Mid Sept to Nov

Well September went only in trying to get class in decent position. Initial work of "What will I do about it" started. It was a nice experience working with Ashwin, Seema, Swati and Sunny- all of them among leaders both in classroom and clearly in coming years. First meet in Barista in which I got late. Second in TFI office, where I was late again. Uhh.. I had stopped being late since last 2 years. Pune traffic is jam in evening. I didn't expect that having a smooth experience before this. And in 2nd meet, guilty of being late I was standing out of office when Chaitali spotted me and asked me to come in. Next few meetings were in Seema and Swati's home. Well they have a beautiful home and also had Dabeli for snacks. Abhimanyu and Anwesha remained a constant support of pillar all throughout. Jagriti also became a friend in the meantime. There were some One team events where we got a chance to meet different people. One in East street where the organisers were also late, then in MG road park for Joy of Giving where the junta was quite less, may be also due to the rain that day. Well I also went through a time or may be a week of ill health. Bad time but at least got some help from Divesh when needed. Also went through a rough time with Hruthvik, to the extent that I went to his home before vacation to teach him mother phonics. I gave holiday homework to all kids and a photocopy of history book to all.

Vacation: I went home by the Azad Hind, had to pay 200 for Auto, then my ticket was not confirmed but RAC, the train also had a pathetic rush, so it didn't matter if I had confirmed ticket also, the bogey was full due to Diwali rush. Got to meet an IT proffessional while going to Kol. Reached around 4-5 hours late. Took bus only to home, to see Sanjay mamaji there. Next day I went for new home opening of Arun chachaji, and on the way back bought a 32'' TV. On small Diwali I went to nanibari. Met Madhu mami for first time.Well we could not talk much, maybe due to 2 reasons- I was a bit confused and secondly because it was late night. Diwali was not so special, just like any other day. Next day just went by. On Bhai dooj I got many good food to eat. I also went out with Prerna and Trisha. Good time spent in City Centre 2. Saturday my uncle and aunt came. Sunday we went to Science City. Good time. Then there was feast in nanibari. My father and Kitty both got ill that day. Monday was dull. Tuesday we went to South City(Pizza hut meal was good) and also to Natural Height.Wednesday they left. Thursday and Friday just went by like that and again Azad Hind express. There was a lady who had AC waitlisted e-ticket who had first experience of travelling without ticket. She started crying and I assured her that it would just cost some money nothing else. She was a teacher too. Another person in compartment was doing BeEd. Wow travelling with 2 teachers in same compartment. Another difference I noticed was this. Never did I see or may be 1 in 200 times did I find a girl in 20s travelling in sleeper during trip to Kanpur and back but in this trip I could spot many. :P

Mid July-August

Today is 26th November and am writing for July and August.Well I am writing this 2^nd time because last time’s writing got lost because Microsoft office crashed so everything in very short now:

Conference:

·       Lady helping in shifting and all young people relaxing

·       Bus’s clutch failed so got into last bus which was full of luggage too.

·       Rutika’s vomiting

·       Binu’s boyfriend, Aniket’s shave and Neha’s parents

·       Electric Diva and some performances

·       The chart written by everyone and visiting card

·       Final hugs.

·       Luggage left in bus

·       Meeting with Ishpreet in Divesh’s home

Other small things:

·       Recharge by Sumang and Archana’s sim

·       Talk with Anuj and Sanket

·       Rangoli welcome by kids and management going bizarre

·       Assurance by Divesh

·       Scholarship exam, Jyoti teacher’s nuisance and meet with Hitesh

·       Registration of house and being late in school

·       Splitting of class.

·       PM debriefs-phonics and grammar.

·       Independence day sound system

·       Amazing Sinhagad trip with Hitesh, Binu, Prashant and Nishant. The wind point, the tasty food, the pure fun.

Mom’s visit:

·       Mobile discharge and enquiry counter confusion

·       Cleaning spree and shopping.

·       Surat trip: Bus late, mall visits, shopping, the alchemist, taiji’s home food- chowmein and dosa, return back.

·       Heavy rain and coming back.

·       Late night drop at station.

