A Terrified Journey

               There was a general air of laughter, relaxed conversation, much rustling of papers when Air India Boeing 737 took off from Delhi airport on its morning flight to Bangalore. Not many had paid any serious attention to the demonstration given by the two pretty air hostesses on what to do in an emergency. Soon the breakfast trolleys arrived and we enjoyed our breakfast. It is only four hour flight from Delhi to Bangalore. My father had opened his hrie1cse and was looking into sonic files and I pulled out a book and started reading. After three hours of smooth flying, suddenly the plane started dipping with a sudden lurch. Passengers, who were standing or walking in the aisles, had to clutch to seats to prevent themselves from falling. I looked out of my window and saw nothing but white clouds. Some passengers who were dozing woke up with cries of “What happened’?” Worried faces looked around when another lurch made us jump in the seats. Suddenly the lights ‘ere on and we heard the Captain’s voice on the intercom. “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain Mehta speaking. I regret to inform you that the plane has developed engine trouble and I may have to make a forced landing - so tighten up your belts, put on your life jackets. The air hostesses, the steward will keep the emergency exits ready. Try to get out of the plane as soon as I land, Do not panic. God bless you all.”
               There was a stunned silence after this announcement. People were too shocked to react. Then all hell broke loose. Cries, prayers, angry protests all came together. The trained crew worked swiftly and competently. So the 247 odd passengers were swiftly helped to put on their life jackets, the masks were on. My father quickly put my jacket and held on to my hand. We were asked to keep our heads down. I could see some passengers helping others. One of the lockers opened and a piece of luggage fell on a woman’s head. She gave rushed to her aid.
               Meanwhile the plane was jerking and shuddering. We could make out we were descending rapidly. The clouds could not be seen and then we heard the Captain say, “Now Ready!“ I put my fingers in my ears, my father held my hand firmly. I arched my body to receive the crash. There was an almighty thud; the shock seemed to go through my whole body. Then everybody was asked to rush out.
               There was chaos, screams and everybody was pushing each other out. I felt myself sailing through the shute and landed on the hard ground. My father pulled me up and we ran away from the plane. It was the fastest run I had ever made. People were running everywhere — some limping, some sobbing, but running. The last to come out was the Captain and the crew.
               The nightmare was not yet over. Exactly 10 minutes later we heard a thunderous sound, saw the plane go up in flames. I won’t forget the scene for years. People stood still in shock. Then all tan as fast as they could away from the fire. We found ourselves running between rice fields, absolutely panic stricken. Some lay down, totally exhausted.
               It was one of the worst and the strangest crashes. Not a single life was lost thanks to the skill of the Captain and selfless service of the crew. Of course, our luggage could not be saved but we were grateful for our lives. Some were injured while running but not seriously. I don’t think I am every going to forget this dreadful, terrifying experience.

Scenario of a Weekly Market

              The weekly market in my area is something to be seen and believed! The wares spill over the road and the road is jam-packed with people shopping madly. The policemen try in vain to control the crowd but give up after some time. No vehicle can pass the area. it is cordoned off, yet one has to push and struggle to get through. Hundreds of buyers, women mostly, throng the area, chattering bargaining, pulling, pushing. You do see a few men, bravely trying to find their way but most of them looked harassed and irritable.
              Why this mad rush? The reason given is that you can find all the vegetable, all the fruits, all the condiments, clothes, flowers, plastic goods, at one place. Things are said to be cheaper too I I really cannot vouch for that but most women seem to believe it, including my mother.
              The scene seems to be from some painting on a large canvas. Smells, colors, sounds, touch all mingle together. You are struck by the colorful sarees, the multi-colored mounds of vegetables and fruits, the variety of fish lying on the pavement, the toys loaded in carts. Then the cacophony of sound hits you. Screams, arguments, shouts by the vendors deafen you. Mothers shouting at errant children, housewives bargaining at the top of their voices, blares of horns in the distance, the whistles of the policemen pierce your eardrums. The last thing that hits you is the smell! Smell of fish, smell of overripe fruits, smell of “Garam-Masalas” (spices) and the red chilies, smell of petrol are all mixed up, to say nothing about the smell of bodies.
              I am dragged to this market week after week by my mother as it happens on a Saturday. I dread going because the noise, the overpowering smells, the continuous haggling gives me a headache. But my mother feels it is a training for future running of household. She has never told me how much she saves by going to this market. Sometimes she is cheated badly, but nothing can keep her away. It is an experience but not the kind I relish or like to have week after week.

