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Saturday 14 November 2015

Stream of happiness

Neela hardly read any books. She never heard any sermons. Yet she knew the recipe to perfect happiness. It was not the case that all was well in her life.

Neela enjoying a cup of tea
She lost her father when she was still in high school. Her father was the only breadwinner of their family. She had three siblings – one sister and two brothers. She was the eldest. After the death of their father, their share in the ancestral field was their only source of income. Her uncles were too eager to usurp their share. But her mother, a strong woman, would not allow them to deny the rightful share of her children. She took all her children to their field. She and her children kept on uprooting the crops which had grown just a foot in height, until her brothers-in-law agreed to give her share.

Even the money which they got from the farm produce was insufficient to feed the family of five. Neela being the eldest daughter started taking tuitions to supplement her family income. This was when she was in tenth grade. She didn’t receive a huge amount. But even that little money did matter.

She did not top the SSC board results. But she got decent sixty percent, which was first class. She took admission in commerce stream. When she was in class twelve, she was operated for appendix. Doctor had told her mother that as a result of the surgery, she would never conceive. That day her mother cried entire night. She knew the marriage prospects of her daughter were very slim.

By now even her brothers had started to work in a factory. Together they built a small house comprising of just two rooms on the patch of the land which they owned. Now that she was living in the farm, she had to walk two kilometres to go to her college. All her siblings rode the moped which they had. But Neela never learnt to drive it. Occasionally her siblings would drop her up to the main road. But most of the times she merrily walked even when the sun was scorching fire or it rained like stones.

After completing her B Com Neela took up the job of primary teacher in a private English medium school. The salary was meagre, but she had a job in hand. She kept on trying for better opportunities. She got selected in a co-operative bank. But the place of posting was Mumbai. Her mother was unwilling to send her daughter to Mumbai. They knew no one in Mumbai.

Neela remained happy in spite of her mother’s refusal to send her to Mumbai. Her happiness was never dependent on external factors. She loved dressing up and wearing make up. She would go to her school all decked up. Laughter never left her. Wherever she went she carried joy with her. She loved good food. She loved cooking. She would cook mouthwatering dishes and eat in restaurants with her friends too. She never felt cooking for her family was a burden. She never felt guilty when she was eating in the hotels without her family.
Neela and her mother enjoying boat ride at Rishikesh

By now Neela had understood that she would never get married. She had accepted it as a part of her destiny. She never questioned God about it. She would go out for movies and plays. She had enrolled in few women’s clubs. She would take her mother along for the movies, plays and cultural events organized by the club. She brought happiness in the lives of her mother as well. Her mother was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. She took her mother to Kashi by flight. The old woman’s chest broadened with pride. Her daughter had done a task, which her sons had not even thought off.

Neela with her mother at Vishwanath temple Kashi
  
Neela’s siblings got married and had children. Her sister did not get along with her husband and returned with a seven month pregnant tummy. Her sister wanted to abort the child. Doctors had advised that aborting the foetus had such an advanced stage would prove fatal to the mother. Yet, her sister was adamant that she did not want the child. That was when she promised her sister that she would look after the child as her own.

Her sister gave birth to a healthy daughter. She was reluctant to raise the child and reminded Neela of her promise. Our heroine, with the heart of gold, told her sister that she had not forgotten her promise. Soon her sister left for Mumbai. She was going to live with a friend and find some work in Mumbai. Keeping a married daughter at home along with the daughters-in-law was risky. So her mother readily sent her to Mumbai.

Neela with her sister
 Now Neela was de facto mother of the child. She incurred all her expenditure and gave her all the love which even her mother could not have given to her.

Soon Neela’s brother sold a part of their field to a person who in turn sold it to another. A court case ensued. Neela was made a party to the proceeding. Yet, Neela was calm like cucumber. She remained happy savouring good food and wearing good clothes. Her love for food soon took a toll on her health. She was diagnosed with diabetes when she was just thirty-eight. At the age of forty-two she was operated for cataract. Yet, her joie de vivre was unaffected. Her love for life, her enthusiasm was unaffected. Never did she ask God why me? She accepted rather enjoyed whatever came her way. This streak was a part of her system. No one had taught it to her. She was just born with it.

