tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38604544987519863542024-03-14T09:23:15.210+05:30Times Changeaativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-4077779796352792562023-07-15T21:45:00.002+05:302023-07-15T21:45:34.440+05:30238. Just Walking!<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Within a day or two I would probably reach the destination! </span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iBq0N3RCr0P2kFWSUptdtSHPE8rr0ph9ZP2hu2sihNaDQ_W4XmkYBRL5nbtvHhC_z-qTFcR3M4wwOTmYOxou2KQBjia4fP3hIItqfURDtvoNqlb3FjAh0S2BlSdOaxwpH2yCKCimGimCC_69QEujGzl1nq0YllHZi0P9JAMj36E0XN0Aj3jcA5_fZY0/s2041/IMG_20230715_194701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iBq0N3RCr0P2kFWSUptdtSHPE8rr0ph9ZP2hu2sihNaDQ_W4XmkYBRL5nbtvHhC_z-qTFcR3M4wwOTmYOxou2KQBjia4fP3hIItqfURDtvoNqlb3FjAh0S2BlSdOaxwpH2yCKCimGimCC_69QEujGzl1nq0YllHZi0P9JAMj36E0XN0Aj3jcA5_fZY0/s320/IMG_20230715_194701.jpg" width="169" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The destination is none other than 'the Earth's Core' according to this Pedometer! </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, this is hypothetical destination. So far human beings have not been able to travel to the Earth's Core - except for the trio Axel, Otto, and Hans - who travel to this destination in the novel ' A Journey to the Center of The Earth' by Jules Verne! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nevertheless, it is fun to reach somewhere - even if that somewhere is actually </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">nowhere </span><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="đ" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb0/1.5/16/1f609.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I always had (and still have) special affinity with 'walking'. This monitoring of walking started on 2nd September, 2018 in Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZodeTbKttIY8MbLZTUQV9AV2d_5CuBmxDCEz7ofRXfefoyB2Si5ymVT2SpQQAXTUXANNHE-NiwPwSfsBZhU6qDiLsDN3t7IOOzEqeRq7Q7ec0jhhcv2LQj3-zvNZL9Gm2W3W9E28Lo_Gi9qtP0Z_mIm_rZhLAN4KZ2UTcztxwMIt3MdnecKnJU_-CJT0/s2160/IMG_20230715_194510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZodeTbKttIY8MbLZTUQV9AV2d_5CuBmxDCEz7ofRXfefoyB2Si5ymVT2SpQQAXTUXANNHE-NiwPwSfsBZhU6qDiLsDN3t7IOOzEqeRq7Q7ec0jhhcv2LQj3-zvNZL9Gm2W3W9E28Lo_Gi9qtP0Z_mIm_rZhLAN4KZ2UTcztxwMIt3MdnecKnJU_-CJT0/w206-h320/IMG_20230715_194510.jpg" width="206" /></span></a></div></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It continued in Philippines. During Covid era, home was my walking ground. Then came the Bharat Jodo Yatra. And I kept walking, meeting different people in the process. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What next? If I continue to walk straight, I might end up in a strange land or more possibly in Pacific waters <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="đ" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ta5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, I will return home - walking! Or may be start walking towards another unknown corner!</span></div></div>aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-64513177812886283912021-02-02T13:25:00.001+05:302021-02-03T00:10:22.698+05:30237. To Burma: With Love<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is now almost 36 hours since the Tatmadaw (Myanmar
Army) took over Myanmar by detaining legally elected party leaders. It has been
a hard day for me. I can just imagine how hard it would be to the people of
Burma. Burmese friends are aware that they will be cut off from the world at
any moment. I do not know how to reach out to them if this happens. I do not
know how to support them. I feel devastated. But I also feel determined to
stand with the people of Burma.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I had an opportunity to stay in Burma for two and half
years. I had many conversations with Burmese citizens â across political
affiliations, ethnicities, gender, class, education, and age. With all hope and
positivity, the conversation always ended with the statement: âWe donât know how
long this (the freedom, the democracy) will last.â So, we all knew this was
coming; but we hoped and prayed that this would never become reality. Alas! It
has. Once again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Before arriving in Burma, my knowledge about the
country was limited to couple of points. That Rangoon (Yangon) is its capital
(which is Nay Pyi Taw for more than a decade); Burma was part of British India
(so we have similar colonial experiences) and Vipassana (meditation) is
practiced in Burma. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I landed in Burma in June 2016, Burma was
breathing fresh air with the new formed democratic government. I found the
country like an innocent child â just waking up from decades of alienation and
exploitation to see that the world around has changed so much. Credit to
Burmese people, they geared themselves to the new reality â with the hope that
they can cover the decades they have missed during the Tatmadaw (Myanmar
Military) exploitative rule. There was so much of hope in the air that I still
feel it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is disheartening to read some of the posts on
social media rejoicing detainment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I know some people
were disillusioned with her sometimes; I was one of them. But there is a
democratic way to remove a political leader /party that you do not find
fulfilling your expectations. You vote for another party. The fact is Myanmar
voted in 2020 for National League for Democracy (NLD) in the leadership of Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi. The Tatmadaw claims of âelection fraudâ are as imaginary as
Trumpâs claim in the recent USA elections. To all those, who rejoice the
downfall of NLD and âThe Ladyâ (as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is called by many) do
not know what Tatmadaw is capable of. Mind you, I am not using the word capable
in good sense! No people on earth should have to face Tatmadaw like rule! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have heard many stories from my Burmese colleagues
about the Tatmadaw atrocities. I have read many books on this topic. In
addition to that, I have personal experiences of âBig Brother is Watching Youâ.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I went to one NGO office in Yangon (and I am not
going to mention any names to protect them from the possible harassment), there
was a small shop at the entrance of the building. I was searching for the
address and confirmed with the shop person. He confirmed and asked me who I was
and what was the purpose of my visit. Being new to the country, I assumed it to
be a friendly conversation and provided him information. When I entered the
office, the NGO workers looked stressed. When I asked what happened, they
wanted to know whether I met the shopkeeper. I was amused that it could be a
topic of stress. Later they told me that Tatmadaw has this practice of putting
their people in disguise and keeping watch on the citizens. This was in 2016 â
when NLD had just taken the charge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Once we (the NGO I was volunteering with) invited
media persons to share our plans of our upcoming series of activities. The
activities were aimed to generate awareness about violence faced by women and
girls. As the meeting started, two plain-clothed men entered and asked, âwhy you
have not taken permission from the authorities to hold press conferenceâ. We
were confused as there was no press conference. When I looked at the
journalists, I realized that some of them had come with their video cameras.
But how did these guys come to know about these journalists? Someone must be
watching this office and had informed the authorities. The two guys did not
reveal their identities to us, they refused to sign the meeting attendance and
listened to every word that was spoken in the meeting. This happened in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In 2018, I moved to Nay Pyi Taw (NPT), the capital of
the country. To stay in the city (not in the hotel, but in the house and for
long term) we had to take permission of the concerned immigration officer. While
signing the documents, the immigration officer told me that every time I move
out of NPT, I must inform him in advance. He used to call randomly to check my
whereabouts. He was a nice guy and was doing his duty. Once my earlier meeting
got delayed and I had to rush to the bus station to catch a bus for Yangon. So,
I had not informed the Immigration officer that I was going to Yangon. The bus
had just left NPT, and my mobile rang. The Immigration officer at the other end
was terribly angry at me for not informing him about my movement. Again, how
did he know that I was on this bus? Who informed him? I apologized to him and
assured him that now onwards I will never forget to him. I never forgot. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are many such experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I can understand keeping an eye on foreigners.
Protecting your own citizens is an important duty of every government. For that
if they watch people like me, it is fine. I have no issues. If I do not like
being watched by Myanmar officials, I can always return to my home country. But
imagine what would I feel if I were watched in my own country? That is not the
idea of Freedom. People across the world need to understand the âConstitutional
Powerâ Tatmadaw has given to itself and how difficult it is to change it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are people in Burma who criticized Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi and NLD. But every person who criticized; knows in their hearts of
hearts that on any given day if they have only two options, they will always
choose Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over Tatmadaw. Period. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âThe Ladyâ is not perfect. But honestly, tell me one
name who is perfect. Each one of us commits mistakes. Learning from mistakes and
moving forward is what makes us human beings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I learned many things from Burma. Two things stand
out: Kindness and Forgiveness. Taxi drivers will always donate money if someone
asks for it at the signal. They will not complain about their poverty or insult
the person asking for money. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">especially </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">keep some change to distribute. At four in the morning, even when the signal
is green, the vehicles will patiently wait for the monks to cross the road. I
was once talking to a man, a political activist (in his 40s) who had spent 20
years in jail. I asked him why they do not take the army to the court for
violation of human rights. He calmly said, âI did my duty. Things are now
fortunately becoming better. At this hour of reconciliation, do you think
revenge will help us? In fact, revenge never helps.â I do not think I would be
so gracious if I were wronged.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Burma made me realize the value of forgiveness, the
value of kindness. Not for others, but for ourselves. The Pagodas, the Pathana
(chanting of sutta), the kindness, the friendship, the smiles, the laughter,
experiments with Burmese food and language, Burmese longyi âŠ. Living in Burma made
me a different person. - a better person - I would like to believe. It was a kind of healing process for me â healing from
the pains of living, healing from the pains rising from my ego. Amidst all the
problems a social activist has to live with, Burma introduced me to the inner
peace. Burma will always have a special place in my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtQsbdtNNv8/YBkEF8XU5SI/AAAAAAAAva8/JcMZmXnvbKA4bI5V-QL0_ZAl47pnA-0dgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Shwezigon%2Bpagoda%252C%2BBagan.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtQsbdtNNv8/YBkEF8XU5SI/AAAAAAAAva8/JcMZmXnvbKA4bI5V-QL0_ZAl47pnA-0dgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Shwezigon%2Bpagoda%252C%2BBagan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan<br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No, Burma is not a paradise, definitely not for all.
Apart from the Tatmadaw atrocities, people have many other issues to grapple
with. Some are natural, some are made by the society. It is a long way to go
for Burma. Burmese people have an immense potential to dream big and strive to
achieve that dream. They are peaceful people and happy souls. What they need is
Freedom to realize their immense potential. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tatmadaw has once again taken their freedom back from
them. The world has to take the responsibility â all those who have entertained
Tatmadaw for years â knowing their atrocities too well; and ignoring them.
