Vienna -The Magnificent Schonbrurn Palace

The Schonbrunn Palace is a former summer residence of the Habsburgs- the monarchy that ruled Austria and Hungary .One has to understand a bit of history here .The important dynasties that ruled Europe were the Habsburgs ( Austria –Hungarian Empire ), the Hohenzollerns ( GermanEmpire ),the Ottoman ( Turks ) and the Romanovs ( the Russian Empire ).The 4 Empires were dismantled after the First World War ( the Russian Monarchy was overthrown by the Communists during the war ). The result was that these Empires gave way to a number of Independennt nation states .The former empires and the successor states became Republics ( meaning whereby that monarchs were replaced by elected representatives ).Since I was in Vienna ,I will dwell on Austria only .

Sangeeta and Me  with the Schonbrunn Palace in the background 

The Austro –Hungarian Empire was a big Empire but after its dismemberment it was reduced .. Bohemia and Moravia formed the newly created Czechoslovakia, Galicia joined Poland, while Bukovina became a part of Romania. Carniola and Dalmatia joined Yugoslavia. Other territories were annexed by Italy (South Tyrol, Trieste and Istria). Yet the last Emperor, Charles I, used his imperial title until the end of his life. The Kingdom of Hungary, similarly broke apart. Austria was reduced to a small country .
One of the most distinguished monarchs of the Austro Hungarian Empire was Franz Joseph .He ruled Austria Hungary for 68 years and was its monarch when the first world war broke out .
He was married to Elizabeth also known more popularly as Sisi. ,Sisi was obsessed with her weight and figure way before we in India got obsessed with them in the late 20th century! .She only weighed 50 kilos and had a incredible waistline of 16 ! She was also perhaps the best horse rider in the world during her time
Her relations with the Emperor were cold – she was reported to have been involved with the Hungarian Gyula Andrassy after whom is named the main shopping street in Budapest . She was assassinated while on a holiday in Geneva
In 1885 Franz Joseph met Katharina Schratt, a leading actress of the Vienna stage, and she became his friend and confidante. This relationship lasted the rest of his life, and was, to a certain degree, tolerated by Sisi. Franz Joseph built Villa Schratt in Bad Ischl for her, and also provided her with a small palace in Vienna. Though their relationship lasted 34 years, it is said it remained platonic.!!
Their only son and heir to the throne Rudolph, committed suicide and the next in the line –Francis Ferdinand was shot dead by a Serbian in Sarajevo in 1914( its very interesting but very complex to write and explain in a blog .I for one have read books upon books as to how and why the murder was planned .Incidentally along with Francis Ferdinand , his morganatic wife Sophie was also assassinated ) A list of 14 unaccepatable demands were put forth by THE Austrians ( apparently not approved by Franz Joseph) to the Serbs –and the failure to respond dragged the world into the war .10 million people died.The Empire came to a end .
Why am I writing all this ? This is because all the dramas took place from the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna is a heady mix of romance ,intrigue ,murders and misfortune for those who inhabited it. .Emperor Francis Josesph was born and as per his wish died in the Schonbrunn Palace.It helps if you know who the occupants were –otherwise it is just a beautiful piece of concrete and gardens. 
.Its a 1441 room Palace .Its imposing to say the least .But – I found the Palace at Versailles grander ( Versailles is a few mile outside Paris ).
We purchased tickets to see 20 rooms .Obviously one cant see the whole Palace even in a week !We were awestruck by its opulence –the paintings ,the teawood ,the cutlery ,the chairs ,his personal bed ,the dining table,Sisis dressing table , ,oohh the beautiful ball room- the sytle is Roccoco .( pl google the term ).
Outside the Palace are beautiful gardens and trees . very impressive structure –“The Gloriette”- is perched atop a small hill and has a café .At the base of it – a walking distance away – is the Neptune Fountain ( Sea God ), along with his entourage .As you look at it – there is a zoo to the right .There are also Roman Ruins .
It’s a beautiful place to visit .Spend some money and see the rooms( entry to the Palace is free –but to see the rooms they charge you).Many movies have been shot here (including one with the original James Bond ,Sean Connery).Kennedy and Khruschev had a summit meet here in 1961 .It is seeped in history .
.It is the most visited monument in Vienna – but that does not necessarily mean it’s the best .Vienna is full of beautiful buildings .

