There is an old classic that goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year...” The joy in this song is infectious. I find myself humming along. The last week of the year invariably finds me in an introspective mood. Year after year, I take stock of who I am and what I am turning into. The warmth of feelings overcomes the chill of winters. The manifestation of a divine, supreme hand reinstates confidence in the state of the world. Lessons learnt during the year show the path for a better tomorrow.
2011 has been a unique year. I wrapped up my teaching job in Pune in the first half of the year, and dived into the social sector in Bihar in the second half. My former students, those eight year old innocent hearts still remember me sometimes. My former colleagues call me up sometimes to tell me how my kids are doing and to find out how I’m doing. Although I questioned myself on the propriety of my decision to take up that assignment in Pune, in retrospect, I now realize that it was a rich, valuable experience. It broke the monotony in my professional career. It shook me up to think and do something new. It made me think of new things, reignited the dormant creativity in me.
Coming back to Patna and taking up the assignment that I’m currently working on was another highlight of this year. Even five years ago, I would not have imagined that I’d ever take this step. Ten years ago, this would have been unthinkable. I had worked so hard to get out of this place. And here I was, returning to Patna with bag and baggage, out of my own free will. Life indeed is full of surprises.
Working here has been an eye-opening experience. From the vanity and meanness of those that dwell in ivory towers of their own egos, to the greatness of those who go by you most inconspicuously, I saw it all from very close quarters. Corruption is a bane, but it need not be a permanent feature. Like in everything else, innovative thought produces effective results in the matter of tackling corruption as well. I used to say earlier that one needs to speak up when one encounters instances that feel wrong to the conscience. I will modify it now and say that one needs to do something, and that something need not necessarily mean speaking up, it could be a silent action. And, I’ll leave it at that.
I have travelled a lot to erstwhile unchartered territories in the state of Bihar. Be it congested Biharsharief, rural Harnaut, beautiful Rajgir, far flung Motihari, crime infested Nawada, secluded Hisua, caste violence affected Warisaliganj, communist Bihat or loud mouthed Begusarai. I have enjoyed the road trips, and I have enjoyed the company I’ve had. I’ve had meaningful conversations, with myself, and with others. Knowing places and people around me, knowing myself, immersing myself in the moment, in the surroundings of all those places I travel to and spend time in – although physically exhausting, these trips have been a great experience for me. The seemingly endless roads, the brown and green countryside, the rising sun – all seem to be harbingers of a new life. In spite of uncertainties, there is a reassurance. I am discovering that forgiveness and letting go, hard as they are, are unparalleled virtues. Empathy, care and kindness come in unexpected packages. As does respect. And faith. Love and time do heal wounds. Travel clears the mind and meditation heals the soul. Multi-tasking is an illusion – you only do one thing at a time. Helping others helps you more. And, as my father told me when I was seven years old – honesty is the best policy. And the most important thing is to be honest to yourself. The year that is on the verge of sinking into history has been a very rich and intense year for me. It is hard to predict what turns life will take, but I have a feeling that mine will be worth its time.
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| Early morning road journey from Motihari |
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| Huts in rural Nawada |
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| A pond in Begusarai |
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| Mahatma Gandhi's mantra in MS College, Motihari |
