A day in Mumbai Nagariya...

At last we had decided to go on some outing. It’s not a kind of jaunt we were planning since pre-monsoon; nevertheless it wasn’t less of fun we wanted to have. We have been planning our next trip since the day we came back from our last trip (to Dapoli beach, Konkan coastal area). All my team members in office were enthusiastic to have a trip in monsoon which includes a night stay, some adventurous activities perhaps trekking/water rafting. However it concluded to this one day trip to Mumbai. The prime impetus factor behind this trip was to watch some movie on 240mm gigantic screen (India’s largest) in a shape of dome at IMAX, Wadala :).

We were sum of 5 people: Me, Sarfraz, Ravi, Vishal and Rakesh (he’s joined from Mumbai). At 6:30 early in the luminous morning of Sunday, we all 4 got together at Pune bus station. As there was a Shivneri Volvo bus (convenient service by MSRTC between Pune-Mumbai route) going to head off at 6:45, we quickly bought the tickets and got in. after an hour or so, bus started running on Pune-Mumbai expressway and after a few kilometers it halted at some hotel . As it was 10 minutes of break we hurriedly managed to have beaten rice (Poha) - Tea.

There wasn’t any sign of rain (at least in Pune) when we started off, however as soon as we were near Lonavla –Khandala, it started drizzling which made atmosphere chilled. We would see the lofty rugged hills covered by the mist. Rain was pouring outside and it was the A.C. of bus which was making us refrigerated, nonetheless we took nap for a while.

At around 9, we stepped out at Priyadrshini, Chembur and caught a Taxi to reach IMAX. Voila! It’s Rakesh there. He had already reached half an hour back from his place Thane. We enquired for the earliest show in the Dome. To our surprise, the dome – for which we had traveled all the way from Pune to Mumbai (Not to forget that we woke up early at 4:30 am, that too on Saturday :( ), was no more there. The dome shape screen was replaced by the traditional huge screen.

We were bit saddened however we decided to watch the movie Harry Potter and the half blood prince (which was the only option to be had for us). We bought the tickets (Guys, 500 bucks for a ticket !) and entered the hall. We sat on throne size sofa (500 Rs. remember…). It was 3D for first 30 minutes which we enjoyed the most. When WB’s (Warner brothers) emblem zooms in towards you, you feel like would it crush you or what. I’m still thinking why the whole movie is not in 3D (Maybe budget limit)?

Post movie, as we had no further plans about which places to visit next, we rapidly decided where to head – it’s Band Stand. Suddenly a jerk happened in our mind; we should reach Band Stand by visiting newly constructed Bandra – Worli sea link…Hurray….!!! It was fantastic experience. Bridge is really futuristic, worth a visit. We then had leisure walk on band stand. It was going to be evening so decided to go near Haji-Ali somewhere. All of us were tried so sat at eatery of Atria mall for some time.

We then came down to Dadar to take a bus. Rakesh moved to his place from there. On a way back, we all were sleeping because of too much fatigue and in fact we had to sleep more for next couple of days to get out of that tiredness.

PHEW!!! Though it was strenuous, this voyage is going to be cherished by all of us for sure.

Teach India... Padho India... Badho India...

While surfing the channels on this Sunday twilight (in hope to get crumb entertainment from masses of channels, u know it’s a big challenge :)) I got a glimpse of Hillary Clinton, Aamir Khan and Arnab sitting on a stage discussing on some topic. After watching it for a minute or two I realized that this is Teach India being aired on Times Now news channel.

Before I write about that program; let me write something about Teach India. It is a social initiative by Times of India. It brings the opportunity to go out and teach young children with the guidance of a multitude of NGOs across India. Sounds motivating, isn’t it? It is based on one simple principle: If you have the desire to teach, it will put you in touch with underprivileged children who are willing to learn.

So coming back to that TV program, which I had watched for an hour or so, was really worth to watch. I really urge you to watch it as it may be kept airing in future.

There were many points discussed about education, current education trends, student’s/teacher’s/parents’ perceptions on education, what needs to be improved/kept away from current education system and many more. Hillary talked on U.S. education system. She has explained how child’s education is carried out in U.S., what is government’s role, how much parents are attentive. She said while her children were being educated; she was much focused. She was keen to give her children the best education. She believes that this is a first and foremost duty of all the parents. Amir consented with her and said parents should not make their children compelled to become what they want. Yes it’s true that they must guide but at the end of the day its child’s interest which should matter the most – he added. He gave his own example – when I had finished 12^th, my parents had asked me to go ahead with the college. However I wasn’t keen on doing that but film making. I disregarded their decision and here I am - he said. Schooling and education is 2 different things, one should not let schooling come on the way of education. Education is what one learns at every minute of her life. Only schooling doesn’t make you paramount; education (of life) is also equally important – He further added. Then there was a discussion on teachers. Hillary said teachers play most significant part in educating the children. They should educate the students in such a way that students honour and aspire to become like them. Khan added that today nobody wants to become a teacher; everybody wants to get into lucrative job. There would be hardly few of them who actually wanted to become a teacher but this number is quite less. There is an obvious reason why people choose different careers than teaching. It’s money. A teacher doesn’t get paid enough than others. He thinks in fact teaching should be the most highly paid job; they are the one because of whom society gets doctors, engineers, teachers.

This session then concluded by the Q & A session, wherein I really liked a question from one girl. She said - she stays near Dharavi slum. She had managed to gather 5 children to educate them. One day all of the sudden none of them turned up for the study. She somehow managed to find out the reason and it was quite shocking. Those children couldn’t come because their parents didn’t want them to study instead they want their children to work, beg at signals. She said she was devastated and felt like not to teach anyone henceforth. She sought opinion of Aamir, Hillary for this situation. Both Aamir and Hillary appreciated that girl for her charitable effort. Aamir said her that you should continue doing this. Obstacles may come in your way but just get over with them anyhow. Try to get those children back to study. She confirmed that she surely would do this.

Overall, I found it quite motivating. We all know that how much the education is important in our lives whether it’s social or professional. We should be a part of spreading the education, making people aware about the same. At the end it’s a society, wherein we leave, will be enriched with discipline, humanity, thoughtfulness, wisdom and all the other GOOD things. If this happens then what else would we want?