Peopleâs lives are at stake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to
stand with Burma. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Let us get our Freedom back from
Tatmadaw.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To Burma: With Love! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-82747985605815880682020-07-18T12:05:00.000+05:302020-07-18T19:59:17.778+05:30236.Investigators of Truth (InTru)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
<br />
This post has been published by me as a part of <b>Blog-a-Ton 59</b>; the fifty-ninth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="https://indicreator.com/" target="_blank">âIndiCreator. For Creators. By Creators.</a>. Share Your #LockdownTales at indicreator.com<br />
<br /></blockquote>
17 July 2120. I will never forget this date â that is until they wipe out my memory and recharge me, which is a kind of routine for all of us. This was the day which changed my career, it gave a new direction to my life. It made me what I never thought I would be one day.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To begin with, there was a joint call from DepHeal and DepFam. Well, if by any chance you are from the last century, DepHeal is Department of Health and DepFam is Department of Family. Again, such a joint call is a yearly routine. So, I was not at all alarmed. What floored me was that they told me that Shanti (my great grandmother) was coming home and that too with immediate effect. In fact, they were not waiting for me to pick her up, but were to drop her home in twenty minutes. They did not need that much time to travel 300 kilometers, they were just giving me time to prepare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Please, do not take me wrong. I like Shanti. To be with her for a day or two is always a fun. She makes me laugh a lot; and she never bores me with the instructions of what I should be doing and what I should not be doing. She shares some of her life experiences â which are more like a fiction, I guess. T</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">he resource material that we have does not at all corroborate what she believes as the </span>truth.<br />
<br />
But that is natural. Afterall she is 157 years old and she was born and brought up in 20th Century. She is rather independent, and I do not have to look after her. She is not ill. But now all old people (more than 150 years) have to stay in the government HoLCa (that is Home-Like-Care). Once in six months they are supposed to visit their family. That visit had just happened last month and so this call surprised me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By the way, I am Ganesh (right, named after a Mythological God in the area which was called India in the past) and I am 12. I am doing postdoc research in Virology. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The SecGd (Security Guards) team dropped Shanti and made me sign (electronically of course, I cannot write with my hands as Shanti can do!) a document. âWhy is this unscheduled drop?â I asked. They did not answer. âWhen are you going to pick up her again?â They ignored me. âIs she kicked out of HoLCa?â I asked. âCheck your email. All the details are there. If you find any change in her health status, alert us immediatelyâ one of them responded sharply and they were gone in an instant. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned to Shanti. She was calm and smiling. âDid you play any mischief again at HoLCa?â I asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âNopeâ, her eyes twinkled. âI am going to tell you something very shocking, so sit down,â she said. âAre you in love again?â I was starting to worry about her calmness, sure sign of a mischief. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âAh, my falling in love still shocks you! You are incorrigible. But that is not what I am going to tell you,â Shanti said mysteriously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was relieved. It must be some story from her past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âIs there any news in your field of Virology?â Shanti asked. She was always interested in Virology but why is she asking about it after she is suddenly dropped by SecGd? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âWell, you know, there is a new Corona virus emerging from area that was once called China,â she whispered. âCome on Shanti, you know Science has won over the chain of Corona viruses long back. The last known virus came in 2019 and the United World won the war against that virus. Only 26 people died even then and just 1000 had to be hospitalized all over the world. Even in 2020, Corona virus was not a threat. It was a minor flue at the most.â I was happy to explain my favorite topic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shanti was stunned. âWhere did you get those numbers regarding Corona virus in 2019-20?â she demanded. âOh, it is everywhere," I showed her online resources. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She was shocked. Her face became pale, she was trembling, tears rolling from her eyes. That was something I had never seen Shanti to be in. What just happened? What did I say or do wrong? Has it triggered some bad memory for her? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We were silent for couple of minutes â which felt like years. I do not know what to say when people give emotional reaction to scientific facts. And why should somebody feel something about a minor incident about a hundred years ago? Did her husband die then? Was he the one amongst the 26 people died? I did not know. I went forward and touched her shoulder from a distance. You know, we avoid human contact as much as possible, but the old guards like human contact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Slowly Shanti became calm. She looked at me and said, âGanesh, I respect you. You are an intelligent boy. I do not want to comment on the EduSys (Education System) you thrive on. I donât know how to tell you but your information about Corona virus in 2019 is completely wrong.â<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âWhat do you mean by wrong? I just showed you references,â I was bit irritated with her now. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shanti took some time. She took a deep breath. She said, âIt is not your fault. The disastrous truth is hidden from all of you very shrewdly and systematically. The truth is replaced by misinformation. In India, where I lived then, we had more than 150 days of <b>#Lockdown.</b> People not only died of Corona, but the economy too died with unplanned and extended series of <b>#Lockdown</b>. There were twenty million affected by Corona virus in the world in 2020 and about a million people died.â<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I started laughing. âShanti, you are funny. But tell me what happened at HoLCa? Why are you dropped here? When are you going back?â<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âTwo persons died in my HoLCa unit yesterday morning. And their symptoms of breathlessness made me suspect that it was another strain of Novel Corona Virus. One of them had just returned from Wuhan after home visit. You know Wuhan was earlier in the country called China, from where 2019 Corona virus (and some of the earlier viruses) emerged. This man was showing something to the other person on his tablet and the other person had touched the tablet. Moreover, more people developed fever and some lost sense of smell and touch â all this happening within hours. They tested all of us and sent many of us to our homes. There is a <b>#Lockdown</b> at HoLCa. We donât know how long it will be as we donât know how many people are infected by this new virus.â<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Just to show Shanti that she was imagining something, I opened HoLCa website. Wow, it was closed âfor maintenanceâ. This was the first time I have seen HoLCa site closed. I tried to access DepHeal and was surprised to see that access was open âonly to officials'. DepFam and SegGd websites showed no unusual messages or activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I checked with my friends. Sure, everybodyâs HoLCa member was dropped home this morning, without any adequate explanation. Everybody thought that it happened only to them and did not check with others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was thrilled. Something strange was indeed happening. Is it possible that Shanti is right about the new virus? Is she right about the Corona 2019-20 virus information hidden from the public? Do some people still have the access to it? I needed to check the facts before I could take on the more detailed investigation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">âDo you have some information from 2020, Shanti?â I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She pulled out a small, thin metal stick from her inner pocket. âDo you know how to extract information from this device?â she asked. I did not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it took me just fifteen minutes to access the information. It seems that hundred years ago they used this device called pen drive or stick to store information. Shanti had saved this one and somehow had managed to keep her secret. How she did it, I will have to ask her another time. Because the information I see on her drive is shocking and shattering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For example, look at this site exactly one hundred years ago: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/">https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/</a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9TjoBcKGXpI/XxKTYZ2YFUI/AAAAAAAAt-A/t1Qy9TUY8U0vtLYneu_XLuU3IIMjEdadQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Wordometer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="860" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9TjoBcKGXpI/XxKTYZ2YFUI/AAAAAAAAt-A/t1Qy9TUY8U0vtLYneu_XLuU3IIMjEdadQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Wordometer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDgEi0Lue1I/XxKThS-5pHI/AAAAAAAAt-E/Nz5K7AeehAU981vHznUWmIWXlvUJTuJNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/country%2Bdata%2Bcorona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1366" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDgEi0Lue1I/XxKThS-5pHI/AAAAAAAAt-E/Nz5K7AeehAU981vHznUWmIWXlvUJTuJNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/country%2Bdata%2Bcorona.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">The country called India, where Shanti lived was in a bad shape as well. I can imagine why it stunned her when I said âonly 26 people died because of Corona Virus 2019â.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
âAnd this was just the middle of the pandemic that you see the data ofâ, Shanti added. âIt took another two years for the world to overcome Corona virus and that too with lot of cost. It is true that we won the war against Corona Virus, but many lives were lost, many lives were destroyed, many were forced to commit suicide. The inequalities and the exclusion in the entire world was as if opened by the Corona virus. It was one of the worst time I have lived through. We would never want to live it again. Even my enemies should not suffer from such a deadly virus. If we indeed have the new strain of the same virus, I am sure Government will declare <b>#Lockdown</b> again, keep on extending it, reducing whatever social interaction we have and hiding information about people in distress.â <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">âGanesh, I want your generation to come out of the misinformation loop. If it is a new strain of Corona virus which has killed my colleagues at HoLCa, we are due for another disaster. We need to learn lessons from past generations, past experiences. The World Government will try to hide the information â because after last century disaster, the politician had to face peopleâs wrath. I know you are very young. But you are not alone. We are many⊠on the right path, where everybody is treated with respect and dignity.â Shanti went on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">âWhat do you mean by âWeâ?â I was suspicious. I remember that my parents never liked me to have a good relationship with Shanti. Was she trying to allure me towards something bad? But my parents are complete moron. Both of them are high level Government officials. They want me to give up my interest in Virology. But I never followed their orders. I believe that the right path has less travelers. So be it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Shanti was smiling again. âWe are group of people who deal with misinformation and exploitation related to it. We call ourselves InTru - Investigators of Truth. We make people aware of the truth, collaborate and advocate with policy makers insisting that they share the truth and address the real issues. Would you like to join us? We are old. We badly need young techno-savy people like you. I assure you that saving people from misinformation is as vital as saving them from virus. The choice is yours my boy!â<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Of course, I was wise enough not to instantly fall for Shantiâs appeal. Old people are sometimes Utopian. They also want to fulfill their dreams through us. We canât allow others to dominate our life like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">I talked to my friends. We checked. We hacked. We cracked websites. We went to libraries. We checked old newspapers (by the way they were printed on papers!!). We discussed. We challenged each other. We prepared âWorst Case Scenariosâ and we developed strategies to address various challenges. We had to build security measures around us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am sorry to give up Virology. It is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kept in <b>#Lokdown.</b> Now I am an InTru. We are going to shake this power structure (which by the way is based on exclusion, inequality, exploitation etc) and make the world better so that nobody is left behind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">If you are interested in joining InTru, you are most welcome. A secret code is embedded in this post. Crack the code and join the most needed rebellion today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="https://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/2020/07/blogaton59.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="https://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Show your support for the hastags #BlogATon59 & #LockdownTales. Participation Count: XX. </blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-48965651988363574452020-04-03T16:50:00.000+05:302020-04-03T21:42:24.634+05:30235. Ten days of Lockdown (Curfew notes)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">#Coronavirus, #SocialDistancing, #CurfewNotes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3860454498751986354#editor/target=post;postID=6785986581926478035;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname"><b>Part 1</b></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As I said in the earlier post, the Curfew did not end on
31<sup>st</sup> March. We are now in â21 days Lockdownâ, which is supposed to
end on April 14. Again, it is supposed to end. Depending on the gravity of the
situation, this could be extended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">To begin with, I was confused. Is it Curfew? Is it
Restriction? Is it Lockdown? Even before the National Lockdown was announced,
we had Curfew. Or was it Restraining order? I am not sure whether the original Administrative
orders were confusing or the interpretation of these orders (by media, by
self-declared experts on social media) caused confusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first case of Coronavirus pandemic in Maharashtra was
confirmed in Pune on March 9, 2020. There were actually two people who tested
positive. On the next day, three more people tested positive. On March 13, Epidemic
Diseases Act, 1897 was invoked. Corona epidemic was declared in five cities of
Maharashtra; closure of commercial (movie theatres, supermarkets etc.) and
educational establishments was ordered. Public gathering and events were banned
on March 14. Pune Municipal Corporation closed 200+ gardens in the city. Barring
essential services closure of all workplaces was imposed on March 20. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take the case of Pune city. On March 18, Section 144 of
Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was imposed â this means it was curfew. But
later it was explained that this order was Section 144 (1) â which was specific
to tour operators, restaurants in the city. Later Section 68 of Bombay Police
Act was used to achieve the same. There was lot of confusion about whether the restaurants
were ordered to be closed or whether they voluntarily closed it â for three
days â March 18 to 20. On March 17, Pune Municipal Corporation ordered âclosure
of all places that attract a crowdâ. So, were the restaurants closed or not? Same
applied to marriage celebrations. They were not ordered to be cancelled, but
owners of the marriage halls were ârequestedâ by the administration to stop
bookings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pune Divisional Commissioner
on March 16 said, âPeople related Section 144 with Curfew and think its
imposition will bring all movements to standstill. Nothing of that sort has
been invoked till nowâŠ.: (The Hindu, March 16). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The National Janata Curfew on 22<sup>nd</sup> March, was
extended up to 31<sup>st</sup> March by the Government of Maharashtra. Not only
interstate but inter-district borders were sealed on March 23. The National Lockdown
was declared on 24<sup>th</sup> March at 8.00 PM and began from 00.00 on 25<sup>th</sup>
March. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am just trying to document the process and trying to
make sense of it. It seems confusing even today. What this meant to me was to âStay
Homeâ. I last went out on March 14 for Medical Check-up and since then I am
staying home. But I have a home, I am on vacation. Imagine the horrible time
homeless people and migrant laborers have to go through. Imagine people suddenly
stuck at home where they are not safe, and they cannot seek any options. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking at the timeline of the Corona virus, we had ample
time to be well prepared. But as usual we have messed it up and we are busy
with self-appreciation and eulogizing our leaders. Our medical teams, police
force, administrative staff and many other invisible people are carrying the
burden of the mistakes committed by those who had the authority to take right
decisions at the right time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, what am I doing? Well, doing nothing. I have always
been cooking, cleaning, washing myself. There is no house help for me, so
on that count nothing has changed. One day I got so tired of doing nothing that
I slept for almost twenty hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I used to take one-hour morning walk in the compound of
my residential complex. It has to be stopped. That meant I had now time for
bird watching in the morning. I joined <b><a href="https://birdcount.in/lockdown-birding-challenge/">âLockdown Birding Challengeâ</a>.</b> You are
supposed to watch birds from your home â everyday 15 minutes in the morning and
15 minutes in the evening. The challenge started on March 27. Curfew or no
Curfew, I always been able to watch 25+ different species from my house. So, it
was fun to watch them again. Once you get hold of a binocular, bird watching
can be an addiction. It is good to meet the usual species like Red-vented Bulbul,
Red-whiskered Bulbul, Black Kite, House Crow, Common Myna, Rock Pigeon, Purple
Sunbird, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Yellow-wattled Lapwig, Asean koel, Greater Coucal and so on. But it is
special fun when the White-throated Kingfisher sings close to you; Indian Grey
hornbills are so close that you donât need binocular; Shikra is sitting
motionless; Little Cormorants and Pond Herons are flying gracefully; Great tits
(I am aware they have got a new name now, but I still call them by the old
name!) are chirping. And Coppersmith Barbet and Black-hooded Oriole is the cherry on the top. I am
enjoying it and I am spending more than an hour each day with birds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am using the time (knowing that most of my friends are
also at home now) to connect with friends. One call in the morning and one call
in the evening. Nowadays no call is for less than half an hour â so an hour spent
with friends is a good time too. I have friends in different countries and exchanging
notes with them and knowing they all are good also matters a lot these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are some people who are moving out (with police
permission of course) and helping people â migrant laborers, old people, sick
people, people who are alone and need help etc. I came across some of these
groups on social media. One of my senior citizen friends in Pune needed medicine.
Approaching this group was an amazing experience. My friend called on the given
number, the volunteer came to her home with medicine. So, spreading good word
about this available help is also one task which can be done sitting at home. It
is a positive feeling to know that people are ready to help strangers without
expecting anything in return. I always have a faith in Generation Next and it
is good feeling to see them working tirelessly and taking the risks. I also
contributed some amount to one of the groups who are supplying food to all
those migratory laborers who are stuck on the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Though I have reduced internet time, I have not given up
it completely. Now it is the only source of information and communication. I make
it a point to comment on posts of strangers which are spreading hearted and or superstitions.
People use horrible language on internet, one has to learn to ignore it. But
when there are famous people posting rubbish, one has to take it on. For
example, when Avinash Dharmadhikari (ex-IAS officer) wrote a post about âthis
is the time to attack and take PoK backâ â I also trolled him a bit. Another
example is: hatred speech. No sane person will justify what happened at
Tablighi gathering in Delhi. Those who are guilty should be punished according
to the law of the land. But blaming the entire coronavirus epidemic on this one
group is not a wise thing. So, I just tried to compile the news where people
have broken the #SocialDistancing guidelines. This will help people to
understand that irresponsible people exist in every group, every community. Blaming
a single incident is not the right way to look at the reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I also joined the team of âonline volunteersâ with <a href="http://covidindia.org/">covidindia.org</a>.