Weekend before School

Friday night: Well we had planned for a surprise party for Madhukar. With the leadership forum ending of Jayashree we met in Tagore 2, called Jagriti who was not very happy with so late information from my side but still came cancelling the plan. Madhukar himself also wanted to go out and so he had already asked us to meet in parking lot but then came in Tagore 3 himself to call us up. Anwesha took her out so that we could make our arrangements but ended up doing a serious talk with him. Then when he came, we did the events as planned. Then we all went out to Tadka house again for the last time. All the tables were already booked so we took one room in the outside. Pritish and Prashant joined later. As usual we played games(ya the GAMES). We then had Truth and Dare. Never ever did I know that Truths can be something difficult too and more difficult than Dare. With the expected level of openness, the questions were simply more than what I imagined could be even uttered in front of girls, but now we are working proffessionals and anyways I was in a completely new world so had to adapt fast. Managed to keep myself calm and asked and answered questions. Well my answer as usual was very blunt and no further questions or responses evolved. :D
Neha, Sathya and I forgot the name of the 3rd person(I think saurav) were there in Tadka house. Me and Jagriti went to meet them many times. They were enjoying themselves a lot while relaxing. They came back even after us. Later I had to start packing. Well most of my apartment mates were towards end and I started. No problem. Since ultimately I also finished. 
Saturday:

Last week at institute.

Monday: Again some lectures. After the lecture I talked with Sanket Patil, Divesh and the landowner Divesh introduced. Was thinking of going to meet him that day only but when I asked to Maureen she told me that attending the evening lecture is important and Tuesday's one is also important and allowed me to miss office hours on Wednesday. Then at summer school, we started the RF for EOI. Then Rutika was teaching and I was co teaching. I didn't see my class so quiet ever. Her GP was inspiring. She taught addition with many chits. The evening session was on Solving the Educational Puzzle. Nakul went up to share that he wanted to be a minister and called me also on stage. :) Well it was a nice feeling, because of him people started considering me also as a politician, Vineela shared that she wanted to be a part of UNICEF. In others I don't remember now. After the lecture the amazing "Secret Angel" Event started. It was a real fun event. Mine was Renu. Later that evening I went on walk with Sathya and Neha at midnight. I can't forget that walk.
Tuesday: Again some sessions and then I had to take the two classes today because I was the lead in co teaching and you know what I had to take the AIT class also as a class because Srilekha had gone home searching and we were lagging in our RF assessments. And that class which was my last class was my worst summer school class. I was tired, tried a new strategy which completely failed, Rutika came late to class to help in co-teaching and class was huhh. Then was the session on Communicaitons. Well the secret angel event could have started today also. I am not sure.
Wednesday: 1st lecture by Siddharth and I was late. I fell in the ditch behind our hostel. Had to go back to room and was sure to not come back but only because of Nishant's insistence I went to lecture. They were on our placements and how schools are selected and how to invest various stake holders. For a change some good content in presentations. Planned to go to see home. After taking Maths assessment for EOI I left for Bibvewadi. Reached in time to find that landowner whas not picking up phone. So had to stay at Divesh's home and met Sanket at dinner.
Thursday: Had an adventurous trip back to Flame. Miss the exact bus at Swargate because of some nuisance, then paid extra in bus, then took the 6 seater from correct place to wrong destination and coming back to Chandni chowk by lift from someone. Then Auto wala sucking money unnecessarily when 6 seater could have very cheaply dropped me there. Then walking uphill in rain and getting Flame bus when downhill was just about to start. Drenched in rain sat outside Tagore 2 chatting and making a card for Renu. Then went to Chanakya 2 to find a chart paper with everyone's name there. Wrote a full essay for Anwesha for the many help she did and wrote a lot for so many people. Enjoyed writing. Summer school went in remaining RF and taking remaining Maths assessments and preparing for EOI showcase. Came back clicking photos and all. Then the open forum by Sandeep. And my god, that was the day. Ok. Let me hype you all first and then explain. I have been brought up in a completely non female environment. I was in a boys school(till 12) and tutions also had boys only(till 11 somehow some girls were there in class 12 tutions). Then my college was in IIT Kanpur,again a boys(94%) college only. And here the session of Sandeep ended with the words, " And its time for FREE HUGS". Man what did he just say? I sat for like 20 seconds just thinking if I heard it correct. Then seeing other people hugging each other, I confirmed that I did not have hallucinogenic experience. I was literally afraid of hugging a girl, well not my fault, I had never hugged a girl before I came to TFI. I still can't forget it was Priyamwada who was the first girl who hugged me. It took me time then also to absorb the fact that it was normal. I know I am sounding like someone from I don't know which obscure location or time period but believe it will happen if you grow in such an environment. Ok lets come back to the evening, enough of blabbering. The time became highly senti, the background senti music also had an impact. I then went to the Mumbai group room also. :)
Friday: Last day of sessions. Tired enough to attend but just dragged myself to it. EOI showcase was good. Realised that in no case you should allow kids to hit iron benches even in a small game. The high they feel because of the sound is too much for us to control. Huhh. After the showcase we had a cake party. The way back I click photos like anything. Then we headed to Chanakya 2 where the Secret Angels were revealed. Mine was Nishant, whom I had said in the afternoon itself that whey were most of the gifts by my secret angel delivered through him only. And Renu has happy knowing me as hers. I tried being a good secret angel. Then a small(almost 2 hours) reflection session by Shaheen and an amazing Leaders Forum by Rajshree. She was simply inspiring which was clear not when she spoke on her own but when she replied to our questions with such fire. The fire in the answers clearly showed her committment.For later incidents read the next post. Well it deserves a post. :)

Sunday 10th July

Well today is 3rd August and tomorrow is Nag Panchmi and hence lower work load today and you know what instead of writing blog daily as expected I am writing for 10th July. You can understand how ill managed my time is now.