Kulbhushan Kain's Blog: Lovely Margaret Island - Budapest

Kulbhushan Kain's Blog: Lovely Margaret Island - Budapest: Margaret Island(MARGIT-SZIGET) was always high on our list of the places which we were to visit in Budapest .Its a 2.5 km and 500m wide Is...

Lovely Margaret Island - Budapest

Margaret Island(MARGIT-SZIGET) was always high on our list of the places which we were to visit in Budapest .Its a 2.5 km and 500m wide Island that stretches between Árpád Bridge and Margit Bridge in the embrace of the Danube.(you will get to know these bridges in the first hour of your stay in Budapest !!!) .In the Middle Ages ,the Margaret Islands was called the Island Rabbits simply because there were many rabbits there .The Island received its current name after Saint Margaret (1242-1270), the daughter of King Bela IV ,who lived in the Dominican convent on the island .King Bela vowed to raise his daughter as a nun if Hungary survived the Mongol invasion .Ruins of this 13th century Dominican Church and Convent can still be seen .We went there and got ourselves photographed.The Church was destroyed during the Ottoman Wars ,and the monks and nuns fled the place .

We decided to take the boat ride to the island .There are buses that run to the point that connects the island with the mainland –but we wanted more of the Danube after having experienced it the previous night while cruising on it .So we took a ferry to the island .To add charm and happiness –we shared the boat with a group of schoolchildren in the age group of 5 -6 years !! As children are all over the world – the moment the boat started- out came their goodies .Two school teachers supervised them – teachers are also the same everywhere.!!They were firm and loving in equal quantity !!.We reached the island after about 45 minutes .The Danube runs still – so it was a nice comfortable ride .
Once on the islands, we picked up our cycles and started to move around the.
We started from the musical fountain near the Japanese garden .
Every hour you can listen to different Medieval-inspired Hungarian melodies as the fountain spots water .
From spring till end of autumn you can sip drinking water from the three small fountains created on the ground floor.
The 35-m wide pool with its 1000 sqm water surface is one of the biggest public fountains in Europe.The water jets are spouted as high as 10 m .I must hasten to add –it is nothing compared to the awesome musical fountains which sit at the base of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai !!.
The cycles were fabulous .The last time I rode one was at Ahmedabad for a cyclthon ,but had found it so uncomfortable ,that I gave up the attempt .But the ones at Margaret Islands –well I could cycle on it around the world !!

In front of the Japanese Garden in the Margaret Island

We also saw the ruins of the Franciscan Priory.
They built their convent in the middle of the island towards the end of the 13th century.
In the middle of the island stands its the tallest building, an octagonal Water Tower (Víztorony), built in 1911.
After sunset the fountain is illuminated by 250 colourful LED lamps making it one of the No. 1 romantic spot in Budapest.
The Margaret Island is a must see spot in Budapest .Its is green with hundreds of species of trees .It has lovely cycle trails that run through it –some take you to the ruins and some to the banks of the Danube and some to beautifully grassed meadows .There are a number of small cafeterias which sell lovely and fresh goodies and beer ,coffee ,milk ,tea .One can take a ride in a battery car .You see people jogging on a track that runs around the island .
The best part of the ride to the Margaret island is the boat ride .One passes all the landmarks of Budapest , once you get onto it from Pier No .6 .
It’s a piece of paradise –even in a city as beautiful as Budapest. A word of caution –if you are more inclined towards shopping malls and shops – don’t go there .!! You will find trees ,fountains ,cyclists ,parks , ,birds and good looking men and women .But no shops !!Only romantic cafes

Lovely ,Lovely ,Budapest .!!