The Choice of a Profession

              One should take great care in choosing a profession for on it depends the prosperity of one’s whole life. Before a boy joins a school, he must have some ‘idea, however vague it may be, of the profession which he would like to adopt in the latter part of life, If a man whose tastes and temperament incline him to take up a particular profession follows quite a different profession, he is bound to fail in life.

              There are various professions which are open to a young man after he has finished his studies. Teaching is one. It is a noble profession. To be given an opportunity to mould the lives of the youths of a country is indeed a privilege, and a teacher does certainly enjoy that. Further, this profession brings us plenty of leisure in which we can profitably pursue certain hobbies which give us joy in life. But I can hardly bring myself to like this profession. A teacher’s lot is hardly enviable. He is so poorly paid that one finds it hard to live a comfortable life. To join this profession is to embrace a life of voluntary poverty.

              The medical profession is considered these days to be a very noble profession. It is indeed the greatest service to humanity to relieve the sufferings and agonies of the sick and the wounded. To save a man from death is the highest act of charity and nobility. And this is what a doctor can do. But it is not easy for a young doctor to make his mark s1hen there already exist so many doctors far more experienced and. in sonic cases, better qualified than he. Moreover, I have a personal dislike for this profession. It makes us see at all times only the ugly and unpleasant side of human life. It distorts one’s tastes anti kills one’s appreciation of beauty.

              The Bar also is over-crowded. Only very few attain to eminence at the Bar, and not many, even after fifteen or twenty years of waiting, succeed in getting constant employment. The majority of the lawyers who have no other means have either to connect themselves with other pursuits, or live a most unenviable life. From a moral point of view also, the lawyer’s profession is not the best one to choose: because an honest lawyer can hardly earn enough to make both ends meet. He is often required to argue a case which he knows to be false and try to prove it to be true. He is therefore required to kill his conscience at every step, which is a great sacrifice indeed.

              Agriculture, though profitable, is not so honourable as to attract me. However rich a farmer may be, he does not enjoy any status in society. Moreover, I have absolutely no liking for this profession.

              In both Mechanical and Electrical engineering, however, there are excellent opportunities for a young man to distinguish himself, and in other directions men may do well if they choose to put their shoulder to the wheel. But I have no aptitude for any of these professions.

              I want to settle down as a businessman and follow in the foot-steps of my father. I am not fitted to attain any remarkable success in other professions, So I want to follow the profession of my forefathers. The prizes in commerce are greater in point of money than they can possibly be in any other profession, and they are within the reach of even the poorest man on earth, provided he is industrious, patient, painstaking and honest. Moreover, you enjoy complete independence in this profession. You are the master of your time. There is no one to boss over you. This is the profession I wish to adopt in life.

              There are various professions open to every young man and he should follow only that profession which suits his taste, temperament, aptitude, and circumstances best.

