सहर

 

Believe

Standing on a junction,

Not knowing where to go

To the right, where the birds sing.

Or to the left, where the tigers growl.

Confused, I take a step back

Afraid to choose one

For paths can be deceiving 

Wondering what if I lose myself in the maze and couldn't return?

Footsteps approach me

as I stand bewildered 

I ask, "how was the journey u took?"

"All paths are arduous darling." she says

"And only the venturesome make it through 

by believing in one."

                                                                     -Tanisha

कुदरत

 

Being stereotypical.

 Disclaimer: The following is a very sensitive topic. It doesn’t mean to hurt anyone’s sentiments and is based on my opinions and observations and thus the categorization is entirely done by me. Kindly read the entire thing before stating your views.

So let me introduce you to the word I met a few years ago. I am sure you must have too but if not here’s it: STEREOTYPE

The 10 letter word has more than half the population of the world running after it. So, what are stereotypes?

Let me give you an example:

“I like ‘Math’ sir.” Raghav said.  

“So do I.” added Swara.

“That is a good thing Raghav but I am truly intrigued Swara!” said sir.

Well, Math is a subject which is all about logic and application. Men are usually said to be the ones being logical and women the ones being creative. The cool part is that: we get to decide what fascinates us the most. Ultimately, it is the will to dive deeper into the subject and fascination towards it that makes one like it. One can be logical and creative at the same time. As a result, saying men should like Math and be good in it and vice-a-versa for women is just an exaggeration of an opinion from the observations in the past.

This is what a stereotype is: A misconception or an exaggerated opinion from the past incidences/false observations that are passed along from one person to another.

So why are these stereotypes in a way humorous yet harmful? They have started affecting the minds of the people making them not give a second thought about the possible reason for it. They have made people think in a specific way. Let’s categorize them.

1)     The forefathers’ theories

·                     If a woman gets educated then the alphabets she has learnt will turn into worms and enter the husband’s plate.

I see no worms in my Dad’s plate! As we go back in the history, we all know- be it for man or a woman struggle and evolution is a huge process. But comparatively for woman it has been a walk on path of burning coal. They were deprived of education and even if they tried seeking it people came up with these kind of stereotypes. That was a time when there were child marriages and the girls being young and illiterate believed these stereotypes. The people thought that if a girl learns who will do all the household work and serve the family members? Now the things have changed a lot. Even our maid’s all the three girls have received primary and secondary education.

 

 Woman worshiping the gods during catamenia is a misdeed

Well! I have used a word that is disguised. But I found it important to tell. Why do we worship god? That’s because we think there is a creator and its god. We are alive because of him. He is the light in the darkness, the hope we get from and so it goes. All have their own reasons to worship god and it’s a person’s choice. There is no right or wrong in it. But when you consider the god as the ultimate creator then why would god want you to stay away from him for a week every month. Ask yourself: Are you the cause of catamenia? Can you cease it till it’s no more? And what’s that is dirty about it when you take care of all the sanitation? Try it once- being fearless, strong and carefree of these stereotypes you’ll feel a sense of inner happiness. In the previous times, there was no proper sanitation and hence women were kept in isolation but are there any such reasons now? No! Then why deprive them of the basic freedom to touch things and to worship?

 

 

2)     Definition of intelligence and a good human

·        The people with higher grades are meant to take science.

 My classmate got 95% in 10^TH and he took Arts stream and people kept saying, “Agh! Another boy wasting his intelligence by taking arts.” Unfortunately we categorize people on the basis of their marks. Let’s take the famous e.g of Albert Einstein he never scored a 99% but his talent took him where we see him now. If Zakir Hussein would have never followed his passion, talent, we won’t have known him today. Sounds so cliché! But the fact is people still haven’t understood this. Considering the job opportunities and other aspects they restrict their children. But little do they understand that if we work towards our goals, perfection, talents and passion, success is the ultimate outcome. And where there is success why worry about income. It follows us as we make way to the success.

 

·        A studious person doesn’t like dressing up, getting into the outside world (introvert) or shop

This is a funny one! Close your eyes and think about a studious person.90% of the time it is about a person wearing simplest possible clothes with spectacles on, talking just about scientific things and bag full of books lying beside. Well, this isn’t true. All have their own likings apart from studies. Some might like making craft, watching series, dressing up, cooking etc. As long as you aren’t wasting money on the unnecessary and doing these things for a specific amount of time makes you happy then why not? At the end of the day it’s the happiness that helps your mind work efficiently and makes you more productive.

