Celebrating Maa Brahmacharini - the second form of the Goddesses of Navratri

 

Sheela loved her job. It was more of a passion for her. To be able to visualize designs and then get them on paper effortlessly was her USP. Every time the company took in new clients, her Manager would make sure she was in the team meetings and would always encourage her to complete the task well in advance. She loved the energy, the constant push and the look of triumph on her Manager’s face when she completed something.

She had been at this place for three years now and was the office felt like home.

However, there was something nagging her at the back of her mind; something that worried her too, but something that she could not pin point. Until, one day, when her friend mentioned something, supposedly in jest. The friend were all chilling in the office balcony (or smoke area) and they started talking about a project and promptly Sheel’s friend Jasmin said “oh yeh, we can rest, Shella will get the work done”, to which Nikhil replied “and yeh, Saurabh will take full credit.”

That’s absolutely truth thought Sheela. In the three years in the company, Sheela has excelled form day one and yet no acknowledgment or accolades ever came her way. Yes, she always got an applause at the end of the project; but always in the confines of the Manager’s cabin and with no one but the two of them. This would do, thought Sheela. It was time to get her dues.

She walked up to the Manager’s cabin and asked him point blank, “why do I always get underappreciated and overlooked in public?”

What!! Asked the Manager.

Well, said Sheela; “ive worked her for three years and in all this time, ive seen many of my peers grow financially and in post as well. While I have been stuck at the entry level while my work has been passed and used without the need for any correction. If that is not proof of my calibre; then what is?”

Her Manager was taken aback; never before had he seen Sheela so upfront or demanding. She has been meek all along, which is why he could take credit for her work. He had gotten used this this; how would he give it up! Nope, he was not ready to let go of the easy life just yet.

Well, said the Manager; “im sure we can work something out Sheela. Its not that you have not got your dues. We all appreciate you and truly believe that you are the heart of this team. Without you, we are mere designers; with you we are the thriving team in this company.”

Sheela was not satisfied and she knew she had to do something before she was made the laughing stock of the company.

The next project required minute detailing and only Sheela could do such delicate designing. She put her heart and soul into it and completed it much before time as was her style. However, this time, she added a design element that could be spotted easily but not fixed without her help.

At the next project meet, everyone was ready as usual. Sheela’s Manager too was at the head of the table with the client while the rest of the team including Sheela stood at the far end of the room around the table. The presentation began and the Manager started presenting. Somewhere towards the third-last slide; the client yelled ‘STOP’. He asked to go back and slide and then after peering at the screen for a few seconds stood up and asked, ‘who did this?’.

There was pin drop silence in the room. No one answered. The Manager looked around in confusion, till Sheela stepped forward and said “I did.”

“And, who are you?” asked the client.

“I am Sheela, a team member.”

‘How did you know and why did you put up that design?’ asked the client.

“I’ve been following your company since you booked us for your campaigns. I studied your company and understood its ethos and I know what this little logo means to you and hence decided to implement it in the design.”

“Well done,” said the client. You truly know your work and your client as well.

“I’ve actually included this in all the previous designs as well, well hidden from sight but visible to only those who understand it.” So, saying, Sheela opened up her laptop and ran through all the previous projects and pinpointed the logo element in each.

“You, are brilliant and if you can give such focus on something so minute but so integral to a company’s visibility; you are a genius. We would like to have you lead our team”.

Sheela’s Manager was stuck. He had never noticed the deign nor ever given much thought to the client. He simply did not know what to say.

Sheela smiled and as she shook the Client’s hands, she looked at her Manager and said, “Sir, its all in the detailing and that comes from being observant. Observant of not just what the client vocally says, but also what he unintentionally let’s slip in her discussions. I paid attention and understood how important that logo was for him and his company’s conversation with the world. I just drew his emotions onto paper.”

With this Sheela truly slayed the Maa Brahmacharini trait of penance and devotion and achieved her much due success and fame through hard work.

 

Celebrating Maa Shailputri- the first form of the Goddesses of Navratri

 

This is the story of a young woman – Maya, who believed in living a life of dignity and grace. She did all things right and never indulged in arguments, confrontations, conflicts or disagreements. She hated displeasing any one or hurting anyone. She lived her life by the Gandhian philosophy of live and let live and if someone slapped you on one cheek, you showed the other.

All this changed one night. She was on her way back home from work. Tired from an entire day of meetings and deadlines, all she wanted to do was get a seat on the crowded train back home. The train arrived and as practice, she jumped into the train before it came to halt and also managed to get a seat.