Her mother was her constant companion. Her mother died a few months before her cataract operation. She accepted her mother’s death nonchalantly. Never did she utter a line saying that she missed her mother. Now she went for the movies and cultural events alone, that too, with all zeal and not a heavy heart. She continues to live life fully in spite of all that happened in her life. Her zest is not artificial, her love for life is like a perennial stream. Even buying a new cheap Chinese mobile phone gives her immense happiness. So does eating vada-pav at a roadside stall. 
I am much better placed than her. But at times I feel low and gloomy. That is when I think of Neela and try to draw some inspiration from her. Outwardly she may seem ordinary. But when you spend some time with her you will agree that she is #madeofgreat

Contest
Answer the following question by commenting on this post and win Amazon voucher worth Rs.750

Question; What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?  
 Contest is closed. The winner is Bhuwan. Congratulations. 

23 comments:

  1. Hey... Neelas non chalance needs to be commended... Touching.💕💕💕
    To answer the question... both Tata Motors and Lionel Messi have built a solid reputation. This foundation is built on the sheer perseverance and self belief and the ability to not resting till they achieve what they had planned to. And once they reach that stage... its so easy for both to say Veni Vidi Vici and then move on...to higher and more difficult to achieve aims. They both have set very high standards, and if anyone does want to surpass them they'll have to work very hard indeed.
    Cheers to greatness. - See more at: http://baketitude.blogspot.in

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    1. Thanks @Sweet for commenting. I am glad that the post touched you.

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  2. Nice post Mahesh. Neela is indeed made of strong character to withstand all odds.

    As for my thoughts on Tata Motors association with football great Lionel Messi, I strongly feel these are two greats in their own ‘field’, taking on the ‘challengers’ and hitting the ‘goals’ without taking their eye off the ball.
    Do hop over to my blog and share your thoughts on my post

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    1. Dear @GauriK thanks for the words of appreciation. I have visited your post. I simply loved your blog

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  3. Neela's living life 'Queen-size' is absolutely praiseworthy. You have sketched Neela in a very characteristic manner.

    My thinking of Tata Motors' Association with Lionel Messi : The Taj of Tata brand's trust / merits / social credibility / Humanity / high-end technology / Modern values / Progress etc. is applauded all over the World. Lionel Messi's dependable Talent , Sports merit, social respect , passionate game , skillful hard work make him a laudable partner with Tata brand. The association of these two luminaries will be glorious as well as victorious.

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    1. Dear @SujataTawde Thanks for those kind words appreciating my writing style. I loved your work too

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  4. Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi spells a significantly notable alliance that will steer the company towards favourable benefits. I always acknowledge Tata Motors as a distinctive name in Auto industry, which will not let the success 'larger-than life' elude from its fate now with a timeless guild with iconic figure Messi. I don't see this union of Tata Motors as an aspirational effort for garnering some quick publicity and evoke specific reaction from myriad crowd with Celeb branding, but is rightly an embellished handshake for keeping up the pace to get to the pinnacle of success graph. To sum things up, I am joyous to see the brand and the star uniting for 'One in a Million' #madeofgreat power-packed drive ahead :)

    Do share your views on my post as well http://maliveandkicking.blogspot.in/2015/11/holiness-of-character-is-key-to-be.html

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    1. Shilpa All the best for the contest. Will visit your post too.

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  5. awesomely written! For me my mom is #madeofgreat! Now for the answer...
    Tata Motors represent India. Tata is associated with reliability, performance and strength of automobiles. Similarly Lionel Messi represents football. He stands for reliabilty, performance and strength of his football team.
    http://dudekgmc.blogspot.in/ 

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    1. Dr. Manoj Thanks for your comment. I will pray that your mom lives for more than 100 years and every one has a mother like her

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  6. Now that is what you call a well written blogpost.That way you expressed Neela's story is exquisite. Be it narration of the post or be it the character of hers that you have managed to scribble every aspect of your writing was worth the read. Best wishes to you for the contest.

