GIGO

“It is not a person or situation that affects your life; it is the meaning you give to that person or situation, which influences your emotions and actions” ― Shannon L. Alder

 Pune is known as the Oxford of the East. The education in Pune is considered superior to other cities in Maharashtra. There are a good number of foreigners studying in Pune. We have a great number of students from north India too who consider studying here a striking opportunity. Many love the cool climate, the scenic nature with the industrial growth and enormous job opportunities. There are many cultural and literary festivals celebrated ravishingly every year earmarking Pune as an educational hub.

Every year the Pune International Literary Festival is organized by Pune-based author Manjiri Prabhu in association with MAEER's MIT Group of Institutions.

This time it was held at ‘Yashda’ in Baner which made it more accessible to people like us who live in the suburbs.  We were accompanied by Dr. Neeta Kulkarni, who has been a professor at the Medical College in Trivandrum, Kerala. She has written three books concerning Human Anatomy making the subject easier for the students. We shared a common interest in literature and loved writing. We reached the festival well before time for the ‘Write India’ forum where the authors shared writing tips. The hall was filled with the young and old who aspired to write and understand their passion. We were lucky to be ushered to the seats near the dignitaries. We could see Dr. Raja Rao the former head of the English Department, University of Pune whose latest book was to be released. There were many of the Times group and many more from the film world. We heard a talk on Documentary filmmaking hosted by Anil Zankar with participants Satyajit Bhatkal and Neil Hollander. There was an opportunity to talk and clarify thoughts.

We felt happy, but we were indeed luckier than many others to watch ‘Yours Truly Shashi Tharoor’ that included Sunil Sethi from NDTV in conversation with Dr. Shashi Tharoor. The conversation was a play on words which clarified the many misgivings that had put Dr. Tharoor in a tight spot. We were spell bound at his achievements at a young age, his frankness and his ability to appreciate his parents in every other instance. During the times when History and literature were opted only by those who scored less, Dr. Tharoor had opted to choose these subjects and pursue his education abroad. He emphasized that his father was supportive of the fact that made a world’s difference.

The next morning while going to the college I was stuck at the traffic signal at Khandoba Chowk at Akurdi as usual. The square has four roads and there are innumerable vehicles on all the four sides. It requires great patience to move on here. The first three minutes helps you reach the end and the next three minutes help you cross. The waiting period is a minimum of a hundred seconds each time there is a change in the traffic signal. I switched off the vehicle and looked around. A gang of beggars briskly ran between the vehicles. This square is characteristic as there are no wares sold, but there are young women with little babies in their arms, there are the old men with their wives, young men and many others. The frightening moment is when a young boy with a cut palm juts his hand on the glass. It is fearful when one drives a bike or a scooter. Yet that day I kept looking at the expressions of the little boy in his mother's arms  as she begged. He kept seeing her palm. He observed his mother, keenly so much that I saw his arm extend involuntarily. He loved his mother and felt whatever she did was right.  It was clear that his thoughts had been influenced towards begging.

It reminded me of GIGO in computers that says Garbage in is Garbage out. The beggar in a bid to earn had unknowingly fed denial, dependence and a lack of decision making in her child and perhaps the child would be able to give back  the same defiance and hatred for the society while the positivity in Dr. Tharoor’s life has been because of the positive emotions fed and nurtured by his parents.

 “Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.” ― Walt Whitman

 It is exactly two years since I began my blog Enthralling Trails. Initially, it was a soul searching, a timidity in understanding my feelings, my insights and, above all presenting it to the world. I thank my family, friends and teachers for having assisted me in growing up through these narratives.