Old hobbies, good memories!

 After long, more than 3 years later, felt the thrill of repairing a laptop!  This time, mine.  The last couple of days the laptop fan was giving trouble and I needed to replace it. So today after lunch, I picked up my laptop repair and spares kit, opened up my laptop, removed the fan, checked online if a replacement is available anywhere nearby, found one (in our regular computer peripheral store), bought it, fitted it and viola!!! All within 2 hours.  

The excitement of getting a work done and that too one that you have long since not attempted, more for want of time and space than anything else, is great. I distinctly remember getting hooked on to this hobby of repairing laptops during the pandemic, while in the UK. That's one of the many memorable experiences during my stay on the English soil.  

Today it was the replacement of my Dell 15 series 3501 model CPU fan.  

Flying kites

 The last I flew a kite was when I was studying in Divyadaan, Nashik... way back in 1999. It is after 25 years that I again had the joy of flying kites the other day at Mothinagar.  For the last three years I have kept telling myself that I need to again fly kites, but never managed to get to the terrace to actually fly one. Even though I collected some kites every year!! 

So when the opportunity presented itself while at Mothinagar, I did not hesitate or feel shy! The next day, back in the Provincial house I walked to the nearest shop and purchased a charka and thread, since I had a good collection of kites which I had gathered from the terrace for the last couple of days.   

Last Sunday had the joy of flying one with Willy and Anet.  However, Anet couldn't get her head around the notion and act of standing in the sun and holding on to a thread!  So, while flying the kite, she sat down in the shade and asked, 'How long do I have to do this?'  I guess likes and preferences differ. Perhaps I'd have asked the same question if I were riding a horse, and she'd be dumb-founded at that question!!!

Vocation camp

 Being present for the first day of the vocation camp at Karunapuram, brought back memories of my own first vocation camp in Gunadala.  The travel from Hyderabad to Gunadala, I have no memory of, but certainly the return journey is vivid in my mind.  I travelled back with Fr Balaswamy and Fr Anand.  Charlie was the driver of the jeep!  

The excitement of settling in the dormitory, the first family get together... The excitement of the cricket match, wherein I took a hatrick of wickets, for which Fr Gnanam - then a brother and the umpire of the match - congratulating me).  The sharing of food in the dining hall, a totally new experience, because back at home all of us were used to being served by our mothers, so none of us at the table had any clue of proportion and distribution!  Washing the utensils was not in our dictionary at all, leave alone cleaning the table after meals.  

The one aspect that I liked most of this particular camp in Karunapuram was the fact that two-thirds of the participants were boys from our own settings - something very very rare all these years!  These boys knew 'Don Bosco', felt at home with Salesians.  That's something really really good.  It is an indicator that we Salesians are doing some good. Irrespective of their desire to join us or not,  the very fact that they choose to attend the vocation camp is encouraging!

Reading old newspapers

If I'm not mistaken I came across this particular phrase or proverb for the first time in one of R.K. Narayan's works:  When cleaning the temple courtyard don't start reading the newspaper flying around.

In our context it would be most appropriate to reword it as 'when cleaning a cupboard, don't start reading the old newspapers!' Everytime we work we have a hundred and other works and 'things to do' that keep propping up in our mind.  So rather than concentrate on the task at hand, we either try to 'multi-task' or end up wasting time finishing the task because our mind has been planning about the next one.  I've realised that I'm taking way long to prepare for my classes.  Not that the content is heavy and therefore requires serious work - far from it.  I keep thinking of another subject or drawing up a list of the other tasks that need to be done.  In the meantime the one that I'm working on gets delayed. 

On the other hand, the thrill of letting our minds wander and re-collect odd memories and ideas, right in the midst of some serious preparation, is indeed very fascinating.  Some of these memories are very old and not often thought of.  Most interesting is the people it reminds me of.  Some of whom I've not remembered for long!  

The fallen soldier

Here's the monument at the Chertsey town centre dedicated to the fallen soldiers from Chertsey, especially those who fought in the Great war (1914-1919)...

In the backdrop is St Peter's Anglican Church. 

I think practically every town and village in this whole country has a monument dedicated to the memory of those killed as soldiers during the World Wars.  There would be hardly any part of the country that did not have some of its residents enlist and fight during the past wars.  

Jugaad - the art of getting along

In earlier days, much before the internet casts its web over the population, everyone did everything.  Only when one could not really manage the task at hand, did one approach an 'expert'. Slowly expertise itself became highly focused and technology made things impossible for one to do all things (or the vice-versa).  I remember days when I was a kid, that Dad used to repair the tape-recorder, the cycle, electrical goods and what not, at home.  We never called in painters to paint the home - Mum did it all!  We never ever employed a housemaid.  All the daily work of the house was done by us (mostly Mum!).  Of course, even the products of those days were sturdy.  Dad's wrist watch saw the small glass-encased cubicle of a technician only once or twice its lifetime of 50 years!