Day started with me waking late due to the last night fun and I reached mess eating the regular (but still very tasty) breakfast and clearly by chance I sat beside Prerna that day having breakfast and Prashant came and wished her breakfast. WHAT??? Ohh god. How was I expected to know that it was 10th July. I did not login in Facebook since midnight and hadn't checked the date that day and I didn't know and then. And then I could see the anger on her face for me not wishing her. So I decided to talk to her even after breakfast and found that actually VERY few people had wished her that day there. Well it was Sunday and people do wake up late on such a hectic training, so it was neither her nor other fellows's fault. Then I bid her good bye after some discussion and finished my weekly chores. And it was time for lunch again. Well I could feel how bad it feels when you are not made to feel special on your birthday so I made a card for her(hand made obviously) and got a choco fantasy ordered for her in the CCD and gave her a surprise. The smile on her face made up for all the effort. Well after that the day had some sessions and after 3 weeks I don't remember. actually.

Friday and Saturday of Week 4

Ok. Today is 20^th July, a Wednesday and it is around 12 days since I last wrote. So again a symbol of how busy my days were. Well this week was relatively easier but the point was that I did not have any internet. Ok let me stop the crap and start writing the experiences.

Friday started with a session on Integrity taken by Sandeep and just on a lighter mood, I am sharing it. I was just browsing internet and got a ping to make a proxy. The session was on Integrity and a person asking me to mark proxy. I loved the irony at the time and told that I won’t, to the person replied that it was a joke, well I am not sure if it was or not. Doesn’t matter also. 

Well after that also was some session. Then summer school. Being Friday I just had to take assessment, but my PM asked to teach a lesson since the class was lagging behind. I did not make any proper lesson plan and just revised the maths I had taught that week, which included shapes, clock and a few minutes on I think addition. After coming back we had the city meeting in which we were shown a presentation where some improvements were cited and a ppt was shown with quotes from parents or relatives. Anamika had an amazing ppt made by her fiancé. Well that was truly exemplary. I envied their relationship that time. Well that made a benchmark for me as to how good people can be when they are in love.

Friday ended and Saturday started. It was the day when I was supposed to go on Community visit and we reached school to find that parents teacher meeting had ended before we came and we were to go to homes on our own. Then I called Payal’s home to find that they are not in Pune and had gone for some family function. What??

I wanted to go to home of Priyanka and Payal.Former’s grandmom denied my arrival and later was just not there. Then I went with Pritish to Pratham’s home. In our path we crossed a saloon shop which reminded me of my hanging long hair which needed some maintenance. While finding Pratham’s home, in my simplicity(:P) I even asked a prostitute on the road the way to the building. After she said that she did not know the path I had a thought that what if she had misled me. Well this incident made me think for some time. How much biases we hold to people of some profession. How we judge people on what they do and not what they are. Profession need not always be a matter of choice but many a time forced in our country at least. With our country still tied in the chains of caste system we still have not got complete independence to decide what we want to continue as our profession. And prostitution is much more a less thought profession. People are forced into it more that what they chose. Some people are just traded in them and kept forcibly in it by various forces. Some people are just raped by their families and the only place they find peace are brothels. Are these people choosing or are they forced by the society? Can anyone answer it? Well these were my thoughts and just thought of how constrained we are even with some much education. Well the design of the lanes where they lived reminded me of my home. Just for those who are reading it, there were numerous brothels near my home, so I know very precisely the design of locality and dressing of residents. It also reminded me of some sweet(sarcasm intended) memories back home. Just another piece of information for the readers- Asia’s biggest brothel which had a market of more than 100 crores (8 years back) was also near to my home.

