Monday, August 21, 2006

Small Mercies Matter a Lot!

Friends,
Don't let my tag story mis lead you.I did manage to top my batch in M.sc and I did qualify the Eligibility Test for Lectureship at the age of 44.But the success story came to an abrupt end there.Our chief minister Lalu Yadav saw to it that none of the achievers ever became lecturers.Those who paid 2 lakhs as an offering to the almighty Lalu and others who had political connections got the job and we only have our degree and certificate to take out and see every now and then.In the meantime I've added a Ph.D to my name and now I have become a philosopher in the true sense of the word. I am able to view good and bad with a balanced mind.I remain a Lab In charge and will perhaps retire as one.But that is whatBihar/Jharkhand is and nothing can be done.My only satisfaction is that all batch toppers are looked down upon with equal contempt.But inspite of all this I have no regrets.My HOD respects me for what I am and lets me take classes anyway.My colleagues are nice to me and respect me for what I am.My Students don't care what designation I hold or how much I am paid.I am better off than others who qualified BET.Here I must add that the four who qualified from Jamshedpur were all M.Sc in Botany And were all batch toppers of different batches and universities. So the exam and results had not been tampered with.The interview was in the government's hand and the merit list that was taken care of by the powers that be.A case was filed and lost.Another person who qualified with me works for a private college and is being paid only Rs.2000/pm.I have a much better salary and am eligible for pension and other retirement benefits.I sincerely thank God for not having to worry about monetary gains. So when my children feel bad for the shabby treatment I got, I tell them 'what's in a name?minus the money and the designation and see for yourselves.Would you still consider that I've been treated badly?Let us see good in all things and thank God for small mercies.'

18 comments:

Archana Bahuguna said...

I think you are blessed. :-) You are content in what you have and in fact you are always trying to find the good in bad situations. That is what matters the most. Kudos to you. :-)

nourish-n-cherish said...

When you perform your duty sincerely, the fruits are not always as quick as we would like them to be. When we sit and count our blessings, as you have done, I am sure we will love life anyway!

What is important is the amazing zest for life that you have - Hop on Grandmom :)

starry said...

I am humbled and amazed at your response"Let us see good in all things and thank God for small mercies.' this is so true. I know for sure that sometimes I dont see it this way and always think of what I did not get or should have got. This really openend my eyes.Thank you for sharing this.

passerby55 said...

now I have become a philosopher in the true sense of the word.

"Let us see good in all things and thank God for small mercies."

YOU prove your point here.


Preeta by posting this piece many now know ....

"Those who paid 2 lakhs as an offering to the almighty......."

Kudos to you, even bringing this out in open requires courage.

I can understand its not easy to change ... some things boil to a point of frustration as it does in your children.

maybe UNfortunately/fortunately Honesty , Courage and Compassion are found together in the same person and in only a few.

The Kid said...

woow! that was an awesome life story... you must be one heck of a lady!

Has to be me said...

Thats a real good way of looking @ things. In contentment lies happiness. Like u said what is surely more important is how well u perform in the assigned tasks & how u gain the respect of others. Hats off to u! :)

Balaji said...

mmmm

:-)

Movie Mazaa said...

I hope u r aware of the new rule that has made the lecturship qualification being made equivalent to an M.Phil that one can have as easily as a diploma certificate from one of those shady shacks that u find along the National Highway. The less said about the Lectureship mess and the whole mockery of the UGC amendment, the better.

Sorry couldnt help that rant!
:)

Usha said...

Isnt this the joy of being older - you can laugh at all the rubbish that comes your way and still give your best in return. That your can stay firm on your focus and not let the absence of recognition affect your performance. Hats off to you, you are an inspiration and your rewards have come from elsewhere.

Hip Grandma said...

archana:Don't credit me so fast.I have the satisfaction of having a great work place and wouldn't want to exchange it for any amt of money.it has given me much more.

Saumya:you are right.Fruits can assume all colors and shape.They are fruits and that's what matters.

lalitha:you're still young.when you reach my age you'll understand.

passerby55:It requires no courage to highlight the fate of achievers.It was reported in the newspapers with details abt how those who got in managed to do so.In a way I was glad to get in.I wouldn't want to be counted with them.

pratap:be glad you're a student and make the most of your student life.It is a big bad world out there!

has to be me:yes contentment is a good quality.but did I have a choice?looking at others do I have the right to complain?

balaji:lost for words?well........that's life.

vibhor:welcome to my blog.God bless you too.It is these good wishes that take one thro' life.

velu:i'm sure you understand best what might've happened.but there is nothing new abt it.forty years back a person who I knew gave up her job in a reputed college in coimbatore 'cos they made her sign for more and paid her less.

usha:you are right usha.as we grow older we seem to become more and more objective and detached.i've been amply rewarded and in the most appropriate manner.

Itchingtowrite said...

hi! stumbled upon your blog & just loved your stories will look forward to more of your expiriences

Hip Grandma said...

ITW:that's my short form for itching to write.thanx for your kind words.i visited your blog and why do i see someting of myself in you?

MJ said...

wow..really learned a lot this early in life.Good lesson to remember for long...thanks grandma...:)

Hip Grandma said...

passerby55:a small correction in my reply to your comment.I was glad 'not' to get in with those people.

mj:welcome mj each day is a new experience and therefore a new lesson.

The Inquisitive Akka said...

You are a wonderful person!!

Preethi said...

Thats really good attitude... :)
Came here through Usha's and Visi's place.. :)

Hip Grandma said...

IQA:Thanks.very kind of you.

smiling girl:Thanx and welcome.why am I unable to access your blog?

Hip Grandma said...

mahadevan:I almost missed your comment.Thanks for your appreciation.you are right It is the young aspirants who suffer.They have a whole life ahead.