Essays


I am a student of tenth class in a government-aided private school. My school is a well-known school of the city. It is a reputed school with over 1500 students. There are about 40 teachers in our school.
I am a student of teach class in a government- aided private school. My school is well- know school of the city. It is a reputed school with over 1500 students. There are about 40 teachers in our school. I have been in this school for many years. And I have been a student of many of these teachers at one stage or another. But my present class teacher Mrs. Taneja is my favourite teacher. She teacher us Hindi.
Mrs. Taneja is about 32 years of age. She is tall, silm and smart. She believes in high thinking and simple living. She is always dressed in simple sari yet always looks dignified, attractive and sober. Her manners are pleasing, good and liked by all. She is an experienced teacher. She double M. A andB.Ed. she has master or post graduate degrees both in Hindi and Sanskrit. She is gentle, polite, soft spoken and yet strict in discipline. But she never believes in physical punishment. I have never seen her reprimanding a student publically or giving physical punishment. It looks as if she a magic influence on all of us. And hence there has never been any serious discipline problem in the class.
She has teaching in her blood. Before partition her father was lecturer in Lahore and her mother a school teacher there. She was born in free Indian after partition. She has perfect command over Hindi and Sanskrit. Her knowledge of English language and literature is very good. Her pronunciation is perfect, accurate and very clear. I feel fortunate to be her student so do feel other students. She looks upon us as her own sons and daughters. She takes interest in solving our school and personal problems.
Her singing and sweet voice make it an excellent experience to have poetry lessons form her, she has committed many poems, slokas and valuable quotations to her memory. She makes a good use of them to make teaching and learning effective and memorable. She is likes sensible and appropriate humour. Her talks are educative, interesting and full of literary references and anecdotes. Many of the teacher feel envious of her and her popularity among students.
She is also the principal advisor of our school song and drama club. She also prepares students for Hindi debate and elocution contents. Under her able guidance many students have won a number of prices and trophies in such competition. She herself has won national award for excellent teaching and results. She is an asset to the school and student community.

Once we went to a visit to the Tajmahal . we were surprised to know her vast and authentic knowledge about the Tajmahal. She explained so many things about the monument in detail. The visit became so memorable only the because of her. Her vast general knowledge shows her deep studies, interest and devotion of books. Reading is her only hobby. She has her own personal library at home. It consists of choicest and valuable books in Sanskrit. Hindi and English. There are books on her other subjects as well. She guides us in selection of the books and of good inspires us to spend part of our pocket money on the purchase of good books. We went last year with her to visit the world book fair. It became a memorable experience.
She is equally popular among girl and boy students. She takes keen interest in the welfare and progress of her students. She is always available for guidance, help and advice in matters of studies and personal problems. It is because of her that I feel that teachers are really nations builders. I wish there were many more teachers like her. Mrs. Taneja has influenced me most and many other students as well. One day a gentleman came in the school to see her. He was young and very smartly dressed. He straight way went down touched her feet seeking her blessings. He had been her student and was selected in IAS, recently.

MY COUNTRY India is my country. It is an anglicized name. Its original name is Bharat after the mythological kings and emperors of Bharat-vansha. A terrible battle was fought among them which is known as Maha-Bharat. India occupies a very important position in the region. The high Himalayan ranges separate India from the rest of Asia. It measures 3,214km from north to south and 2933 km from east to west. Its total land area is 3287, 263 sq km. Its coastline runs 7516 Km. Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands are part of my country.

I am very proud of my country, its history, culture and civilization. India is one of the most ancient countries of the world. Indian civilization has been very rich, ancient and sublime. Many great religious like Hinduism, Buddism, Jainism and Silkism were born here. It is primarily an agricultural country. Its vast plains of Ganga and Yamuna are very fertile and vast. The world?s highest mountain, the Himalya is in my country.

India is very rich in natural resources, scenery, historical places and pilgrimage centres. The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is in India. The world famous Ajanta caves are also here. Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country. And this country is my India. India is also famous for its lions, tigers and elephants. The credit to event decimal system and zero also goes to India.