Well all these were my thought processes. We reached Pratham’s home and guess what Pratham’s family was a proper Rajasthan’s family. They were happy to meet a Marwari and I also hadn’t heard Marwari(language) since a long time. They were good people. Pratham’s mom was a teacher in Pratham till 4 years back when she left school as she was expecting another child. Well she had one girl and she was roaming around when were talking. Pratham’s mom told me about some of the problems in R N Shah school. Then I came back to school. Then went to Revati’s home. As I had a rough idea of where she lived, I went to the 3^rd floor of the expected building and found that I entered a wrong building, the residents told me to go to the building behind and showed me also through the balcony. While going I found a kid coming so I asked for help and he left me in a home. I called for Revati and was informed that she was in bathroom and hence I waited. A lady came out whom I expected to be Revati’s mom and started talking. She did not know hindi and she was conversing in Marathi. Well that was not quite unexpected and I was talking till a time she said, “ ME REVATI”. WHATTT??? She is Revati. My Revati can’t grow like 15 years in a day. Well again I entered a wrong home but this time a home with a girl with the same name. And just to add to it not only Revati but Revati Bokhare. Her surname was also same as my Revati had. Then we came to level ground. Actually the conversation was going on till now as I was introducing myself as teacher and she was herself undergoing a training too, a typing training. She was saying that I was not her teacher which was correct, completely. I wasn’t. Well then she told me how to go to the home to correct Revati. And she was not far away, just the next building. Then I reached. Talked with her. Revati’s elder sister was also there. She was studying in class 10. We had a good time talking, well we mean me, Revati, her sister and her mother. Then I came back. Bought a mango in the path. Having a mango after so long time and that too in month of July was amazing. Although the single mango costed me 20 bucks but still it was worth it. Then I had Bhajiya and some other snacks too with Prashant. Then I had a haircut, then a head massage too and a shampoo. It costed me 80. Welcome to Pune City. In Kolkata I remember started getting haircut at 7 bucks and now I am spending more than 10 times for the same thing and I am not getting anything, just paying to give my hair which in the end the barber is going to sell to get more money. Uff.
Forget it. Then I bought another yummy dish from roadside stall, the name of which I don’t know. After going back, we had a reflection session, in which I shared with Neha and 2 more people. Only Neha had the chance to go to a slum, we all others went to proper apartments. And guess what. The day does not end here. Our PM group went out to Tadka house for outing as it was last weekend. And I wasn’t actually interested in that and had already refused my PM. I was just doing my weekly weekend chores when Anwesha called. She asked me to come with same stuff that it was the last weekend. And on top of that I heard Rutika’s voice in background commenting that I should come. Well I did not have much choice now. 2 among the 3 girl fellows whom I just could not refuse anything(out of respect) asking for the same thing, that was too much, I just freshened up and got ready for leaving. Well the experience was fun. And there was hukka too and I had fun. The QnA round was fun too and I still remember Rutika’s remark and that was such a confidence booster. :P
We had the staff also there and we called Sandeep, Maureen, Sanaya and Anirban at different occasion and for different purposes and all of them were sport. We went back and the party still did not end. We went to Tagore to watch a movie “Stanley ka Dabba”. Till the end of the movie I think only 4-5 people were awake. And 4 of us were so sleepy that we decided to sleep the night from 4 AM in Tagore itself as it was raining heavy but on Madhukar’s insistence we went back to our rooms in Hitesh’s car. 

21st July started and experiences from 10th July have to be written down still. Ohhh. What an amazing life. :) 

Week 4

See again I am writing after more than 1 week simply indicating the fact that I was busy the last 8 days to the length that I couldn't even write down the daily expectations but I am not complaining. After all I am here for training and that was going at full length. Let me cut the crap down and write about daily experiences.

Tuesday: Started with another session from Romana followed by Kayt. Sessions were no different from what they present in every session. Then in school I tried continuing shapes again but this time from assessment oriented. After coming back I had the option of going to a Ballroom dance session by Madhukar but didn't go because of a discussion at the apartment.

Wednesday: Started with a session by Aniket. It was fun and about number sense. We were also introduced to the Pi family contest. In school I tried teaching clock but to no avail. Kids could not understand it. I made a clock out of chart paper but the hands got off in the journey. After coming back I attended the recruitment focus group session. Then that night the placement results also came out. I was allocated a school in Bibewadi and I was the only 2011 fellow there. I was excited that night.

Thursday: After attending JAM sessions by Kayt, Sanaya and Alica I edited the lesson plans. That day there was a waiting line of 1 hour for Print outs. I taught place value to kids but they didn't understand it much and just to add to my woes, my assessment had questions of word problems which constituted 80% of my assessment which I couldn't even teach. In the evening there was a fellow led discussion wehere we discussed the problems in Educational scenario of India and some possible solutions. It had 4 major solutions:
a>KIPP type schools, b>Consultancy for schools, c>Centralised data bank, d>Mobile education vans.


Well I am tired now. Will post about later experiences when I have strength. Good night.