A Picnic I Enjoyed

Points: The occasion — How it began — Happy ending.

             It was early December. The day was bright and clear. We went to a lovely picnic spot in the heart of a big Sal forest. It stretches for more than a mile not tar from our place. We planned to cook on the spot by ourselves.
             Our baskets were bursting with all the nice things that our loving mothers had given us. One of our classmates Abhishek took care of the cooking. We dug an oven with bricks and stones. We started with a round of tea, gobbling up all the sweets, singaras, biscuits and toffees in our stock. Some of us strolled about. Some others went to fetch water from the neighborhood.
             By noon we sat down to a hearty meal of steaming roast meat. Everybody congratulated Abhishek on his marvelous cooking. After the meal was over, we spread a cloth under a big shade and had some rest. Ravi then announced that he was going to recite poems of Jibanananda. He was very good at recitation, and we all encouraged him. His recitation of ‘Banalata Sen’ was wonderful, specially when he was slowly reciting the lines—Her hair was dark as night in Vidisha, and her face the sculpture of Sravasti’. Ashik sang two Tagore songs, one of love and the other of Nature.
             By the time it was getting dark, we packed p for home. It was a memorable day.

Third South Asian Federation Games in Kolkata

Points: The Third South Asian Federation games at Salt Lake Stadium — The opening ceremony — The results — The message of friendship.

             The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata wore a week-long festive look from 20th to 27th November, 1987. It was the venue of the third South Asian Federation Games commonly known as South Asian Federation games.
             The seven participating countries were Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldwip, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The games were declared open amidst great fanfare by the President of India at the Salt Lake Stadium on 20th November. He expressed the hope that the meets would stand out as symbols of peace and progress among the South Asian Federation countries. The opening ceremony was grand and spectacular and everybody praised the arrangements at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Stadium. the biggest in Asia, was packed to its full capacity of one lake and twenty thousand.
             The host country India firmly established its leadership in the games by winning 75 gold, 41 silver and 19 bronze medals—a total of 135 medals. Pakistan trailed poorly behind with only 12 gold and a total of 46 medals. P.T.Usha. India’s sprint queen won as many as five gold medals and was hailed by one and all.
             The meet boosted the sports and games of the countries in this region. But the most important achievement of the games was the strengthening of the bond of friendship and cooperation among the neighbouring peoples of South Asia. On the 27th, the President of the Indian Olympic Association declared the games closed with a call to reassemble in 1989 in Pakistan for the fourth South Asian Federation games.

Democracy

Points: Definition of democracy — The system of election — Democracy in India.

             Democracy, according to Abraham Lincoln, is “government of the people, for the people and by the people.”  In a democracy, the will of the people determines the policy of the government. The will of the people is expressed through the electoral system of votes. A true democracy is based on universal adult franchise.
             Democracy means government by consent. This consent is expressed periodically through the ballot-box. But unless there is freedom of speech in a country, there can be no fair and free election. The electorate must also be educated. Otherwise, the self-seeking politicians will cheat and mislead the ignorant masses.
             India is the biggest or most populous democracy in the world. The world now recognizes that India has already set up a very good, democratic tradition, India has a written constitution. If lays down the guiding principles to be followed by the government as well as by the citizens. There is an Election Commissioner for India. Whenever an election is announced, his office assumes the charge of conducting it independently. Even a Prime Minister has to bow out if he or she loses in the election. We are proud of being a democratic nation.

