the great economic divide

I hear the rumbling of the crackers going wild. It is celebration time again. . . festival time. Last night, I was witness to beautiful light works across the dark sky painted bright. We had a small celebration in office over chats - I mean the masal and dahi puri - this thursday. A colleage commented "what is festival without crackers?" Another colleague replied that for her daughter noisy celebration is out. She subscribed to the new thinking that says "light a diya and celebrate without disturbing the sick and old aged."

I stepped out to the balcony of my flat an hour back. Four kids likely between ages three and ten, were on the road searching the remains of the crackers gone burst for any leftover that they may use.

That was another grim reminder of the divide that exists between the haves and the have-nots.

Is beauty skin deep?

Started thinking aloud on beauty as I took a stroll across the Cubbon park. 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever' - the popular words of John Keats came to mind.

I bring to my mind all the beauty I have seen. I also bring to mind beauty that I can imagine.

- a beautiful flower coming to bloom in the morning

- a new born baby shaking limbs

- a grown up child embracing her mother

- two people in love having coffee together

- a wrinkled face giving care - remember mother Teresa

- a lonely moon or the stars on a no-moon night

We have an answer for the question. Don't we? It is also true as someone said years ago 'Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Opportunity for everyone

Sunday last, I went around looking for a shop to have a frame done for a piece of art on cloth. Heard from my kid rather late that it needed to be taken to school that Monday. Had no clues where to go but for the directions given by another parent over the phone.

It was a shop on a by-lane and I was guided by another shop keeper on the main road. Sure enough, lots of frames where hanging on the wall - exquisite pieces of art. The boy at the shop gave me confidence showing another frame that was done for a school student.

As the boy went about getting the frame done, I was apologetic about insisting that he gets the work done while I wait to collect the frame. He told me that the shop owner was away and hence he was to close the shop by one noon. He took a long stick and cut it into short lengths using the blade which was mounted at an angle. He put two pieces each together with small nails and then put the two pairs together to complete the frame. He stretched the art cloth and a thin transparent material over the edges of the frame. He held it in place using small strips which he nailed on to the frame. The frame was done.

As I inspected the work I noticed with concern that one edge had got dirtied. I tried to rub the dirt off which would not go. He then stuck the brown adhesive tape on to the frame giving a prominent border for the piece of art. I thought it was ready when he took a measuring tape, marked the centre and nailed a catch to mount the frame. I thanked him profusely and rushed to a meeting where we discussed an education project for tribal children.

Coming home from that meeting, I was reflecting on the education project and the vocational training program that was being expanded. I heard someone say that the students who are not good at studies could pursue vocational training. Thinking again of the boy at the shop, I realised how job skills could help more people make a living. It is a sad truth - the digital divide. We need to take education to the far corners so that no one is denied an opportunity.

One thought rang loud and clear in my mind. If only there is a will, we are sure to find a way. Very much like that boy at the shop who had mastered a skill to earn a living.

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time to connect

to my friends,

Long time since I have been in touch with lots of people I care about. It is amazing to scan the technology spectrum that enables people to be in touch. But stuck into our own routines, do we really find the time to stay in touch.

Technology advances in most areas that surround us make life easy, and supposedly free up time. But do we really have time to spare and energy enough to go out and connect. I wish I got my priorities right so I could stay in touch with people I know - those who would love to hear from me.

See you soon . . . here.

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