Though I am yet to identify the areas I can contribute, I am preparing myself
for it. I have also registered for blood donation and I have been given a morning slot on April 11. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And of course, reading. Now planning to read âDhammapadaâ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Executive Committee of my residential complex is very active. We have 11 buildings and we have created building-wise WhatsApp groups for help and support. So, I know if I need anything, I have to just write a message on this group. They also arranged vegetable sell within the compound - every day two hours. Cell number of a grocery shop is shared with us. I can order the grocery on WhatsApp and collect it at the gate of the society. Though I have not used any of these facilities yet, it is good to know that they are in place. I am also aware of the 'E-pass' arrangments made by Pune police. Our elected representative in the Municipal Corporation has shared the number of medical stores - who will deliver medicine at home. So everything for me is settled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another 11 days to go. </span><span style="mso-bidi-language: MR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-67859865819264780352020-03-23T23:08:00.001+05:302020-04-03T17:11:50.519+05:30234. #Coronavirus Curfew Notes: Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="10f91" data-offset-key="dm1r-0-0" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dm1r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">#Coronavirus, #SocialDistancing, #CurfewNotes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Well, Day 1 notes don't exist)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Though my short stay in Afghanistan was kind of 24X7 Curfew, it is amazing to note that it is my first experience of a Curfew in India. I am old enough and I have known many Curfew occasions, but somehow, I was never in the area where the Curfew was imposed. So, it is my first time to experience </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">what a Curfew means. Given the situation of #Coronavirus, I was expecting this Curfew. So, it is not sudden. I was mentally and physically prepared for it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is not a Curfew which is imposed after riots or terrorist attacks etc. So, there are no security issues. No stress about what will happen next moment. The city Administration, Police, Medical team, and so many other invisible people are doing a great job. I can't express my gratitude in words. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am in a privileged position. I have a home to stay. I have cash in hand and cards to use if required. I am in my hometown, so language is not a barrier. I have friends. I know doctors in the city. I have good neighbours. I have a good mobile range and data pack to access internet. I know whom to approach if I have any problem. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For last ten years, whenever I am home, it is on vacation. So mostly I stay home, read books, listen to music. Sometimes I go out, eat local dishes, meet friends. So, I am used to staying at home. I always look forward to it. #SocialDistancing suits me đ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, when there is a Curfew, I am </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">forced</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to stay at home. It is not my choice (though my choice would mostly be to stay at home!), so there is a feeling of suffocation. It is like I am made to follow somebody's orders and I am not used to it. Intellectually I know it is in the best interest of me and others that I stay at home - so I stay at home, but I don't like it. I have a sudden urge of going out. That is a rare internal conflict. And I know this is just a beginning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another aspect is seeking information. As internet is easily available, I tend to check the number of Coronavirus cases. It is kind of obsession though I canât do anything about it. I donât have to take any decisions about the situation. But the habit of looking at the data, processing it, inferring from it â that is an intellectual obsession. It has to stop. If I am not looking at the data, I am spending more time on Social Media and reacting to peopleâs posts and comments on Facebook and Twitter. Generally, I access social media, but hardly react to it. I always have been fortunate enough to be able to work with people. I discuss with people face to face: sometimes we agree; some other times we donât. I never seek online interaction â I seek online information, online entertainment but never online interaction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But today I found myself responding a lot to peopleâs posts and comments. I also spent considerable time in reading some of the comments. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have realized that I have to learn to switch off internet for some time. Take a break from it for couple of hours at least. I need to pick up one or two interesting books from my collection and enjoy </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">reading. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">I donât have Refrigerator at home, never wanted it. But that means I cannot purchase items in bulk and store. For example, I had only enough milk to make a cup of tea. My young </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">neighbor</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"> when he was coming home, called and asked me whether I wanted him to pick up anything for me from the grocery shop. I asked him to purchase milk. But it turned out that milk was not available.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, I am not very fond of tea and coffee. I drink it only occasionally. If some guests are coming, I purchase milk, otherwise I donât. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since my Myanmar days, I mostly take green tea. But now there is no milk, I suddenly crave for typical Indian tea with sugar and milk. Mind is funny, that is for sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let us see how it goes for the next ten days. I fear it is not going to end on 31<sup>st</sup> March. But if it is going to control the spread of Coronavirus, I am all for it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><u><a href="https://thistimethattime.blogspot.com/2020/04/235-ten-days-of-lockdown-curfew-notes.html">Next</a></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-34557376603684349682016-10-29T08:00:00.000+05:302016-10-29T08:00:25.214+05:30233. Thadingyut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of <b>Blog-a-Ton 58</b>; the fifty-eighth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iamsaravofficial" target="_blank">âSaravana Kumar Murugan</a>, the editor of <a href="https://www.payumoney.com/store/product/945cdd0c2d1c04b7a4468c8d52203f14" target="_blank">Shades Of Life book series</a>. </blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year I celebrated Deepavalee a bit early. Hmm, not a bit early but almost two weeks earlier. I was surrounded by crackers, small earthen lamps and candles, lanterns in the sky. There were big "Sale" in the Supermarkets around. Shops were full of gift packages and were displaying those in windows and sometimes on roads. Those roads were crowded, more than they normally are. People were shopping enthusiastically and there was joy and happiness in the air. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QrIc6ITNBc/WBG2QxFRDHI/AAAAAAAARZc/BLgadCQIOLI3yIZesOUgaXO2jLKXvaOMACLcB/s1600/Shop%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bstreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QrIc6ITNBc/WBG2QxFRDHI/AAAAAAAARZc/BLgadCQIOLI3yIZesOUgaXO2jLKXvaOMACLcB/s400/Shop%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bstreet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Shop from the Street. Woman selling betel-leaf. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5q08s1Byw8/WBG4RxHKvcI/AAAAAAAARZo/WAvKzsP8YtcoEQyqHzQ2KVOwxX9guCa1QCLcB/s1600/Lanterns%2Bin%2BJunction%2BSquare%2BSupermarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5q08s1Byw8/WBG4RxHKvcI/AAAAAAAARZo/WAvKzsP8YtcoEQyqHzQ2KVOwxX9guCa1QCLcB/s400/Lanterns%2Bin%2BJunction%2BSquare%2BSupermarket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="MR" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lanterns at Junction Square Supermarket</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="MR" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whichever is the country and whatever is the cultural occasion, Market is overtaking it, controlling it. I could not help myself to think about whether the innocence of the festivals will remain the same in future or not. So it be. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="MR" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay. So, I was saying that the entire atmosphere around me reminded me of Deepavalee celebrations, but it was not Deepavalee. It was a festival outwardly similar to Deepavalee. It was a local festival named Thadingyut - to be pronounced as TaDinju.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="MR" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A note before we move ahead. I have checked the pronunciation of Burmese (Myanmar) words with English speaking Myanmar people. It is no wonder that if we try to pronounce the word according to the English spelling, chances are 8 times out of 10, we would fail to say the word properly.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am talking about a country called Myanmar and about a language Myanmar (or Burma). For the last few months I have been in Yangon and exploring the language and the culture - or should I say culture and language? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Myanmar, some of the traditional festivals are associated with specific towns or Pagodas. So I was not sure where I could go to observe and enjoy Thadingyut. Later I realized that Thadingyut festival is celebrated nationwide and hence I could enjoy it in Yangon as well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Majority of Myanmar population follows 'Therwada Buddhism'. The traditional festival are celebrated according to the lunar calendar. So they don't occur on exactly same "dates" (of the Gregorian calendar). The seventh Lunar month is called Thadingyut. The full moon day of this month is the middle day of the three days light festival - Thadingyut festival. This year the full moon day of Thadingyut was on 16 October, hence the Light Festival was celebrated on 15,16 and 17 October.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This festival has an interesting mythological aspect. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a traditional belief that on the full moon day of the fourth month called "Waso" (which happened to be in July), Siddhardha Gautama , the Buddha went to Celestial Abode called "Tavatimsa". There he stayed for three months and guided the Gods (Devas) in spiritual enlightenment. There are six such Celestial Abodes according to Buddhist mythology. Buddha particularly chose this one, because his mother of previous birth "Maya" was in this abode. Buddha wanted to share his knowledge with her and hence he went to Tavatimsa. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Thadingyut full moon day, Buddha returned to earth. His path to earth was lighted by various Gods. Thadingyut is a Myanmar celebration of Gautam Buddha's <b>Return </b>to earth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elders in the family are respected by all the members with offer of special gifts. Some people observe half day or full day fast on full moon day. Clothes, umbrella, food is offered to Monks. People light their houses and visit Pagodas to light the Pagodas. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I visited Kyaik Waing Pagoda with two of my friends and enjoyed interacting with local people. A mythological story of a "hide and seek" between a Nat (powerful spirit) and Buddha is associated with this Pagoda. This Pagoda was initially built in 1872 and later was expanded. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some moments of Thadingyut in Kyaik Waing Pagoda. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-bvMaYAdqY/WBLc2_buMKI/AAAAAAAARaU/cixc3McazdgTI3zrBDCxSwbP269PQZk-QCLcB/s1600/Citizens%2BCelebrating%2BThadingyut%2B1%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-bvMaYAdqY/WBLc2_buMKI/AAAAAAAARaU/cixc3McazdgTI3zrBDCxSwbP269PQZk-QCLcB/s400/Citizens%2BCelebrating%2BThadingyut%2B1%2B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Enthusiastic Citizens at the Pagoda</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LesJwJImi80/WBLd4yTjU0I/AAAAAAAARag/GX8oZCJGsbwk0O55SDcXXhAIzqHN7PYOwCLcB/s1600/Stands%2Bfor%2BLights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LesJwJImi80/WBLd4yTjU0I/AAAAAAAARag/GX8oZCJGsbwk0O55SDcXXhAIzqHN7PYOwCLcB/s400/Stands%2Bfor%2BLights.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "mangal" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="MR" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Special Stands to keep the Candles and small Earthen pots</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While celebrating a Festival of Lights, which is very similar to Deepavalee celebrations in India, I came across one more realization. Whichever is the country , whichever is the religion (or even if people do not believe in any religion), people like to celebrate together. People always dream for destruction of darkness (pain, suffering, poverty etc.) and the Return of Light (happiness, joy, smiles) in their life. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"From Darkness to Light" is the common prayer we all have.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We all want to <b>Return </b>to Light.</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2016/10/blogaton58.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Show your support for the hastags #BlogATon58 & #Aativas50. Participation Count: 50. </blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-37191914165165411032016-06-22T16:29:00.004+05:302016-06-22T16:29:56.701+05:30232. Glimpses of Bangkok: 1: Bangkok Art and Culture Center<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bangkok was never in my "To Visit" list. Suddenly I had to come to Bangkok for some work. First surprise was the name of the Bangkok airport - "Suvarnbhumi" (Golden Land). My first impression of the city on that Thursday night was good. Wide roads, no traffic jam, and shining skyscrapers. The receptionist at the hotel welcomed me by folding both the hands. It was only next day that I realized that this hand-folded welcome is the traditional Thai greetings. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My plan was simple. Work on Friday, leave Bangkok on Saturday morning. However, the work remained unfinished on Saturday and I had two full unplanned days in this world famous tourist destination. It was very humid with no sign of rain. So, I decided to go slow, visit only couple of places. On Saturday morning when I left the hotel, I saw that the roads within the city were narrow. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcCXKsc_k3I/V1rlYDguMsI/AAAAAAAAPsY/NDgjJz45_TkPy4ttShWvbTDFsXd1OywkACLcB/s1600/Small%2Blane%2Bin%2BSukhumvit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcCXKsc_k3I/V1rlYDguMsI/AAAAAAAAPsY/NDgjJz45_TkPy4ttShWvbTDFsXd1OywkACLcB/s400/Small%2Blane%2Bin%2BSukhumvit.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had finalized two spots on Saturday, for which Sky Train was more convenient. I was staying in Sukhumvit area and the nearest Sky Train Station was 'Asok'.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ9IwfrhSW8/V1rl1nKywnI/AAAAAAAAPsg/GNPS6CXygm8JMMe9bpy9t6PE2CtFRDM9gCLcB/s1600/Sky%2Btrain%2BAsok%2Bstation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ9IwfrhSW8/V1rl1nKywnI/AAAAAAAAPsg/GNPS6CXygm8JMMe9bpy9t6PE2CtFRDM9gCLcB/s400/Sky%2Btrain%2BAsok%2Bstation.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the station there was a counter where we can exchange notes for coins and use the coins to get a ticket from the vending machines. There were maps in the station and the exact amount needed for each station was displayed, so there was no problem in purchasing the right ticket. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4F37l0JG1IU/V1rmotIhVdI/AAAAAAAAPsw/Fmx5f-sxGX82wDh9tItp8HpGeJLbY-_TACLcB/s1600/Sky%2Btrain%2Bmap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4F37l0JG1IU/V1rmotIhVdI/AAAAAAAAPsw/Fmx5f-sxGX82wDh9tItp8HpGeJLbY-_TACLcB/s320/Sky%2Btrain%2Bmap.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were regular announcements in the station and in the train. I smiled when I heard a station name "Nana". The Sky Train was crowded but the crowds were disciplined. I have traveled for considerable time by Delhi Metro and I noted certain differences in Delhi Metro and Bangkok Sky Train. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Delhi Metro has a reserved coach for women, which Bangkok Sky Train does not have. Second: Bangkok Sky Train has sliding glass doors on platform also - which Delhi Metro does not have. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjz8DfZL0l8/V1rrgtzGQCI/AAAAAAAAPuY/34rsPVqTMlouFT2qu9-aCxQZQL95t0oRACLcB/s1600/Sky%2Btrain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjz8DfZL0l8/V1rrgtzGQCI/AAAAAAAAPuY/34rsPVqTMlouFT2qu9-aCxQZQL95t0oRACLcB/s400/Sky%2Btrain.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In Delhi Metro, each passenger has to go through personal security. Here in Bangkok one has to enter through metal dictator, there is a security official, but they not necessarily check every passenger again. The instructions show how Buddhist Monks are respected.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ii-w_dUEUaQ/V1rnnlN8LBI/AAAAAAAAPs8/K0d8BPFIWfEZn1667AFWzoxeUEAe0715ACLcB/s1600/Respecting%2BMonks%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ii-w_dUEUaQ/V1rnnlN8LBI/AAAAAAAAPs8/K0d8BPFIWfEZn1667AFWzoxeUEAe0715ACLcB/s400/Respecting%2BMonks%2B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 'Sky Train' map was also printed on the ticket, so I had no difficulty in reaching Siam station. After coming out of the station I was confused about the direction I needed to take. I spotted a 'Tourist Information Center' just outside the station and the staff there, guided me to reach at <a href="http://www.bacc.or.th/">'Bangkok Art and Culture Center'. There is no entrance fee.