IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!

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 Come on all you working mothers. Stop, stop, stop, right there! Where were you rushing off to? Was the milk about to boil over? Did the phone just beep? Okay, Okay you remembered that item that you had to add to the grocery list. Oh...the washing has to be taken out! Husband dear is all stressed out. Daughter has a party to attend next week. Son is getting too big for his boots. Oh no! mother in law is arriving soon for a long long visit! The Project Report that was supposed to have been submitted yesterday, hasn't yet seen the light of the day!

Are YOU stressed out? "Sorry, I don't have time to be stressed out". I heard you say that, although you had just muttered, something under your breath, which to normal ears was very inaudible! I heard what you said, because I and every other working mother says that to herself, every day of her life.There is a sentence in Hindi," mujhe marne ki bhi fursat nahi hai" which literally means,"I don't even have the time to die". Applies to you!

You, I know cannot stop feeling guilty about not having made that lovely cake for your daughter's birthday! You had so much else to do, but then you yourself  had set yourself into 'wanting' to bake the cake. Do you know, your daughter was fine with the cake that you bought from the shop? Your darling daughter had just asked mom, can you bake a cake for me?

Your son , the apple of your eye, had asked you to help him with his home work. On that very day of all days your office called an urgent meeting and you got late in reaching home, and then starting dinner took your time. If you sat for the home work, dinner would have got late! How do I know? I've been there, done that!

Life is a race to do everything. For me it was a daily grind for meeting the Bank's budget, allotting the work at the Bank, managing the demotivated and useless staff! Most important of all was managing the boss! Back home it was rushing from the bed to wash room, to kitchen, to dining hall to children's room to give husband the towel that he forgot to take with him to the bathroom. Back to the kitchen for breakfast, lunch packs, getting children ready, husband ready, self ready and rushing out of home to the mad house where we all work. In fact reaching the office was itself a relief sometimes. Someone would hand you your first cup of tea to be had in peace.This was when you would realise that the world is still going around at its own pace! All is well, as you have to now face the music from your boss and customers and staff! Second round in the day, coming up!

Be smart, cajole the staff, comfort the client/customer. Smile, be patient, try to sort out issues, and by the time you look up, the day is over. Rush back homeward.

Round three begins. Oh, poor husband is back home after that grinding day. Your unhappiness at your day takes a back seat. Some one else needs all that T(ender) L(oving) C(are). You have been endowed with a lot of patience, endurance, love, strength to provide solace to that hulk of a husband of yours. Children come clamoring with their tears, their tales of woes and happiness, secrets, moments of sheer ecstasy, joy, naughtiness, demands, and cute little words. You have a large lap, a large heart full of love, large arms to give numerous hugs, pretty hands to wipe away the tears. You are the embodiment which provides relief, succor, security, to every wailing child including your husband who is still a child at heart. Go on, you superior human being, go on take on that piece of humanity, those vulnerable people who look upon you as their mother earth, their haven,their heaven. Let them rest in the knowledge that you are there to take care of everything. Now that mom is home, everything will be alright!

Oh yes, I had started writing this about you...wasn't it?

Yes, yes, yes, your turn will come on another day....

Life is like that my dear,you will have to wait for THAT other day,which will never come.

YOU were made like that.

To be happy when you see others happy.

To rest when you see others resting!

To be satisfied to see the wonderful, beautiful, happy faces of your children.

To see the sulking face of your husband , waving at you. They are like that only!

Love is at the bottom of your happiness. They all love you. They wait for you. There heaven is in your arms. They may never say it, but don't you realise how there world collapses when you are not around, and how their faces light up when they set their eyes on you.

Isn't it wonderful to be a woman?

Rejoice as you see happiness, peace and love flourish around you.

Rejoice and swell with pride, because YOU are the most important person in the world!

YOU woman, are WONDERFUL! You are the WORLD!

Therefore, IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!

Love yourself!

IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!

 IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!
Oh please, stop, stop,stop,where were you rushing off to you, you working mother? Was the milk about to boil over, oh, you just remembered that item that you had to add to the grocery list. Yes, I know you have to remove the clothes from the drier. Dear Husband is all stressed out! Your daughter has to attend a party next week, son has become too big for his boots! Oh my gosh, mother in law is arriving soon for a longish stay! You have no time to stop?
Are you stressed out? "I don't have time to get stressed out", I heard you say that. I know, I know, you didn't say it, you only muttered something inaudible under your breath, but then all of us working women have super sensors and I know what that mutter meant! Got you!!?? 
You can't stop feeling guilty about not having baked your darling daughter's birthday cake. Do you realise that she was perfectly happy about the cake that you bought from the shop? A cake is a cake, is a cake! You are fretting because YOU had set your mind about baking it. Daughter had simply asked, "Mom will you bake my cake?"
Son had asked you to sit with him and watch his latest game on his latest gadget, but you were stuck in a bad traffic jam on that day of all days. You had to rush into the kitchen to fix dinner. If you sat for the game everyone would get late for dinner. Woe is me, I can't even fulfill my son's wish! Sigh!! Did you say that to yourself?
Your life is a big rush, from here to there to everywhere! In the morning you rush from the bed to washroom to kitchen to dining room to give the towel to husband who forgot to take it to the bathroom. Back to kitchen fixing breakfast, lunch boxes, getting kids, hubby and yourself ready for work. Everyone rushing, rushing, rushing, until you reach that dreadful place where you work. Now for some peace and solace where someone hands you over your first cup of tea and then you realise that the world is still going around at it's own pace, slow and steady! All's well with the world. You are ready for round two of the day.
Now go on, attack the problems for the day. In a working day for me,it was a daily grind to meet the Bank's budget, handle the demotivated staff, the disgruntled customers/clients, the missing vouchers and so and so forth. The worst was managing the boss. Come on now, smile, cajole, coax, motivate, team work, manage, manage, manage, smile some more, go on, go on. By the time you lift your head up, the day is over.
Ready for round three? Back home, tired? Want some rest and quiet? Oh, here comes hubby back from the daily grind. All grumpy, tired, just like you! Out come all your resources of T(ender)L(oving)C(are). Someone badly needs it! Ruffled feathers smoothened out? Now come the children rushing in with their tales of woe, happiness, heart breaks, heart aches, the lost ribbon, the  ink stain, all those things that made up their day. Those sweet words, those demands, that unhappiness in not being allowed more chocolates! Why, why, and some more why? 
Never mind, come on, you know, you have beautiful hands to wipe away those tears. You have large arms to give them huge hugs. You have a lovely smile to tease them, comfort them.

Beautiful faces

Did you know how their faces lit up as soon as they saw you?
You have all the patience in the world to listen to everything. All the wisdom in the world to advice. All the reasoning in the world to explain. All the knowledge in the world to teach. You are the embodiment of all things good, beautiful, peaceful. A large heart full of love. Large arms for great hugs. A beautiful tranquil face which is always ready with a smile.
Did you know that you are comforting mother earth? When you are around no one has to worry. You, they know will take care of everything. Did you see the look of anxiety on your little girls face when she got that bruise and how she ran away happily as soon as you kissed the bruise and said it will become alright!
Did you know that you are the lap of solace, relief, comfort, peace and happiness for all those who are yours? They wait for you to come home, and run away, knowing that you are there. Mom's home, and all's well with the world!
Did you know what you are, who you are, what you mean to them?
Looking at their smiling happy faces make you feel happy. Looking at your grumpy husband makes you feel comfortable! Why grumpy, you ask? Never mind girl, they are always like that. They can neither show how much they love you nor how much they depend upon you.

