Day: April 1, 2021

Happy All Fools Day

As Governments of several states across the country have issued guidelines to reopen schools, one such school was scheduled to reopen from April 1, 2021. A seventh grader wrote a sweet letter to the school authorities which reads as follows:

All this while you fooled us by making us learn abstruse mathematical formulae, abstract science concepts, history about the gone and the dead when these subjects are not to my liking. All the Physics of f=ma, the baffling Chemistry of acids and bases reacting to form salts and how and why of photosynthesis and reproduction in plants has gone above my head. I want to become an FBI agent when I grow up and I do not know haw this is going to help me as a sleuth. Will all this knowledge help me crack a case? Probably no. Many stalwarts became great without any formal education. Examples are Rabindra Nath Tagore, Thomas Edison and our very own PM Mr Narendra Modi. In the month of March, when children should be regaling, preparing for festivities and splashing colours at one another, we are made to cram for our final exams.

I take the All Fools’ Day to protest the prevalent education system by not reporting to school. I shall join from April 2 onwards. In the meanwhile, take time and consider my point of view.

Happy All Fools’ Day.

Cheers,

From Maya

Key to Happiness

Jagriti got married at the age of 22. From the shackles of controlling parents, she was thurst into the jaws of a vexatious and controlling spouse. Jagriti was not highly educated so she had no option but to accept a subservient role in marriage.

One afternoon, Jagriti decided to visit her cousin without seeking her husband Shammi’s permission. She returned by late evening after her husband had returned from office. Shammi blew up into a fit of rage after her return for not informing him as to where she had been the whole day and returning after sundown. Jagriti tried explaining that she was not a child who would be kidnapped on the way. Moreover, their driver had been with her all through.Upon hearing this Shammi hurled her with expletives and condemned her behaviour.

After a few years, Jagriti gave birth to two beautiful children. Shammi deteriorated with each passing year and numerous differences cropped up between the couple on matters relating to how children should be brought up. Shammi suffered from bouts of megalomania which lead him to believe he was a ‘know it all.’ He disregarded Jagriti‘a opinions and took all decisions of the household unilaterally.

Jagriti was on the verge of a breakdown. She felt she could not handle it anymore when her inner voice beckoned her to take a pause. She reflected on her thoughts and concluded that if she let Shammi or other extraneous factors control her she might end up losing her wits.

The key to happiness should not lie with extraneous factors like success, promotion, bereavement our relation etc. but within ourselves. She honed her creative skill and resorted to meditation for a more fulfilling and enriching life. From then on, she was also was filled with gratitude towards God his blessings and this made all the difference.

The key to happiness should lie with us and not others. The sooner we realise this, the better.