The people of India are large-hearted, colourful and religious. They belong to many different religions and faiths. It is a secular country which means there is no state religion. In population India ranks only second to china. Its present population is 953 million or 95 crore 30 lakh. India, with hundreds of languages, dialects, life styles, sects etc. presents the best example of unity in diversity.

India?s history goes back to Indus Vally civilization and Vedic Culture. It is a land of Buddha, Ashoka, Akabar,Mahatma Gandhi etc. It is the land of Vedas, the Mahabharata. There are many festivals and festivities. They reflect our rich cultural heritage, zest for life and colourfulness. India remained under the British rule for a long time but then became free in 1947 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Since then India has made great progress in agriculture, education, industry and science. It is the biggest democracy of the world. But there are many serious problems being faced by the country. Poverty and illiteracy are two major problems to be solved. But let us hope, these problems will be solved soon. There are many factors which make India a country and nation. But its cultural unity is the most important factor.

Choice of a profession and career is of great importance. On the right and timely choice of a career depends much success in life. It decides the future success or failure. The fruits of indecision are bitter. Similarly wrong decision is also undesirable. Therefore, on should try to choose one?s career as early as possible. It should be determined by the time one takes one?s first board examinations.
This is the age of much competition. Life is now really complex. Things are moving fast. There are a great variety of careers and professions. It makes the matters worse. One feels confused and bewildered in choosing a right career. The lack or proper counseling and guidance worsens the situation. The young students find themselves groping in the dark. As a result of all these there is much unemployment and frustration. It also means lot of waste of money, time and energy. The students should take the help of elders, teachers and professionals in deciding their careers. They should choose their careers according to their aptitude and resources.
Young people are ambitious, impatient and eager to achieve, good positions. They want to become IAS, executives and have top positions without considering their qualifications, skill etc. This is a wrong attitude. One should be realistic. Making castles in the air is of no help. One may dream of becoming a super film star and end up as mere casual artist or a help boy. Such over ? ambitions lead to disillusionment and unhappiness.
It is better to choose a career at the high school level than go for higher studies aimlessly. One should go for a vocational course at this stage. It will help one to stand on one?s feet in 2 ? 3 years of time. There are many training institutions, polytechnics and professional colleges. There are many careers, professions and vocations to choose from. There are teaching, engineering, medical, law, technical, business, trade, computer application careers, government employment, positions in police and army etc. One can start one?s own shop, factory, workshop or small scale industry. Then one can choose acting, commercial art, fashion designing, advertising etc. But each of these requires special aptitude, training and resources. One may have proper qualifications and aptitude for a career of a doctor or engineer. But if there is no financial resources, one cannot choose it as his career.
Choice of a career is not simply a matter of likes and dislikes. Financial resources play a very important role in deciding to choose a profession. For lack of funds, one will have to choose a far humbler career. Change of a career admist the stream may prove risky. It is no wise to change careers now and then. Therefore, select your career carefully and wisely. Once decided, stick to your decision. Use all your energy and resources to obtain you aim.
One can take to politics if one has aptitude for public life. Politics is not always dirty. It is a profession of hard labour and perseverance. There are many ups and down. You should be well prepared for all that. If you have strong optimism, ambition for fame and prepared to face the worst, you are best suited for politics. If you have aptitude for books, reading, quiet life and studies, you should choose teaching. It is a noble profession. You can them become a teacher, lecturer or a professor. If you have enough money and resources and want to grow rich, you can choose business as you career.
Once you have chosen your career, it is not possible to retrace your steps. If you do, you are a great looser. While choosing a profession, you stand at a cross ? road. Once a choice is made, there is no escape. Therefore, be practical, logical and reasonable in choosing your profession. This is a crucial choice. Take into consideration your liking, resources, qualifications etc. before deciding the course of your future life.

India is my beloved country and motherland. I am proud of India, its history, culture and glorious past. It is here that a number of great religions and no less great civilization were born and developed. It is the land of the Vedas, Upanishads, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It has been the land of Buddha, mahavira, Nanak, Gandhi etc. It has been great wonderful and fascinating.

