Color of Skin

This incident took place some 30 years back when I was employed in the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Part of my job involved receiving foreign scientists and taking them around our project areas.

A lady scientist (foreigner) was due to arrive, so I along with another lady colleague went to receive her at the airport. She arrived. The moment she got down we all introduced ourselves to her as was the customary thing to do.

In the car I had to sit next to her and I found her discomfiture in sitting with me! I could feel that somehow my tan skin was the cause against her white skin. She sat as much away from me as the car's small interior would permit.

Soon enough we reached our destination. I was relieved more than perhaps her that her ordeal was over.

She refreshed herself and came out to be taken around our projects. I was the one who would explain things to her. I acted as natural as possible and started explaining to her the solar distillation plants, the gobar gas plant, the low cost chulha, etc., etc. Time went by, she was asking me questions and I was clarifying her doubts. Soon we both had forgotten that our skins were of different colors or that we belonged to different countries or races! All that mattered was our sharing of interesting facts about appropriate technology and renewable sources of energy...

That day I realized something important. We may belong to different countries, races... but only until we start sharing our knowledge.

The false feeling of superiority vanishes the moment knowledge or lack of it, comes out into the open, be it in any field of work.

I deliberately kept away on the day she was to leave, but she came in search of me to bid farewell and after the 'see you soons' she lovingly slipped a wrapped gift into my hands. It was a big bar of the fruit and nuts chocolate which I loved and still do. Perhaps this was her way of saying, 'sorry, for hurting your feelings'.

I could only smile looking at the sweet parting!!

Mahalakshmi

Survival Instinct

We have often read and seen baby turtles hatch out of their eggs, struggle to walk those few hundred meters to the sea to get a life, literally. It's a question of life and death, so soon after they are born. It must be really tough to keep moving against all odds. The hunting birds, the stray animals on the beach, humans with criminal intent are all danger signs for these young animals.

A lot of awareness campaigns are taking place., We see a lot of youngsters wait patiently for many hours at the beach, until eggs are hatched and actually carry these creatures to the sea to see them off safely. Are we intervening nature or ensuring an animal's safety?

My kitchen wall is tiled. This morning, a baby lizard was trying to cross the tiles length from this end to that. He kept on slipping a little, only to pull himself up again and again. I stopped all work to see whether he could make it to his new home in a crevice in the corner-most tile far away. He took quite some time running that race. He did and I was so happy to see him succeed. I wish he has learnt never to creep on slippery surfaces but to choose walls. With some experience he will do well. We all love to see those who succeed.

All of us struggle for one thing or the other in life. The focus is to keep moving.

Cheers!

Mahalakshmi.