Newspapers

              The newspaper is a means of bringing us into contact with the world outside. By spending a rupee or so we can know what is happening in foreign countries which we all of us cannot afford to visit.
              The newspaper provides us with up-to-date information about important political events, and topics of general interest. We are brought into touch with the current problems which affect us so much if we neglect them. Again, the morning paper brings to our knowledge all the notable events which occurred in distant lands only the day before. The advertisement column of the newspaper tells us where we can find work for ourselves or improve our prospects. It provides us with the means of either disposing of our own articles or purchasing the things we stand in need of. Reviews of books given in some newspapers helps us to choose the best books. Those of us who are interested in art, music, farming and sports can also find enough material for amusement.
              Besides this, the newspaper tries to educate and mould public opinion. Most of us are far too busy in our own affairs to think of the great political problems of our country. We go to the newspaper and accept the view it presents to us. So the opinion of the newspaper becomes our opinion.
Moreover, the press affords a platform from which advocates of social reform can press their causes on public attention. If certain wrongs are done by the Government to the people, a cry against them can be raised in newspapers.
              A newspaper is a great power in a country.  A newspaper can deeply influence public opinion. The editors of every newspapers have therefore a serious responsibility. A newspaper becomes a power for evil if it distorts truth, presents only the dark side of a question panders to lower tastes and exaggerates sensational news. It has been discovered that the communal riots that have taken place in India during the last fifty years have been due to misrepresentation or exaggeration of facts by the newspapers. But a clean, honest, truthful and earnest paper can do a lot of good to the country by removing evils and bringing light into the country.

How to be a Good Citizen

              It is not an easy thing to be a good citizen. To be a good citizen is as difficult as to be a good student. As a student will find it very difficult to overcome his laziness in order to be one of the best students in his class, so a citizen will find it extremely hard to be good unless he conquers his selfishness.
It is because a good citizen is required to know that the centre of his interest is no longer his own person or his own family but that he is a member of a community which is far greater than his own family. In this way a good citizen has to seek not only his own good or to work for the good of his father or his brother, his mother or his wife, his son or his daughter, but has to seek his own good in the good of all. He is to live not only for himself hut also f others. His life is not to be a life of self-interest, hut a life of sympathy and unselfishness.
              A good citizen always cares more for his duties than for his rights, moreover for his obligations than for his privileges. Of course, every citizen enjoys some privileges. His life and property are looked after by the State: he has a right to rise the public highways, parks, dispensaries, and all other things which are  provided by the State. But a good citizen has not his eye always on such advantages: he cares more for his duties. He does not care so much for what the State does for him, as for what he can do for the State.
A good citizen is always loyal. He is loyal to the Constitution, because it stands for all that is best in the laws of his country. A good citizen is more devoted to his country. He thinks that as his parents gave him a natural life, so he owes his civic life to his country. He, therefore, calls his country his motherland, and is ready to lay down even his life for his sake.
              A good citizen always respects the laws of his country. He obeys all the laws of the land He goes even further, he does not keep the law himself, his is the enemy of all those who break the law. He has no sympathy for thieves, criminals, hoarders, smugglers and blackmarketeers. He will assist the police against all those who are dishonest and a source of danger to the public. He is, therefore, always ready to put down crime and help the guardians of law in arresting criminals.
              A good citizen always takes an interest in the welfare of his country. lit’ has a vote, and he uses ii not to further his own interests or those of the party he belongs to, but to help his country as a whole. He is always ready to help forward good causes. He is most active when illiteracy is to be removed. or when the sanitation of the town is to be improved, or when a dishonest person is to be punished. If a school is to be opened, a dispute is to be settled, a disease is to be checked, a road is to be built, or arty other work of public utility is to be taken up, he is most energetic and helpful.
              In this way a good citizen believes in cooperation with other citizens for the common good. He feels that the members of community are like the different limbs of a body. The head thinks for the hand, the hand works for the belly and the belly supplies nourishment to all. Similarly, all the members of a community work for the common good.