India is now a free and sovereign country. It is emerging world power. It occupies great strategic importance. Its nature resources and man-power are huge. India has been free for over 50 years. And yet it has not developed into a country of my dreams. There are many big problems to be solved. They include poverty ,illiteracy, unemployment, want of self-reliance in defense, over-population, corruption, regionalism, Communal tensions, riots, terrorism and empowerment of women are other big issues to be solved.

The appalling poverty makes my heart bleed. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing. The majority of people live under poverty line. They are keeping their bodies and soul together with a great difficulty. There are still starvation deaths. The glaring inequalities make me sad and gloomy. This is not India of my dreams. I want poverty to be removed. I want that every Indian citizen has a decent life. His living standard is of international standard, that there is no child labour. I want to see every body healthy. I want to wipe away the tears from the eyes of everybody.

In the India of my dreams, there will be no poverty, no deprivation. People will not suffer from hunger, ill health, exploitation and unemployment. Each and everybody will be suitably employed and engaged in useful activity. Financially, it would not depend on any other country. Cooperation with other countries is a different matter. Industrially, India will be soon one of the major powers.

India of my desires will be very powerful, strong, united and formidable. No neighbouring or distant country will dare to commit aggression against India. We shall have out own mighty missiles, atom bombs and nuclear weapons. We shall have out rocket system to launch our big space probes. Then our astronauts will go beyond Moon and Jupiter. It will be a military and space power of the first rank. But it would remain a peaceful country with friendly relations with all. I want India to have a permanent seat in the Security Council of the U.N. with veto power. There cannot be any compromise on this question. India of my dreams will not hesitate to develop effective and powerful deterrents because if we want peace, we have to be prepared for war.

There will be no illiteracy. Each and everybody will be fully literate and educated. There will be free, compulsory and universal education for children up to the age of 14. the education for women will be given importance. They will be truly empowered and made equal partner with man in every field.

In the India of my dreams, merit will be above everything else. There will be no reservations. Every person would be equal in the truest sense. The weaker sections will be given fullest opportunity to develop their skills and abilities. All would be first and last Indians. There will be no majority or minority. Casteism communism and regionalism will not find any place there.

India is now one of the top ten corrupt countries. It is a matter of great shame. Corruption will be dealt with an iron hand in India of my derives. Corruption, criminalization and nepotism will be eradicated. There would be emphasis on character building, patriotism, service and sacrifice. There would be no delay in justice. Law courts, will work in shift to clear the pending cases. There will be total transparency. People will have the right to information. There will be one common civil code. Marriage registration will be compulsory. The nation will be above all other things.

There will be fundamental electoral reforms. The education and examination systems will be overhauled. The education will be work ? oriented. I want to shape India after my dreams. Therefore, I want to implement thousands of my ideas based on ground realities. I want to see India really a free, fearless powerful, more united and prosperous country.

It is natural that people have deep love, respect and support for their country. This feeling gives rise for patriotism.

Nationalism and patriotism are two sides of the same coin. Loyalty to one?s country is one of the strongest human sentiments. Patriots are the real strength of a country. On the other hand, traitors are a source of great danger. They are like wolves in sheep’s skin. They never hesitate to betray their country for personal gains. They can be called ?Jaichands?. A country has to guard itself against such elements.

An intense love and patriotism of the citizens make a geographical region a nation. The citizens are always ready to make sacrifices for their country. In face of a danger all the citizens rise as one man and face it bravely. They regard no sacrifice great for their beloved country.

India has produced so many great patriots and freedom fighters. Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmi Bai and many others sacrified their lives for the sakes of their beloved India. Some other great leaders and patriots are Balgangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar lal Nehru, Sarder Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Maulana Azad and Chittranjan Das. Their sacrifices are written in golden words in the history of India. We should draw lessons and inspiration from them. The young men and women Should follow their examples.