TRANQUILITY

I had begun to write about you? Yes, I know, I did. Time for you will come, some other day. That other day which really never comes! The time for yourself never comes. You are too busy for that. Do you now know the meaning of those words in Hindi, "mujhe marne ki bhi fursat nahi hai", which literally means, "I don't even have time to die". I know that's your story. It is every working mother's story! You are not alone. Still remember,"IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!"
You KNOW it. Don't you? Of course you do.
Take heart, you know all those people in your house who never profess their love for you, really love you a lot. Their entire world revolves around you. You are their anchor, their support, you are their friend, philosopher and guide. You lead them kindly, never once thinking of your own fears, desires, needs. You are the embodiment of solace, succor, peace, tranquility, happiness.
Their beautiful faces wait for a kind look from you. Their day is made when you give them a hug, a smile, a kiss. All those children in the house, which includes your husband! They never grow up.
Did you know what you are?
Look at yourself. You are wonderful. You are the world.
Because of YOU, IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!"
Come on love yourself, smile, be happy!

VULNERABLE WOMEN

VENUS DE MILO AT LOUVRE PARIS.

A baby girl is the pride and joy of her family. She is the chirpy little being who brings a lot of cheer, colour and beauty in her house. Yet I wonder if being born a girl is the worst thing that can happen? I believe in equality in every sphere of life. Yet, today I am wondering...I, who am a staunch feminist, am beginning to wonder if all that I believed in needs to be looked into once again.

The world as we know it today would not exist if there were no women in it. In my lifespan of six decades and a career span of 3 decades, I have met numerous women. Each one has a story in her life. Every story is not happy but most stories have a lot of tears, struggle and a fight for survival.

In this man's world a woman has to ‘adjust’ to ensure that she is allowed to live in her own home!

Women are empowered with education, they are economically independent, they are sometimes the only bread winner in the house, and yet what is her position?

I know of three women who were the only bread winners and the husband and children depended upon them. The women however kept up appearances to show the world that their husbands were employed and earning well. The world does not respect a woman who bears the burden of the family alone. Lies, deceit have to be resorted to, to save your own face!

GOSSIPING AT MONTREAL

In the days when I started working, few women took up jobs. The desire of most young girls then was to get married and settle down. Even those who did exceptionally well in academics had to seek permission from their families to take up employment.  Very "benevolent” in- laws would then grant the girl permission to seek employment. Most of them encouraged the girls to take up safe jobs like teaching, nursing, or opening a boutique. Very few parents encouraged girls to be economically independent, and I say that those parents who did were truly visionaries and also revolutionaries!

Today we see a number of women occupying senior positions in a number of organisations. All these women who are occupying positions of power today are there by dint of sheer hard work, courage, and to some extent revolt. It is a myth to think that they got there in due course, without a struggle. No woman could achieve anything easily. One had to fight, strive and survive.

I know of a lady who married of her own choice and was almost ostracised by her own parents. She had to adjust in her marital home where she stood out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, she rose to the pinnacles of her career, without help from any one. It was a very dignified and lonely journey. I have seen her unwept tears, her utter helplessness and struggle to stay aloft. Her life has been one of total adjustment. 

Another lady also married out of her own choice and entered a huge joint family. Her life was also one of abject adjustment.

Both these women are highly educated and well placed, but have had to lead a life of struggle as they were always struggling to adjust in an unjust society. A woman has always had to prove herself on two fronts. The home front as well as the office front. In our times there was always another woman in the house watching where the younger woman could be tripped. In the office also there were numerous eyes watching where a fault could be located so that they could triumphantly declare why they were so apprehensive to take a woman in that position, in the first place.

CORONATION OF JOSEPHINE-PALACE OF VERSAILLES

A woman always has had to walk a tight rope. Any woman who talks with a male colleague with a little bit of familiarity was very easily branded as a woman with loose morals.

A man they say is a man. A man they say is flirtatious by nature! A wife who objects to his flirting, is quickly told that she does not understand and is backward. She is told to change her attitude. It is HER attitude which is WRONG!

Well, well well! What else can one expect in a man's world!

When I see injustice and the struggle for survival, I start wondering and thinking about what can be done, to change the situation.