How to Keep Healthy and Be Happy

              "We do not value a thing properly until we have host it." It is only when we have lost a friend that we realize how much we have lost in him. So it is with health. Healthy persons do not value sufficiently the blessings of health. If you want to know what such a blessing as health is, you should go and ask the person who has lost it. He ‘will tell you such a piteous tale that you will never be careless about  your health for the rest of your life only when you have lost your health that you realize that it was one of God ‘ best gifts to  you,
              Good health is very necessary for happiness and success. Those who do not posses good health cannot enjoy any happiness in life. Life appears to be a burden to them. Although we sometimes find weak and ailing people enjoying happiness and doing good work in spite of had health, such cases are few and exceptional. In the case of most people bad health means misery and failure
              How to keep good mental health? Only by knowing and carefully observing the rules of health.
We must eat only good plain and wholesome food. We must not cat too much or too little. We must eat as much as is required to satisfy our hunger. Again, we should not take too many rich and dainty dishes which affect our health.
              We must take physical exercise regularly. A ploughman or a coolie who works hard the whole day may not need exercise, hut those of us who do mental work need it most. We can get it in outdoor games, athletic sports, riding, running, walking or swimming, etc.
We must take in as much of fresh air as possible. We must not live in rooms where there is not enough sunlight and where we do not get plenty of fresh air to breathe. Many of us ruin our health by living in close, stuffy, and ill-ventilated rooms and breathing foul air. We must remain Out of doors for as long a time as we can.
              We must work. We must not remain idle. “An idle man’s brain is the devil’s workshop.” An idle man cannot enjoy good health and happiness. Work is the spice of life. Honest, regular, interesting work. so long as it is not too exhausting, will do much to keep us in health.
              We must take proper rest. If we go on working strenuously the whole day and do not take a rest at regular intervals, our health will be affected. Proper rest is necessary for the upkeep of our health. Continuous work without rest is bound to affect our health sooner or later.
              We must have plenty of sleep. Going to bed late and rising early will soon exhaust our nerves and ruin our health. “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a mart healthy, wealthy and wise” runs the proverb. We must have lull sleep before we apply ourselves to our daily work. Oversleep is as harmful o our health as under sleeping is. Again, we must have sound sleep, i.e., sleep undisturbed by dreams and waking hours. Sound sleep means sound health. Only those that are weak and ailing do not enjoy sound sleep. 
              We must avoid had habits like drinking to excess, smoking, taking opium, and such secret vices as inwardly and silently ruin a man’s body and soul.
              If we want to enjoy good health, our life must be free from cares and anxieties. “Care killed the cat” as the saying is. Cares and worries kill the vital parts and delicate tissues of our body which no amount of nourishment can properly revive. A care-worm man can hardly be found enjoying the radiant health which a man of carefree disposition is found to possess.
              Lastly, contentment and peace of mind will do much to keep us healthy. A discontented person cannot enjoy the blessing of good health. A, person who possesses a contented and peaceful mind will generally not suffer from bad health.

Patriotism — True and False

                               “Breathes there the man with soul so dead, 

                                 Who never to himself bath said, 

                                ‘This is my own, my native land!” — Sir Walter Scott.

              Patriotism which means the love of the land of one’s birth, is indeed a noble virtue. The man who lacks it cannot be called a living man. He has, as Scott says, “a dead soul.” If his heart does not ‘burn’ in him when he returns from a foreign land to his native country, he cannot be said to possess a patriotic soul. Such a worthless man does not deserve to exist.
              In 20th century, the words 'Patriotism' have been so misused that it serves to conceal the most selfish aims & narrow passions. In the name of patriotism people achieve their selfish ends. We must, therefore, distinguish between true and false patriotism.
              False patriotism is selfishness on a vast scale. False patriots “serve” their county to satisfy their own private interests. They do not care for their country so much as for their selfish ends. There are others who preach, “My country, right or wrong.” Such patriots teach us false patriotism. They teach us that we cannot love our country without hating other nations. This is not patriotism. If patriotism makes us narrow, selfish, and jealous, it is not a virtue at all. Such patriotism degrades nation to the level of a herd of brutes.
              The true patriot, on the other hand, is an unselfish lover of his country. His sincere desire is to serve it in all possible ways. He is proud of his country. He loves it above everything else. But that does not mean that he does not point out its faults, defects, sins, and abuses. A true lover of his country cannot tolerate that abuses should flourish in It. He will criticize its policy if it be a wrong one. A true patriot is, therefore, anxious to see that his nation is right. He does not want it to be powerful first, and right afterwards. That is the policy of a false patriot. A true patriot will refuse to follow the time-honored maxim, “Everything is fair in love and war,” He will never be unfair even in war. He will welcome defeat rather than be guilty of unfairness. Secondly, a true patriot, while he loves his country, does not hate other nations. He loves other nations, and gladly recognizes their virtues and achievements. Thirdly, a true patriot will love peace and hate war. He will think a hundred times before involving his country in war. He will recognize the rights of other nations and will do his best to prevent the outbreak of a war. Lastly, if a true patriot finds his country fighting for a true and just cause, he will be the first to lay down his life for his country. Such patriotism is one of the noblest virtues of man.