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GISECiHFV7c/V1roFA1bOeI/AAAAAAAAPtE/Y9W5bTMSRoEXIXS5-4lJbuub9pIjdZwywCLcB/s1600/BACC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GISECiHFV7c/V1roFA1bOeI/AAAAAAAAPtE/Y9W5bTMSRoEXIXS5-4lJbuub9pIjdZwywCLcB/s400/BACC.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had assumed this place to be a museum and I was partially right. This nine-storey building has paintings, sculpture, handicrafts, woodcraft, ceramic art,music and design displays. There are couple of book stores and an Art Library. There are coffee shops where one can have lengthy discussions over a cup of coffee. When it comes to art, I am almost illiterate. However, I was in this center for more than three hours and enjoyed the visit. Here are some of the snapshots from the Center.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3cvoNzn864/V1rocDvDJ_I/AAAAAAAAPtQ/D9pl0KTcKZEZ5W57Szg9NMTFO2fqTZ9iwCLcB/s1600/BACC%2Bgalaries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3cvoNzn864/V1rocDvDJ_I/AAAAAAAAPtQ/D9pl0KTcKZEZ5W57Szg9NMTFO2fqTZ9iwCLcB/s400/BACC%2Bgalaries.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</i><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlY8owKxJNo/V1rovDGlGoI/AAAAAAAAPtc/cRv2O3U01AkY9SlmU9eZxwMGcEoTn7MmQCLcB/s1600/Ceramic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlY8owKxJNo/V1rovDGlGoI/AAAAAAAAPtc/cRv2O3U01AkY9SlmU9eZxwMGcEoTn7MmQCLcB/s400/Ceramic.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xPazl8EENc/V1rpCF7UZSI/AAAAAAAAPtk/WMkMsc9jUCIGUU2KdVcUWSb5V39Roy-ggCLcB/s1600/Children.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xPazl8EENc/V1rpCF7UZSI/AAAAAAAAPtk/WMkMsc9jUCIGUU2KdVcUWSb5V39Roy-ggCLcB/s320/Children.JPG" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6nPr-ufzSpk/V1rpmbE49QI/AAAAAAAAPt0/THcDC7rOXkQwLdC4M_W1QElwShVso2alACLcB/s1600/Crocodile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6nPr-ufzSpk/V1rpmbE49QI/AAAAAAAAPt0/THcDC7rOXkQwLdC4M_W1QElwShVso2alACLcB/s400/Crocodile.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WiVyILNNkM4/V1rqhKn4SkI/AAAAAAAAPuA/ihxljJCjE9cSFOMz3X-jaQK6cuZHRljxwCLcB/s1600/paintings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WiVyILNNkM4/V1rqhKn4SkI/AAAAAAAAPuA/ihxljJCjE9cSFOMz3X-jaQK6cuZHRljxwCLcB/s400/paintings.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k08KI0kzw0I/V1rq42hUZkI/AAAAAAAAPuM/h8hNh6wnq5k4JtjBVH9DkiyD--nW2t8lgCLcB/s1600/paper%2Bart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k08KI0kzw0I/V1rq42hUZkI/AAAAAAAAPuM/h8hNh6wnq5k4JtjBVH9DkiyD--nW2t8lgCLcB/s400/paper%2Bart.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRJ3FTSgT8Q/V1rrzwDBoAI/AAAAAAAAPuk/Xi6O-8zjgIoTm6L90nwjuq7KMID1_gnNACLcB/s1600/Realistic%2Bmonkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRJ3FTSgT8Q/V1rrzwDBoAI/AAAAAAAAPuk/Xi6O-8zjgIoTm6L90nwjuq7KMID1_gnNACLcB/s400/Realistic%2Bmonkey.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCpotqt4-LQ/V1rsMthEvVI/AAAAAAAAPuw/FFxE-up6eIE9PrySnmwj0AClQ6WdguJswCLcB/s1600/Wall%2Bpainting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCpotqt4-LQ/V1rsMthEvVI/AAAAAAAAPuw/FFxE-up6eIE9PrySnmwj0AClQ6WdguJswCLcB/s400/Wall%2Bpainting.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was good to see that the information of the artists was also displayed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmcyl_0PlTQ/V1rs1OnvncI/AAAAAAAAPu8/F6bnkoJXCDQkI3_Ed4oaxCIA8Dsqcs2oACLcB/s1600/artist%2Binfo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmcyl_0PlTQ/V1rs1OnvncI/AAAAAAAAPu8/F6bnkoJXCDQkI3_Ed4oaxCIA8Dsqcs2oACLcB/s320/artist%2Binfo.JPG" width="253" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was some experience/experiment related to sound waves. This was something new for me. There were number of photographs on the walls. Each photograph was given a unique number. Every person entering the exhibition hall was handed over a small cellphone-like handset.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ2y3b5ssNA/V1rtD751CZI/AAAAAAAAPvI/N3x15u0nXfcwdjeF3K8qyxBLIE2i7FFvgCLcB/s1600/Handset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ2y3b5ssNA/V1rtD751CZI/AAAAAAAAPvI/N3x15u0nXfcwdjeF3K8qyxBLIE2i7FFvgCLcB/s320/Handset.JPG" width="165" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One was expected to type the photograph number on this machine, press the green button and hold the machine near the ear. For different photographs, I could hear different sound waves (if I am using the right term!), but I could not understand what it was all about. For people more interested in this, the following photograph might be of some help.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtKcLB2YusQ/V1rtb-j7LJI/AAAAAAAAPvU/VaFyD7F8KfABm1wOHdQy2hp_NxXKXjTmwCLcB/s1600/omnivoyeur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtKcLB2YusQ/V1rtb-j7LJI/AAAAAAAAPvU/VaFyD7F8KfABm1wOHdQy2hp_NxXKXjTmwCLcB/s320/omnivoyeur.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was surprised to see this huge wall poster of the Hindi film in the Art section. Is this film already released in India? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc6AaZs6nDs/V1rt16DMkJI/AAAAAAAAPvg/zOxIIqujFpwdR3x6_nizHoCCHoRglgw0ACLcB/s1600/Hindi%2Bmovie%2Bad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc6AaZs6nDs/V1rt16DMkJI/AAAAAAAAPvg/zOxIIqujFpwdR3x6_nizHoCCHoRglgw0ACLcB/s320/Hindi%2Bmovie%2Bad.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
I was feeling tired as I was walking for more than three hours. When I asked for the directions of my next destinations, I realized that it was nearby. So, I continued walking with enthusiasm.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>To be continued ...</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-67803163071017741412016-03-07T21:27:00.000+05:302016-03-07T21:27:08.745+05:30231. #PledgeForParity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow is 8 March. Tomorrow is âInternational Womenâs Dayâ. Tomorrow is a
day of exchanging best wishes. Tomorrow will be presented womenâs problems with
statistics and concerns will be expressed. Tomorrow there will be speeches,
articles and sighs. Tomorrow people will be hopeful after coming across
examples of womenâs success. Tomorrow Radio, Newspapers and Television channels
will salute Women and many will express Gratitude. The Market will shout about
âDiscounts to Womenâ. Tomorrow women will wear their best dresses and lunch
together. Tomorrow will be a day of smiles and despair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Whatever is the experience, for many people it last for at most 17-18
hours. On 9 March, everything generally falls back to normalcy. People,
especially men joke about âhow there is a need for menâs dayâ or âhow women are
getting all the favors in this worldâ. Many times I feel that such opinions are
expressed because people are not aware of the history of why and how âWomenâs
Dayâ came into existence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Before moving further, I would like to emphasize two points. One, I do not
believe that only women have problems in this world and all men are happy. No
one with common sense would make such a sweeping statement. Men too face
problems, they too struggle, they too have responsibilities and men too are
unhappy. However, when we think about women-men relationships, we realize that
men have an upper hand. When I say women-men relationship, it is not about
husband-wife relationship (as most of us in India spontaneously think) but
son-mother, brother-sister, father-daughter, colleagues ⊠all such
relationships show that men get better treatment, men get favor. Women favor
their sons over their daughters; because women are born and brought up into a
system which favors men. It is an invariable impact of the social structure and
the upbringing. I am not going to
discuss âPatriarchyâ in details. However, we need to understand that Womenâs
Movement is not challenging individual men but Patriarchy. Patriarchy means
secondary status of women, the existing men-women hierarchy, the stereotypes
regarding roles and responsibilities of women and men. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Secondly, one has to accept that not all men are insensitive because they
are men and not all women are sensitive to other women just because they are women.
There are sensitive men and insensitive men. All the men in the world do not
behave badly with every woman they come across. Similarly, there are sensitive
women and there are insensitive women. Transformation is expected in both men
and women. So, Womenâs Movement works not only with women but also with men. For
many years we have been taught to treat women as secondary. So it becomes our
habit to treat women as if they are inferior to men. It has not happened and it
is not happening only in India, but it is a
world-wide phenomenon. There was a time when
some believed âwomen to be a separate Classâ and expected them to revolt
against another class called âmenâ. But, womenâs identity has many aspects
(common with men) â such as Religion, Ethnicity, Province, Language, Caste etc.
All these factors influence menâs and womenâs identities. At the same time
women have to carry the burden of being women â across all the societies. In
spite of being many differences among women in the world, they share
something common which cuts across all the above mentioned factors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I wonât describe the concept of Patriarchy in details here. Broadly
speaking, male progeny preference; discrimination between men (sons) and women (daughters)
in food, clothes, educational opportunities (Women also discriminate because
they are born and brought up into Patriarchy); household chores being the
responsibility of only women (and girls); control over womenâs movement and
body; sexual exploitation of women and girls;
lack of inheritance right (in India we have improved laws now); lack of
decision power to women regarding how many children she wants and when; ⊠all
such points highlight the importance of men in the life we all live. There
might be some exceptions around, but we are discussing the general norms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So, Patriarchy means: men have
control over women: control over womenâs productive and reproductive
capabilities; control over womenâs sexuality, control over womenâs mobility,
control over all the resources etc. Different institutions and systems like
Religion, Family, Law, Education, Market, Politics shape and strengthen
Patriarchy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Let us accept openly that men are also burdened by Patriarchy. They too
have to fulfil specific roles and carry out specific responsibilities with
which all men are not comfortable. They are also trapped in a system, which no
doubt is still more beneficial to them. Womenâs Movement turns away from these
traditional roles and responsibilities and appeals to us create an environment
where all individuals will have equal opportunity to realize their potential.
Men and Women have different bodies (though only reproductive system is
different), but based on that an entire social structure of discrimination and
favor has been created. Womenâs Movement is not asking us to change the body,
but the asking us to change our ways we look at womenâs body. If you review the
life of your grandmother/father â mother/father- and you â you will realize
that social change always happens. The changes Womenâs Movement is seeking are
difficult and time taking, but they are not improbable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If womenâs awareness about their Rights increases, men certainly will have
to give away most of the benefits they get in Patriarchy. That is one of the
reasons why some men dislike Womenâs Movement. However, we need to realize that
Womenâs Movement (and there are different schools of thought within the
movement) is not against Men. It is not about Men versus Women, but it is about
Men with Women. The âwomenâ are not someone we do not know; she is the mother,
the aunt, the grandmother, wife, girlfriend, friend, daughter, colleague,
neighbor âŠ., these women enrich our lives, their happiness would make men too
happy. Men and Women both need to contribute towards this struggle of Womenâs
Rights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The struggle for Womenâs Rights is on for centuries. These Rights are
classified into Economic Rights, Civil Rights, Socio-Cultural Rights and
Political Rights. Basically, all these are Human Rights. The form of the
struggle has changed, the tools used by the movement have changed and the
response also has changed. Many sensitive men have supported Womenâs Movement
during the long journey. Many laws have been improved to accommodate Womenâs
Rights. But we still have a long way to go. Not only in India but across the
world, we still have lot to do to achieve the goal of Womenâs Rights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We are not going to discuss history of Womenâs Movement here â may be some
other time. However, we would briefly look at the evolution of âInternational
Womenâs Dayâ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In 1908, women working in Garment industry in New York (USA), declared
strike to demand better working conditions. To support these demands, in 1909,
women in USA celebrated âWomenâs Dayâ on 28 February. In 1910, Copenhagen
hosted Socialist Conference in which more than 100 women from 17 countries
participated. The Conference passed a resolution of celebrating âInternational
Womenâs Dayâ to support Womenâs Rights movement and Right to Vote for Women.
However, the date of celebration was not fixed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In India, on 26 January 1950, Constitution was adopted and it established
Right to Vote for both women and men (who have completed 21 years, later the
age was reduced to 18). We in India, do not know about womenâs worldwide
struggle to get Right to Vote. (Also in many countries all men did not have
Right to Vote; description of this journey will need separate blog-post.) Let us
look at the journey of some of the countries â which will give us some idea of
womenâs struggle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sweden â in 1718, taxpayer women members of the City Guild had the Right to
Vote. Womenâs Right to Vote was achieved in 1921. United States of America â in
1756, one woman in Uxbridge <span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(</span>Massachusetts<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">)</span> was given a Right to Vote in
Town Meeting. In 1910 womenâs Right to Vote was established in some of the
States and the process was complete in 1920. Great Britain 1928; New Zealand
1929; United States of Soviet Russia in 1917 (after abdication of Czar); 1935
British Raj (included India) and Burma (now Myanmar); 1945 â France, Italy and
Japan; 1947 China and Pakistan (initial only literate women could vote in
Pakistan, in 1956 the right was extended to all the women); this process is
going on. In Saudi Arabia women were granted Right to Vote in 2011 and they
could contest municipal election only in 2015. So, the struggle is still on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As an impact of Copenhagen Conference, on 19 March in 1911, millions of
people (both women and men) celebrated âWomenâs Dayâ in Austria, Denmark,
Germany and Switzerland. With Right to Vote, they also supported demands like
Right to Work, Right to Vocational Training, Right to Equal treatment (no
discrimination) at workplace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In 1913, women in Soviet Russia filled the streets on the last Sunday of
February in demand of Peace. In Europe, Womenâs Day was celebrated on and
around 8 March in 1914. In 1917, on the last Sunday of February, Russian women
took the streets demanding âBread and Peaceâ. This was 8 March according to
Gregorian Calendar. (Later Russia accepted Gregorian Calendar in 1918.) Within
4 days, Czar abdicated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Different countries kept on celebrating Womenâs Day. In India, All India
Womenâs Conference Initiated Womenâs Day celebration in different towns on 1
March 1930. India celebrates âNational Womenâs Dayâ on 13 February which is a
birth anniversary of our First Women Governor and Freedom Fighter Sarojini
Nayadu. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Womenâs Day became truly International in 1975 when United Nations
Organization declared 8 March as âInternational Womenâs Dayâ. All the countries
now celebrate this Day and many events, discussions are organized on this day
to review progress and strategize towards achieving Womenâs Rights. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The journey to Gender Equity is a continuous journey. Every year for âInternational Womenâs Dayâ a
theme is declared so that it does not remain one-day activity. In 1975, the
theme was âUnited Nations recognizes International Womenâs Dayâ. I easily
remember the following themes: Women and Human Rights (1998); World Free of
Violence Against Women (1999); Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
(2002); Women and HIV/AIDS (2004); Women in Decision Making (2006); Empower
Rural Women, End Poverty and Hunger (2012).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The theme for 2016 International Womenâs Day is #<b>PledgeForParity. </b>Four
types of activities are suggested which can be taken up by individuals and/or
organizations. 1. Help women and girls to achieve their ambitions: challenge
conscious and unconscious bias 2. Call for Gender balanced leadership 3. Value
womenâs and menâs contribution equally and 4. Create inclusive, flexible
cultures. If you come across any other idea, you are free to act on it. I have
pledged for the first idea, though these four ideas are not compartmental but
connected. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You can sign the page <b><a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme">here</a></b>. If required, develop ideas which you think will
work in your environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Can we declare our commitment to âParityâ â in home, at workplace, at
whatever place we spend time? Can we act with consciousness towards Gender Equity?
Both Men and Women are expected to work jointly to arrive at a better world.