    My answer to your question: The person you choose to write about for #madeofgreat campaign is the perfect choice in my opinion. So is the association of Messi with Tata Motors, because both of them are committed to deliver 100 percent every single time. These two are behemoth brands which have dedicated themselves to perfection in their respective fields for years and years now.

    It is no coincidence that Messi himself drives a range rover which is a product of Tata Motors now. The brand has been known for its trustworthiness, simplicity, durability and reliability for decades now, A tie-up with legend like Messi whose commitment to his team and ability to deliver whatever is necessary every single time will take the value and goodwill which company has developed since 1945 to a whole new level of awesomeness. The fact that it took 16 months of efforts to get Messi in the driver's seat says a lot about how difficult it is to chase world's most gifted footballer. Hoping to see this association foster into a long term relationship.

    Messi reflects the Trust the soccer fans all around the world put on him while so does Tata Motors for the automobile enthusiasts across the country. Both of them have achieved feats unparalleled and have stood far apart from all their competitors, hope that this association turns out to be a value addition for both the sides. Cheers !!!!

    Hoping to read more from you in future. Stumbling across your blog made my day. Kudos !!!!

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    1. Thanks Sumit. I am happy that you liked the post. All the best for the contest

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  7. The story of a Legend in herself – that’s how I will describe it in a short sentence. Very well written with words and pics which enhance the simplicity yet greatness of the Lady. Salutations and very happy for you to have got inspired and bringing out your best in life.

    My answer: Tata is a name which any and every person can rely on for its honesty, commitment and perseverance. Lionel Messi is a legend who has carved his name in history books with total dedication to the game, simple living and improvisation which is seen with each game he plays. The association of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi as their Brand Ambassador will definitely give an edge to the Tata group over its competitors solely because the brand Ambassador also holds the same reputation of not letting his fans down ever, like Tata Motors who have given the best to the world over the decades. Its an exemplary association par excellence.

    You can choose my answer as the Voucher winning comment if you feel I described it all well.. :) Please remember to post it on the Indiblogger contest page today.

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  8. Hi Neela
    Indeed a nicely written post. I wish you good luck for the contest
    Here is my answer
    The association of Tata Motors with Lionel Messi is that of two greats. Lionel Messi has been exceptionally talented who with his hard work, determination and sacrifices has got better and tougher in his chosen sport so is the Image, reputation and quality of TATA Motors that have transformed brilliant ideas into masterpieces of engineering and created a brand and products that we are so proud of as Indians. Lionel Messi has transformed his body and the mind body co-ordination into a masterpiece of precision and excellence it would not be wrong to say that Lionel Messi is the TATA Motors of sports where as TATA Motors is the Lionel Messi of vehicles both giants in their own spheres driven by the drive to excel and lead by example. So Lionel Messi is the best choice for becoming the brand Ambassador for TATA Motors
    aaloke19@gmail.com

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    1. Hey Alok I am not Neela. Will convey your Hi to her. Good luck

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  9. As far I have seen the life and observed that God has made some people to born only for struggling, He gave some happiness but in return He give lots of obstacles and hinder their life with challenges. But yes, along with this , He gave the unbreakable confidence, enthusiasm and spirit to solve those problems. NEELA is one of the God gifted person who born to inspire us with her dedication and positive attitude towards life.

    My answer to your question :
    Tata Motors has earned the goodwill from giving the best and innovative Automobiles and it is also known as one the best Automobile Manufactures. And if you see the Lionel Messi , his throughout dedication, zeal , targeted goal of life and technically soundness make him big, achiever and remarkable position in the world.
    As per me, the association of Tata Motors and Messi is a grand amalgamation of two legendary entities of the world, and their amalgamation will definitely break down the clutters and affect the cut throat competition of Tata Motors. Tata motors will sure get a huge preference by the fans of Messi. This will sure make a record of Tata motors in the world of production or may be the highest selling automobiles.
    Tata motor’s main target is to give an impression on the large amount of crowd and this can be achieved only through the Messi, because the youth generation is crazy for MESSI and this can be smart move and a great achievement for Tata Motors they positioned MESSI as their BRAND AMBASSADOR .
    In the nutshell, Tata Motors , Messi joining hands will definitely give more soundness in technicality of promotional strategies and Messi’s influence will influence the audience for choosing Tata Motors and expand the business drastically.