Importance of Games and Sports

               ‘A sound mind in a sound body’ is an ideal well expressed. So you cannot have a sound mind without a sound body. Arid for a sound body, physical exercise is a necessity. Games give us a lot of exercise and so help us a good deal in forming our body and mind.
Games are necessary after hard work. They provide us with the necessary relaxation after the dull routine of our daily life. ‘All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.’ So games are as necessary as work.
               There are both outdoor games and indoor games. Badminton, tennis, hockey, football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, wrestling, jumping, races, etc., are some of the outdoor games which are generally played by schoolboys all over the world.
               The most obvious use of games is in connection with physical health. Games strengthen the muscles, expand the lungs and make our body strong and fit. They impart us vitality and strength. They give us pluck and courage.
               Besides making the mind and body strong, games help to foster in us virtues of obedience, discipline and team spirit. All the players learn to obey the captain of the team, and observe the rules of the games. They also learn the ‘team spirit’, for each player has to realize that he must efface himself for the good of his team. It requires great discipline and self-denial on the part of a player to pass the ball on to his fellow player and forgo the glory of scoring a goal for himself. One has to play the game not for oneself hut for the whole team. In this way, every player comes to imbibe esprit de corps or ‘team spirit’.
               But games can be abused too. Carried to excess, they may harm instead of improving one’s health. Sometimes a hard hit strikes the bone and leaves it broken for good or a strong kick at football dislocates one’s knee. So there is a grave risk of physical injury in playing manly games like football, hockey and cricket which can however be avoided in such games as tennis, badminton, volleyball and basketball.
               Again, unhealthy rivalry between two teams or two players often leads to unpleasantness and sometimes causes disputes and thus produces ‘bad blood’ between the parties. Thus, the whole purpose of games is lost. To avoid this, true sportsmanlike spirit should be cultivated among boys. They must learn always to play the game fair, never to take a mean advantage of their opponents’ weakness, lose the game with a smile, and never, never sulk at all when defeated.
               Timid boys who are afraid of manly games and are shy of taking part in active games sometimes take to indoor games like chess, bridge, ludo, draughts. carrom and table-tennis.
               In these games, no risk of physical injury is involved. They afford very little physical activity and provide recreation only to the mind. Moreover, they sometime absorb too much of our time and interfere with our profession or work in life.
               So indulgence in indoor games must be avoided. Outdoor games should be preferred to indoor games, as the former not only afford us mental recreation but also provide us with the necessary physical activity which keeps our body going   and help us to counteract ill health and guard against disease. 

Terrific Incident in One Night

               The clock struck five when I stepped out of the office. I had no idea it would take so long to finish my first foray in the Media. I had been given a small part in a television programme and the shooting had begun at 6 o’clock. Morn and Dad had to go to an official dinner at 8 o’clock and they had asked me to ring up home, if I was delayed. They would send the car to fetch me. I just couldn't ring them up while the shooting was going on — I had no idea it takes so long to finish a five minutes stint on the T.V.
               So, here I was without any means of transport to go home. Some of my coworkers had already left in their cars and scooters. I did not know anyone of them well enough to ask for a lift. I could not ring up home. because only granny would be there. She would get panicky immediately. Well, I thought, I will have to use a public transport to go home, and face the music later for not ringing up at the proper time.
               Just then a three-wheeler stopped before me and someone asked me if I wanted a lift. The face looked ‘Largely familiar. “Don’t you know me, miss? I was helping with the stage lights.”
               “Where are you going?” I asked. “To Mansingh Road. I can drop you at Curzon Road.”
At that time it didn’t strike me to ask how did he know where I lived.
He got out and asked me to get in. As I stepped in, I could smell liquor on his breath. It made me hesitate but he quickly got in and the three-wheeler started. The fellow, I didn’t even know his name, started asking me questions. I gave replies in monosyllables. A premonition had struck me, something was wrong and I had made a big mistake in accepting the lift. I peered out to see on which road we were going. Suddenly at a red light I saw Ashoka Road sign and breathed easy. At least we were going at the right road.
               I felt the man trying to get closer to me. Alerted, I asked the driver to stop. “Why?” asked the man. Thinking desperately of an excuse, I replied my uncle lived on this road. I would get down at his place. The driver, meanwhile, had slowed down. I seized the opportunity to push him and shouted, “Let me get down.” The man, taken aback, by my shouting moved a little and I jumped out. I ran for dear life to the nearest door and banged with all my might. ‘The man and the scooter driver also entered the compound. Suddenly the door opened and five-six people came out in night clothes. I clung to the elderly lady and shrieked, “Please help, Auntie.” The owner immediately guessed something was wrong and immediately rang up the police. The lady took me inside gave a glass of Water’? I was almost hysterical.  She calmed me down and found out my telephone number. Daddy picked up the phone, and said he was coming immediately. The police had also come and caught hold of the men and the driver.
I have learnt a bitter lesson. I will now never accept a lift or hitch hike again.

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.