written by Neha Joshi

It is not so that I don’t like her; not at all. She is the very good girl – in fact one of the best daughters-in law. Very loving caring, and a very good house keeper in whose reign, each member of the family feels comfort and happiness. Sometimes I feel that my son - my Nichol - is lucky to get her as his wife. Anne is such a nice girl. And in spite of all this ---

You would say that I’ve go ne mad and even I’m ashamed of myself for this. But still, it was a strong desire of my heart had she been ill for a little longer - not much of course , not a very long time even. Only a few days more. I feel guilt for this desire. I’m not able to look into her beautiful, blue eyes. Still I’d say, it was my strong wish…

I’d been with them for some days at their house. Anne was ill and unable to get up from the bed. So my son Nichol asked me to stay back at home with her, as his was a full day, 12 hours job. I was more than happy for, after a long time my son was really in a need of my help. I was still useful and important to him. So far, I was the happiest mother on the earth. I went to his house. Anne welcomed me with her usual warm and friendly smile. “We had to call you Ma, for him and for the household”, she told me. “Dear I’m all for that. Don’t worry”. I consoled her and took hold of her household.

The days were full of peace and happiness. I used to wake up early in morning when it was still dark. Having the tea and breakfast ready, I used to wait for them to get up. Nearly at six, he would come out of his bedroom, and would look at me with the eyes that were still sleepy and as dreamy as they were when he was a kid. With a warm smile he would ask: “Did you have a sound sleep, ma?” My throat used to be chocked up with the flood of love within and I’d reply as shortly as possible: “yes son”.

Then I’d go to Anne with her breakfast & tea, while he would still be sipping his tea and reading the newspaper. Then would enter his study-room and arrange the scattered books properly. I’d start preparing lunch, and by 10.00, he would be on the dining table, ready for his job. Eating, he would wink his eyes and say: “Ma, today you’ve done a wonderful job!” – And both of us would laugh. His smile had filled up the kitchen – with the morning sunlight and my heart with its warmth.

All this was like living the past days once again with bliss doubled and happiness regained. I could still provide him a reason to laugh with an open heart. So far, I was happy!

The days passed like a Trans. In spite of knowing its transitoryness – I made myself believe, it was true from years back and for endless years to come.

On one fine morning, Anne also came out of the bed-room with Nichole at 6:00 for tea. My son was more than happy.

“Ma, look at her. She could get-up, she could walk!”

Anne smiled at him and told me: “I have recovered only because of you care, Ma.”

I also enjoyed the moment, hardly aware of my Trans to end, my fulfillment to vanish.

After the dinner at night that day, we three were sitting around the table, having the coffee, when Nichole showed me my tickets to my place back, and told: “Ma, at this age too, you are able to manage the household. Heads off to your strength! Take rest now, as Anne is back. You no longer need to bother and trouble yourself for us.”

I took the tickets from his hands silently. He held my shivering fingers in his manly paw, and said: “Do come again at the Christmas celebrations.”

I winked my eyes and before it gets wet, I went inside to pack my luggage.

Telling myself: “Had she been ill for a little longer…”

Copyright note:

This story is an intellectual property of Neha Joshi. It has been posed solely for reading purpose. Nobody should copy any part of the story and make any changes in it.

© 2008 NEHA JOSHI & TARUN PATEL

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Yes friends we are growing. We have received more than 200 visitors during the last 48 hours. The counter below shows the NuMbEr :)
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P.S. I am posting a new story written by Neha Joshi within a few minutes.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR - Review

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR

A perfect movie for all to watch from a perfectionist. The movie was initially watched by people as something that was more motivated by curiosity rather than for the main subject. The curiosity kindled by the fact that it is the Directorial debut of the versatile actor Aamir Khan.

What is in the movie that it is being talked about so much by all the viewers? Anyone who has watched the movie has to rant and rave about it and also urge the people who haven’t seen it to take themselves to view this splendorous movie.

Okay so here I come to the subject. It talks about the emotional churning of a Dyslexic child who is left alone with this inability that he himself is ignorant about. He was after-all a kid, but what about the grown-ups around him? Who has the time (be it the parents or the teachers at school) to analyze the reasons for a child’s poor performance at the classroom level. That is precisely where Aamir draws the attention of all the viewers and the “Parents” at large.

In the movie it is specified that “Every child is Special”...that doesn’t limit itself to children who may have some disabilities but children in general. As Aamir points out in one of the dialogues…all the fingers of our palm are not of the same size or shape. So parents need to go slow with their kids at their learning stage and slowly mould them to the shape that they are willing to be moulded into. We can see in the movie what the hostile and unfriendly atmosphere can do the sensitive and emotionally fragile heart of a child.

It is here, when the energetic, fun loving child Ishaan retreats into the shell of timidness and low self-esteem and loss of confidence, that Ram Shankar Nikumbh very carefully and fragilely guides the boy’s attention to the fact that he was not the only one to face the problems that he had gone through. This he very easily does by listing out the names of those very famous and prominent entities as Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and many others and finally his name only to Ishaan in secrecy. That catapults the little boy’s confidence back to its peak and he slowly rises coping up with his disability with the help, care and love of Nikumbh sir.

When Ishaan’s father comes to meet Ram Shankar Nikhumb and tells him that they as parents too are worried for their child, Ram just puts a few simple questions to him that shake the entire foundation of concern for their little son!! He’s asked by Nikhumb sir, what is meant by being concerned for a child? It is a hug, a kiss, to say that “son I’m there for you”…..

The dialogue that hits straight at us for the insensitivity that we as adults show towards our children is when we use abusive language to drive home their failures or inability is the one about “Solomon Islands”. Is it not the same thing that we do to our children? Scold them using abusive language and kill their sensitive, inquisitive happy-go-lucky characteristics to prepare them for the harsh world of tomorrow thwarting their today to something that leaves a scar for a lifetime?

Think over these aspects….this is not jus an entertaining movie of three hours that one can just watch and walk out. It makes you think and ponder and respond to your own faults as parents, teachers and all the other elderly roles that you play.

Towards the end, the scene in the movie, when Ishaan wins the drawing competition and he’s given standing ovation he can’t believe the scene. He runs crying into the safe and carefree zone of his loving friend, guide and teacher. Children respond with jet-speed to love than to strict and harsh actions or words. The last scene only proves this. Ishaan is a happy-go-lucky boy now and the old Ishaan surfaces again this time only with renewed confidence. He runs to Nikumbh sir before he boards the car home. The scene is that Aamir tosses him in the air..a symbol of final freedom of the boy’s soul from the clutches of inefficiency and failure towards a flying start to success.

So it’s a tale of effective parenting, a tale of insensitivity in our Indian educational scenario, and a tale of love of teachers who think and work for their students…..

Last but not the least….the music is very apt and touching and touches the very cores of our hearts. It is a major link in arousing the feelings of love, empathy and sensitivity throughout the film.

A must watch for all cine lovers and also those who watch very few but good movies.

* This review is written & submitted by Priya Sharma.

* All rights reserved: Read2Help

© 2008 PRIYA SHARMA & TARUN PATEL