What is Home?!!

This question is bothering me for last few weeks. What is Home? Is it a house with four walls? Or is it the people you live with? If the people also move out of the house will it make any change? Does it bother you less? I am living outside my city from last 2 years. I moved there with the person I loved the most. But still something is missing. It's not like that my new home or city is not treating me well. It welcomes me wholeheartedly.  

It gives me warm hugs and blesses me with rains. Even as I write this, so many beautiful faces flash in my mind. Although they are now far away from my sight. Whenever my flight touches down on the land of my hometown, I feel that I am free here. Of course, there's another level of excitement rushing through my mind and body to meet the known faces, but the fragrance of the city makes me feel alive. It makes me feel that I don't need to wear a mask of professionalism or need any kind of filtration. Because the city knows it all.

The roads, the flyover, metro, footbridge, buses, yellow taxis, and trams - all of the modes know every single story which you never shared with anyone. The hours you spent leaning on the window pane, brooding over life, trust me, they know it all. The city knows when you first cried for a balloon. When you roamed around the city holding your parents' hands. When you were in awe looking at the decoration of Durga Puja pandal or the big Christmas tree in front of Park Street. When you got scared to look at the swarm of people in the maidan to enjoy the book fair. And you held your mother's finger tightly. The first school picnic, the first family tour, the first fight with friends - this city knows all stories. My teenage rebellion phase, scrimmage with my sister, bunking classes in college, and sneaking out with friends to roam around Victoria Memorial - my city knows my secrets.

When I cried after the first heartbreak, my city of joy soothed me. When I didn't want to cry in front of anyone, my city knew my safe shelter. I vividly remember the day without saying anything to anyone, I took a metro ride and reached St. Paul Cathedral church just to cry in front of Jesus. There was no one in between us. Jesus knows my sorrows.

When I finally found the man of my life, the city knew the first heartbeat I felt. The feeling of holding his hands and roaming around the city freely, falling in love, and getting married here - the city knows it all.

My city, my secret holder, and my confidant - I love you. I miss you. I badly want to come back.

You are my home my house my city. 

One day I will come back for sure, even when I may not be as young, I envision myself sitting in a coffee house, recalling all the cherished memories we've shared. I can never forget. Despite not offering many amenities, your comforting embrace is unmatched. You are my sanctuary, my abode, my city.

A Thankless Job

 Happy National Flower Day!

On March 21st, we celebrate National Flower Day to evoke the beautiful season of Spring. Spring is the season of color and fragrance. After the cold and chilly winter when all the greenery of nature slept for a while, it's an alluring way to muse upon the colors of nature.

Have you ever given thought to the fact that all of these beauties of nature wake up in the morning and fill the air with hue and colors but never expect anything from us?

These miniature elements of nature bloom every single day to embellish Mother Nature, as if they are the ornaments or jewels of nature. Just as women like to accessorize themselves, it's our Mother Nature's joy to adorn the flowers. In our humdrum life with a basic routine, we often forget to enjoy the beauty of nature. And then, we post with a hashtag using a new trendy word, feeling FOMO. It's true that in our busy lineup schedule, it's tough to take out time. But when technology grasps our minds and compels us to look at the screen, it becomes our duty to look up and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature.

Whenever you are walking on the road or simply gazing at the full moon at night, it will bring you more comfort than anything else in the world. The sound of dry leaves and the colors of flowers are much more realistic than filters. I pledge that whenever I hit the road for a trip without any workload, I pay my respects to all the smallest elements of nature. I say thank you to them for making my life and my surroundings so colorful.

The same goes for people as well. There are so many people who are making our lives easier through their contributions, but we never say thanks to them. If you are reading this, my urge to you is that if you find someone who is making your life easier or more beautiful through their smallest contribution, say thank you to them. For me, "Thank you" is not just a formal word but a small word to convey that we are grateful to have you beside us.

Thanks to everyone who reads my blogs and encourages me to write more and more.

Passion and Profession

 It's been a long time since I've written anything. Honestly, I've almost forgotten how much I used to love expressing my thoughts through writing. After a prolonged period of dusting off my skills and reconnecting with my inner writer, today, I want to dedicate this particular blog to some special people whom I dearly love. I might not have met these beautiful souls if it weren't for my profession.

Let me start with a thank-you note. Thank you so much, my Baccha Party; my life would be incomplete without you.

As you can deduce from the name of my blog, today I will talk about my profession. I am among the fortunate few who have turned their passion into a profession. Professionally, I am a teacher—the creator of all professions in the entire world. When I was in 2nd or maybe 3rd grade, I firmly decided that I would become a teacher.

Honestly, I never wanted to be just a teacher to my students. I always endeavored to be their friend, philosopher, and guide. I believe that the core essence needed to become a good teacher is love, empathy, and patience. A teacher's duty is not only to teach the syllabus but also to prepare students for life. A school is the second home for any child, and teachers are their second parents. Therefore, it becomes our responsibility to make them comfortable enough to speak their hearts out without hesitation. A teacher always leaves an impression on the minds of children, which can be either good or bad, depending on the teacher's ability to handle the child's psychology. Sometimes, it takes a toll on teachers when they have to handle a lot all at once.

Teaching is a profession where we need to step down one step so that our children can move ahead.

Speaking from my personal experience, I have been in this profession for the last 12 years. I started as a private tutor and then gradually became a teacher in a school. Every year, I meet so many students, each with their unique identity, which never fails to amuse me. I see myself in them, as I've never truly left my school life behind. Thus, I never got the opportunity to miss my school. As a teacher, I have always been fortunate to receive unconditional love from my kids. I don't like the idea of calling them my students; I prefer to address them lovingly as my kids or baccha.

I don't know how much of an impact I have made in their lives, but in my life, they are my rainbow. Their happy faces bring me joy, while their sad faces bring darkness. Sometimes, I become emotional seeing them grow up. The first student I ever taught is now in 12th standard—it feels surreal. When I look back, so many faces and memories flood my mind, and I cherish all the moments I've spent with my students.

I truly believe I am blessed to have chosen—or perhaps it was destiny that made me—a teacher. I couldn't find more happiness and love in any other profession.

However, it's also one of the most stressful jobs in the world, emotionally and physically draining. Then there are people who ask, "How much do you earn?"

In my opinion, it's not about the materialistic things you earn in life, but rather about doing the same thing every day with the same passion. When passion becomes your profession, you've already won half the battle. You need to find your spark whenever you feel trapped in the same routine. Trust me, if you don't love your job, it's difficult to survive for long, as eventually, you'll stop enjoying your workplace and everything will become mundane.

Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. Although there's another side to the coin—most people, especially in our country, never get the opportunity to follow their passion. But let's save that topic for another day.

For now, let's end the chit-chat. See you next time.