Signing this pledge only makes us feel better to know that we are not alone on
this path. There are millions in the world who are trying to make the world
better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Happy International Womenâs Day to you all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Please, do share your experiences of the journey. I look forward to
learning from you.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-19430182617662539172015-12-28T16:37:00.000+05:302015-12-28T16:37:20.022+05:30230. Meena<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">When I was in Kabul, I came across </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><b><a href="http://www.rawa.org/">www.rawa.org</a>,</b> which I
found to be very insightful and trustworthy. RAWA stands for </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">âRevolutionary
Association of Women of Afghanistanâ. This in local language is
âJamiat-E-Inqalabi Zanan-E-Afghanistanâ. There is a sentence which attracts the
attention of readers. It says, âIf you are freedom-loving and
anti-fundamentalist, you are with RAWA. Support and help us.â<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">RAWA is working in Afghanistan since
1977 and is one of the oldest Socio-Political Womenâs Organization working for
Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Women Rights. RAWA was established by Afghan
women and is being run by Afghan women. Referring to the RAWA website, I could
understand Afghan womenâs perspectives, could better know their struggle and
also could understand what they want to achieve, what they are dreaming and
striving for. The RAWA website can be accessed in seven to eight different
languages, which clearly shows that their well-wishers are spread across the
world. It is a surprise that in war-zone Afghanistan somebody thought of
establishing Womenâs Organization. Moreover in an environment where human
rights are least respected, this organization is working for 38 years without
diluting its founding principles is a miracle to me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The person who created this
exceptional organization is Meena. She is the founder member of RAWA. There is
a brief introduction of Meena on RAWA website. However, I was searching for
more information regarding Meena. Then I came across a <i>Marathi book</i> on
Meena. This book is a translation of <b>Meena: Heroin of Afghanistan</b> by <b>Melody
Ermachild Chavias.</b> The English book was published in 2003. The book is
translated in Marathi by Shobha Chitre and Dilip Chitre and published by
Rajhamsa Prakashana in 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The International Womenâs Year
celebrated in 1975 (followed by Womenâs Decade) was instrumental in generating
discourse across the world on status of women and the need to improve womenâs
participation in all spheres of life. Even in India, Womenâs Movement faced the
challenge of existing gender stereotypes â this challenge still exists. We will
fail to understand the importance of Meenaâs and RAWAâs work unless we have a
know their context â the situation in Afghanistan. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In July 1973, Daud Khan forcefully
removed King Zahir Shah, thus ending his 40 years of rule (1933-73). Daud Khan
established Government which was pro-Russia (then USSR). Zahir Shah Government
encouraged education of girls and women, even co-education; women were working
in different establishments. They were announcing on Radio, they were Air
Hostess, they were Telephone operators. For the ease of operations at
workplace, these women were not using burqa (veil). However even during those
days womenâs existence was secondary as the society was governed by <b>Sharia</b>.
Meena understood womenâs plight at a very young age and in Malalai School she
met some wonderful teachers who gave right direction to her inner spark. Meena
started thinking independently, rationally and started dreaming about Rights of
Women. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meena was born in Kabul on 27
February 1956. In 1975 she joined Kabul University. The University atmosphere
was charged with passionate discussions on different topics including Marx,
Islam, Afghan culture and so on. But slowly the atmosphere was spoiled by
fundamentalist elements amongst students and professors. In 1976, at the age of
20 she got married with Faij, this marriage was little late compared to the
tradition surrounding her. Before accepting marriage proposal, Meena put
conditions like she would continue studying even after marriage and Faij will
remain loyal to her. It is interesting to note that Faij not only accepted
these demands but lived accordingly. He was certainly a different kind of man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To protest Daud Khanâs pro-Communist
approach, Islamic Fundamentalism rose in Afghanistan. People were caught
between two conflicting approaches, which were equally harmful for them. During
this period of turmoil, Meena decided to establish a Womenâs Organization and
started meeting women. At this time, Meena was a young girl of 20; newly
married; without economic support and without experience in organizing women.
However, Meenaâs empathy, tenacity and hard work created a group of
enthusiastic Afghan women who were ready to struggle for Democracy, Peace and
Womenâs Rights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meena starting meeting different women
- with whom she was acquainted â one by one and in 1977 RAWA was established. Both
Police (Government) and Fundamentalists treated RAWA as its enemy. So, right
from the beginning, âSecret for Securityâ principle was followed by RAWA. This
was necessary because police would have tortured women to get information about
RAWA. The hostile police and the fundamentalists â neither were able to destroy
RAWA forever. The credit for this strategy goes to vision of Meena.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While reading this book, I was amazed
by the work done by Meena and her known and unknown colleagues in RAWA. I kept
wondering about the source of the tenacity, the sensitivity and the determination
to march forward to achieve the goal â irrespective of the situation. They all
were and are indeed amazing women.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Afghanistanâs known history shows
that RAWA was the first attempt to organize women to fight for their rights.
For these women, the atmosphere was neither congenial outside nor within the
home (for most of them) to work through RAWA. They began with small group
discussions, helped each other when required, conducted literacy classes â and
RAWA progressed from strength to strength through these activities. On many
occasions the resolve of RAWA women was tested, and through every such
difficulty, their resolve became stronger. Whenever the Government in the
country was changed, women paid the worst price. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is not the place to review
history of political situation in Afghanistan. But briefly speaking during the
period 1978 to 2001 the head of the Afghan Government were: Daud, Tarakee,
Amin, Babrak, Kishtmand, Najibulla, Taliban and Rabbani. Every change in power
came with bloodshed, thousand were jailed for no reason and without inquiry,
thousands were killed and many more fled away to other countries. With every
change, womenâs life became more difficult, the restrictions on them kept on
increasing, the walls around them grew bigger, and they were more and more
suffocated. Life of women in Afghanistan became more difficult with passing
time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">During this period RAWA became
stronger, its work spread. RAWA was always ready to help women. Women in
Afghanistan gathered in front of jail to find out the status of their family
members. These women were treated with cruelty. RAWA used to inform the word
about these brutalities through pamphlets and distributed them even when the Police
was chasing them all the time. RAWA also brought out a monthly called âPayam-E-Zanâ
â which was first of its kind in the country. RAWA women had always to be
worried about police raids on their homes. In such situation how difficult it
would be to publish a magazine and distribute it â one who has never faced such
situation can only imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meena was instrumental in bringing
out USSR brutalities in Afghanistan. At the same time she foresaw the danger of
Fundamentalism and Terrorism. She tried to make the world aware of the problem
of Fundamentalism, but we did not listen to her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">In 1982, Afghan
Government (that was USSR) declared that it would arrest Meena at the first
opportunity. It was impossible for Meena to work in Afghanistan. So she crossed
border and went to Pakistan where thousands of Afghan migrants were somehow
managing to be alive. Many times Meena and her colleagues took risk and crossed
the Afghan-Pak border. RAWA colleagues and women stitched clothes to earn
livelihood, the provided home and education to orphans, the conducted literacy
classes for migrants, the established Malalai hospital and served many sick
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Even though Meenaâs movements were kept secret, on 4
February 1987, Meena disappeared from Quetta (Pakistan). Later RAWA realized
that Meena was assassinated. It was a tremendous shock to RAWA, but they
continued Meenaâs work with a greater determination; realizing that it was their
obligation to realize Meenaâs dream of Democratic and Peaceful Afghanistan. Unfortunately
even at the end of 2015, Afghan women still have a long way to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">We need to know that Afghan women never had an option of âgoodâ
or âbadâ government; for decades they have to choose between âworseâ and âworstâ.
It is true that Mujahidin fought against Taliban, but when it comes to women,
both Mujahidin and Taliban were equally cruel with women. Even after the New
Era of 2001, when Afghan women saw Warlords as part of the existing governance,
they knew that their plight and fight was not yet over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">It was necessary for Meena and RAWA to keep a low profile.
They had to destroy papers on many occasions fearing police raid. They had to
be careful about not keeping any proof about their movement and activities.
Whosoever was ruling Afghanistan, they certainly were against Meena and against
RAWA, simply because Meena and RAWA fought for Womenâs Rights. This is the reason
why we had hardly any information about Meena. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">After the attack of United States of America on
Afghanistan in 2001, Melody Chavias visited Pakistan and Afghanistan;
interacted with many colleagues of Meena and then she wrote this book. Generally
when we read a biography, we get an almost complete and consistent picture of
the life of the heroine/hero of the book. Due to the circumstances in
Afghanistan, this book cannot give us the complete picture. However, the
glimpses of Meenaâs life and work clearly tell us the plight of Afghan women
and their courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Meenaâs life and work and the way RAWA is carrying the torch
is very inspiring.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meena-Heroine-Afghanistan-Revolutionary-Association/dp/0312306903"><b>book</b></a> is available on Amazon: </span><span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-16538427147196246212015-11-07T23:20:00.000+05:302015-11-07T23:32:29.643+05:30229. Guess Who?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of <b>Blog-a-Ton 57</b>; the fifty-seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mvajpayee" target="_blank">Madhu Vajpayee</a>, the author of <a href="http://bit.ly/SeekingRedemptionAMZN" target="_blank">Seeking Redemption</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShadesYouthMag" target="_blank">Shades Publications</a>, the publisher of <a href="http://bit.ly/FriendshipBondsBeyondTimeAMZN" target="_blank">Friendship- Bonds Beyond Time</a>. </blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Voting day is an important day in sustaining and strengthening Democracy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">There are Different parties and Different slogans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">There are Different promises and Different manifestos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">There are Different faces and Different issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Somehow to me, they all look alike. I cannot differentiate between them, not a bit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">As a patriotic citizen, I always register as a voter and I always vote â that is if my name does not miraculously disappear from the list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Today the magic â black magic I must say â happens again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">My name is not in the list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I have a Voter Identity Card but probably I wonât be able to caste vote today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I move from one counter to another counter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">There are many Smart guys using tablets and smart phones, but my name does not appear on any of those screens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I am getting irritated, frustrated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I move away from the polling station, cursing the system, cursing the rules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Far away from the polling station, one young man approaches me. Apparently, there is no one else on the road. All that crowd I saw is left behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">He certainly understands that I have not voted, my face is quite transparent, especially when I am in a problem situation. So maybe he is going to convince me about âimportance of votingâ or âcitizen responsibilitiesâ or something of that kind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I can ignore him but I automatically stop so that he can talk to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">He politely asks, âCan you please <i>hold my hand </i>for a minute?â</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I am surprised. I donât know how to respond to this strange request. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I am not young, but still a man, a stranger asking this question to a woman! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Then I realize that he is offering me a small plastic hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">It is an election symbol of one of the National Parties in the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">I forget my frustration and start laughing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Well, well, now a days this party badly needs someone to hold its hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: MR;">Who will be that? Any guess? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/11/blogaton57.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 49. </blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-82633605198336614672015-07-07T15:34:00.001+05:302015-07-07T15:34:50.228+05:30228. Pessoas Estranhas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Version>14.00</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Ontem fui a farmĂĄcia para comprar
penso rĂĄpido. O custo para quatro pensos era de dez meticais e quinze meticais
para seis. Tinha sĂł onze meticais de troco e duzentos meticais em nota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">A mulher de caixa levou os onze
meticais que eu tinha e deu-me quinze meticais para fazer o pagamento na caixa
principal. Fiquei confusa porque se eu ter pedido nada, ela deu-me quatro
meticais a mais para que eu pudesse comprar seis pensos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Algumas vezes encontramos pessoas
estranhas que ajudam-nos sem motivo. A lição eâ que todos devemos ajudar as
pessoas mesmo sem conhece-las.</span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-88978962913473371552015-06-27T01:17:00.000+05:302015-06-27T01:52:00.192+05:30227. Opening Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This post narrates glimpses of development work of VSO
Mozambique. However, this is written in individual capacity and VSO Mozambique does
not necessarily endorse the viewpoint. Names of individuals and places are either
not mentioned or changed. If you want to know more about VSO, click <a href="http://www.vsointernational.org/"><b>here</b> </a>or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vso4mocambique?fref=ts"><b>here </b>. </a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b><a href="http://thistimethattime.blogspot.com/2015/05/225-opening-part-i.html">Part I</a></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Version>14.00</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Understanding a new environment is mostly challenging â even in
the era of Information and Technology. As an outsider one has limited access to
peopleâs lives and their perceptions about life. In addition to that as an
outsider I am exempted from the general norms and rules of the society; which
has a tremendous potential to create superficial interpretation of what I come
across. So, cautiously I try to evolve general understanding not only based on
my experiences (as I know my limitations) but also based on the experience of
others â which they share.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Understanding a society poses another problem; especially
when I try to understand through urban societies. With the increased influence
of Market Economy and to certain extent its impact on traditional livelihoods; societies
are no more homogeneous today. There are multiple streams within any urban
society. So I keep on checking and crosschecking notions, practices, ideas,
norms, rules and also exceptions â as change is constantly happening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Due to my active participation in the VSO project (titled The
Business of Girlsâ Education), I get opportunity to interact with girls (and
boys) in primary schools; teachers in primary schools; community members who
are involved in School Management through School Councils and officers of
Provincial Education Department. We have many discussions on barriers faced by
girls in continuing education (and how to overcome those collectively) and that
gives me ideas. These interactions throw light on Gender Roles, Gender Based
Division of Labor, Access to and Control over Resources, Decision Making in the
society. Triangulation is done by habit (not systematically, I must confess)
and it fits into what I knew about this society even before I came to
Mozambique.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are in another school; meeting the 6 Lead Girls is an
important agenda of the visit. We find that Marta is missing from the group and
there are still 6 girls. Since Marta did not appear in the school this year,
the school has substituted her with another girl âCecilia. I do not want to
discourage Cecilia, but I want to know where Marta is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âDid Marta attend the classes regularly last year?â I ask the
teacher; an enthusiastic and experienced teacher who is with us in the school.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âYes,â replies the teacher.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âWhy is Marta not coming to school?â I ask. Everybody chooses
to remain silent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âIs she transferred to other school?â </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Silence. Not deliberate, but nobody knows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âIs she not well?â</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nobody knows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking at Ceciliaâs face, I dare to ask, âIs she married?â</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âYes,â responds Cecilia</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One more 13-14 year girl is married again. In 2015? Yes!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âIs she still in this village?â I continue asking. âDo you
know her home?â</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cecilia knows Martaâs house. So accompanied by two girls and
the teacher, we walk for twenty minutes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxfIHZNsliU/VY2rdUCkRjI/AAAAAAAAPDk/tffcHAoADpc/s1600/Home%2Bvisit%2B%2B22%2BApril%2B15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxfIHZNsliU/VY2rdUCkRjI/AAAAAAAAPDk/tffcHAoADpc/s640/Home%2Bvisit%2B%2B22%2BApril%2B15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We come across a cluster of huts and everybody stops. It
takes some time for me to realize that the cluster of huts belongs to one
family and unless the Head of the Family (invariably a Man) permits us to enter,
we cannot move further.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The father arrives. He might be 40 or even 50, it is hard to
tell. The teacher speaks in the local language and explains the purpose of the
visit. This is not an occasion for taking photographs. I am using neither camera, notebook nor pen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âOh! Marta is married. I have no problem if she continues
going to school; but her husband should give her permission,â he explains
frankly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martaâs husband is studying in the nearby district and Marta
continues to stay with her parents. How old is he? May be 20.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âI did not want my daughter to marry, but she married what I
can do?â says the father.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âCan we talk to Marta, please?â I ask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Father goes to a hut in the backside to call Marta, but she
refuses to come out. So, with the permission of the father, I go to that hut. But
Marta refuses to come out. One of her aunts is there. With her permission, I
enter inside. Marta does not know me, we have never met. She pulls her face
down, covers it by both the palms and clearly speaks, âI do not like school, and
I do not want to go to school.â I am surprised by her clarity of thought. At that
moment I do not want to invade her privacy, I do not want to threaten her by my
presence. I come out of the hut and tell the aunt, âWhen Marta wants to meet
us, we will come again, let us know.â</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the way back the team discusses. âThese girls! They want
to marry. Even when her father did not want, she married. What can we do?â</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I ask about the <i>lobolo </i>(the bride price) the father
would have received. It is about 3000 MT (approximately USD 90). In addition to
this the groom clears surrounding land and builds a new hut for the girlâs father (or family).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We could not stop marriage of this girl. However, we can at
least bring her back to school. But why did Marta hate the school so much? How
many more girls would be preferring marriage, feeling that school is not a
place for them? And what exactly happened in the school? Are girls punished? Do
they have to do more work in school too? Is it a language issue? (</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not </span>Portuguese </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">but</span> local language is spoken in the village.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We need to think. We need to strategize. We need to connect
not only with the girls and teachers, but also with the community. Yes, through
school councils, we have established initial contacts with the community, we
need to strengthen those.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To talk to girls regarding consequences of early marriage is
necessary but not sufficient. Adults have lot of power over their children, so
it is important to work with adults.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And we need to work with boys as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are our efforts good enough to open better life opportunities
