THE FESTIVAL OF DUSSEHRA

The festival of Dussehra falls twenty days before the Diwali. It shows victory of virtue over vice, of right over wrong. Rama stands for virtuewhereas Ravana, the demon king, depicts vice and wrong.

The story goes that the crowning Prince Rama of Auyodhya undertook fourteen years of exile. In the last year of his wandering, Ravana the king of Lanka carried away his consort, Sita. The result was a bloody fight between the two. Lakhs of people died from both sides. In the end Ravana, his son Meghnat and his powerful brothers were killed and Mother Sita was freed.

This day is celebrated as the Dussehra Day through the length and breadth of India. The schools and colleges are off. There is autumn break or Dussehra Holidays. The Ramlila is enacted in every street and corner. There are well-established Ram Lila Committees who attract millions of people. For ten days continously the Ramlila is played day and night. Then comes the last day.

UNINVITED GUESTS

It is against all norms of hospitality and courtesy to go uninvented. Uninvented guests are not welcome. They are a constant nuisance. They are not loved and respect. They are hated and spurned (rejected with scorn). They are not offered a respectable seat. They are given a raw treat. They are served cold and insipid (tasteless) food. People think of hundred and one ways to put them off on one excuse or the other. But such uninvited people are obstinate and shame-proof. They do not mind anything because they have no mind to mind.

INDIAN SUPERSTITIONS

All superstitions are baseless and foolish. They are the inventions of idle and silly people. They have come to stay permanently in our homes. Whatever be the occasion, the role of disbelief is there. Our belief in luck and magic is too strong. None can waver it. None can make us shed our wrong religious opinions. We Indians are highly superstitious.


When we go out of our house in the morning, a sweeper or ra broom must meet our eyes. Since this meeting is considered to be extremely auspicious. If a cat crosses our path or a woman with an empty pitcher or pail in her hands meets us, we feel greatly upset. Our mood and day both are spoiled. We feel puzzled. Its is excessively inauspicious as per Indian superstitious.


If we wear an iron bangle in our right hand, we will not feel afraid or scared (frightened). Even in our sleep we will enjoy peaceful dreams. There will be no disturbance.If a student eats curd or pudding while going to the examination centre, his paper will be easy and his success in the examination will be a sure shot. It is all an idea of a silly mind.No one can reason out. If we try to bring round to our scientific view, the people will give a hearty laugh making us an ass. We will have to cut a sorry figure. In our heart of hearts we know that we are cent-per-cent correct, but we lack the courage to stick to our guns.


People say that we are superstitious because we are illiterate and backward. But what will you say when a double Science Postgraduate falls an easy prey to the trap of disbelief. When he affirms his faith in witchcraft, when he is devoted of black magic. There and then people invent stories justifying their stand. The tale of our superstitious is quite sickening. It is very dismal. All of us, both educated and uneducated, feel helpless before the power of superstitious.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline means to live in self-control, to behave properly and decently. A man of discipline is a winner in the race of life. He can complete his every job with ease and grace. He does not falter and fumble rather he goes straight. He is always on the right track.

A disciplined life is a life of self-imposed rules and regulations. The training of "Discipline" itself is very hard and rigorous. One has to make a great deal of sacrifices. He has to deny many pleasures. He cannot be free with anyone. He has to maintain a stdied aloofness. He has to keep the riff-raff at a distance. If he himself indulges in vulgarity and nonsense, he loses the very charm of a disciplined life. He will become indisciplined and unprincipled. He will be loosing honour and respect which he has earned so far by leading a life of self-denial.

Students can play a pivotal role for the betterment of the community or the society where they live. They can tell the people in the neighbourhood about social evils such as drinking, gambling, drug-abuse,dowry etc. They are educated. They can educate the unlettered and the ignorant. No doubt, the job is of astounding magnitude. But their patience and determination can work wonders. By doing small things they will be able to do big works. A step a day will take you to the other end of the globe. The condition is to have the will to do it. Teachers can inspire their students for community service. Docial service is a rewarding work. Its results are far-reaching.

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A HOT DAY IN SUMMER

A hot day in summer is sultry and scorching. It is full of sweat and perspiration. One wishes a cold bath again and again. But even then there is no rest or respite. The atmosphere is sick and stuffy. The sun is bright and burning. It is as hot as the fire itself. It is a burning ball of fire. The earth is dry and parched. The hot winds blow the day and night.

It was the month of June. It was the hottest day of the season. From early morning the wind was silent and motionless. The trees and plantswere unmoving and stationary. The leaves were not moving at all. The birds and beasts were all gasping for breath. The blistering heat was continuing. The sun was getting hotter and hotter every moment. The summer day was becoming intolerable. Even the walls and floors were burning. Nothing could be touched. Everything was excessively hot.

It was noon. The sun was right over the head. It was showering fire. One felt thirsty. One drank water again and again, but still one was awfully dissatisfied. Ice and cold water were in much demand. But they could not provide any comfort to this irritating bodies. The bazars were not huming with any activity at all. They were wearing a cloak of sickness and suffocation. Fans and coolers were of little help, they were giving hot air. This air proved stiffling. A few minutes walk on the road was highly uncomfortable.

By the evening there was a little respite from the heat. The temperature of the day came doen a little. People began to move in the bazars and on the roads. They wanted to finish their daily chores. But to their bad luck, the light is tripped. Suffocation increased again. Everyone was helpless. Thus passed the hottest day.