School Annual Function

              On the 20th of April, Baita Higher Secondary School appeared to be at its best. The whole school had been well swept and cleaned. The hall was decorated with flags, festoons of leaves and streamers of colored papers. The pathways were laid with red gravel. The furniture had been re-polished. The school peon had his new uniform on, and the Head Clerk was smartly dressed. The Headmaster looked happy and pleasant as usual. The teacher seemed to be busy and full of good humour; and the students also appeared very happy.
              It was a grand occasion in the history of the school, because the Governor was to give away the prizes. For this purpose a fine carpet had been spread on the dais. A table, decorated with a richly embroidered table-cloth and a number of vases full of beautiful flowers, was placed there. The boys were all seated on benches arranged in front of the platform. Near the platform, there were chairs for guests. The boys who had won prizes were given special seals near the platform; while those who were to take part in the various performances had a whole classroom near the hall to themselves.
              The guests began to pour in at about four. The guardians of the boys were the first to come. Vakils turned up next. Then came high officials and the gentry of the town. Last of all arrived the Governor accompanied by his wife. They were received at the gate by the Headmaster and members of the Governing Body of the School and were profusely garlanded. After this, they were conducted to their seats on the dais. Before they took their seats there, all the boys and guests stood up and clapped their arrival heartily.
              The proceedings began with the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ which was sung by our school boys, to which all listened standing up.
              Then the Headmaster came forward and read out the School Report for the year. The report was very interesting and gave a good account of the progress the school had made in sports and studies during the year. It spoke of the brilliant results the students had shown in the Higher Secondary Examination.
              After the Report had been read, some performances were given. First of all, the famous song depicting the bravery of the Rani of Jhansi was recited in a sweet, clear voice by a student of the sixth class. After this there were sung some patriotic songs in Hindi. Next came recitations in English. One of the little boys recited one of Kipling’s most inspiring poems. The Dramatic Club of the school staged a one-act play, which dealt with the blessings of national integration.
              After the play the Governor gave away the prizes which consisted mostly of books, stationery and other articles. When the prizes had been given away, the Governor made his closing speech. He said that he was very pleased with the progress the school had made during the last year. He congratulated the Headmaster and the staff on the brilliant results the school had shown in the University examination. He congratulated also the prize-winners as well as the boys who had taken part in the performances. He closed his speech with the remark that the boys, who had not received any prizes that year, should not at all be disheartened but try to win them next year.
              The function came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana and with loud shouts of Jai Hind! Jai Hind! Then the guests were entertained at an enjoyable tea-party.