Hungary is a beautiful ,beautiful country .By consensus –Budapest is considered to the most beautiful city in the world .But it will appear to be more beautiful if you know some basics of its history and geography .It is a Central European country ,and has flatlands ,the great Danube river and ranges of the Carparthian Mountains .It was a part of the Austro -Hungarian Empire ruled by monarchs headquartered in Vienna .After the first world war –3 Empires disappeared –the Russian Empire ,the Austro Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman empire . Many new countries (nation states ) swere created out of them.Out of the Austro Hungarian Empire –one was Hungary(1920) .
During World War II, was a member of the Axis powers( meaning a part of Germany ,Italy and Japan )fighting with the allies ( Britain ,France and Russia ,USA). In 1941, Hungarian forces participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and the invasion of the Soviet Union.
While waging war against the Soviet Union, Hungary engaged in armistice negotiations with the United States and the United Kingdom. Hitler discovered this betrayal and, in March 1944, German forces occupied Hungary. When Soviet forces began threatening Hungary, an armistice was signed between Hungary and the USSR by Regent Miklós Horthy. Hungarian fascist leader Ferenc Szálasi established a new government, with German backing. In 1945, Hungarian and German forces in Hungary were defeated by invading Soviet armies.

Approximately 3 LAKH Hungarian soldiers and more than 6 LAKH civilians died during World War II, including among them at least 4.5 Jews and 28,000 Roma. Many cities were damaged, most notably the capital of Budapest.
From the start of the German occupation of Hungary in 1944, Jews and Roma were deported to the AUSCHWITZ concentration camp.( While I was in Budapest ,friend and fellow Principal DPS Gurgaon, Aditi Misra , was visiting Auschwitiz Camp in Poland .Like me –she is teacher /student of History )
By nation, the greatest number of Auschwitz's Jewish victims were from Hungary, accounting for 438,000 deaths, followed by Polish Jews (300,000 deaths), French (69,000), Dutch (60,000), and Greek (55,000).The Nazi and Axis powers were defeated – but the country fell into the hands of the Soviet Block (like all of Eastern Europe which the Russians help “liberate” , by defeating the Germans .)
We descended on to the beautiful city of Budapest with this historical knowledge in mind .The above description is very very brief and sketchy –for example I have not mentioned how the Nazi bombed the bridges over the Danube and how the city was bombed because of the allies and axis power trying to control it .But you should read about it before you enter the city .Nearly 60 percent of the city was destroyed .But they restored it .If you can rise from the rubble –then you must be great
You will soon realize that Hungary was ruled by the Austro Hungarian Monarch, then by the Fascist nominated rulers ,and then by the Communists .One of the most interesting buildings in Budapest is the House of Terror ( read my snippet with the photo).With the downfall of the Communist Regime in USSR in the 1990s ,Hungary came into its own .It is a city of the great footballer Puscas ,the tennis great Istvan Gulyas ( a rival of our own tennis great Ramanathan Krishnan, and Rubec who is the maker of the Rubec Cube( he is still very active -my attempts to meet him failed ).
It’s a beautiful city .It is divided by the Danube river into 2 parts –Buda and Pest .Buda is where the hill is ,and which has the rich hanging around in neat beautiful hill perched bungalows .It has some amazing old architecture ( the Mattias Church for one ).
Pest is the happening and real Budapest .It is full of cafes ,night clubs ,concerts ,tree lined shopping centres ( Andrassy Avenue).It is full of cheap and excellent restaurants ( lot of Turkish and middle eastern ones ).Beer is as cheap as water (I don’t think they ever drink hard liquor like whiskey ).The women are very pretty ,the men appear strong and resilient .There are 21 Universities in a city which has a population of only 17 laks .Dogs are allowed free in buses ,trams ,metros and restaurants .Its a fabulous city .More of it in my next blog .

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Feminine Bratislava -Who would not love it.

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It’s surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, crisscrossed with forested hiking and cycling trails. The pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town is known for its lively bars and cafes. Perched atop a hill, the reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooks old town and the Danube.
Bratislava has a very attractive medieval inner city with narrow,cobbled winding streets, a hill-top castle next to the river Danube, and many historic churches and buildings to visit. The old town is centered on two squares, Hlavne Namestie (main square) and Hviezdoslav Namestie (Hviezdoslav square, named after a famous Slovak poet). 
Today, Bratislava and its surroundings form the most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe, and it is the fifth most prosperous region in EU.
Sangeeta and me took a bus from the main bus station of Budapest –Neglipet .Make no mistake about it – the bus stations in Europe are like good airports in India .And the main difference is that you don’t find them swarming with people .The buses are what we may not be able to provide to our citizens in 100 years –spotlessly clean ,and serving coffee and snacks free .Obviously ,they have free wifi and monitor screens on the seat in front of you (like in airplanes). The TVs have several channels to see and surf –and one of them has a live camera of the drivers view giving details of the diatance travelled and distance to be travelled .You can see what the driver is seeing while driving .One gets to see the entire journey .Exotic .