Yes, indeed the world has moved on and girls today do not have to always be at war. This is because of the women of yester years, the strugglers who brought up their boys to respect women. The girls have been taught to realize that they are equal and not less than anyone else. In spite of women being in very powerful political positions in my country, I still see a lot of brutality and insecurity for women in their daily lives. Every day one reads of rape, honour killing or wife bashing. Jessica, Aarushi, the girl in the ladies compartment in Kerala, the national level kabaddi player who did not give her phone number to a CRPF jawan, the Call Center girl returning home late at night, all lost their lives, for what?

It makes me feel very afraid and insecure for all the young girls out in the world trying to carve a career for themselves, or simply trying to earn a living.

I hate to say this but, really this world is a dangerous place. There are dangers lurking at every corner. The need is to teach our daughters to tread cautiously. They must be told not to take needless risks, as it is always better to be safe than be sorry.Trying to be daring without a back up plan  will not really take her too far.  Women have to realize that they have to provide succor, strength, empathy and solace to other women. A shoulder has to be provided to those who need it, without being judgmental.  If every woman remembers that they are of one fraternity and need to look after each other, perhaps the world would become a better place for everyone.  If we unite and work together, our lack of physical strength could also be overcome with our other strengths.

MARIE ANTOINETTE- VERSAILLES

Girls are the most beautiful, compassionate, considerate, cheerful, caring people. Let us ensure that they inherit a safe world where they are respected and given their due space. Let them breathe fresh air, live in a free environment,  let them be free of fear and danger. This can only be achieved by men practicing equality at home and teaching by example that women are fellow human beings, not objects to be plundered, hurt and humiliated. Each one can teach one and do their good deed every day!

   

THE AMAZING CITY OF FLORENCE

Walking towards the Piazza

Florence, Firenze, is a very beautiful and notable city of Italy. It is in the unique and beautiful Province of Tuscany. Florence is a must visit place, at least once in a lifetime. I would say if you have not seen Firenze, than what have you seen?

No one can talk about Art, Renaissance, Sculpture, Poetry, European History, and Astronomy, Political thought and Philosophy or anything else that one can associate with human beings and beauty without a reference to Florence. 

The house where Dante was born

This is the place where lived the great Dante, (1265 to 1321). Yes indeed, he was the great writer of the “Divine Comedy", which is considered a masterpiece of world literature.

Michelangelo (1475 – 1564), belonged to Florence too. His statue of David epitomizes the beauty of the male figure. It is magnificent and quite gigantic. This statue was made by Michelangelo when he was just 26 years old. The most beautiful Sistine Chapel of Rome has the ceiling painted by Michelangelo. The Genesis, Creation of Adam and Eve, Garden of Eden and The Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel are truly amazing frescoes made by Michelangelo. One can keep looking at these frescoes for hours.  He was appointed architect of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and designed its dome.

Rafael, ( 1483 – 1520) another great painter and a contemporary of Michelangelo also worked in Florence.

Galileo ( 1564 – 1642), was a physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who belonged to Florence. He told us that the earth revolved around the Sun. His revolutionary theory made him face the Inquisition and he had to spend the rest of his life under house arrest!

 Botticello(1445 to 1510) another painter also belonged here.

Machiavelli(1469 to 1527), a great philosopher, and political thinker was also from Florence! He gave us very futuristic thoughts on governance. Amongst many of his thoughts one which really struck me was when he says that living virtuously does not necessarily lead to happiness! He also said that it would be best both to be loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose, will find greater security in being feared than loved! What radical and amazing thoughts!!

Florence Nightingale the famous Nurse and Lady with the lamp was born here.

Leonardo da Vincy

Could I forget to mention Leonardo da Vinci(1452-1519)? He was the one who gave us the famous Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and The Vitruvian Man. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician,engineer, inventor, anatomist. He had conceptualized a helicopter,a tank, solar power and also a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. Few of his designs were constructed or feasible during his lifetime .

Ghilberti (1378-1455) was another person from Florence best known for sculpture and metal working.

Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512) was a Florentine explorer, navigator and cartographer. The Americas are generally believed to have been named after him. He worked for the Medici's (pronounced Ma-Dee-chee) and helped finance and outfit expeditions to the new world. In 1497 he embarked on the first voyage to the Americas. 

There must have been something in the air or water of this place to have given the world such great people with so much talent and craft from such diverse fields!! The famous twentieth century fashion designers Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Robert Cavalli also were born in Florence.

Ponte Vecchio-Old Bridge

Florence is situated on the bank of the River Arno. At one time there were a number of bridges across the river. The retreating Germans after World War II blew up and destroyed all the bridges but one. The Ponte Vecchio which literally means the old bridge was spared on the orders of Hitler. This bridge still has shops built on it. The shops once belonged to butchers but now there are jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. The bridge is very beautiful and is Europe's oldest stone bridge. 

The Piazza della Signoria is an L-shaped square in front of the Town Hall and is the hub of the city. It is the meeting point of Florentines. Almost all important places to see are located near this square.

Town hall with David in front.

Palazzo Vecchio is the Town hall of the city. The Town hall over looks the Square and a copy of the statue of David is in front of this palace. The original David is now kept inside a Museum.

Loggia dei Lanzi

Loggia dei Lanzi is a building next to the Piazza. This place has wide arches, three wide bays and an open air gallery for beautiful statues. One can find the statues of all the famous Florentines in this Gallery.

The Duomo

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is also called The Duomo and is a Cathedral complex. It is located in Piazza del Duomschi. It was begun in 1296 and completed in 1436. The external wall of the Church is covered with marble in shades of green, pink and white. The effect is very modern and beautiful. The basilica is one of Italy's largest churches, and until the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. To this day it remains the largest brick dome ever constructed. The doors, windows and Dome of this Church are worth looking at. Work and improvements have continued on this Church up to the 19th Century.

Florence is famous for its leather work. One can get a great selection of handmade handbags, jackets, wallets, briefcases and shoes in Florence. Tuscan cuisine, appreciated the world over for its fine natural and flavourful ingredients, is the most wholesome, healthy and tasty diet.  There is a lot of wild asparagus, tomatoes and herbs such as basil, thyme and rosemary used in cooking, which is always done in Olive oil bought from the local olive press. The Florentines prefer high quality in taste and the recipes are simple to make.  
Florence stands at the heart of one of the most famous wine regions in the world. One can taste some of the most renowned wines in their place of production. Florence has remarkable wines, the most famous being Chianti. Florence is one of the most important fashion cities and it boasts valuable labels like Gucci, Ferragamo and Cavalli.

Florence has been an important scientific centre for centuries. Galileo and other scientists pioneered the study of optics, ballistics, astronomy, anatomy over here.
Bankers of Florence financed navigators and explorers who pioneered the route around Africa to India and the Far East.  

The History of Florence cannot be complete without a mention of the Medici’s. They were the most powerful family in Florence from the 15th to 18th century. They were a political dynasty, banking family and later became a Royal house by virtue of money power. There were four Popes of the Catholic Church from the House of Medici.
 Medici Bank was a prosperous and respected Institution in Europe. My Banker friends would be interested in knowing that the Double Entry book keeping system for tracking Debit and Credit was developed by the accountants working for the Medici’s, which brought about an improvement in the General Ledger System. 

A door panel by Ghilberti

The Uffizi gallery which is one of the finest art museums in the world was largely founded on a large bequest from the last member of the Medici family.

 Florence is indeed a City which actually bewilders me. Why was there so much talent of such diverse nature all available in this small town in that era? Art, Painting, Sculpting, architecture, frescoes, Literature, Science, explorers,Astronomy, money,accounting, leather, wine, fashion,you name it and Florence had it! It is an amazing place which nurtured so much talent! It baffles me no end to think of all the development and progress of Science, Art and Exploration achieved  with the kind of Instruments and amenities available then.
Some places are naturally very beautiful, some have immense History, some have artificially created beauty, but Florence has something which nurtures talent and brings out the immense potential of human beings!
Wow! What a place! Hats off to you immortal Florence!