However, now-a-days even the minutest task requires a technician.  The task is so complicated. With the availability of information on the internet it should have been the other way round.  DIY should have become more a possibility than an impossibility.  Products are such that it is easier to buy a new one than repair the existing one.  Then there is always the argument about time - or lack of it.  The concept of jugaad - hindi word, meaning 'making it work and getting along' - is actually now used to denote incompetence or utter misery!  The word originally and actually means low-cost creative engineering to solve a problem.

Call it progress or advancement, I still prefer the days of old when one could dismantle a water pump, do the needful repairs and then reassemble it all by oneself.  Or replace every bit of the archaic air cooler - fan blades, belt, switch, cable, motor winding, hose pipe - even if it meant running to the market more than twice to replace required parts of the exact measurement.  And if it still did not work with its exact parts, tweak things around to get it to work - the additional noise it made or the occasional leak was not a big issue!  

The bell

Practically in every Salesian house I've been I've come across a tiny bell somewhere or the other in the house.  I came across one even here in Chertsey.

This small bell always brings back a fond memory of childhood.  As kids, Willy and I used to attend the daily morning Mass in the Salesian house chapel of the school (Motinagar).  And we'd always help out with the arranging for Mass and then after Mass putting things back in the cupboard.  There also used to be a small bell which Mummy had presented to the Chapel and we'd invariably take turns ringing it during the consecration time.  When the new Chapel was built and things shifted, the bell got lost.  One day she accidentally noticed the bell in the school administration office (Mummy was still teaching in the school).  She was furious.  She grabbed it immediately and marched straight upto the Salesian community Chapel to restore it back to its place.  Most probably it is still there!

Another picture which I still hope is present in the community Chapel is the picture of the Holy Family which we as a family had presented to the Salesian community many many years ago.  

Pehli taarikh (First of the month)

It suddenly occurred to me that years ago when we were kids at home, Papa used to very faithfully tune into the radio on the first of every month at 7 am to listen to this particular song or jingle (I don't remember if they played the whole song or only part of it) on All India Radio.  One of those lovely old tunes and old memories!

Invariably there was great excitement on the first of every month, in anticipation of the salary...

Pleasant surprise from Shankar

I was surprised to receive a Christmas greeting from Chota Uddepur yesterday. It arrived in my name addressed to the Provincial house. At first I thought it must be from Ramesh but then the address was anything but a Salesian residence. The card inside too had nothing more than a line of greeting and a couple of signatures... none of which helped me identify the sender. I flipped the card over and looked at the photos there. It was of some school children and all of that. And then I suddenly saw a face I can never forget... Shankar. He was my companion during my M.Ph. At Divyadaan, Nashik. It was his family photo and that of his school.

I wrote a reply to his card today... and it was a real pain. Not the sentiments but the hand. I realised that it was ages ago that I ever WROTE a letter. I certainly have mastered my typing speed but in the process have paralysed my handwriting. It took me 45 minutes to complete a two page letter... something I would have accomplished in 10 minutes straight on the laptop. I certainly need to start 'writing'... literally!

Food as Eucharist (2)

Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as food and drink... a memorial tool of Himself had evolved over the centuries. What Jesus really intended was a community celebration of oneness and thanksgiving for the graces received. What better time to do this than at a meal: every member of the family is there, it is a happy occasion, it comes everyday (more than once)...

From the initial fellowship meal where the bread (and word) was broken and shared, we have moved on a long way. Beginning with the initial abuse of the bread (in different ways, some even mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, itself) to this day's celebration of the same around an altar with all the regalia, we have somehow tried to preserve the sacredness of the same. The effort has been to make this as occasion that stands out and is used for its intended purpose. But I ask myself: Does the Eucharistic celebration really help me 'remember Him', does it really 'nourish' me, is it something that I 'do in His memory'? Granted that at a community/family meal there are too many other things, 'distractions' that prevent me from rightfully acknowledging God's gracious presence in the person of Jesus, but it is precisely for this reason that the Holy Mass has been carved out. Do I really use this 'specially tailored moment' to 'remember Him'?

I must acknowledge that most often Mass is just another activity in my daily list. I wish and pray that I become more involved in Mass and that the Eucharistic sense pervade all my day! Help me, Lord!

Food as Eucharist

Everytime one wants to leave his or her memory behind among his beloved people, he grants them or gives them a memento. Jesus' choice of a means of helping us remember Him is a very noble and down-to-earth one: food and drink. He could have very well left us with some stone or wood carving (the cross would have sufficed, normally speaking). But He chose food and drink. For it becomes part of us. It does not remain an external reminder to the eyes or ears alone, but merges with our system and strengthens us from within.

Another aspect of this 'memory tool' is the specialty that it builds us up ... from within. It is not something that we can pass on to others without ourselves being strengthened by it. Every and any of my acts is supported by food and drink. Furthermore, no credit is given to this factor. Food is consumed and the credit of the good done is given solely to the doer; not to what he or she eats and drinks.

Enjoying Hyderabad in Trichy!

