Papa, aap kab star banoge

Papa, aap kab star banoge (Papa, when will you become a star)

I have known Akshay for the last few years, well qualified with good skills, is hardworking, and is an asset to any organization. After meeting a client we were having a cup of tea, he narrated this incident to me which happened a few days back:

I live with my wife and two daughters, my daughters are studying in one of the best schools, my elder daughter (Nikita) is studying in the 10th class and my younger daughter (Samiksha) is in the 9th class.

Nikita remained one of the toppers from day one in the school, and so had Samiksha who was not far behind her elder sister trailing her very close. Exemplary in studies and other activities in school, both are liked by the teachers as well as their classmates, their mother has put in a lot of effort to groom them from teaching subjects at home, helping them with their assignments to accompany them to the dance, drama, music class practice, as well motivating, encouraging and accompanying them to participate in competitions. The children did extremely well most of the time.

I lost my job at the end of 2016, but did manage then with a little bit of savings and since then I have been struggling to find a job, I found a couple of jobs that were not consistent. The first job I got in these last two years lasted for 5 months, and though the salary was less than one-fourth of what I had been drawing, I took up the job. The owner had the practice of sacking the existing ones, reducing the number of staff, and recruiting new ones with more tasks handed over to them making up for the work of sacked employees. Each employee has to put in more than 12 hours. The day salary has to be paid to the staff, the owner of the organization is either on tour or out of station and the salary remained pending until his return.

In my previous job, I worked tirelessly and enjoyed my work, giving more than 4 to 5 years in each place accumulating 20+ years of experience. But, this job was too taxing, moreover, you felt cheated and humiliated at the same time. I could not last for long, the second one was almost the same it lasted for 8 months. The unrealistic approach of the employer without understanding how their ambition, their attitude, and behaviour are affecting the morale of the staff and subordinates. The human touch is lost in the rat race of “ME FIRST” attitude.

Well, I’m back again “jobless”.

At school as usual the 10th class was excited for their last and annual picnic. The farewell function was being organized by the school, since we could not afford the cost of the picnic (as per our present situation) we tried to downplay by giving a logical reason to my daughter saying that we could always go with the family next year, so forego it for now, Nikita understood the situation at home and stated that she was not interested in going for the picnic. The same was informed to the class teacher as well as her classmates. The calls started pouring in the next day from her classmates requesting my wife to let Nikita join them for the picnic. They explained as this was the last year they all would be happy to spend some time together, they even consoled her by saying not to worry about the money they would contribute for the same, but Nikita refused.

The next day my wife started receiving calls from the parents of her classmates to let her join the picnic. Finally, we did manage to arrange the amount. Her friends had already contributed the money and handed it over to their class teacher requesting anonymity and not accepting the money from Nikita.

The class teacher related the same to the principal of the school, who instructed the class teacher to give the money back to the students; instead, she took out the money from her pocket and paid on Nikita’s behalf. The principal knew our situation as a couple of times we had to meet her to request for delay in paying the school fees.

The above chapter closed, and the entire chaos and adventure was narrated to me by my daughter Nikita when I enquired about the prep for her picnic. I casually remarked “Ok, so the principal has become the hero of this story, the star of the year” At this my daughter responded, “Woh tho teekh hain papa, par aap kab star banoge, aap kab job per jaoge” (It’s alright papa, but when are you going to be the star, when will you get a job?). Not to mention, I was dumbstruck at her response.

True, the days had been tough for many during the COVID-19 days, especially with people who ran from hand to mouth, the work orders had reduced, income had thinned down and few even lost their jobs. The remark by his daughter was simple and silly, but it hit him out of the blue, unexpectedly, it will have a lasting effect on him especially for a person who had been taking care of his children and wife for all these years and all of a sudden when the situation worsens, people start questioning his ability. All the years of his struggle to upkeep the lifestyle of his family have crumpled down like a pack of cards..

In fact, none of them were spared, and neither money could help during COVID-19, few even lost lives.

Trust in the family plays an important role, if an incident happens, the family members should be concerned, understanding, and support “the only earning member” and not isolate, doubt his ability, or believe in rumours and gossip rather than trusting your own people, trusting your own understanding.

Neighbours, and others will speak negatively but if you stand together and be firm, no negativity will breach the harmony in your family and in fact “Your unity becomes your strength”.