My thoughts today! ❤️
Introspection is actually "in-tour inspection".
To "realise" this, you need 'real' eyes!
Also you must, eliminate to illuminate.
Accomodate far and near vision. Avoid "We shun" angle.
Be a pupil and let this light in.
Focus,interpret and transform your image.
Value your eyes,not your I's.
Shift the blinds from within and see. No one is really blind in this world.
Tears are water that flow and cleanse the heart.Don't hold them in your eyes and make your heart ice "cold".
Here goes our story.
We first met at my cousin's place in NOIDA way back in 1988. She was this cool,smart neighbour of my cousin who literally was family for her. My cousin casually brought her to my place on her next visit where we got talking about the changes required in the education system and how the techniques of teaching were monotonous and boring.( I was working in a school as a teacher that time.)You start this topic with me anytime and you are gone!! My friends who know me well know this trait of mine!! But we both seemed to enjoy this conversation!! Cut.
My cousin leaves Delhi and Shruti is forgotten. 10 years later,I casually send my resume to an anonymous Publishing House for providing my professional services as a "content reviewer" for their Science textbooks. I was getting bored with my routine job and wanted to bring in some colour to my professional life. And,it happened to reach the hands of Shruti who was their Editor/Manager! Coincidence right?I kept myself anonymous because I was working in a school that time. Soon I got a call from her and she connected my resume with me and asked, "Are you the same Supriya ?" I was not sure to feel happy that I knew her for it was kind of awkward.For some people familiarity helps but I am the kind who works better with strangers! You may laugh,but that is my truth.The next few days were just about work. We spoke over the phone.We both avoided talking about our old acquaintance and talked like absolute professionals! She gave me confidence and told me that I just had to spend an additional 30 minutes per day for a week to go through the textual content that had already been written by an author.Simple addition/deletion of content to suit the needs of the age group it was meant for. Soon I started writing content for a cd that was to be issued with their science books.My 'Intel teach to the future' knowledge of using the computer for teaching came in handy.I wrote stories and tried hyperlinking every story to small concepts in science. The end result was that my CDs had more content than the actual textbook!! This was when Shruti came home for the first time and we met in person!! I still remember the lesson was on the Solar System.From then started her visits to my home and her meeting my family.My mother loved her politeness and affectionate nature. Shruti shared a special bond with my mother. Before coming to my place she would enquire,"Is aunty around?" As if meeting me was just incidental! I always had to be careful about being personal with her as I carried in my head that we had a professional relationship to maintain. Soon I was writing textbooks for their Publishing Company. Every business meeting we had was at my home.We were professional 'friends'. We discussed work,family,life and VALUES,exactly in that order. I realised she had a very soft core that she covered with a hard exterior.
The Company was soon becoming an extended family for me. I remember addressing their Sales Team before the books were released.The owner, who sat on the dias with me talked about the importance of human values and liked something I spoke about Gandhi and Buddha. I dont recollect much now of what I spoke but I remember Shruti's face very well!! She was coordinating this meeting.The anxiety of making it work..she was,still is the face of the Publication House.She was coordinating with the author,the sales team and the people who had put their money in it!! She had to belong to all and yet give her point of view when required.I saw her vulnerability and strength at the same time!!
Our meetings became more frequent. and we were definitely family from within yet professional colleagues from the outside. Her son Suryansh tied rakhi to my daughter Smita, and gifted her the book "Little Women"which still holds an important place in our book shelf.My mother loved cooking for her. And Shruti knew that she would get her sambar or avial with my amma around.With me,it was the other way! She liked South Indian khana and she would appreciate whatever was served.There were times when I would cook only after she came home and we would discuss work while I prepared "her" sambar!! So much "concealed" love! Soon she knew everything that was going in my life as much as I did in hers.
It was my son's marriage. I had to finish off writing a set of 5 (or was it 8 ??) books before the wedding so that they could be available for the next academic session. So much pressure amidst pleasure! But I did it..with her constant push along with her friendly support. Genuinely laudable HR personality traits!
Thanks to Mr. Gaurav ,her associate, another gem of a person, I worked with these guys for 15 years before I stopped writing. But my association with Shruti continues..unedited,undefined, uninhibited. She was one among the few I called before leaving Delhi.In a world where there are people who connect with others just for their benefits there are also genuine,honest friendships that go beyond work with no expectations from the other. We still talk..but never about work! Thanks to that moment when I decided to apply for the reviewer's job! This small job got me a rich harvest of a true friend! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHRUTI! And Thank You for being who you are! Wishing you Good Heath,Happiness and A Heart that receives only Love!
Now, JUST your true friend,
Supriya
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