·        The person going to the worship places (e.g temples) is very well cultured.

Why do people go to the temples? To worship god, to meditate, to get mental peace and happiness. As I said, everyone has their own reasons to go there. We are all humans yet all 7 billion people are unique in their own way. But I find it perplexing when it is expected from almost every individual to find happiness, mental peace by worshiping: Follow the stereotypes. If you want to be a good person be excellent in studies, worship god in every way possible. Not all are good in studies (getting excellent marks) but make an exceptional career when they follow their dreams. Worshiping is a choice not a mandatory thing that makes a person well cultured. Being spiritual and being devotional are two different phenomena and are every individual’s choices which cannot be forced on to them.

 

3)     So am I beautiful/ handsome?

·        A fair person is beautiful.

नरस्याभरणं रूपं रूपस्याभरणं गुणाः ।

गुणस्याभरणं ज्ञानं ज्ञानस्याभरणं क्षमा ॥

The above is an extract from Sanskrit literature that states that a human is beautiful in true sense when he/she has good nature, moreover knowledge and importantly has the quality of forgiveness. The literature is as old as a thousand years. Since then the people believed in the inner beauty then what made that change now? I still remember being bullied because of my brown, dusky skin colour. I genuinely felt bad at the time. But now that I surpassed that phase instead of feeling inferior to others, I feel pity for the people who discriminate on these (the racists) and that’s because they have an image formed, a sheet that is blindening them to see the true human colours and its beauty. Imagine a dog being extremely fluffy and pretty but if it bites you, you start running away from him in contrast to this when the dog saves you from a threat (e.g starts barking when seen a snake). You become alert and thankful to it. Does the way the dog looks matters here? No! It is the quality that makes the creature adorable. As a result, it depends on how you chose to see the world: as it is or what lies beneath it.

4)     My gender rocks! Does it?

·        Men shouldn’t cry and be strong always (crying makes them look weak); women are cry babies not being strong.

Is it? According to the recent data, death caused by suicide of men is far more than that of women. Why so? These stereotypes of men being strong prevent them from expressing themselves. Like every other expression crying is also important. It helps one to release the toxins and hormones that cause stress levels to rise. So there is nothing wrong in it. Just cry and get over with it. Think rationally and sort everything piece by piece. Rather than sticking to the problems being faced run towards the solutions. That’s it! It’s that easy.

So cry and express cause why not!  

Women have higher EQ (emotional quotient) than men. The reason being they let out their feelings take time to cry out their sorrow and then back to work! Talk-cry-sort things step by step (find solutions)/get over it and you are happy again!

I guess this states well that who is stronger: the one who expresses, moves on and gets over the hardships by working on it. So, are you?

·             Women are poor drivers

I am still thinking about who came up with this stereotype? 70% of the woman don’t even start driving without license. With a fear of being hurt, a helmet, seat belt are most of the time used. There is a difference between driving safe and driving fast. According to the experiments conducted across the world more rules are broken by men than women. Let us look at an example: since the ancient times, women have been cooking. It is now that the men have started taking interest in the same. Few have mastered the art but the vast amount of population (men) is still struggling with the basics. In the same way, women started driving just a few decades back. In fact, in some countries they haven’t even thought of driving a vehicle. At the end of the day it is a matter of practice. But we also can’t deny that the evolution has some impact on it.

 

Rising from the ashes

 

I have been walking on the burning coal.

Nothing hurts,nothing being felt.

The winds passing by.

The heaven is calling out loud,

While the doors of hell beneath lie.

The sky: a pink blanket of roses,

The ocean: a blue mattress with golden laces.

Sun entering the ocean land,

I feel sudden touch of soft sand.

With water washing the coal burns.

This is how life is

A fiery path to blaze the hardships,

And stronger from the ashes you stand.

                                    -Tanisha Raskar

Arangetram - Never give up!

Ever witnessed the joy of reaching to a top of a mountain and looking at the breathtaking view after a rugged climb? It is so satisfying. But no hard climb is complete without obstacles. And so was my journey of dance. ‘Arangetram’ is a prodigious performance which is done after years of training. It is the perfect example of hardwork, dedication and willpower. At the end, it is the journey what teaches us and what we enjoy the most. So here goes mine!

My journey started in 2018 when Tai* first announced that you are ready for ‘The Arangetram’ after 9 years. My parents and I had decided to do Arangetram alone instead of a group since there was no one ready enough to perform with me. I was so happy to hear that it was finally my time to perform Arangetram but the next thought that crossed my mind was ‘now I have to work my fingers to the bone. Huh!’ The thought scared me for a second. But now there was no turning back.