Patriotism is essential for the progress and prosperity of a country. They are a must both in peace and war. India is full of millions and millions of patriots. They are ready to lay their life for the country. They are the real source of India?s strength and wealth. But they are a few traitors as well. They act against the interests of the country. They pass on secrets to Pakisthan and other hostile neighbors. They explode bombs, spread violence and create trouble. Such people should be exposed and brought to justice. They are a great danger. India has to be vigilant against them. Tax-evaders, black marketers, profiters and corrupt officials are also not patriots. They are disgrace for our country. They serve their selfish interests at the cost of the country. Patritism is the foundation of a country.

Faithfulness to one?s country is a great virtue. It should be taught and developed in the youth. It means deep interest in the development of the country. There are many occasions to show one?s patriotism. But the best occasion is during times of crisis. The common man?s patriotism can be seen in his labour. Honesty, sincerity and proper discharge of his duties.

But patriotism should not be narrow and blind. We should also respect the rights and privileges of other countries. That is why it is said that ?Patriotism is not enough?. Extreme and blind patriotism can lead to war, disorder and disturbances. Nationalism should not go against internationalism and universal brotherhood. In this age of rapid scientific developments, the world is becoming a global village. The nations of the world are coming closer to one another. Patriotism should merge into internationalism. Now, no country can live in isolation. World cooperation and friendship is a must now. All men are equal and essentially one.

Man seeks pleasure. He loves and likes pleasure. Many of his activities are simply for pleasure. He can undertake any risk for it. For example, he enjoys sky ? diving, surfing, rock climbing, hunting beasts of prey etc. There activities are full of risks and dangers. Then there are various games, sports and hobbies. He can be called a pleasure seeking being.

The pleasure got from reading is unique. Reading provides a matchless pleasure. It is full of many benefits. There are some hobbies which give pleasure but that may bse harmful, costly or dangerous. But reading is a very healthy. Useful and economical hobby. It gives pleasure which is desirable and preferable.

The range of reading material is very vast. You can choose history, philosophy, biography, poetry, drama, fiction, short stories, mythology or travel as your subject. The choice is so vide, rich and varied. You may also select jokes, comics and detective material. It is the leisure time pursuit. The ability to read books, newspapers and magazines and derive pleasure form them is a great boon. Those who have this habit and hobby are fortunate.

Reading provides many additional benefits. It increases word- power, experience, knowledge and skills of expression. In the words of Francis Bacon ?Reading makes a full man; conference a ready man writing an exact man?. He further says, ?history makes man wise; poetry witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep, moral grave; logice and ?… toricable to contend.?

The hobby and habit of reading should be developed at the early age. It does not mean that it cannot be had at an advanced age. But it can be cultivated best in childhood. Reading requires special skills and aptitude. Books are the best friends. They are the treasure house of knowledge and wisdom. A lover of books is never lonely. He is never sad or idle. You can read at your convenience and ease. It does not require another?s company. it is not costly as well. You can have your collection of books. You can borrow books form friends and libraries. One can buy second hand books at very cheap rates. The relief and relaxation got form reading is matchless. You can enjoy it while traveling or eating or taking tea. It is anywhere, anytime us. The money spent on books is a sound investment. The charm and benefits of reading cannot be expressed in words.

Only good books should be read. One should choose one?s reading material carefully. There are many cheap, harmful, and sub-standard books. They can spoil a reader?s character and poison his mind. In selecting the books you can seek help of elders, teacher and librarians. Then there are book- reviews to guide and help you. avoid cheap, sensational, sexy and obscene books and magazines.

Books which can inspire, guide, help and encourage should be read. By reading famous authors like kalidas, Shakespeare, Tagore, Prem Chand etc. we come in contact with own. Then we feel enperiences and thoughts become our own. Then we feel enriched cheerful and enlightened. We share their greatness and became their friends. The pleasures or reading can be re-created. It can be imparted to others. Reading of good books enables, makes us more manly and humane.