We checked into our hotel and were quick to get into the main city square .Like with every place we visit –we had all the information with us ( even important translated Slovak words and phrases).As we were to find out ,we needn’t have worried .Most people speak and understand English and the city is very compact and very very beautiful .One does not need maps here .
The square is the most lively square I have visited .It has musicians ,dancers ,painters .One musical group makes way for another after a performance .,People sit on lovely wooden medieval benches and drink beer –for about 50 rupees you get excellent beer ( Mallya are you listening?)- and eat from a row of barbeques lined on either side of the square emanating smoke with lovely smell of barbeque stuff .The squre has huge trees and lovely flowers all around .There are numerous statues that are in the square .People sit in cafes with their dogs and have food –it is allowed .
We watched as the music got louder and the beer started to demand movement !! Sangeeta was off on her feet after watching for 15 mins or so –and I joined her after 5 minutes .We enjoyed our dance with the locals !!
We also watched the Slovaks perform a fabulous dance –and Sangeeta got herself clicked with them .
There is so much to write .Will pick up from here in my next write up ,along with a video of a dance .Sangeeta is not permitting to to post her dance video –but I will put up one the many videos I took of the local people there .

The CGPA Syndrome - Reality versus Myth

1.65 lakh students scored a “perfect” , 10 CGPA  in the Board Results announced by the CBSE  a few days back  .I don’t blame the parents when they plastered  the social media with messages like “ I feel proud that my son / daughter has scored  a perfect 10 .I always knew that you had it in you .You have always been a very hardworking child” . All that could be true – but could also NOT  be true .The fact of the matter is that when you get a  10 CGPA , it means that anyone  who scores between 91 percent in lets say  Maths is equal to someone scoring 100 marks in Maths .But isn’t there a contradiction ? Yes there is and that is something which is misleading and is detrimental to the child and leaves vast arrears of manipulation for schools to “project” themselves as “better” than the real good schools .How ?

Lets understand the system .The CBSE  introduced what is called a CCE ( Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation ) Scheme much to the angst of many eduactionists ( certainly me ). To reduce “tension” for the school going child –it introduced a grading and point system ,and a assessment system which introduced a huge element of subjectivity into the assessing process ( introduction of Formative and Summative components in exams ).In other words -reducing tension meant that it made the 91 percenter feel the same as a 100 percenter .Or for that matter the 71 percenter feel the same as a 80 percenter and so on .Students were "equalized " across a 10 percent scale .But that is not the way things are  in life .I mark can make or break your entry into a college ,university or a IIT .

The following were AND ARE  the grades –

1.A1 – for 91 to 100 marks ( grade point is 10)
2. A2 – for 81 to 90 marks  ( grade point is 9)
3. B1 – for 71 to 80 marks  ( grade point is 8 )
4. B2 – for 61 to 70 marks  ( grade point is 7)
5. C1 – for 51 to 60 marks  ( grade point is 6)
6. C2 – for 41 to 50 marks  ( grade point is 5)
7. D – for 33 to 40 marks  ( grade point is 4)
8.E1 – for 21 to 32 marks  ( no grade point)
9.E2 –for 00 to 20 marks  ( no grade point)

As noted above – there is no difference between someone who gets 91 marks and 100 marks .They both get 10 points But there is a difference between someone who gets 90 marks and someone who gets 91 marks – the one who gets 90 is allotted 9 points whereas someone who is getting 91 gets 10 points .So across 9 percent there is no difference –but across 1 percent there is a difference !! 