My first day of practice was so tiring that my legs shivered while getting down the stairs. My practice included a routine diet of beetroot, cucumber some fruits, two large bottles of energy liquids and regular lunch with increased chapati (wheat bread) which were to be finished during the practice. Believe me that’s a lot! I still remember the Christmas vacations when the practice was in full swing starting from 9am till 9pm. Throughout the day I’d practice, eat lunch, watch performances of previous Arangetrams, take power nap and then back to practice. Well, that was hectic! During this time Tai has been our mother throughout; right from making kadha* if anyone was unwell to taking the practice at her own house daily.  

The fun part was when we had a trip to Shri shri Ravishankar ji’s Markal ashram. Every batch of Arangetram is taken to a trip for bonding with each other. And so was this trip. We slept under the stars in the tent, meditated, did a photoshoot, adventure activities and a lot more. After the trip, we were relaxed, refreshed and back to practice.

Photoshoot (Lord Vishnu position)

After months of practicing there was a time when I couldn’t even sit in the basic position of Bharatnatyam (Ayatamandalam). That’s when I realized that the pains resembled the ones which had taken place when I jumped while playing a few weeks back. My right knee would hurt to its worst possible. After visiting the doctor I found out that I had partial ligament tear. I still remember his words, as he said, “You can’t dance any further”. I was speechless. I held my tears all the way home and that night I couldn’t resist and let it all out. That was a nightmare. You can’t tell a dancer that she can’t dance especially when it’s time to give the most prestigious performance of life. Thus, there was a long break of almost 9 months. But as elders say, the hard times passes quickly if you stay strong and fight back. I did the same. I did the recommended exercises, physiotherapy sessions followed the prescriptions and rested as much needed. And that’s how I overcame this hurdle and was more than ready to continue with my journey after doctor’s consent. I would literally perform an item from the margam* and then use an ice pack. In a way it did feel good!

Soon was my first practice with my vocalist. And to be honest it was pretty awful. I was so nervous. I messed up with the beats, with the sequence and was technically poor. That’s when I knew I had not given my 100 percent. There were times when I would say that I am done! But then there was my mother, who would just end the conversation by saying ‘you have to complete what you have started’. That’s what kept me going. My dad was my driver throughout. He would leave his office just to pick up and drop me. I am so grateful towards them that they were ready to do anything possible to make the performance a success.  

My first 3 months of 10^th standard were all about dance. Revising the beats while teacher is teaching was all I would do and the songs kept running in my head all day. And trust me, not understanding a word and getting ready for an exam which is just round the corner is a deadly feeling!

I still remember that we were once practicing and were almost done with the choreography of the margam but lacked of a perfect end since there was nothing that could match my theme of ‘Lord Krishna’. When my Tai’s guru Smita Mahajan tai learnt about this, she herself composed the song and provided it within few hours. I was astonished and was feeling so blessed. Who would have ever thought that a person like her would compose a song just for me within few hours? Cause it’s a tedious task. I am so thankful to her. After all these months, I gave my best at the final practice with my musicians, which was really memorable. The photograph above is taken after this final rehearsal where i am totally sweating. It is so fulfilling when you give your best and get appreciated. Right?

Left to right- Parimal Choudhary (chief guest), Guru Smita Mahajan, Tanisha Raskar, Guru Snehal Phtak-Kalamkar.

After few days, my costumes and jewellary arrived and were ready to be used. According to Indian tradition, one has to seek blessings from the god Shiva and perform a short pooja* before the performance for it to go well.  

(Photograph) Here is Tai tying ghunguroos* on my feet after pooja.

The Next step was photoshoot which was few hours long but was definitely one of my cherished experiences. Soon the invitations were out and everybody was excited and eager to see the program.

 My Tai has been the most dedicated and an inspiring woman. She has two children- One a 6 years old girl and the other 2 months old baby. Yet she never let them affect my practice. Her patience is just commendable. She has helped me all this way to make it up to my goal. I often wondered why doesn’t Tai ever say that I did well even though all the others did. ‘You have to do better’ is all she would say. After all the practice, it is acknowledgement from your teacher that matters the most. Isn’t it? My Arangetram was the place where I first heard the words of appreciation from my Tai and it was the best moment ever. That’s when it hit me that all I wanted was to please my guru and in this process of pleasing her, her every ‘you can do better’ resulted in me doing the best possible. And my final performance made me that worthy to receive her admiration. That was the best gift ever!