There is nothing like a morning walk. It helps us in keeping physically fit and mentally alert. It is a kind of light exercise and suitable for all kinds of people. Young men, women, old people and children, all can enjoy a morning walk. It is beneficial for all of them. In the morning the air is fresh, the atmosphere quiet and calm. It is the best time for a walk. A morning walk refreshes the body and mind as nothing else can do. In the morning, a brisk walk enables us to breathe in a lot of oxygen. It keeps us energetic, active and alert for the whole day. The doctors often advise their patients to have morning walk.

In the big towns and cities people go for a morning walk in parks, gardens and other open spaces. There they run, jog and take some other light exercise as well. They can also have long walks on the roads. Then there is no traffic. It is the only time when people can have lot of fresh air. In the morning, the rising sun, the chirping of the birds and the calm atmosphere have a very soothing effect on our nerves and minds.

In villages one can go for a morning walk along a canal or a river. Then there are vast open fields. When the villages and towns are on the sea-shore, people enjoy their morning walk there on the sands of the sea. It is very pleasant to walk amidst things of nature. Then one can also enjoy beautiful scenery-the rising sun, the clouds coloured with the rays of the sun, the waves dancing in the sea, the birds flying and chirping, the dew laden flowers and green grass etc. In the villages a morning walker can also see the farmers busy in their fields, the womenfolk drawing water from the wells or milking their cows.

We must develop the habit of regular morning walk. The benefits of a morning walk are many. For those who suffer from tension, heart disease, obesity or any such others problem, a morning walk is a must. Experts say that a morning walk reduces tension and heart problems. It keeps us thin, trim, smart and alert. It is also good for those who are healthy and fit because prevention is better than cure. Thus a morning walk cures as well as prevents sickness.

One should never miss one?s morning walk. It also promotes longevity. Though it is not easy to get up early in the morning for many persons who work till late at ninght. And yet it is worth the trouble to arise early and go for a morning walk daily. ?Early to bed and early to rise? is a golden rule. It should be followed strictly.

It was memorable day of my life when I joined my school. Then I was just a kid of four years. I wanted to go to school like other boys and girls. Then, one fine day, my father took me to a public school. Puja was performed in the house and sweets distributed. We went by our car. I was admitted to the nursery class of my school.

I remember everything that happened that day in the school .

My father filled in a form and some other papers. He paid my fees at the counter and led me to the class-room. Then my father left. It did not take me long to make friends with other children. They were all boys and girls of my age. They were all playing with toys and enjoying themselves, but a girl was crying. Soon our madam teacher went to her. She lifted the girl was into her lap and comforted her. She was a gentle and pretty lady. She always looked after us well with loving care and told us short stories and recited rhymes. She often wore coloured sari and blouse. Sometimes she also came in long skirt and full sleeved top. Then she was in her late teens.

I was given a seats as in the front row but we could change our seats as we liked. Our teacher often sand rhymes and little songs and asked us to follow her. It was a delightful exercise. Soon I learn a couple of rhymes and songs. When I recited them to my parents at home, they were very much excited. In the open grounds of the school we enjoyed swings, slides, ball-games and other funs.

In the recess we enjoyed our tiffins and lunch packets. I often shared my food with my friends Nina and Gopal. We there enjoyed very much each other?s company. We often bought toffees, chocolates and cold drinks. That particular day I enjoyed on ice cream in the school canteen but spoiled my shirt while eating it. The school peon then it with some water and a tissue paper.

The bell rang again and the recess was over. We were back in the class room. Then we did some painting with pencil colours. I just drew something unrecognizable. And so did other children. It was my first drawing and painting in school. However, it gave us great pleasure and satisfaction.

When the final bell rang, we were helped to board the shining yellow school bus. It was a very comfortable bus. It had low seats with bars and handles. When the bus reached the bus- stop near my house, my mother was there. She was very happy and excited. As soon as I got down the bus, she lifted me up in her lap and showered me with kisses.

I told my mother how nice was my school. How I enjoyed playing, singing and eating there, from that day about 10 years have lapsed. They all have been so full of enjoyment, learning development and experience. I relished the school lie. It grew more and more in richness and experience as the years went by. I am really grateful to my school, my alma mater.