for girls like Marta?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> to be continued...</i></span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-74067446507710978112015-06-14T14:22:00.002+05:302015-06-14T14:22:48.553+05:30226. Countdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of <b>Blog-a-Ton 55</b>; the fifty-fifth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rashmi-Kumar/311383238048" target="_blank">Rashmi Kumar</a>, the author of <a href="http://bit.ly/HLSRashmiKumar" target="_blank">Hooked, Lined and Single</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jy0tiar0ra" target="_blank">Jyoti Arora</a>, the author of <a href="http://bit.ly/LemonGirlJyotiAroraFK" target="_blank">Lemon Girl</a>. </blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes I donât understand my anxiety. I know you are not accountable to us and you always keep the date. However, I still check weather predictions. The news of your arrival helps me to survive the heat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is unfair to say that summer is always horrible. The kids have vacations; ample mangoes and rounds of ice-creams. Meeting friends and traveling. However in the corner of my heart, I know I am waiting for you. I know some people around me do not bother about you. They think everything could be purchased by money power. They are wrong. I argue with them. Such arguments make me feel vacant within. I wish you come a bit earlier this year so that I can forget and forgive these people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the world I live, there are multiple worlds. Women walk miles for a pot of water; farmers will be forced to either end their life or migrate. Animals are thirsty. The trees are dirty. The sky seems distant. The Sun blazes and we wait for you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The evening brings cool breeze. On the western horizon I see black clouds. Will you come today? Oh, No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within few moments the clouds move. May be not here but somewhere it is raining.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am away from home for a week. It was work, so I could not avoid it. And then I see you meeting my home town â on the television, in the newspapers, on FB, on social media. Everywhere. Well, what wrong have I done so that you avoid me?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am frustrated with the heat, with the work, with the world. I feel lonely. I feel like crying. I just want to go away. Problem is: I cannot go away from myself. I know I would be happy again when you come. When are you coming?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They say that you have arrived in Kerala. Good to know. This means another seven days. Life ise worth of all this waiting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where is the umbrella? Do I need to purchase raincoat? What about Floaters?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That is the problem of being a human. On one side, I wait for you like I have never longed before. On the other side I am thinking of all the things to protect me from you. Is it not ridiculous? Yes, it is. I can see you smiling on my contradictions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I feel you around. I smell you. I look at the elephant like clouds, big, black. But they keep on disappearing. Why?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will you come tomorrow or today? Will you come in the morning or in the evening?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">0.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/5-LHe9GnFuScZm5OpAJIRvaEPOBaRoaOWIG1q1mXvyhZFTMC6eaGtAzxw7wLR5JYvDeNnbKeE4ZMrbmR0FS2CpjAD8Eu22YPXWltTWbbjdxLA12lcWxO5IcH2IICAPC0Kw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://s3.amazonaws.com/flashissue/shJEPETcS9CobG7M0e0e_1280px-Monsoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/5-LHe9GnFuScZm5OpAJIRvaEPOBaRoaOWIG1q1mXvyhZFTMC6eaGtAzxw7wLR5JYvDeNnbKeE4ZMrbmR0FS2CpjAD8Eu22YPXWltTWbbjdxLA12lcWxO5IcH2IICAPC0Kw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://s3.amazonaws.com/flashissue/shJEPETcS9CobG7M0e0e_1280px-Monsoon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally you come.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You make this world beautiful. You change lives. You make lives. You bring smiles. You bring value to everything around. You bring smiles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks for coming!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/06/blogaton55.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 48. Image Credits: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monsoon.jpg" target="_blank">Monsoon</a> by Yann (Wikimedia Commons). Shared with GNU Free Documentation License CC Attribution-Share Alike.</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-68579639185352630382015-05-19T21:05:00.000+05:302015-06-27T01:18:05.650+05:30225. Opening: Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Version>14.00</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This post narrates glimpses of development work of VSO
Mozambique. However, this is written in individual capacity and VSO Mozambique does
not necessarily endorse the viewpoint. Names of individuals and places are either
not mentioned or changed. If you want to know more about VSO, click <b><a href="http://www.vsointernational.org/">here</a></b> or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vso4mocambique?fref=ts">here </a></b>. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We turn right leaving behind a busy National Highway. As
usual, with such turns the world around changes. The read earth road is
stretched up to the horizon and after every ten minutes we see some people
resting at the roadside. The interior villages have a road, but almost no
public transport; so people walk for hours and rest when they get tired.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We take a left turn, then another right. There is the primary
school. After examinations, there was a week-long vacation. It is the first
working day after the vacation, so we do not expect all the students in the
school. Still 10-15 girls and boys surround us. Their eyes shine to see a
stranger amongst them, and they are not shy. One kid is almost touching me. I
bend forward to talk to him- in broken Portuguese. He is studying in second
grade and has three text books. I open one book and ask him about the pictures
in the book. He narrates. Then I ask him to read a line for me. He says, âI
canât readâ and further declares, âno one in my class can read.â He is such an
honest kid. Everybody laughs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We meet the Deputy Director of the school. From each school,
six girls from grade six are chosen as Lead Girls (LGs). VSO is arranging a two
days residential training for LGs (39 schools in 7 districts of Manica
Province). The team is visiting the home of each LG and explaining the
objective of the district level training and of course seeking permission of
the parents.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maria is one of the LGs and she knows house of the other LG,
whose name we mention first. Deputy Director accompanies us enthusiastically.
Mozambique struggles with poor school infrastructure. After visiting every
school, my admiration for Mozambican primary teachers increases. But that is
another story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The road narrows down and after 15 minutes, we have to leave
the car and walk. We continue walking for 30 minutes â by habit I keep on
checking my watch to know how much this girl Rosa has to walk every day.Rosa walks at least one hour every day to reach the school
and another hour to return home. The road is lonely; it cuts across fields and
little forest; it is not plain road but has ups and downs as the terrain is a small
range of hillocks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn5h08DInXs/VVtWe7o8tzI/AAAAAAAAPA4/O6HiKgng5HY/s1600/Mozambique%2Blocate%2Bthe%2Bhouse%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn5h08DInXs/VVtWe7o8tzI/AAAAAAAAPA4/O6HiKgng5HY/s640/Mozambique%2Blocate%2Bthe%2Bhouse%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After reaching Rosaâs home we see eight children â age 12 to
1. Boys bring a mat (for women) and chair (for the teacher- a man) and the
elder one goes to call his father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
are local chairs. I like the creativity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6U05LvgdwUk/VVtW0XS6CtI/AAAAAAAAPBA/dliiquymSa8/s1600/Mozambique%2Bchairs%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6U05LvgdwUk/VVtW0XS6CtI/AAAAAAAAPBA/dliiquymSa8/s640/Mozambique%2Bchairs%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And yes, they are very comfortable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EN3NexQdkSY/VVtXHZm2oVI/AAAAAAAAPBI/JlTawhiyC0o/s1600/Mozambique%2Bchair%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EN3NexQdkSY/VVtXHZm2oVI/AAAAAAAAPBI/JlTawhiyC0o/s640/Mozambique%2Bchair%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rosa comes. She did not go to school today. She says she had
headache; but actually she is working in the farm. If I had to walk every day
for two hours, would I have been interested in studying â I ask myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The question is hypothetical for me, but it helps me to be in
the shoes of Rosa. By the way, I have noted that Maria is walking with us
without shoes; and I donât know whether Rosa has shoes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The father comes; his children surround him. He has five sons
and five daughters â three daughters are married. I want to ask their age, but
do not ask. The visit has other objective. This is the first visit to Rosaâs
home and certainly not the last; I can ask more questions in the next visit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The teacher introduces us, explains about the training, my
colleague elaborates further. The father is happy to send Rosa to the district
headquarters; which is about 70 kilometers from the village. We are arranging
to pick up the girls and drop them back after the training. âActually there is
no budget for sending a car,â my colleague had reminded me early this morning.
But we donât want these girls to first walk for hours and then wait for more
hours for public transport which is being run by individuals as private
business. Safety of girls is our prime responsibility. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am also concerned about whether Rosa wants to participate
in the training or not. Rosa is taking care of a young child. I whisper <i>(I
have to often do this because I do not speak Portuguese well and do not
understand local languages!)</i> to my colleague whether it is Rosaâs sibling
or her child. I have seen many 12-13 year mothers here, so the anxiety. I sigh with
relief when I learn that this is her baby brother. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rosa and Maria are smiling together. Rosa
says, âFather has given permission, I want to come.â She knows she is LG and
knows that there are five more LGs in her school. I am feeling good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The mother arrives. I ask my colleague to explain the whole
discussion to the mother. My colleague says, âTraditionally as Head of the
Family, the father has the authority to share the information with his family.
If he does not introduce us to her, we cannot talk to his wife. â â Hmm! I am a
woman too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I respect traditions and culture. As an insider, I have
always rebelled against discriminatory traditions (in my country). But as an
outsider, I cannot rebel. However, I can take a little liberty; I can push the
boundary a little further. Here my ignorance of local customs can contribute to
my cause. So, when we are ready to leave; I approach the mother and tell her
briefly about the training. She smiles. She did not participate in the decision
about her daughter, but at least I try to keep her informed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the meantime, the father tells something to one of the
boys and he comes with a basket of Tangerine â a gift for us, the guests. As a
good guest, I put some money in the hands of mother; it is not cost of Tangerine;
but a small return gift. May be that too is a tradition, because she accepts it
without hesitation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May be, I should not hurry labeling this father; he seems a
kind person with understanding. He is instrumental in the continuation of
Rosaâs education. It is possible that he is just following the custom and
tradition by not inviting his wife to discuss with us. We are actually on the
same path; the apparent gap can be bridged. I am sure, once he trusts us, these
barriers will be broken and new opening would emerge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>to be continued </i></span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-84132178071502200212015-05-10T20:35:00.001+05:302015-05-10T20:40:06.239+05:30224.Quest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 54</b>; the fifty-fourth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Version>14.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Joy comes and goes;</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Sorrow returns and stays for some time;</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">They do not remain forever.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Peace replaces War</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Then returns the War;</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">They do not remain forever.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Hunger, Thirst, Sleep, Desire,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Dream, Passion, Frustration,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Pain, Smile, Thought, Idea, Vacuum,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Lust, Jealousy, Kindness,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Selfishness, Empathy,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Belief, Commitment,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Body, Mind, Identity, Ideology, Ego,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">God, Earth, Sky, Rain, Wind, Sun, Moon,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Nothing remains forever.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Even Life is not forever;</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">And Death too is not forever.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Only the Quest</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">To understand the meaning of the Existence</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Remains Forever.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The baton is handed over</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">From generation to generation</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">With the same zeal.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/05/blogaton54.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 47</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-70492924065155112672015-04-05T13:11:00.000+05:302015-04-05T13:16:18.413+05:30223. Bitter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 53</b>; the fifty-third edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="http://bit.ly/SoulMatesVinitBansal" target="_blank">âSoulmates: Love without ownership</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vinitbansalauthor" target="_blank">Vinit K Bansal</a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I like chocolates.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But Mama and Papa do not allow me to eat chocolates as often as I want. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Didi is great. She always gives me chocolates. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But something is wrong with Didi. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">She weeps continuously when we are in our room, but laughs loudly and looks happy when everybody is around.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Yesterday when she was crying, I offered her chocolate.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">âNO! Bittu, promise me; you will never eat chocolateâ, she said.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">âNever? Why?â I was surprised.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">âBecause the chocolate is <i><b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/727587.Bitter_Chocolate">bitter</a>,</b></i>â she sobbed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">She was so sad that I promised her so.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">How can sweet chocolate be bitter?</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/04/blogaton53.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 46</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-45779495848945066152015-03-19T13:23:00.000+05:302015-03-21T01:13:59.793+05:30222. A verdade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;"> <a href="http://thistimethattime.blogspot.com/2014/11/217-inicio.html"><i>InĂcio</i></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MĂŁe pensa que na
escola sempre estudamos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mas nĂŁo Ă© verdade.</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Na escola
trabalhamos muito e estudamos pouco.</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Todos os dias
varremos o quintal, varremos sala de aula, limpamos casa de banho, apanhamos
lixo e regamos as plantas.</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O trabalho
continua, um depois do outro. </span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Desde a semana
passada, a professora de portuguĂȘs deu-me uma nova responsabilidade. Cuidar de
bebé dela.</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Antes de ir para
escola, em casa, ajudo a minha mĂŁe. EntĂŁo, depois ando por uma hora para a
escola. </span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Estou muito
cansada.</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quero estudar, mas
nĂŁo quero ir para escola.</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Como posso dizer a
verdade para minha mĂŁe?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.75pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-61119478798558024032015-03-09T01:33:00.001+05:302015-03-09T01:39:33.815+05:30221. Letter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 52</b>; the fifty-second edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="http://bit.ly/MetroDiariesNamrataFK" target="_blank" title="Metro Diaries by Namrata">Metro Diaries</a> by "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/wingstomywords" target="_blank">Namrata</a>". To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the meeting; women disappeared fast. Except one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>âCome to my home,â the middle aged Rakhama mavashi ordered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew so less about her, that I decided to take the opportunity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a cup of tea, she asked, âCan you write a letter for me?â</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was glad to help her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She brought a post-card. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She told me what to write. I wrote. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was clear that she was writing to her husband. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In those ten minutes, I understood the story of her life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
âAddress?â<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
âI do not knowâ, she said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
âNo one knowsâ, added her little daughter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/03/blogaton52.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 45</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-31053432324752862822015-02-08T01:45:00.000+05:302015-02-08T01:45:33.095+05:30220. DREAM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 51</b>; the fifty-first edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redinkpublishers" target="_blank">Red Ink Publishers</a> and "<a href="http://bit.ly/CurseOfTheRedSoilDurgeshShastri" target="_blank">Curse Of The Red Soil</a>" by Durgesh Shastri. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It had been a long day. This has been the routine for the last six months. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama was feeling very tired. However, today she was in the National Capital to present her project. Unfortunately she had nothing to report â that is- no progress; only challenges!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama opened her laptop, there was internet connection, but she did not feel like updating her FB status, nor did she want to tweet or appear on other social networking sites. She looked at the screen without realizing what to do with it!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama was not suffering from âStatus Updateâ mania, but she used Social Network to share her experiences, ideas and thoughts.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama was not a trained social worker, nor was she a journalist â though people often assumed her to be so. Her sensitivity and her enthusiasm to âmake a changeâ brought her to the field of Development and she liked it. Rural areas, tribal areas, social issues, women, economic development, behavioral change, social capital, community based organizations, participatory development âŠ..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words and terms became integral part of her life. She lived it and her dream was to live it forever.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since last few months, Shama was working in one of the remote parts of the country. Initially she was excited with the idea of working in a new area. She liked to take new challenges. Lack of vegetarian food, challenge of communicating in a new language, lack of transport, and lack of basic infrastructure and many such problems did not matter to her. She was fascinated by the project idea of working with girls in primary schools.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama sighed. She remembered her visits to school, her interactions with girls, parents and teachers. She had innumerable planning and review sessions with partner NGOs. All that had miserably failed. The funding agency had given number of warnings and opportunities; but people continued âBusiness as usualâ. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama knew that she dreamt about the success of the project, with all her might.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, when it comes to âSocial Changeâ; individual dream is necessary but hardly sufficient.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Collective Dream shapes destiny of âSocial Changeâ.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âOnly if all these people responsible for âeducation of girlsâ can dream together about positive changeâŠ.â, Shama thought to herself and sat listlessly. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly she smiled. She had an idea. She realized how she could facilitate the process of collective dream!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama turned to her laptop. She started writing âStrategies to address the Challengesâ.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Every DREAM wants to LIVE; we need to give it as many chances as we couldâŠâŠ.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shama was fluently expressing her thoughts â not in these words; but in the same spirit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DREAM indeed is powerful!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/02/blogaton51.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 44</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-20344751119177525592015-01-19T16:47:00.000+05:302015-01-19T16:47:12.964+05:30219. Inauguration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âNamasteâ, the person greeted me in a typical Indian way;
though he was surrounded by crowd.By reflex action, I too greeted him, but I did not know him.
