In the animated film, Ice Age : Continental Drift, Sid's granny keeps calling out to 'Precious' - her pet, and throws it bits of food. The other characters, who think that Precious is an imaginary pet, leave her to her own whimsicality. Towards the end, however, 'Precious' makes a heroic entry and wows the audience.
...
Our mum sometimes reminds us of this granny. Mum was a teacher in several schools in Mumbai and Vasai till she retired at 58. As a dedicated teacher, she was fond of all her students and they respected her.
During our family parties, she always reminisces about her students.
"Avinash from Borivali has become a doctor now but he has not yet forgotten his school teachers - he invited me for his wedding. And his sister, Leena ..."
Mum digresses from the family conversation at hand and goes on like Sid's granny. Most of the time we listen although we have had the pleasure of hearing the same story several times in the past.
The older grandchildren are not so patient. "Oh, come on, grandma, not another one - you have told us that before."
The youngest and the babiest grandchildren seem to be really impressed and demand more.
So you see, most of our family gatherings end up as mum's student-glorifying sessions.
...
By some divine grace, mum is bailed out of most day to day troubles by her students.
If there is an autorickshow strike, a student of hers, who is on leave from his smart job on a cruise ship, gives her a ride on his motorbike.
A specialist doctor with an endless appointment queue turns out to be a chap she had taught in primary school.
The famous milkman in town is one of her student who has taken up dairy farming after he lost his job.
A bespectacled matronly lady manager at the local bank stands up to greet mum every time and asks, "Madam, so nice to see you!"
To socialise with mum is like being in the company of a VIP.
...
Mum taught me not only at home but also at school.
She imprinted the following verse from the Bhagwad Geeta on our young minds:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
It is translated as -
Do your duty and be detached from its outcome, do not be driven by the end product, enjoy the process of getting there.
...
Last week, mum turned 74.
When I mentioned it to my school batch mates, several of them rang her to wish her and some others sent messages.
When I asked mum how her day had been, she chirped, " You know, so many students called. I was busy answering all day. Do you remember Rajesh from your class?"
There were five Rajeshs in my batch. They were all born when Rajesh Khanna, the Bollywood actor, was in his prime.
"Which one, mum?"
"Oh ...the one who lives near Parnaka.."
Two of the Rajeshs lived near Parnaka.
"Do you know his last name, mum?"
Mum was too eager to tell the success story of her student.
"Yes, Gonsalves! Well, he called to wish me, and you know ..."
There goes mum in her 'happy proud teacher' mode again, I said to myself and smiled.
...
Our mum sometimes reminds us of this granny. Mum was a teacher in several schools in Mumbai and Vasai till she retired at 58. As a dedicated teacher, she was fond of all her students and they respected her.
During our family parties, she always reminisces about her students.
"Avinash from Borivali has become a doctor now but he has not yet forgotten his school teachers - he invited me for his wedding. And his sister, Leena ..."
Mum digresses from the family conversation at hand and goes on like Sid's granny. Most of the time we listen although we have had the pleasure of hearing the same story several times in the past.
The older grandchildren are not so patient. "Oh, come on, grandma, not another one - you have told us that before."
The youngest and the babiest grandchildren seem to be really impressed and demand more.
So you see, most of our family gatherings end up as mum's student-glorifying sessions.
...
By some divine grace, mum is bailed out of most day to day troubles by her students.
If there is an autorickshow strike, a student of hers, who is on leave from his smart job on a cruise ship, gives her a ride on his motorbike.
A specialist doctor with an endless appointment queue turns out to be a chap she had taught in primary school.
The famous milkman in town is one of her student who has taken up dairy farming after he lost his job.
A bespectacled matronly lady manager at the local bank stands up to greet mum every time and asks, "Madam, so nice to see you!"
To socialise with mum is like being in the company of a VIP.
...
Mum taught me not only at home but also at school.
She imprinted the following verse from the Bhagwad Geeta on our young minds:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
It is translated as - Do your duty and be detached from its outcome, do not be driven by the end product, enjoy the process of getting there.
...
Last week, mum turned 74.
When I mentioned it to my school batch mates, several of them rang her to wish her and some others sent messages.
When I asked mum how her day had been, she chirped, " You know, so many students called. I was busy answering all day. Do you remember Rajesh from your class?"
There were five Rajeshs in my batch. They were all born when Rajesh Khanna, the Bollywood actor, was in his prime.
"Which one, mum?"
"Oh ...the one who lives near Parnaka.."
Two of the Rajeshs lived near Parnaka.
"Do you know his last name, mum?"
Mum was too eager to tell the success story of her student.
"Yes, Gonsalves! Well, he called to wish me, and you know ..."
There goes mum in her 'happy proud teacher' mode again, I said to myself and smiled.
(Picture courtesy: Google images)