 My first stage performance alone for 3 hours was more of fun because now I was able to enjoy dance and was lost in it completely. My mother, was, I think the happiest woman on the Earth. She literally was so emotional while giving the speech while expressing herself. The auditorium was filled with emotions and the air with happiness. Ultimately, the performance, the appreciation, the love that you receive forever and the satisfaction of giving your best is all that matters. This journey of mine has taught me life lessons and would always be preserved in my treasure chest of memories.

Kadha*- a Mocktail consisting variety of herbs and other ingredients like cumin seeds to stay healthy.

Margam*- List of all the dances in a particular sequence.

Pooja*- Indian ritual performed to seek blessings from god before any good deed.

Ghungroos*- anklet bells (literally)

Tai* - used for calling elder sister. Here (to address a teacher)

Missed the program? You can now watch the entire program on youtube from the links below. In sequence.

1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zClLnwPT0cY

2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWJIBpog5iE

3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usIbRBHQ2MM

4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJkyzpDwz2c

5.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glkCzWnujVA

6.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJiSIrKwAc

7.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=032QqIhX56E

8.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjc-CqTeUnY

9.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko7KxCUzfKc

My Journey of Dance

                      What is the beauty of dance? The expressions, the bodily movements, the elegance and so the list goes on. That’s how an Indian classical dance 'Bharatnatyam' gets its basic essence from. Right from the beginning music always had a special place in my heart. I would dance my heart out for hours. I still have the recording of me dancing on an Aarti* with red dupatta* on my head: considering them as my long hair and assuming ‘audience’ on the chairs. Truly! Childhood is filled with so much of innocence. So, that was my 1^st, imaginary stage performance.

                My mother loved to see me so engrossed in dancing. And that’s why we decided to join a dance class. I still remember a woman standing on the door to welcome the newcomers. Her face was lightened with a broad smile; her large dark eyes were glittering as she called us in. She was my Guru (teacher): Snehal Phatak-Kalamkar. We call her ‘Tai’*. That day she held my hand and has not left ever since.

                  The dance class was like a Gurukul* always filled with girls rehearsing, seniors teaching juniors, girls practicing the taals* and learning. It was my favorite place to go; and seeing me enjoy dance, was my mother’s favorite thing to do so, she too joined dance with me. Coming from the village region they (my mother and her siblings) were deprived of the art related amenities and so, the joy on her face of ‘better late than never’ was so satisfying.

                Stage fright is one of the many fears that children now-a-days have. Tai used to arrange entire class program once in a year. And so even the children would overcome the stage frights and the parents would enjoy watching them on stage. The practices for the program would begin months before.  Like every other 9 year old kid, I had this fascination of being in a lead role. And at that time the theme was Shiva- Parvati*. I had got the role of lord Bramha* yet I yearned for the role of king Daksha* who had comparatively more importance and time on stage. I did get the role but after so many years I realized that it is not about how much time you play the character but about how beautifully you can convey it to the audience.

Dance has taught me a lot. It has helped me grow into a better person.

                 “Taiyya- tai. Sit more in the ayata* position. Keep your hands straight.” were the words of Tai trying to perfectionate every step. Everyday same instructions to which I just used to neglect. As I exalted from a junior to senior dancer there came a time when once I had to take the class. I was so excited with the thought that the girls would dance as per my instructions. How cool would that be! The class began with the first batch of the youngest girls. And to be honest that was the hardest one. Teaching every step again and again, making them listen to you, explaining everything in the simplest way possible and controlling rage when every time they go wrong. Then it struck me that being a teacher is all about having patience and how did Tai managed to have patience straight away for 4-5 hours? That’s an amazing value teachers have which actually takes years to build up and is taken for granted by us. That day teaching them I realized what patience is and also the importance of perfection. Tai always says “when we teach others, we learn twice and also try to perfectionate ourselves.” True, right?

It is difficult for us to be completely perfect, but doing what we love to do perfectly, is a step that we take towards making ourselves perfect.

              Then after 10 years of perseverance came the time of Arangetram which is the most prestigious program where a dancer displays her skills for 3 hrs. But no journey is easy and so wasn’t mine. Want to experience this journey? Do stay tuned for the next blog.

 This blog is specially dedicated to my guru Snehal Phatak-Kalamkar (Tai).

Aarti*– Indian recitation of holy verses.

Dupatta* – long piece of cloth like a stole.

Tai* – used for calling elder sister. Here (to address a teacher)

Gurukul* ­– Ancient boarding schools where disciples used to stay with their teacher work for them and earn knowledge.