THIS IS IN SHARP CONTRADICTION WITH GRADES AWARDED IN 12^TH CLASS WHERE EVERYONE WHO GETS A1 ARE  NOT THOSE WHO GET BETWEEN 91 AND 100 .THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE IN THE TOP 12.5 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS WHO TAKE THE EXAMS .HENCE YOU CAN SEE SOMEONE WITH 75 GETTING A A1 GRADE BECAUSE 75 MARKS MAY BE AMONG THE TOP 12.5 PERCENT MARKS OF THAT SUBJECT .THE 12^TH BOARD RESULTS ARE THEREFORE MORE REFLECTIVE OF WHERE A CHILD STANDS IN COMPARISON WITH OTHERS IN BOTH HIS SCHOOL AND IN INDIA .THIS IS NOT THE CASE OF 10^TH RESULT. IT WAS LIKE THIS BEFORE THE PREVIOUS GOVT INTRODUCED THE CCE AMIDST GREAT FANFARE .THEY CONVERTED THE GRADES FROM A PERCENTILE (12.5 IN EACH CATEGORY OF MARKS TO ABSOLUTE OF MARKS OBTAINED .YOU NEED NOT BE IN THE TOP 12.5 PERCENT TO GET A 1 GRADE .YOU NEEDED TO GET 91 AND ABOVE - EVEN IF EVERYONE ELSE WAS GETTING IT  .THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTS !!!!

Having understood the first contradiction – move onto the next and bigger one .A student who gets (LETS PRESUME ) 91 marks in each of the 5 subjects gets 50 points (10 *5). So his average is 10 CGPA( Cumulative Grade Points Average ) which  is the average of Grade Points obtained in all the subjects (excluding additional 6th subject) as per Scheme of Studies (Sum of all the Grade Points (GP) of each subject must be divided by 5.)

For e.g., suppose the GP for- Subject 1 is 9, Subject 2 is 9, Subject 3 is 8, Subject 4 is 10 and Subject 5 is 7( for what is 10 ,9, 8, 7 ,6 , etc refer to the table above )

Then the sum of GPs will be: 9+9+8+10+7=43.

Dividing 43 by 5, we get 8.6 which is your CGPA.A CGPA can never end on a uneven number because any 2 digit number (as all cumulative CGPAS are ), divided by 5 will always end as a whole number or have a even number as a decimal .So no student can have a CGPA lets say 5.1 or 6.3 .This is important to understand .

However as explained above –if you get 9 points it means you could be anywhere between 81 to 90 marks – that is a huge 10 percent gap .

Now look at all those kids who got a CGPA OF 10 .Amongst them there could be children who scored 100 in each subject and have  a average of 100 .Among them could also be students who scored 91 in each subject and has a average of 91 percent .But they are equal . While it may generate a “feel good” factor among the kids and parents ( desirable ), it could generate a feeling of despondency among the more brilliant ( undesirable ).You are not choosing horses for courses  here .How do you allot a stream with limited seats if there are a lot of kids with high CGPAs ? Previously we did this on the basis of marks -each mark counted as a difference .Now there is a huge spectrum which entitles even a child of 71  percent the same entitlement as a child with 80 percent .I know a lot would argue ,that it was precisely for this reason that absolute scales were introduced -to cut out the "decimal raj" so to say .But unfortunately the cure is worst than the disease !! 

The worst and highly objectionable part of the scheme is that all papers  consist of 2 parts –The Formative and the Summative .So within those 100 mark paper is a 60 mark, paper and pen exam( Summative)  ,and a 40 marks “non paper and pen” Exam( Formative)  .Both exams are conducted by and in  the school ,and the results are then sent to CBSE  for certification and a “thappa” ( seal).!! Herein lies the biggest problem .While giving Formative marks (40 ),the teacher /school has a wide discretion( remember its not a pen and paper exam essentially) .And since the summative  papers are being assessed by teachers who know students ,and their parents – a wide discretion and subjectivity  is exercised here as well .The teachers and Principals  in a attempt to project themselves and their school  as a excellent  academic institutions– give very generous marks !! You can be sure that a child getting 89 marks in a subject will be given 91 because it will help him /her get a “perfect 10”!!. Sometimes Principals fall into the trap of pressures from parents (influential) or friendly .Sometimes they fall into the trap for a one day fame of their school getting huge number of perfect 10 CGPAS !!.Sometimes entire mark lists are changed to make sure that a child gets a perfect 10 in each subject or even a CGPA of 9.8 or 9.6 –because it is on the basis of CGPA that streams are allotted in the 11^th class  !! I know of schools in which children get a CGPA OF 10 and yet get a compartment in 12^th (where papers are checked by examiners   with no names or roll numbers on them ) and marks and percentages are given ,and where .5 percent –yes point 5 percent – can make or break your entry into a good college .

