Grandma #madeofgreat

Decades ago (1940's), she rode with her brother letting an unapproved father behind, around 12 miles far away from her home. She wanted to complete her education and enter the world of teaching. She used to brief out that her parents were not so willing but she never gave up.

This is a short abstract of someone who is undeniably #madeofgreat for me, 'My Grandma'.

Ever since I know her, she is a multitasking lady; stands like a wall for all obstructions. Her mode of speech brings warmness to anyone who listens to her. She is open like a book and yet so secretive. Sometimes, when I think of her influence in my life, It brings her residue into me. My mom takes up few situations a bit more serious than required, but she was calm, composed yet firm. This behavior, I always try to follow, few at times I succeed, but mostly I fail but still I never gave up

Work life balance - 

"Working as a school teacher till retirement, mom of 7 and a great cook" is what describes her. Her dishes are the best in the world and if you ever had a chance to taste it, you would definitely say it is the best South Indian food ever tasted. When we asked her, 'how do you do such simple rasam so tasty?', she used to say that 'measurement is the key'. Been working and handling household has taught her that being organised is time-saving. 

Being a mom has not killed her career. She is even now remembered as the best teacher of her times and all her stories and riddles are resided by each and every student of hers whenever they meet. When they visited her, they used to tell about her greatness and how she used to handle their tiny fights with patience. 

Grandma has always been a proud teacher which has reflected in her life even after her retirement. This has taught me that when we are satisfied with individual accomplishment, it brings us peace within; which reflects on our social life.

Catastrophic : 

At the age of 45, Grandma lost Grandpa. All the financial and social activity was handled by Grandpa. At 1970, It should have been devastating as she was not much aware about banking, shopping and all other social problems. Only because of her self confidence and 'never give up' nature, was she able to handle and take care. 

During Grandpa's death, my uncle had married against our religion and this had caused lots of humiliation around her neighborhood. Being a single parent, she handled the circumstances very well; with an open mind, welcomed her and greeted aunt as her own daughter. 

Can you get a woman who can be so human when the whole world; still says 'religion is greater than humanity'??

Physical Appearance :

She is not the prettiest of the lot & she is partially handicapped, with one leg bitten by a snake during her childhood. Even when I was rejected at marriage proposals due to height, she assured & said; 'Don't give up. People who evaluate you by your physical appearance are not worth marrying'

On 31st May 2015, She had her last breath. She was not well from past 4 years and was bed rest for a year. Even while in such condition, she used to smile at the guest who visited her & welcomed everyone. 

I miss her guidance. I miss her patience. I miss her. Wholly I miss a great lady & even more a great soul who is a representation of being an empowerment for the new generation.

This is an inspirational story made it available for the tag #madeforgreat. It's a campaign by Tatamotors. You can get more details on the campaign here - http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

Along with the campaign, there is also a contest for readers. 

Answer this simple question to win Amazon vouchers

'What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?' 

Until next time, Cya 

Prathi

Invisible Bond

It was 27th Aug. when I had to go to place called giri nagar to my cousin’s marriage. I made sure that I get half a day leave so that I can attend my cousin’s marriage. It was 12’clock when I started from office and caught a Volvo 500K.It was a nice ride as usual since it is the same route when I go to banshankari to my aunt’s place. The Bus takes up the route through agra, a small town near the famous kormangala. Now-a-days there has been some road construction on the process here; hence there has been some deviation from the normal route. For the drivers, not to get confused in those deviations, the transport department’s has attached boards specifying the directions ‘who has to go where and to reach which place’; just like those map’s in those complex malls J.

There is a college near agra something like “Freedom of Independence”. All vehicles have to pass this college. The transport department has made it in such a way that all private vehicles has to pass through the right side of the college and Buses left. Left route takes to agra city and then to HSR layout where as Right directly to HSR layout. But mostly all vehicles go through right side because the distance is less + the entrance of the college is also at the right sideJ . Buses can have a lot of kamai (earning) you see.

The problem was a lady. She had the sharpest voice in the whole world. She used to squeak when she spoke. She had to go to agra city and demanded the bus driver and the conductor to keep left. More than any one, conductor was very furious about it. There was an argument for at least 1 minute and then finally the lady won.

She got down at her stop and the bus moved to HSR layout. Conductor had made a very sad and a furious face. Driver just looked at him and said “Hag yake nodthidya, Bido, Ondu divasa alla”(Why are you making such faces, Leave it, One day na!!). I too wondered why he was so furious of that. It was astonishing. But my confused questions were soon answered when the next stop arrived. There were, I feel, 30 kids waiting to jump into this bus. They were so excited to climb. Our conductor face blushed like he has seen an evening blossoming flower. He was so trilled. Even the driver, suddenly the slow kannada songs shifted to hip hop Hindi music and all the bus went dancing around. There was that excited noise which I used to hear in my college buses.

Of all the thing now I said and I felt may not be so much like a hit film story but the point is that there has been something which has connected the bus conductor and the driver to the students ( and might be vice-verse ) which has made them miss them so much. An invisible bond which has created between two strangers never can be explained.

Even this has happened in my college bus. We had a conductor who did not even know our names, but used to give a sweet smile whenever we used to come. He used to wait till all the guys have come to the bus stop. After a year or so he had shifted to other area college buses, but when he met me one day he just asked me “How are you? And how was my other 3 friends who where always together?”…He had actually remembered then. Ya he has to, we 4 where used to giggle and comments so loudly and if any one of them was absent it was like the whole group is broken down. Any way the topic of discussion is that invisible bond which we achieve without even knowing and which always brings a small happiness of those boring routine works. And also we gain something like one step ahead and change the definition of trust which we build between the known and the unknown individuals


Even today, near my office, there is a security guard who always asks me in the morning “How are you? Had your breakfast? ” and a simple bye, end of the day.


Such impact which gets a smile from some strangers are sometime like refreshment and in many case a heart touching memory which can be never forgotten.

Prathi :)