Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light. – Albus Dumbledore
It was raining heavily since the night before and I got stuck in a bad traffic jam near my son’s school. It was around 10 am and I was stuck in the same place for more than 4 hours. Finally the traffic started moving, even though at a glacial space. There was not much time for me to go home and come back to pick up my son. So I decided to park in front of the school till dispersal time. But I wanted to pee really bad. So I requested the school guards to let me in. I was directed towards the staff washrooms. That is when I saw her for the first time.
She looked like a senior school student and was waiting for some printouts. She kept muttering “jaldi karo , bacche wait kar rahein hain”(Please hurry, my kids are waiting). She took the printouts and left hurriedly. I asked the peon who she was, he replied “teacher’’. ‘Wow’ I thought to myself, she was too young to be a teacher.
I had recently finished my B.Ed and I applied for substitution in the same school after a few months and I got an opportunity to observe Anshita. Only one word could describe her facilitation – magical.
She was facilitating 6 to 7-year-olds at the time and was more affectionate with them than even I was with my own son. The story sessions could teleport you to any place in the world. Her connection with the children was enchanting. The little children would just throw their tiny arms around her as she would greet them with her warmest smiles. The look on the children’s faces would be priceless during story sessions. If I myself was mesmerized listening to her magical stories, imagine the little children!
I kept going back to substitute whenever there was a requirement and I would always stop by in front of her classroom whenever I would get a chance.
Anshita lost her father when she was barely two years of age. She was raised by a strong mother who instilled the power of positive thinking and how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Even though resources were limited, she and her mom always lived blissfully. Her mother was very understanding and open, that was probably the reason Anshita walked on the right path.
She did well in school and got admission in Miranda house. She later got a scholarship for her master’s degree in education. It was an expensive course and a relief for Anshita as resources were limited.
Recently I heard that she got married and left the school after seven years. Though I was really happy for her, I was a bit heartbroken as I would not be able to meet her. I called to check on her and got to know that she met her husband during one of her travel trips. They became good friends and they realised they loved each other’s company. “I would never get bored with you.” He told her (which was true because it was simply enchanting to be with her).
I asked her what she liked about him, she shared, “He says that I have spent 28 years without him, I don’t need him for making my own decisions, for every small little thing.” He just loves her the way she is and doesn’t want her to change.
Anshita’s father passed away when she was still a toddler. Her mother always focused on education and ensured that she stands up on her own feet. Somewhere Anshita realised the power of education, and probably that is why she chose that field. So much so, that even after leaving the school, she has joined an organization that focuses on early childhood education in Jammu and Kashmir. She keeps traveling there for work with the same zeal and dedication.
I asked her what has been her learning so far from life and experiences. She said, “Don’t judge anyone, especially children, they are so pure.”
I asked her why she chooses to be only with small children, she said, “because they heal me.”
We keep judging each other all the time. Who is a better mother, someone who has reproduced her own child from her own baby, or through surrogacy, or adoption? When I look at Anshita and how her relationship is with the children, she is as real as you and me. Even though she does not have a child yet. It’s the emotion that matters. Not the judging.
Strong women raise strong children. Just like Anshita’s mother did. Nothing else matters.
Here’s Anshita’s story channel for all those who love listening to beautifully narrated stories
