First of all, if you are a lady, congratulate yourselves as we just celebrated 100th International Woman’s day (IWD). It’s great to see women occupying considerable portion of world stage once was dominated by men. Today they are there in all fields, from space to classrooms, corporations to parliaments and police stations to street markets.
My readers, I intend, in this context,share with you stories about some women I met, who changed my life non linearly to a great extent .Many of them are my school teachers or lecturers as I had understood real life from classroom. It’s so etched in my heart that I would be grateful for them whole of my life. All I would love is, post reading this blog, you to acknowledge women who have shaped your life. Be grateful to them.
In Preschools, Bhagavad-Gita classes. Every Saturday noons, I used to attend them where a team of 30 students with all sorts of backgrounds used to come, sing devotional bhajans, recite some selected verses of Bhagawadgitha and later wrap the session with a small quiz program or a small indoor game. The one who conducted was Mrs Vijaya Kini. We used to call her Lathakka. ( I recently came to know her real name though). She was pleasant lady, who would invite all the students to her nice home, start the session with meditation rendering Mrityunjaya strotra. She would dictate bhajans, made sure that we take them down on our notebook.Following which, we would be trained with composition and sing the songs. Then, we would recite verses from Bhagwadgita which were very tough to pronounce. But she would make sure that our pronunciations were right. At the end there would be small quiz to attract our interests or some indoor games which usually involved math or being cautious. The great part, it would interest you to know that, Lathakka taught us the meaning of bhajans, verses from Bhagawadgita usually with assisting anecdotes. There are two things which are free in this world, Linux and Bhagawdgita classes. Lathakka still runs the sessions with same vigour and enthusiasms. Let lord Krishna bless her and her family.
I was a Quiz champion in my high school, was great at learning any Indian language as a result of getting introduced to Sanskrit at early stage. I was good singer before my puberty ( yes, I was). There used to be competitions where one would recite chapters of Bhagawadgitha, participating in which I could memorize verses, banish my stage fear and be confident .This was a strong base for my academic career, which helped me improve my coding techniques ( knowing many computer languages), presentation skills, sentence formation skills and importantly to mingle with any person.
Primary School Then it was Lalitha teacher in my First grade. She was smiling old lady with white hair resembling cotton. I remember she would often make me sit in the front rows, make me read the contents of book loudly. In the noons, she would share her food with me like she would do with others. She used to cook yummy food.Thats when I learnt that eating together will get you a sense of togetherness and food tastes aesthetic. Also not to forget beautiful Ratnwavathi teacher. She was class teacher in my baalwadi. She used to tell us so many stories and kannada rhymes. Cinderella story, the foolish thief or poems like “Ondu dina peddana hendathi yenu madidlu?”.
Last time, I met Lalitha teacher she was smiling and was happy to know about me. She still had same smile though she had wrinkles. Her touch was warm though her hands were timid. Much of things I discussed I think she had forgotten unfortunately. Ratnavathi teacher has become one of the top trainers of scouts and guides in Karnataka. When she met me last time, I remember her saying that I was very mischievous and intelligent when in baalwadi. I felt so happy and my eyes were wet.
Navodaya Entrance exam. It was in 1995s. Couple of my friends and me were interested to join JNV School, which promised qualitative education for the creamy layer of the district with free accommodation for seven long years. But there was a catch! To prove his academic excellence one had to pass an entrance exam and make it to final sixties. The exam contained graphical questions, mathematics, data analysis and language specific area. I remember Krishnaveni teacher who taught us for free, all she knew about cracking such an exam. First of all, her name is very beautiful. Krishnaveni means a lady with black coiffure. She used simple tools like scale, eraser to make us understand graphical questions and their significance. She also taught us basic mathematics on average , percentages and fractions. At the end of the exam, I was the only one to make it to final sixties and to enjoy classic education for seven long years. I became so selfish, I have not met her since years, will sure meet her with a surprise gift next time I visit my native place.
English always has been my language of interest. Its so hyped since our childhood I had no option left other than to get attracted and attached with it. But coming from a town with Kannada medium background the language was a tough nut. Till 8th grade, we Kannada medium students were excused to use Kannada but later we had to switch to English. Verbs and adjectives killed us, vocabulary and spelling choked us, that was a pity then. Just to give an example, one of the Biology exam where I had to explain about digestion I wrote “Mouth Juice “ for saliva. Such was my English.
I almost gave up the hope but one lady came to rescue. Her name was Rajeshwari Bhat. She always encouraged my desire to learn the language, for my efforts put in. She explained grammar so well that it became my stronger area. Traditional ways of teaching was not followed but she depicted every character of an English chapter like a movie, every subtle element of grammar she made us understand. I was at then, at the end of CBSE X Board exam awarded with Merit certificate in the language.
Just to make you know significance of what it means , the awarded certificate meant you are one best amongst 1000 who appeared for the exam.
Engineering There was this lecturer named Jyothi Shetty. She explained Data structures with C so well, that even for today, I find it very useful. Computer graphics again with C made me think and visualise images. I had even designed a computer game of shooting balloons with arrow. Her lectures made me strong in C language which is paying dividends for me in this coding life.
There are many other teachers who taught me and made me realize what life is . I am also thankful to them.
Family. In my family and personal life I always liked few women. All of them showered plenty of love on me, gave me all eatables I liked and at the end would give me some pocket money. First such is Meera Mhav ( Mom’s cousin) and Ramaa mhav. They both were poles apart financially. But the care they showed is immeasurable. I remember one of my aunt Sakhoobai Akka who was teacher herself, would take me to her classroom, made me sing some filmy song or dance infront of her students. I still cherish those moments. Her students too still remember me. Unfortunately Sakhoobai Akka succumbed to death fighting prolonged cancer. I was very young then. Then I had one more aunt who was very intelligent and creative, Krishnabai Akka. She had mastered Sanskrith , Bhagawadgitha engaged herself in embroidery, poster making. I would accompany her wherever she used to go. She was the one who inspired me to join Bhagawadgita classes. Sadly, she committed suicide for having troubled marital relations. It was a big blow to me at young age.
Last and not the least, my beautiful mother, who never wants me to lose at any cost to anyone, who constantly inspire me to do different things , excel in different fields. From the day I was born till the day I breath my last, I think I owe everything to her. For the hardships she had endured, for dreams she had to sacrifice for us, for the wonderful cook she is. Just wonderful.
Women are great, powerful and inspirational.
Every species you see, males are considered usually good looking. Lion looks elegant compared to lioness, or male peafowl when compared to peahen looks gorgeous. Similar is the case when rooster is compared with hen.
But in case of homosapiens it is not so.
Now, I know the reason. !