The bottom line is – this business of CGPA is highly subjective ,prone to manipulation ,does not separate the wheat from the chaff ,the boys from the men ,the girls from the women !.It does not allow you to choose between horses that should run the race and those  who should  not , and wrongly presumes that anyone who gets 91 is equal to 100 ,or who gets 81 is equal to 90 .This is what is causing our  education system to get caught in a trap of mediocrity .The CBSE , passed and outsourced the markings of papers to the schools because they found it cumbersome to check laks of  answer sheets. The schools ( some of them ) walked into the trap .The system quickly started leaking .Intellectual dishonesty set in.Of course the mediocre students felt less stressed .But for how long ? 

What should be done ?.Of course the best thing to do is have a huge number of colleges and universities that can absorb students into their fold after they pass out from schools .The tension is not because of the syllabus or the pattern of exam ,but because a child is all the time worried whether he will will get admission in a good college or university,and then a good job  .Its a tension arising out of scarcity -not syllabus or exams .But clearly as a nation we are not willing to spend that kind of money on education, and creating more jobs . ( China ,Korea ,Finland do that ).  But one thing that must be done immediately is to prepare 12^th mark sheets alongside  with that of the 10 grades  .If there is a wide deviation between the marks of a child in the 10^th and the 12^th ,then the defaulting schools must be  punished and disaffiliated . Secondly –the Grades in the 10 th Class must, like the Grades of the 12^th Class be based on comparative abilities of child –which means everyone who gets lets say  91  must  not be eligible for A1 Grade .He /she should be placed in that category if he/she is among the top 12.5 percent of the children and so on .

But can we do that ? Do we have the guts ?Is our aim an attempt to reflect merit or is it populism ?  Yes we can –and we should change the system  .Its a matter that affects  the future not only of the child but India as well .

I am very fond of narrating a tale of  a Principal who posted on Facebook  some years back  , that she was enjoying ras malai at a prominent sweet shop of a city because about 90 percent of the children of her school got 10 CGPA .!!I knew the school well and could not believe it . Sadly , after 2 years the children tanked and did disastrously in the 12^th class -5 of these 10 CGPA kids failed the exam !! Obviously the result had been manipulated in the 10th– the ones to suffer were the kids .The bubble burst .

As for me – I rather have a “samosa” , than a rasmalai !! So what if it looks brown and is cheaper than its fairer and more glamorous sweet !! So what if  only 30 percent of my school kids get a CGPA of 10 .( which by the way is huge !!).One must resist the rasmalai if one is a diabetic !!

I hope I haven’t spoilt the party .Anyway – marks or no marks ,it’s vacation time , so cheers !!.

( P.S. I know that children can opt for the CBSE conducted exams -but hardly anyone does so becoz its easier to get get marks through schools where teachers and Principals know the children and parents whom they are assessing ).

What The Jacaranda Tree Taught Me !!

In the evenings ,the lights of Mussoorie twinkled in the  fore front –a  glorious uninterrupted view because  there were no buildings high enough to block them(Now Mussoorie and its lights are no longer visible from my house) .In the winter months –we could see the Himalayas  draped in white snow ,and trying to kiss the blue skies –the snow looked  so white ,and  beautiful and the sky so blue and tempting.Lovely birds would  chirp  throughout the day ,and I have never seen so many butterflies and “jugnoos”,in my life as when we used to stay in Guro Bhavan( the name of our house ) .In short –it was a fairy tale living .

Things changed .Clement Town changed .The beauty of Clement Town caught the eye of the people .It was invaded by outsiders .With their coming , the entire character of the place changed . We grew older ,we no longer climbed the Jacaranda tree,the weeping willow grew old and the unrelenting termites ate into her 60 years old trunk,and finally a storm did her in one day .The jamun tree started to grow too big for the new electrical wires and the electricty department cut it down .The twinkling stars of Mussoorie got hidden behind ugly unplanned buildings ,and one could no longer see the snow clad mountains .The trees no longer attracted the birds ,and when humans encroached on the adjoining  Rajaji Game sanctuary ,the monkeys made their way into our compound .About 4 years back ,a leopard came visiting Clement Town .!!It created panic .The police and the wildlife authorities were informed .I don’t know what happened subsequently.