I'm at present in Trichy attending the Social Communications meeting for the South Asia region. It was good coming here to this southern tip of Indian Provinces. Moreover meeting old friends and some new ones too is always refreshing, even if the weather isn't! As usual, there were the introductions made prior to the meeting proper with those whom I've not met before and here are some of the reactions of theirs when they heard that I'm from Hyderabad Province / Andhra:

• Ah, Benji's place (that was the most common phrase today)
• Oh, it must be very hot now!
• Wow, I love that spicy food.
• I still remember the lovely curds we enjoyed at the Provincial House.
• The hospitality was great at Hyderabad.

A day at DB, Sanathanagar

Yesterday I was in Don Bosco School, Sanathanagar, my alma mater. Since I had the time I took a walk around the campus and every step I took flooded my mind with lovely memories of my school days. The dogs kennel with those ferocious dogs (now there are dogs, and ferocious ones too - but that's only a daschund!) Then there were the German Shepherds. To get past them to the Rabbits place was a great thrill!! Some of us would not get past the dogs kennel for fear they would pounce on us thorugh the grill!!! Then the rabbits place - now no more. There was down below the place, along the compound wall in the corner, Fr Lens' vegetable garden. Now there is the BIE building. Then the bus driver's quarters where my best friend Seby lived. Now it's all abandoned.

There still runs the canteen. But it's not the same with Paddu and his people in it. I also made it a point to show to Willy and Roshni the sapling that I planted with Fr James and our whole gang. Of course, it is now a huge tree, right at the entrance of the school on the playground edge.

Then watching the boys and girls run around playing games, I too was tempted to join them and kick the football and shoot some baskets... But was weary of spoiling my clothes as I had to travel in a couple of hours! What a pity!! I also met some of my teachers: Susamma, Mr Ravindran, Ms Grace, Jovita, Jennifer, Pushpa... it was good. Moreover to hear from them about the school was another experience.

Best was the walk I took down the road to say hello to Papa at home. I just spent a couple of minutes but it was great. To top it all was the serious discussion I had with Willy and Roshni in the school grounds just before I drafted the final report of the Visiatation.

History outside the archives

This morning I put down in black and white an idea which has been floating in my mind since long. I proposed this idea to the novices (through a letter) and I hope something will emerge out of it. It is all about gathering the bits and pieces of history that officially does not get recorded. These are seemingly insignificant events, circumstances, decisions or happenings of the past that often get lost in the sands of time - yet, somehow they do have a very important role to play in shaping history. These bits and pieces are known to all but not officially noted and hence with the passage of time, they are lost. Slowly History is 'made' - bereft of certain key elements/truths. Moreover, these are very interesting and enriching pieces of information, which are capable of shading recorded history in a totally new colour.

One such piece: It was Fr Muthalakhuzhiyil Sebastian who really started what is today known as PARA, in Ravulapalem. To have a social outreach programme was his brainchild and his initiative too. Of course, it took a formal and more reputed shape in years to come, but he did have this social bent then. This year PARA celebrates its '80 seasons of journeying with the Dalit bahujans of Konaseema' and this fact needs to be made known and Fr Sebastian's contribution duly acknowledged.

To my fortune, this evening there was a call from Fr Maliekal and while clarifying with him something I picked up a phrase which describes this sort of research perfectly: 'History outside the archives'.

Praying and staying together: Parish Community

Yesterday evening, being the feast of the Holy Rosary, we prayed the Rosary together with the staff of the house. It reminded me of those old days when the Parish was smaller and our Chapel served as the Parish Church. There used to be lot of life then. Being a small community, interaction was at a deeper and friendly level. The month of May used to be special. Being fervent devotees of Mother Mary, the whole family used to come every evening to the Provincial house for the Rosary and Mass. As Brothers some of us used to take turns to animate the services. The summer camp then, though only for 10-15 children, was a full time work. And I am glad that those children, now young men and women, some of them even married and with their own children, do remember those days with great joy and pride. At times when they meet me they narrate of incidents which I hardly remember; but for them, they are as vivid as yesterday!

The most surprising and happiest of all "metamorphosis" is that of Franco. He was most uncouth and indisciplined of the lot. Today he is such a refined guy that I can hardly believe my eyes every time I meet him. I think his wife, Radhika has a big role in his change for the better. Whatever be the case, I truly am happy for all of them. The only guy who still seems to be searching for his identity is Laddu. Hope he settles down fast, especially to the satisfaction and consolation of his aging mother.

My blog ... anniversary (belated!)

This evening it struck me that it's already more than a year since I began blogging! It was in June last year that I began to blog during my stay at KJC, Bangalore for classes in Philosophy. This evening as I saw Fr Anchu, I was reminded of my stay at KJC and then this 'anniversary' came to my mind.

Am happy that I still am able to put down something or the other (mostly my state of mind, or some thoughts that tickle my mind) almost everyday. At times I wonder if I am reflecting at all or only 'blog-flecting'! Whatever be the case, I'm happy that put down things. May be years later when I wish to look back upon my own life, I will have something to smile and laugh about! Most importantly, they will bring back to my mind, memories of people associated with what I now write.