So I asked a stranger sitting next to me, âwho is he?â</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">âYou donât know him?â he was surprised. Naturally, because it
appeared that the person was the chief guest of the program. âHe is our <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Parliament">MP</a></b> (Member of Parliament)â he explained. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I could immediately understand why the MP greeted me. In the pavilion, we were only two women. The other woman was the Chief Executive Officer
of the district, she was on the stage with the MP and he obviously knew her. I
was sitting in the crowd; talking to people; taking photographs and writing
important points in my notebook. Because of camera and notepad, people always
assume that I am a journalist. Today, even the MP assumed so. That must be the
reason of his greeting. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The MP was curiously looking at me simply because he was
unable to locate me in his memory. He called someone and asked him something.
This person asked another person. I had no work, so I was watching the chain of
communication. As expected, a person sitting to my right asked whether I was a
journalist. Knowing that the answer would finally reach the MP, I briefly
explained my identity â not in a spiritual way but mundane! I watched the
message travel back and noted that the MP considered me a citizen with no
nuisance value. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was in a small village in <a href="http://rajasthan.gov.in/Pages/Home.aspx">Rajasthan,</a> in an inauguration of
road construction under the <a href="http://www.pmgsy.nic.in/">Prime Minister Rural Road Scheme</a>. No, I had no
direct or even indirect connection with this scheme. However, while traveling
into remote areas, have always seen lack of âRoad, Electricity and Waterâ as
the key barrier to Development. Especially in the absence of a good (or even
functional) road connectivity girls and boys have to drop out of school; sick
people do not get timely and adequate treatment; vegetables are thrown or used
as fodder for animals because they cannot be taken to the market â one can only
imagine what the villagers must be thinking in such situations. I have
favorable opinion about this scheme and I had never attended its inauguration â
so I was excited with this opportunity. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmJ1f3sBntI/Tw8YSKREcSI/AAAAAAAABpw/5QHilmvElfw/s320/Mustard+Rajsthan+7+January+12+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmJ1f3sBntI/Tw8YSKREcSI/AAAAAAAABpw/5QHilmvElfw/s320/Mustard+Rajsthan+7+January+12+.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we left the highway, and turned to left, this suddenly
was visible â allover. The crop of Mustard looks so beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since it was a Government program, we were moving in a large
convoy of cars. On the way, everybody in the villages stopped doing whatever
they were doing and looked in bewilderment to the passing cars.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We again turned to left and I saw an empty p<span style="font-family: inherit;">avilion</span>. First I
thought it must be for a marriage ceremony. Later I realized that it was the
venue of the inauguration program. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We crossed the p<span style="font-family: inherit;">avilion</span> and continued to travel by a road,
which was a typical village road. I saw lot of men smoking in a relaxed
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had rained recently, so there
was no work in the farm. Because of rain, winter had become more severe. Our
car stopped at a palatial house. A well dressed, English speaking person, about
55 years old, received us. He was one of the senior officers in Delhi and this
was his native village. A small villager person being in a distinct and
prestigious position in the Capital of the Country was a journey worth
appreciation. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Within couple of minutes I realized that the PMGSY road that
was to be inaugurated passed the house of the official. In fact the road was
being constructed to make his home coming comfortable. Many senior government
officers were present and listening to their discussion was very educative.
Quality of cement, inter-locking tiles, load taking capacity of the road, the
arrangement and space for taking into consideration the need of local farmers
to put irrigation pipes across the roads ⊠the senior engineers and experts
were discussing a lot. I am not sure whether all roads are constructed by
taking into consideration all these quality aspects.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzZOjNoW9sU/Tw8Ywx9a-dI/AAAAAAAABp4/jlLUlNuEkoM/s200/Atithy+Rajsthan+7+January+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzZOjNoW9sU/Tw8Ywx9a-dI/AAAAAAAABp4/jlLUlNuEkoM/s200/Atithy+Rajsthan+7+January+12.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the round of tea, the servant of the house arrived with
another tray full of something. It attracted my attention because none from our
group picked up anything (and secondly the servant did not offer me). The
servant went amongst the large crowd waiting in the front yard. I took this
photograph when he returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span id="goog_1070320139"></span><span id="goog_1070320140"></span><span id="goog_389541944"></span><span id="goog_389541945"></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A lot is being spoken about the âdangers of smokingâ â all
that is futile â I realized then and there. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went back to the p<span style="font-family: inherit;">avilion</span>. With the arrival of the MP, the
place was overcrowded within no time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then one by one, many people spoke. Fortunately, all the speeches were
brief, but they were informative. The progress of PMGSY in the state was
presented and the numbers were overwhelming. For example, I remember one
official telling the crowd that in last eleven years 8860 new roads were
constructed. These roads together sum up to 34795 kilometers and was able to
connect 10703 villages. Impressive, isnât it? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I could see the unknown faces in those unfamiliar villages
and could imagine how their life could have changed because of these roads.
There is a point in arguing about destruction of ecological system and all that
â but why apply this parameter only to rural roads? They are lifelines for
many. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPx6yXZ7lPY/Tw8Zt7WhqUI/AAAAAAAABqA/gbr6JDVTTDE/s200/Women+in+Rajsthan+7+January+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPx6yXZ7lPY/Tw8Zt7WhqUI/AAAAAAAABqA/gbr6JDVTTDE/s200/Women+in+Rajsthan+7+January+12.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the program was over, I saw many women standing behind.
Whey they were not invited to join the main function?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whey they are always invisible? I spoke to
them for a while. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We consumed typical Rajasthani food â Daal Baatee and Churama
Laddu. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By the time we started for Delhi, the pendal was in the
process of removal. Only the tablet of inauguration remained there. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will this PMGSY road be ever constructed, or it will always
remain inaugurated â I wondered. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May be this one will come into reality â because it is a
native place of a senior government official. And since his brother lives in
this village, the officer regularly visits this village. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, I am aware that all those roads whose plan is
âinauguratedâ are not lucky enough to come into Reality! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They die premature death!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">* *</span></span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-48154762748050988072015-01-04T00:59:00.001+05:302015-01-04T00:59:20.181+05:30218. Soul-Mates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 50</b>; the fiftieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with <a href="http://bit.ly/SoulMatesVinitBansal" target="_blank">âSoulmates: Love without ownership</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vinitbansalauthor" target="_blank">Vinit K Bansal</a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>MR</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">(1)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âShrirangâ, someone was calling very loudly indeed. This was going on for a long time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Whosoever was this guy, he must have slept like Kumbhkarna- he thought to himself and smiled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to neglect those shouts. He was irritated that he did not know any person with that name; still that person was in his house; and above all, that person was not responding to the call. It was impossible to sleep now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">He had a shock when he opened his eyes; simply because this was not his house. A glance told him that he was lying on a bed, not in his house but in a hospital. He was surrounded by anxious faces. Except for the doctor and the medical attendant, he knew others well. They were his dear ones; his wife, his daughter and his close friend. What happened to him? Why was he in the hospital? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âShrirang...â he was startled when Rewa, his wife addressed him as Shrirang! Why was she calling him Shrirang? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>âRangya! My goodness! How much you frightened us! â This was his friend Nitin controlling tears. Though Nitin was always an emotional fellow, the tears indicated a serious situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what the hell! Who was this Shrirang cum Rangya? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âBaba⊠ââ his daughter hugged him crying. At other times, whenever she cried, he had to support her. But he realized that today she was trying to assure him. Her innocent gesture made his eyes moist. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exactly what the situation was, he was not aware of yet. It was clear that he was not dreaming. He decided to keep quiet until some light was thrown. He feebly smiled at all of them and holding Vedikaâs â his daughterâs hand, he closed eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>âNow, everybody out of this room. He is fine; give him some time to overcome the weakness. Due to medicine, he will continue to sleep, so nothing to worry about. Do not force him to speak. He recognized you all, so relax and let him relaxâŠ. â the fading words of the doctor did not clear his confusion. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-weight: bold; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">*****</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">(2)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âWhat is the response of WXK00309100114042012?â he asked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>âAskedâ â is not the right word though, because he did not utter a single word. His thoughts were conveyed to others without words. It can be called a âwave communicationâ- if you know what I mean. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âThere is no response,â said the second â again without uttering a word but successfully communicating the thought. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">WXK00309100114042012 was floating in the room, about four feet above the ground level. From the conversation it was difficult to guess whether the center of the conversation was a woman or a man. But a glance at the floating figure clearly showed that it was a woman they were referring to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was looking little different than the other five people in the room. She was more tanned. She was wearing colorful clothes. Her face expressed some emotion that the others were not familiar with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all feeling a little lost by the unexpected development. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âHas our experiment boom-ranged?â asked third, unaware that âboom-rangedâ was not the word he wanted to use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âNo, this experiment cannot fail; we had prepared every step so carefully. The object of experiment was tested well. And I guess there was never second opinion regarding capacities of WXK00309100114042012. This was not her first mission, she was specifically chosen because of her hundred percent success record. â </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">When others were discussing about WXK00309100114042012, she woke up. Sensing that she was at some different place, she did not immediately open eyes. She instantly recognized the change. She missed the smells, the sounds that were inseparable aspects of her life in the past months. She missed the pleasant morning breeze. Happily though, there was no honking on the road. No aroma of the typical food of the land. No chirping of birds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She tried to interpret the change. Has she finally reached her Soul-Mate? </span><b style="mso-ansi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Out of curiosity she opened eyes and finding herself floating, she screamed in fear. The five people surrounding her jumped at that deadly scream. Not only in this room, but even in their entire universe they had never heard such screaming. One of them looked at her sharply and she came to her senses. She had completely forgotten that floating was but natural here and there was no fear of her falling down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She kept quiet. There was some noise around her and the five faces were expectantly looking at her, but the noise was unintelligible to her. She thought: Is the Mission over? Did she meet Babumoshai? Could she finally meet her Soul-Mate? Or was she picked up before that? She knew these people around her, she was sure of that, but she was not sure whether it was wise to trust them. She decided to keep quiet and wait for their move. To be on the safer side, she closed eyes again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âDo you realize that she is not able to comprehend our communication? That is why she is confused,â said one of them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âAnd her face looks so different,â another one added. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âYes, I referred to Knowledge-Bank. The people of WXK003091 call it Bliss or Satisfaction. But I do not know what it means. Let me explore if there is any live demo of such a face,â added the colleague. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âIt is indeed interesting that these people from WXK003091 give a name to everything when their knowledge of numbers is even much better than ours,â another colleague said in a surprised tone. Waves of agreement did spread in the room. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âBut how could she forget our language in such a short span? She was not only trained but she is the expert of our language. And she was away for such a short time. I find it strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>â murmured the third colleague. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âDo not forget that time is relative; not absolute. Also, we picked her from WXK003091 very suddenly, much before her departure was planned. Our plan was going wrong, she was taking initiative beyond the scope of the Mission, and we were forced to hurry. The Space-lag must have affected her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>â Someone said. Everybody kept quiet, so that must be their Chief.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âOk. Let us talk to her in the language of WXK003091. I am sure that will work,â he ordered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âWXK00309100114042012, do you hear me? You are safe here, you are home. Will have detailed Mission Report later, but give me the summary,â the Chief was speaking in soft tone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">WXK00309100114042012 opened eyes. She very well understood the words Safe, Home, Mission and Summary. But what was this WXK00309100114042012? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âMy name is Aatmajaa and this is not my Home,â she said clearly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">For the second time within last five minutes, they were shocked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âWhat a mess! We had given her some WXK003091 type of name, but certainly it was not this. Check the records immediately. And what were you all doing? She has changed the name, and if the password too has been changed then we have badly failed. Good that we picked her up before time. Hope the Mission is still a secret! â Chief was indeed worried. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-weight: bold; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">*****</span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">(3)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Shrirang returned home from the hospital. Doctor had advised him to take rest for two weeks. After couple of days, he forced Rewa to resume office. Anyway, Rewa left home at 9.00 in the morning and Vedika returned from school at 1.00 in the afternoon. In the meantime he was not alone but Surekhabai the old maid cum caretaker was at home. He was physically ok but still confused about his identity. Since everyone was calling him Shrirang, he had accepted that it was his name. But he was sure that if somebody asked him his name, he would say âBabumoshaiâ- because that indeed was his name. He did not know Bangla, so from where this name came he did not know. And though it was his name, no one else around him seemed to know it! Why? Who gave him this strange name? How did he get the identity? Who did this? For what purpose? He was tired of thinking. He was frightened â of the unknown and known both.