Reservation for a certain section of society in independent India has become a major issue of discussion, dissension, debate and bitterness. When India got its freedom from the British yoke in 1947, the framers of the Indian Constitution made these reservations for that section of our society which had been long neglected and disparaged. The purposes was well thought of and in all fairness, in order to enable the downtrodden, improve their status and enter into the mainstream of the country?s developmental works.
The basic idea was undoubtedly superb as, it was in all good intent, meant to build up to a certain level those sections of the Indian society which had hitherto been left uncared for. Besides, this was originally to be fixed for only the first fifteen years of independence. This was done so, with the expectation that, one single generation would be turned out in fifteen years and would become capable of joining the others and forging a march ahead. The program as visualized was rather good, but, what shape it has taken in the last fifty years is for all of us to see, and appreciate. The system has been misused by one and all, just for the betterment of each one?s fancy.
The Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes were, originally the only ones who were given this reservation, and that too for fifteen years. It was for this specific period only because, it was expected that, one generation would be helped to rise in this period. However, as we see it today, the policy of reservation has been completely changed in the span of the last fifty years. There has been unlimited extension of the policy for, no one knows how long, it appears as though the policy has come to stay for ever and its extension is also as though unlimited, with several more sections joining the bandwagon of the privileged reservationists.
A series of backward classes have now been included to be termed as the Other Backward Communities , and the latest category include in the list is of women. There are about than 50% or more of seats reserved everywhere for these classes, and where will all this end up, and, where will the so-called advantaged majority go, if reservations keep rising at this pace no body knows.
Reservations have come up in educational institutions, in jobs, in state assemblies, in parliament, in every feasible sphere. It will a wonder if this system is really going to help us raise our standards in any sphere at all, or will this become just a tool in the hands of a few, to forward their own interests, as has been up to this juncture. The reservation has been fitted only few families of any weaker section and not the mass in general. The reservation must be restricted to provide education to some state and give employment to one only one. After employment he should not be given any other facility and should be left to raise his family on his soldiers it self. Why a minister?s, chief minister?s or Deputy Commissioner?s sun be treated as poor and be given reservation once he is able to raise his family of its own.
Being of a reserved category should give a normal being a feeling of being someone less than others, but, in our present day scenario, it seems we take pride in being one of a reserved category, which shows an absolute lack of self respect in us Indians. Is reservation something we should hanker for, is it not charity that we want to progress upon? If we are a self respecting community, we should never want any reservation for ourselves. However, we seem to take pride and feel privileged when we are among the reserved class.
Reservation should not be based on caste color or creed as it is now. The only plausible basis for reservations should be economic status of an individual. Those who cannot afford to be educated in Institutions of repute, and are really interested, should be allowed entry free in order to encourage them to follow their educational pursuits. They should be allowed to grow with the others, and not allowed any lenience in their passing, for, once they have the same educational background as all others, and not allowed any lenience in their passing, why should they have any further advantage over the others. Any lenience to them in the marking schedule etc destroys the basic standards of our education, and beyond that, the standard of our workers.
Only economic backwardness should be the yardstick for anything like reservation. This policy in its present shape must be scrapped altogether, as, it is leading to more of heart burning than any progress of the backward classes. It is creating more and more confusion on the planning side and more cracks are seen to appear among different sections of society. By this policy what we are in reality achieving is, much too negative a prospect to be of any utility at this point of time. Most of the time we see that, in this process the brilliant children of the upper classes get stranded in their pursuits of education or job hunting because the vacancies are reserved for only the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. This puts in the minds of these good students a hatred for these classes, and this not wrongly so. So, instead of doing away with the class evil, the system is making the demarcation still deeper. It gives a sense of frustration to the upper classes and at the same time, an unwanted boost in the aspirations of the Scheduled Classes. They begin to feel that, theirs are the reserved seats so, they do not have to make any effort. In this way, the reservation policy is helping to widen the gap between the two classes instead of bridging it, for which the policy was originally meant. On the work front also, when we put in less capable people just because the job is reserved for them, the work bound to suffer.
Regarding this policy, if at all it has to be maintained indefinitely, it should be reservations only for the economically backward, and not based on any other criteria. Besides, reservations should be only for education and that also, only for those who are economically weak. There should be no reservations for anyone at all in jobs, for, when all have had the same education, they are all equally capable to enter any competition in the open job market and all at par so no reservations are required. For this system, the education has to be spread even to the poorest of the poor and this education of the best quality must be provided to all free of cost to all people of all castes, creeds and then they should all enter the job hunting spree on their merit. Only if merit is the only criteria we can aspire to get the best quality of individuals getting the best.
Once when a person gets what he deserves, he will have no qualms about favoritism etc. It has often been seen that, all the cream of our children coming out of educational institutions are going out of the country. Of course money they get outside is one aspect for going out, but another important criterion for this is a feeling of frustration among them while in India. This is because, the good students do not really get in India what they truly deserve, for, in several places, the obviously less worthy are placed higher than them due to the very reservation policy. This can and is very detrimental in our achievement of quality.
The reservation has therefore become more of a hoax and a vote catching device rather than serving as a booster to the lower sections of society, and help them rise to any worth while levels. The policy was very well meaning in its original setting but, as time has passed, the policy has become as if a convenient cash crop for the politicians in the last five decades. This has been done just to serve their own ends and not to serve the backward classes. Like any other policy of India, this has also become a sham and deceit throughout.