Your Best Friend

              There are various kinds of friends in our life like childhood friends, school friends, college friends, etc. We make new friends in our life-span.
              I know other boys whom I would call “visiting friends.” They often visit me at  my place, and I also visit them at their homes. Whenever I meet them, they greet me cordially, and entertain inc liberally. If I ever go to their place, they do not spare any expense to stuff me with nice things. These friends know me, but not so deeply and intimately.
              My best and most intimate friend is Abhishek. He can read me like a book. He knows all my moods, whims and humours. He is fully aware of my difficulties and troubles. He knows all my hopes and fears. There is no secret that I conceal from him. There is nothing that  hold back from him. When I am unjustly accused of some fault, I pour my tale of woe into his ears. Oh I what a relief it is then to know that there is one in this world who never misunderstands me! If there is anything to test my patience, temper, or courage, he never refuses me help. His kindliness and sympathy are the greatest assets I possess.
              Abhishek  is one  of the most  sympathetic friends I have ever  come across. He  is the son of’ a rich man. but he never tries to  show himself off. He  puts on fine clothes, hut he seems to he quite unconscious of them, He never speaks ill of  anybody. He never gives himself airs, and is friendly even to the poorest. In joy he is the gayest of companions: in sorrow he is the tenderest of sympathizers and Is very helpful.
              Abhishek is thus a friend after my heart. In the class-room he is the most well-behaved boy; on the playing-field, he is the best sportsman. At home he is most entertaining of friends: and outside he is the nicest and noblest fellow.

The Imaginary Adventures of an Umbrelle

              I was made in the Swadeshi Umbrella Factory, Kolkata, of such materials as steel, bamboo, cloth and other things. When I was ready, I was packed. along with ninety-nine other companions, in a wooden box and placed in a goods train. After about three weeks’ journey in a closed box, we reached the shop of a general merchant, in Chandni Chowk. Delhi.
              The merchant opened the box and inspected all of us. He found that some of us had been damaged during the journey, while others were all right. He made up his mind to sell the damage ones very cheap. I arrived in good condition and the merchant was struck by my neat and tidy look.
              I remained in the merchant’s shop for about a week when an old man came and bought me. Next morning, the old man took me along with him during his morning walk. All of a sudden a fierce storm rose and rain began to fall in torrents. He spread me out over his head. But so strong was the wind that it blew me off in spite of the strong hold of the feeble old man. The old man ran after me while I flew from bush to bush. After a hard chase, he was at last able to catch me. He again spread me over his bead, and again the wind blew away the entire cloth. I was badly damaged. I was, however, repaired the next day. But now was hot the same beautiful thing as before.
              Now I lie in the corner of the old man’s house, without being used by anybody. At times, the little children pay rue a visit and play with me. All my bones and ribs are jutting out. So much changed am T that you can hardly believe that I was once a beautiful, charming umbrella.

The Autobiography of a Fly

             I am a very small and innocent-looking insect. I am found everywhere. There are few houses in a city, and few shops in a bazaar, where you will not find me. I know people do not like me much. But still I manage to live. They have devised many ways to drive me away from their houses but still I am able to find my way there, somehow 

             I do not like all places equally well. I like the kitchen and the dining-room better than the office and the drawing-room. I do not like clean houses, which have wire-gauze doors. But I do like the houses that are dirty. I Like dirty and filthy places. I like filth because I was born in filth, grew up in it, and live on it. As the air is to man. water is to fishes, so is filth , i.e. I am in my element in it.

             As there are some places which I particularly like in the same  way there are some people I like better than others. For instance. I like the careless housewife very much. She keeps her foodstuff uncovered and her sweets unprotected. I also like some of these lazy fat confectioners very much. They never cover their sweets or use whisks to trouble me. The vendors at railway stations are also my friends. They never scare me away from their sweets and other dainties. I always bless the

people who run hotels and small kitchens, for they allow me to feast upon the most delicious dishes before they are tasted by human beings.

             As there are certain persons and places very dear to me, so there are certain days which are very welcome to me. For instance, I always like festivals and weddings very much. Even before the guests arrive, my friends and I sir on sweets and dainties and have a grand feast. What a happy and gay life!

             I hate the winter, when a large numbers of my friends and relatives die of the intense cold, and others are too benumbed to stir out. Oh. then life indeed becomes a burden!