The Jacaranda Tree And Uncle Sumra !!

I visited my house in November last year( 2011) .I went to meet Uncle Sumra ,our father figure housekeeper  .I was told that the once Hammer Thrower for India ,was slowly fading away from life .I entered the gates of  house .It looked very dilapidated .My car came to a halt beneath the Jacaranda tree .I looked up at it .?Where and which one was the branch from where my younger  sister had fallen off? Which was the highest branch that the young jet black haired  impish schoolboy climb, and said "hurray"!! ? The one on the right or the one on the left,  as the  50 plus grey haired man looked at it ?Could not make out .There were some lovely purple coloured flowers on its branches .The tree looked old but beautiful- trees always age more gracefully than human beings . A squirrel dashed up and down its main trunk,and looked at me as if i was a intruder .There was a breeze that rustled  through the leaves and the flowers . Ah just like old times .!! I entered the house and went to the room where he lay .It was the room that was once occupied by my Mom and Dad .

He looked very frail .But he recognized me in a flash Kulu,I have been waiting for you.” He mumbled .And then made a effort to get up .

“Chhotti,bring the whiskey”he said (Chotti is the name by which he used to call Aunty).

“No uncle ,I don’t drink now .And its only 10 in the morning.Maybe next time after sunset !!”,I said .

He looked at me and replied “Boy ,for me the evening may not come”.

I was stunned into silence .Memories of him dancing,of him taking me for patridge  and water duck shoots ,of him and me driving to Delhi and Ludhiana ,and of him ,lifting a steel trunk above his head to load it into a tempo –all came flashing back.Surely ,the curtain was about to fall .I reached out to him.His hands were cold .He whispered “One for the road Kulu”.And then those words –“You have to think of selling Guro Bhavan now .I dont have much time left now .And none of you wants to stay here”.

Uncle was dying ,Clement Town as i knew it, was already dead .I was reminded of a poem of Javed Akhtar

mujhko yaqin hai, sach kehti thee,

jo bhi ammi kehti thin,

Jab mere bachpan ke din thae,

 chand mein pariyan rehti thee

 ik ye din jab sari sadakey roothi roothi lagti hain

ik wo din jab ‘ao khelen’ sari galiyan kehti thee

ik ye din jab jaagi raten deewaron ko takay

ik wo din jab shakhon ke bhi palken bojhal rehti thee

ik ye din jab zahan mein sari ayyari ke baten hain

ik wo din jab dil mein sari bholi baten rehti thee

ik ye ghar jis ghar mein mera saz-o-saman rehta hai

ik wo ghar jisamen meri budhi nani rahati thin

Uncle passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 25^th of December .I could not attend his funeral .I did not want to see his dead body .I lack that kind of courage .But I do remember ,the last time I left Guro Bhavan while he was alive .I had stepped out of his room .I knew my professional commitments would not have allowed me to meet him again .I stood beneath the Jacaranda tree .I looked up .I searched for the moments and the birds .Suddenly a gust of breeze ruffled its leaves and the purple buds .And they rained on me .I did not brush them off my hair or my jacket.It was as if Guro Bhavan was applauding me and showering its blessing .I also remember telling myself –“See Kulu ,its crying”!!. Suddenly a squirrel ran up and down a branch and looked me in the eye.Was it pleading me to stay the night and leave the next day as Mom and Dad would have done ? 

And then  a small flower fell into my eyes .It brought out the tears .After many years ,I was bonding with something that had dared to stay there without any of us –the Jacaranda tree .It was teaching me another lesson

“Cry if you must –but don’t you quit”.
It also taught me another lesson .Dont invest much of your heart in men and women who will pretend they love you .Its better to invest it in animals and trees .They are more loyal, -even if they cant say "I love and i admire you".And they dont desert you even if you leave them .!!
I planted a Jacaranda Tree in my adopted home . It will outlive me .I hope it teaches all the subsequent occupants the lessons it taught me in Clement Town .Schools ,Colleges and Universities can never teach you what animals and nature can .Provided we are willing to learn from them .