Taal* – Rhythmic beats given my hand to ensure the accuracy in dance steps.

Shiva-Parvati* – Indian god and goddess.

Daksha* – Indian Mythological character.

Ayata* – Basic Bharatnatyam position

Mysterious Skies

Dark nights tell a different story right?

Blue canvas painting pink horizons,

The sun waving goodbye to the constellations.

City lights winking at the sky,

As the chilled night enters by.

Blank space with studded heavens,

Crescent moon hiding its craters,

Looking up, I see a fairytale,

With stars elves and the universe they made.

I hear them calling out to me 

"The universe is vast my dear" I say

"I have got one life and I need ten more to see!"

-Tanisha Raskar

The Ultimate Chase

“TANU IT’S 7:30 AND HIGH TIME YOU WAKE UP” comes a voice loud enough for me to jump out of my bed and start getting ready. Can you believe that human brain is so powerful that one can build up ‘n’ number of scenarios that might take place? Just because of one sentence, I had already missed my bus and was not allowed into the main gates of school. Intriguing right? Well! Getting back to the reality, it was 7:00 in the morning and as usual my mother’s strategy to wake me up after her calling out to me for last twenty minutes. I brushed my teeth with my eyes partially closed struggling to open them. There was rush in the house and the kitchen smelled like a chef’s field. I was still in my own world trying to count my teeth with the brush top unaware of the time I was wasting.

(Here's 7 year old me brushing my teeth while having a short nap.)

Once I finished brushing I was more than awake for I had splashed the chilling water right on my face. I then went for my bath wondering if I had completed my homework, assignments and packed my bag according to the timetable. “Argh! Another boring day.” as the Friday timetable flashed in my mind. Being a playful kid games period was my favorite one and we had it only once a week. And so the entire division would wait for the day eagerly. For our division it was Thursday. I got back to my room after bath and fell asleep. It was winter, the air was chilled and the late sunrises had created a perfect atmosphere for me to sleep again. There was a loud knock on my door “get up! It’s Thursday do you want to miss your school? It’s already 7:25am” said my mother. Once again I got back to my senses and started getting ready as I had just realized that it was Thursday. I drank the milk, wore the socks and shoes whilst papa ran down the building with my school and tiffin bag to stop the bus for me. I then ran as fast as I can with the fear of losing games period haunting me at the back of my mind. As I reached, there was no bus and my papa was ready to lecture me about the importance of getting up early. Well! It is high time that I inculcate it. I was in hurry and stressed. I then ran upstairs and bought the scooter keys so that we could chase the bus and catch it. It was so cold that even the scooter won’t start, the engines had frozen and it took us few more minutes to make it work. That time felt like ‘forever.’ We then left for our further journey. The tension had doubled what if the gates closed? Was all I could think. And irony was: my father driving at 20km/hr. The pressure was high. I was continuously asking papa to speed up a little. We had to cross a huge slope to get to our school. And papa being papa, was in his own world, driving the scooter while singing with all his heart. Soon came the next slope and guess what! Our vehicle just stopped. It won’t start even after us trying for innumerable times. We then started walking towards school thinking we would reach in time. It was too late and I thought I had missed today’s games period. It was disheartening since my past experiences stated that every time I missed school that day either we would get extra games period or some teacher would be absent. As I walked my thoughts kept pilling, a car then stopped near us. There sat a young boy with his father. They then offered us a seat and we drove to the school. Seeing the gates I ran as if I was missing a bus. And thud! the gates got closed just when I entered. And that’s my journey to school. Pretty interesting right?

A Fight with Failure

               ‘Failure is the first and foremost step to success’ you might have heard this quite often especially more in the teenage years cause I have too! But what if one has fear for it? Well then here is an incident from my life.

              I remember struggling to get up from my afternoon nap and wearing that white uniform with yellow belt and walking to Karate class. Every time I got ready for it, a question popped ‘when will the class end?’ and that’s because I hated going there. I literally used to cry to avoid going for the class and instead play in the society. C’mmon! we all have that moment where at a point we want to leave the class and just enjoy and play.

Me practicing after class.

             This went on for years and my interest developed in it and slowly and gradually I exalted from yellow belt to brown and then eventually black. Well, the credit actually goes to my mother who didn’t allow me to leave the class come what may for which I am now thankful for.