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Slowly, in pieces of talks he learnt about what happened to him. As a Social Science expert he was working with a Research Team in Satpuda range. Dhadgaon had been his second home for last couple of years. Many times he used to go alone to different villages for interactions with communities. On that day, someone saw him lying on the Akkalkuva-Molagi road and by checking on the last call in his mobile, informed his colleague. He was hospitalized immediately. But what caused his fall, he could not tell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">He pulled his laptop. Yes, Gmail account immediately opened, he must have saved the password. Hmm⊠well, his name, as the doctor had called him was Shrirang Jadhav; no more confusion about that. He checked number of âGet Well Soonâ messages and he knew all those people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">He kept on going back. And then he stopped. There was an email from Aatmajaa, his new online friend. After reading one of her articles on âTribal Women in Satpudaâ on a Marathi website, he had written to her. They had exchanged number of messages. She was a good writer. More than that Satpuda was a common object of love for them. She called Satpuda her âSoul-Mateâ and coincidently he felt the same about that ancient mountain range. There was nothing to hide about his friendship with Aatmaja. Even Rewa liked her writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">At that moment Shrirang remembered that it was Aatmajaa, who called him âBabumoshaiâ. Initially he had protested. He hated to have a pet name given by someone whom he had never met and that too by an unknown woman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a stalwart in the virtual world and knew how to protect himself from all those tempting virtual relationships. He had never been wrong so far. But his protest became week. First he just accepted to be called as âBabumoshaiâ and later he actually liked the name. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">After reading her mail, he remembered that Aatmajaa was in Molagi and on that particular day and he was going to Molagi to meet her. But as he had some mysterious accident, they could not meet. But what happened to her? Why there was no message from her? He checked Inbox again. Since that day there was no message from her. Oh! She might be angry â he thought. He called her and was surprised to hear âthis number does not existâ. He checked the website where Aatmaja used to write regularly, but no clue of her appearance after that day! Shrirang realized that he did not know any other person who had any information regarding Aatmajaa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Was this a mystery? No, it must have been a joke played by some duplicate id in the virtual world! Shrirang was angry with himself for his foolishness. He deleted all the messages from Aatmajaa. The sooner he forgot her, the better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-weight: bold; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">*****</span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">(4)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âOk. Let WXK00309100114042012 take her time. In the meantime brief me, Observation Team,â ordered the Chief. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âThese are preliminary inferences and we need to confirm with WXK00309100114042012 before arriving at conclusions,â cautioned the team head. Others nodded in agreement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">People on the planet WXK003 and especially those in the location of 091 have special affinity for names â which apparently is something more than an identity number. We need to focus more on whether the perspective changes based on the sex of the person. In this case both â our colleague and the fellow from 091 seem to be equally influenced by the new name. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">But it remains to be seen whose influence is long lasting and we have to take caution that it does not destroy the person. We have to follow the âRight to Lifeâ treaty. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">There is an indication that people on the planet WXK003 and especially those from area 091 are in search of a more meaningful identity. What has triggered this quest is not yet clear. Is it part of their living experience (it is called âtraditionâ in their language) or it is impact of coming into the contact with new world is a matter of further research.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">It is interesting to see how technology can create identity crisis. And in this case we just used a very primitive technology called internet. Imagine what will be the impact with our progressive technology. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Many using internet on WXK003 seem to have two words â virtual and real. They seem to play advantage for some but not for others. We need in depth research for understanding conflict of identities in those who are part of virtual world. Also, what are the identity crisis situations in Real world? So, we also need to study primitive people who do not use any modern technology. The important question is how to reach this second group? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âOne minute,â interrupted the Chief. âWhat was that place where she was going to meet him without our knowledge? That was not the plan. So, what is the mystery of that place? Tell me the coordinates, yes, the way they record it,â he added.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âIt is </span><span class="plainlinks"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Satpura_Range&params=21.98_N_74.87_E_type:mountain_region:IN_scale:300000_"><span class="latitude">21°59âČN</span><span class="geo-dms"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span><span class="longitude">74°52âČE</span></a> and it is called <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satpura_Range">Satpuda </a>range. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">â explained one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âHmm... interesting! Another place, another name, seems to be a mystery place.â Added the Chief and he continued browsing for about ten minutes, others remained silent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âAmazing. Most intelligent. That is why I appreciate WXK00309100114042012. She is so creative and courageous. Ok. Scrap the earlier Mission. We were completely wrong about our hypothesis. However, since it provided us this new direction, it has not failed. Now we need to move on. â None could follow the thought process of the Chief.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âWhat next?â somebody asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âNew Beginning! While designing this new Mission, do not repeat the earlier mistakes. These fellows from WXK003 are a different entity altogether. They have tremendous capacity to feel and to think. Their mind is the key and we cannot succeed by destroying the key. â</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âAnd yes, WXK00309100114042012 will be the Mission Leader. Do not change her id. â </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Then the Chief turned to WXK00309100114042012, she was still floating with closed eyes. âWhat name you would like to give to this Mission, Aatmajaa?â he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">âSoul-Mates,â she answered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">And she smiled.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2015/01/blogaton50.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 43</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-77147608054911026822014-11-09T01:04:00.000+05:302014-11-09T17:52:31.448+05:30217. InĂcio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">"Acorda filha, tu tens que ir para escola", diz
a mĂŁe.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Quer com chuva ou frio, mĂŁe quer que Laura vĂĄ a escola. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Laura sabe, a mĂŁe jĂĄ contou pelo menos cem vezes a sua histĂłria.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">A mĂŁe gosta muito de ter ido a escola e quis tornar-se
professora. Mas avo' quis dinheiro. Por isso, pela a mĂŁe casou-se com 12 anos. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Laura pode parar o ciclo de vida da mĂŁe e muitas outras
meninas a sua volta. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Laura sabe que pode trazer mudança para a vida dela pela assistĂȘncia
regular a escola. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Ir para escola e' inĂcio da mudança. </span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-17245778020172049202014-10-05T02:00:00.000+05:302014-10-05T02:04:40.383+05:30216. Is it my name? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 49</b>; the forty-ninth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.
</blockquote>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">âWhat is your name?â someone asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried to remember, but could not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">âI donât knowâ, I said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">âWhere do you live? Where is your home?â he asked, in a soft
voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried to remember but I could remember nothing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">âI donât knowâ, I was feeling ashamed to say so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another man came. He held
my hand, asked me few more questions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I could add nothing more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">âGive a try, Uncle. Go <i>down</i> the <i>memory lane</i>. What do you
see?â he asked me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I could see nothing. I told him so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease">âAlzheimerâ</a>, someone said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is it my name? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked <a href="http://www.blogaton.in/2014/10/blogaton49.html"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>. Participation Count: 42</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-45401708980440682362014-09-09T16:56:00.002+05:302014-09-09T19:19:40.946+05:30215. Glimpses of Nairobi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was forced to stay overnight in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nairobi">Nairobi </a>because I missed my connecting flight due to delay in the earlier flight. Transit visa, hotel, transport etc was arranged by the airline (as is the normal); so I was not required to commute within the city on my own. So, I cannot claim to have "visited Nairobi". As I had no plans to stop over, I had not taken any efforts to get some information about the city. So, I can safely say that while sharing some photographs with you, I am penning few lines. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we approached Nairobi, from the sky, it looked beautiful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpZvZf4cb6w/VArjkMJSoOI/AAAAAAAANQg/MA_5ZAZKwSE/s1600/Nairobi%2B3%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpZvZf4cb6w/VArjkMJSoOI/AAAAAAAANQg/MA_5ZAZKwSE/s1600/Nairobi%2B3%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">The scene reminded me that human beings have always fought with nature; and what we call "human culture" is an outcome of conflict between human beings and nature! </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfyuMWo5NdM/VArj4FRfAlI/AAAAAAAANQo/93iI2LRIvng/s1600/Nairobi%2B4%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfyuMWo5NdM/VArj4FRfAlI/AAAAAAAANQo/93iI2LRIvng/s1600/Nairobi%2B4%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span lang="MR" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5uBdQuiz2g/VArkHkdFAMI/AAAAAAAANQw/cyFP-_NI5Is/s1600/Nairobi%2B5%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5uBdQuiz2g/VArkHkdFAMI/AAAAAAAANQw/cyFP-_NI5Is/s1600/Nairobi%2B5%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">The green belt and the blue belt - they represent two conflicting ideologies. It is certain </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">that we cannot live without the green. But can we really live without the blue as well? How can we travel to the past? Is it necessary? Or we can still balance these two approaches?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">And then signs of Industrial world. Later, a Kenya national informed me that Nairobi is situated in the midst of National Park. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aooY8NUcfjE/VArkVbwpd4I/AAAAAAAANQ4/l5TEgYTVjCU/s1600/Nairobi%2B6%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aooY8NUcfjE/VArkVbwpd4I/AAAAAAAANQ4/l5TEgYTVjCU/s1600/Nairobi%2B6%2B15%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="556" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">I had decided to sleep until late hours next morning (as I was tired), but woke up with bird calls. It was raining outside and saw two African Pied Wagtails playing a sort of 'hide and seek'. And I felt bad about the decision of leaving my binocular back home. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8AeFixzvGs8/VArk-eZq6EI/AAAAAAAANRE/AG2IFRBZG1o/s1600/African%2Bpied%2Bwagtail%2BNairobi%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8AeFixzvGs8/VArk-eZq6EI/AAAAAAAANRE/AG2IFRBZG1o/s1600/African%2Bpied%2Bwagtail%2BNairobi%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Another view from hotel window. Whether people have 'consturcted' something in desert or they have 'destructed' something to make it desert like - that is what I need to know. May be, when time permits.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJxU-djazFM/VArlN42QC8I/AAAAAAAANRM/s3uDtvXnsUs/s1600/Business%2Bin%2BNairobi%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJxU-djazFM/VArlN42QC8I/AAAAAAAANRM/s3uDtvXnsUs/s1600/Business%2Bin%2BNairobi%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">I was amazed to "see" a Gujarati TV channel,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqS3gtDxssg/VArldByzTMI/AAAAAAAANRU/iJHEApAQOew/s1600/Guj%2Bchannel%2Bin%2BKenya%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqS3gtDxssg/VArldByzTMI/AAAAAAAANRU/iJHEApAQOew/s1600/Guj%2Bchannel%2Bin%2BKenya%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">No, I don't think it has anything to do with Mr. </span>Modi<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"> becoming the Prime Minister of India. For centuries, Indians have been coming and living in Kenya, and Gujarati speaking people are more in numbers</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">This is Kenya Airways.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiUoQ5HXwFU/VArlmguarqI/AAAAAAAANRc/5zODx3n4C1k/s1600/Kenya%2BAirways%2BNairobi%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiUoQ5HXwFU/VArlmguarqI/AAAAAAAANRc/5zODx3n4C1k/s1600/Kenya%2BAirways%2BNairobi%2B16%2BAugust%2B2014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While checking in for next flight, the immigration officer took my photograph, asked me to give finger print. I was following her instructions and suddenly she said, "</span>angutha<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">". It took a minute for me that she was using Hindi word for thumb and she was kind to speak "my" language with me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Well, I need to visit this city again and spend more time to develop better understanding. </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: 0.3in;">**</span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860454498751986354.post-29999567030582335142014-08-25T14:28:00.000+05:302014-09-09T19:21:23.433+05:30214. My Government<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When a new Government is elected, people have lot of expectations - irrespective of the political party. It is always good for government to be connected with people's dreams and aspirations. There could be no two opinions about the necessity of the representative government's continued dialogue with the people. All governments try to do it - in different ways. Such effort has its limitation but it is also useful to some extent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recently, to be exact on 27 July, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's government has initiated a new line of communication. With the help of Information and Technology, now people can participate in government by sharing ideas and issues through the website <b><a href="http://mygov.nic.in/">"myGov"</a>.</b> Anyone who wishes to participate can join the site. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Initially, while signing up, I faced difficultiies - I was not able to sign up even after repeated efforts. I did write to Admin of the site and I was told that it happend due to heavy traffic to the site. Later, I was able to access the site. We have to provide Name, Address, Email, contact phone and then we can register. Some people may find it problematic to share personal information - we are never sure about the data security. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Presently six groups are acitve - Clean Ganga, Girl's education, Green India, Skill Development, Clean India and Digital India. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are allowed to join four groups - in fact, three groups as fourth group is automatically your distrcit group! I have joined Girls' Education, Clean India and Green India. The concerned Ministries are expected to take not of the discussions in these group. The people who put forth good ideas wll have an opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister - that is what newpapers inform! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are not only discussions; you can join some Tasks as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For example, in the group "Clean India" one task is: visit any "Mid-Day-Meal" kitchen, observe cleanliness and suggest improvements. The task requires 2 hours. Generally when a task is declared, there is one month time limit to complete it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Girl's Education" group has a task to "prepare curriculum framework to enhance skills of girl students". I have joined this task and working on it . </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All these tasks are to be carried out as a "citizen". Nobody can go and say that the government has asked us to find out how clean is your kitchen and so on. This is a voluntary work - people are expected to use their time, their money, their energy and their intelligence in this work. Those who want to participate in the progress of the county without getting affiliated to any political party - have a good opportunity here - that is what my first impression is. Let me form opinion after few months. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The major limitation of this effort is: illiterate people, people who do not use computers and Internet will not be able to participate. In a way, it can be criticised to be "a platform only for affluent, higher middle class people and the poor and illiterate have no say" - which seems right. But those who read this blog, certainly have access to Internet and if they wish to participate in myGov, they can; we all can.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you join myGov, or you are already "into" it, please, do share your experiences. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">**</span></div>
</div>
aativashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10637505515780080897noreply@blogger.com0