We live in a flat on the first floor. There are six flats in our building there are four other families in the building as the flat on the ground floor under us is at present vacant. All the neighbours live in peace and harmony. But there is not much social contact and relation with one another. They are a bank manager, a lady teacher, a business man and a doctor.

The bank manager is a nice man and lives in the flat above ours. His wife is a housewife and religious minded. They have two sons. They both go to school. They are originally from West Bengal but speak Hindi very fluently. The manager is also the head of the Bengali Samaj of our locality. He is Chaterjee by caste. During Durga Puja he is very busy in organizing the Puja activities. On the top floor opposite us lives a businessman Mr. Ranjan Kapoor. He is very much busy in his factory of cardboard boxes at Noida. He leaves early in the morning and comes late at night. His wife is not educated and comes from a village in Haryana. She often throws the dust and dirt of her house out of her balcony. People have complained her about it many times. But these have fallen on deaf ears. Therefore, people have adopted an attitude of tolerance in the matter. Her two sons can be seen playing cricket or some other game most of the time after school hours. They are very noisy as well. They often throw bits of papers, toffee wrappers, orange skins etc., in the common passage and stairs.

The lady teacher opposite us on the first floor is our immediate neighbour. She is a widow and has a son and a daughter. The son is about 25years of age and works in a ministry as a section officer. The daughter is of my age and studies with me in the same school. But she is junior to me as I am in the tenth class and she is in ninth class. Her name is Saraswathi. She is tall, slim and beautiful and very much like her mother in appearance. The lady teacher teaches English in a nearby corporation middle school. On Sundays and other holidays she often comes to my mother and they both together enjoy talking and doing things. Saraswathi also comes to our house and sometimes I help in her lessons and homework.

The doctor is a jolly follow and can be often seen sharing jokes and pleasantries with others. He can be seen smoking sometimes.

He is also a good singer. He has a small clinic in the market and has a very good practice. His wife is a fat lady and very talkative. She enjoys advising others how to prepare this dish or that. She regards herself as the moving treasury of recipes. Their daughter Vasudhara is 6 years of age and really lovable. She studies in a convent school in the first standard. They also keep a dog. The dog sometimes becomes a nuisance when shut in the house alone. Then he goes on barking and barking till sometime returns home. When let loose he scares the children and frightens the ladies.

On such occasion as Diwali, Holi or Durga Puja all the 5 neighbours come together and exchange greetings, i.e., sweets and goodwishes but for the rest of the year every family is mostly confined to itself. But now it is a common feature. Social isolation and lack of contact and intimancy with one another is now the order of the day.

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