 Sighing, she slumped into her seat and then as the station rolled by, she shut her eyes and relaxed. Soon, she was fast asleep and oblivious to the world passing by. A little while later, she heard a commotion and woke up with a start.

Sitting up straight, she looked around to figure out what was happening. She saw a group of young teen boys surrounding a girl in the adjacent compartment. The girl looked uncomfortable and on the verge of tears. The boys seemed to be having fun teasing her. Maya watched the interaction between the boys and the girl.

Slowly she realised that the boys seemed to be harassing the girl. The girl seemed to be in distress and the compartment she was in was almost deserted, but for a few men sitting at the far side of the compartment

Maya looked around. All the other women too were sitting up and watching the commotion. Likewise in the compartment that the girl was in, the few men seated on the far side too were taking note of the alteration, but no one seemed to be wanting to take any action.

The boys seemed to have gained courage from this lack of action or interference by anyone and now were gently nudging and pushing the girl. The terrified girl, with tears in her eyes looked around for help. As she tried to make eye contact with the women, she finally locked eyes with Maya. She seemed to beseech Maya for help.

Maya looked around once more and realized that no one wanted to do anything. Maya felt torn between wanting to help the girl and minding her own business. She looked at the girl once again and this time the girl’s eye pleaded for help. Maya had enough and stood up. She walked up to the partition between the two compartments and shouted at the boys to stop. The boys froze, but as soon as they realized that Maya was on the other side of the partition, they jeered at her and started mocking the girl and Maya.

Maya now could not take it any more and much to her surprise as well as those of the boys and the men & women watching her; she climbed on the seat and jumped over the railing of the partition into the next compartment. The boys were stunned and did not know how to react.

Seeing Maya jump over to their compartment, the men seated there also stood up and walked up to the boys.

The terrified girl rushed to Maya and hid behind her, all the while holding onto Maya for dear life. The men gathered around the boys and started heckling them and pushed them off at the next platform. Thankfully a few Railway Police Officers were stationed at the platform and took the boys into custody.

All those in the compartments started clapping for Maya, who held the girl in her arms. The girl folded her palms and thanked Maya and called her ‘Devi’ for saving her.

Did Maya feel like a Devi; or was she simply a girl looking out for herself and those in need.

To the girl, Maya seemed like Maa Shailputri; full of Strength, Courage and Composure.

Truly Maya was one of the forms of the Divine Goddess.  

 

 

What is trauma?

 

Trauma is defined as “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.” It sounds rather sad; right! Yes, its sad and for someone who recently went through it; it’s a very fresh and raw experience.

What’s the experience, you ask? Well, it was friendship day!!

What!! You may exclaim. How can friendship day be traumatic!!!

Then, let me explain.

All my life (till I was 35) my mom was my best friend. I never had to look out towards anyone else; because she was there with me. She was my guide, my mentor, my critic, my buddy, my all. 

If I had to share juicy details about a crush, she lent me her ear and we would giggle like school girls. If I had to sort out a dilemma, she sat with me and heard me out; never once judging or commenting. If I was emotionally railed up about something; she would hold my hand and comfort me. If I needed sometime to chill; she joined me and we chilled together.

Often, friends would tell me that my mom was the coolest. They too would come hang with us.

So, when 9 years back, my mom met her maker – I was bereft. My one and only friend had been taken away from me. I sought other friends; but no one got me like she did. No one laughed at my jokes like she did, nor did anyone understand my sorrow when I shut myself within myself.

Over the past nine years, I’ve made peace with myself. I make friends, but don’t form a bond. I connect with people, but don’t make a connection. I am available to them at all times, but I refrain from seeking help. I am my best friend and my best friend is me.

Now, you probably understand why friendship was traumatic for me? All those posts declaring undying friendship, unwavering connections and ever lasting bonds. I am happy for you; but I am cynical. 

In a world where opinions and impressions change with changing tides and seasons; how can we proclaim such affiliations? Don’t misunderstand me. I wish you and your fraternity well and pray for it to strengthen over the years.

But for now; I beg to be excused and allowed to wallow at my loss.

Yes, this is trauma….. for me!! 

Bedtime Stories with VJ - Dhwani kept her cool

Dhwani is in a new school and realizes that she has missed her school bus. She is all alone in a new campus without a friend or a phone to call her mother. What does she do? Does she panic or keep her cool? Stay tuned to find out...... Listen to this true story on Bedtime Stories on ArdhyaAkshar by VJ

#school #smartchild #presenceofmind #resilience #smart #intelligent #vandanajoshil