Settle scores

Poor scores in tests are unsettling.Especially if you had prepared for it.
But lately,I have discovered a far greater danger - of exposure to a fast multiplying breed of pests,right after testscores are declared(yes,for both ,paper and pencil as well as CBT).
Let me elaborate on the matter further.
Suppose you are anxiously waiting to see how your scores have improved over the last set of exams.Finally,one day, the results are announced.
You get up early,on a wintry morning, take a 40 minutes tube ride to the school just to see the scoreboard.On your way, you go through your answersheet in your mind, and calculate the probable correct responses you have made.
Then, there is the important decision on your personal cut-off marks,which, if you manage to get, can enable you to mention about the test and its result,to your mom.If you remember suddenly that mom was in a bad mood since morning,the cut-off invariably rises.
Going to see the marksheet isnt all that simple.It requires mental preparedness for the worst,power of estimation,strategy,ability to keep secrets (sometimes in the face of heavy interrogation from mom) and ofcourse,nerves.
Finally you confront the marks ,and turn speechless.It should have been better than that surely!!you quickly recalculate in your mind the number of correct answers you think you had given.No,this is too absurd..your heart sinks.
This is bad.Real bad.
You are worried for the final test.After all,morning often shows the day.
Interrupting your thoughts, now a grinning lad of the class comes and asks you your score.
You make a sullen face and tell him too.What irks you is his expression.It is one of surprise and wonder,almost congratulatory,as if he didnt expect even this from a student like you.
You almost have to fight and control the urge to slap him.
After that day,in every single class,he makes it a point to come-up and ask you how far you have progressed with the studies,invariably the answer is -' nothing great yet'.
But he rolls up his eyes , calls the attention of those standing close and to your utmost embarrassment declares - "we are in presence of a brilliant person - who doesnt have to study but still can score decent"..this statement is not innocuous as it may seem to some - it is pregnant with sarcasm and waxed with malafide intentions..
If by chance you happen to score more than him - inwardly he goes mad with envy and if next time you score less ,he can drive you mad with caustic remarks.
This is a special breed of homosapiens abundantly found in Indian schools and colleges,with strong ability of procreation ( may even give severe competition to virus and other disease causing microbes),which may cause irritation,knitting of forehead,allergy and in extreme cases ,nausea..
No remedy discovered yet.

Husbandolian Faults

The biggest fault I see in him is his utmost reluctance to wash dishes ,when it is finally his turn.O and i am very articulate about my resentment.But he couldnt care less!
Counter contentions run on for hours , how not washing greased plates can save energy and reduce the carbon footprint.."I will do it just before we sit down for dinner tomorrow" - Thats usually his opening line of attack when I remind him of his chores...and so, the argument continues.....Aaauugghh!!!
The situation worsens during winters, then, even getting him to the sink is an ordeal!!
Is there a pill that makes husbands more sink friendly?Anyone listening?

Do we know them enough?

How much do we know our leader,our prospective head..That he could be kickboxing champion?That he gets to watch movies with famous movie stars?When his birthday is and which sunsign he belongs to?O, ofcourse we do get to read,predictions famous astrologers make about famous men in the new year.But is that all there is to know about men and women who will play an important role in the lives of a billion people?
Is it enough to know that a leader does not have criminal charges?Enough to hear the election campaign speeches and promises ,most of which are never fulfilled anyway.But come on,we can forgive a few lapses!After all,it stands proved that Indians have the highest tolerance ( for nonsense ).
I dont think I am interested in most of those statistics at all.Although I cant deny that they prove to be juicy reads from time to time.
Is it audacity to ask what my next Prime Minister thinks about abortion?Or what is his take on homosexuality?Does he think infiltration on our eastern borders is a matter of concern?That even the most vulnerable people,who work in the unorganized sector are losing work to illegal immigrants?The ordinary tax payer's money that is supposedly used to run welfare programs for the disadgantaged among us, Indians,eventually do good to illegals?There is no crackdown ofcourse,because these people are provided voting rights by the ruling political party and ultimately serve as props to keep an inefficient and corrupt regime in power.Does he plan to tackle that?Or is he going to use the same method,if he comes to throne and hence these 'trivial' issues are brushed under the carpet?
In his opinion should a retarded pregnant women get to keep her baby?Should the state provide assistance in such situations?
For that matter, I want to know,what he thinks of reservation and quota and whether he would agree if one said that it provides more political mileage than social equity.What does he think about merit based opportunities,atleast to a larger extent than is now prevalent?
Honestly, he never had to compete to prove his merit,not even to get admitted to the best universities of the world - those little things,lesser mortals call achievements, were served on a silver platter to him,it would be especially interesting to know what his take is, on the matter.
Well there are so many things we keep wondering about the illusive elite,but unfortunately,in our culture,there is no platform where "great leaders" are quizzed about sensitive issues.So much for free and responsible media.
Only when a wrong is done we all love to sit and judge.We dont care to use our mind to decide if there is any potential in the man to do right at all,before we bestow greatness upon him, and proclaim him our king and master.
Do we really ever get to know who our leaders (leaders:read the crown prince and princesses of the royal family in the indian political scenario) are ?How do they analyse?How they think?What their value systems are?What do they really represent? Are they progressive?Are they conservative?Or radical?To what extent?
Isnt it time he came down from the ivory-tower and open up a bit more. How long will only glamour hold us swaying?