           It was in July 2017 that our instructor told us about this National competition of karate that was going to be held in Mumbai. We were so excited for it. Also the preparations had begun in full swing. I still remember teaching few of my juniors, some practicing fight techniques, some punches and kicks and it was all so fun as well as electrified with energy. After two months of this rigorous practice we were all set for the competition and ready to go.(Here) us doing the techniques.

        The competition was in September. We left for it in the morning at 5am and reached there by 9am. The competition had begun I could see few children go and come back with medals, certificates with extreme joy on their faces. Soon it was my turn. I was standing in the line, as I could hear my heart running so fast in my ears that I was literally shivering. All I could think was what if I lose? What if I forget the technique? My turn came; I took a deep breath and looked at my instructor who was right there standing to watch me perform. Within a second my heart was in my mouth. “BEGIN!” the judges said. I started with my techniques and just after doing two-three of them I was blank I was doing anything that I could think of next. And that very moment I realized I lost! I was shocked, in grief and couldn’t think of anything else but that, that I had let myself down in front of my instructor. What would my juniors now say- that I just forgot? After practicing for two months, how did I mess up so badly? After that I couldn’t sleep for nights.

             I had always been that person for whom reputation mattered the most. Here’s what I realized after months: I cared more about what others would say and think, rather than to focus more on how can I give my best.

               Failures are a part of our life and no matter how hard you try they will be there. What one should know is to accept and learn from them. And also a secret, that every time you experience failure the fire in you lightens up and encourages you to work harder.

              That’s what exactly happened! I practiced more next time and was not only physically but also mentally ready for the upcoming International competition. All I could think was to give my 100% and that’s where my positivity won me a silver medal!

                All I would like to conclude by saying is failure is an opportunity to grow into bigger and better person and excel in every aspect of life.

  National Award                                                   International Award

Thrill in the school

 Rewind to your past and recall how you were as a kid. Well! I was quite naughty and talkative. I won’t lie but yes, I have been punished a numerous amount of times. Stood outside the class, been in principal’s office, sat in a corner of the class but out of all these, the most deadly punishment was when our (our division’s) ‘games’ period used to get cancelled since it was conducted once a week. It was like waiting for the best moment of week but then all the dreams of playing games with friends being crushed to pieces. Sounds funny right! But then it was quite a serious moment for us. I can’t even remember how many times we have pleaded to our Principal for a games period.  I feel sorry for the principal though! She had to bear with us and our “important” (for us) pleadings.

I am pretty sure most of you don’t like mathematics. Like, why on Earth do we have to do all the unwanted calculation? In short, 

what is the use of this in life? Now this is from a person who might not like mathematics but I was one of those who liked it a lot. I still do. As rightly said, every coin has two sides the interest in the subjects defers in the same way. 

The academic year of eighth standard soon started and our regular lectures in school began.  But as we all know the excitement for studies is momentary. Mathematics being my favorite subject I would always complete its homework and even try doing further problems. Now that might surprise my teachers. But believe me! We enjoy doing things which we like the most. That year we had two lectures of mathematics scheduled every Wednesday. The lectures being conducted immediately after break would sometimes be boring; since one and half hours of doing the subject was then boring and that too when we had finished with next two-three problems. Also the ‘pin drop silence’ was being followed to its best. That’s when the thought of doing something thrilling struck us.

CAUTION: THE STUNT PERFORMED HERE IS NOT RECOMMENDED. KINDLY DO NOT PERFORM IT. IF DONE YOUR PARENTS MIGHT GET INVITED FOR YOUR “FELICITATION” DONE WITH “PRESTIGIOUS” WORDS.

And that’s how I and my friend Saanvi came up with a plan. We took our bottles and told ma’am that, our computer ma’am had called us (she really had but on some other day). We asked for ma’am’s permission and left for the mission ‘BUNK’. We did go to the computer lab and talked to her but then instead of coming to class we went down stairs near the water filter. That’s when a deep voice asked us from behind, “what are you two doing here during lectures?” Sweat dropped, as we unknowingly shivered while witnessing the situation of “life and death”. We then somehow convinced him about our bottles being empty and walked past him. Further we took a round on every floor and then ditching the CCTV cameras we went into the kindergarten section and sat there until we heard the bell of next class go (that was literally just 5 minutes). But was so much fun! We then got back to the class and no one noticed. MISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED! It was the first and I think last time till now we did this and enjoyed it.

To be brutally honest bunking is considered as one of the worse deeds done under section SCHOOL. I wonder if it still was the worse deed since our work for that class was completed. But in a way that’s what made a part of the school life memorable.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this blog is merely fun and not to encourage the stunts performed.