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  10. Your post describes #madeofgreat so well that it has winner written all over it. Good luck for your entry.
    Here is my answer.
    Like minds think and act alike looking at the track record of TATA Motors it has stood the test of time and built a business that was built using bricks of hard work on a foundation of trust. Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the trademarks of brand TATA Motors. These same qualities are present in Lionel Messi who with his immense talent has made a mark for himself on the international football field .Facing all hardships he has worked hard toiling on the fields and in training sessions facing injuries and pressure to come out trumps and be a winner. Thus these two greats Lionel Messi and TATA Motors are made for each other .There association is a bond of two legends
    In case you pick me a winner my email id is : princess09hema@gmail.com
    Fingers crossed :)

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  11. Your post describes #madeofgreat so well that it has winner written all over it. Good luck for your entry.
    Here is my answer.
    Like minds think and act alike looking at the track record of TATA Motors it has stood the test of time and built a business that was built using bricks of hard work on a foundation of trust. Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the trademarks of brand TATA Motors. These same qualities are present in Lionel Messi who with his immense talent has made a mark for himself on the international football field .Facing all hardships he has worked hard toiling on the fields and in training sessions facing injuries and pressure to come out trumps and be a winner. Thus these two greats Lionel Messi and TATA Motors are made for each other .There association is a bond of two legends
    In case you pick me a winner my email id is : princess09hema@gmail.com
    Fingers crossed :)

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  12. Your post defines #madeofgreat to the hilt. Goodluck for the contest
    My answer is:
    Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the pillars of strength on which TATA have built a brand that has put India on the global map. It is a brand that has stood the test of time just like Lionel Messi who tackles opposition on the field with his skill,agility,strategy,brilliance and raw power to reach and score a goal so has been the track record of TATA motors who has become a brand leader and a global giant. These qualities make TATA Motors and Lionel Messi perfect partners who stand for the same set of values thus Lionel Messi is the perfect brand ambassador to represent TATA Motors.
    Hope my best to be a winner here; do contact me for the prize at mahima2014j@gmail.com
    fingers crossed

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  13. Your post defines #madeofgreat in an awesome manner.Very well written and interesting post indeed.
    My Answer
    Tata Motors is a brand that makes durable vehicles, with its MADE IN INDIA mark makes every Indian proud. It is a brand seen globally as Trusted, Reliable, Innovative and at the forefront of technology. In its journey since inception it has overcome all odds, competition, and adversities with grit and determination. These same qualities are associated with Lionel Messi who was very talented and hardworking from a very early age. With each game that he played he kept improving his skills and built a career to become one of the best player of professional football. There qualities make both TATA Motors and Lionel Messi giants who perfectly compliment each other and Lionel Messi the right and perfect Ambassador who stands for the same values that TATA Motors does.
    bhuwan198grover@gmail.com

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  14. Yours is a very well written post your .Its is a very nice description of #madeofgreat
    TATA Motors is a brand associated with performance, endurance and excellence. These words are also synonymous with Lionel Messi who plays as a forward and weaves his magic on the football field.Just as Lionel Messi is considered the best footballer in the world ,TATA motors which is Indias premier automotive manufacturer gives wheels to the people of India with its wide range of vehicles. Both believe in excelling in whatever they do and set examples for others to follow. They compliment each other as both are reliable trustworthy and leaders thus Lionel Messi is the natural choice as the brand ambassador of TATA Motors
    yagneshbjoshi10099@gmail.com

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  15. This is a wonderful post, all the best to you, i really hope you win :)

    When it comes to impact and impacting millions of lives, we can see both Tata Motors and Lionel Messi being the pioneers here. While the very name Tata is enough to make us go back to all our history books where we have seen there hardly is a comparable name that has contributed so much to the society in such an ethical manner, the very name Messi conjures up images of a boy-man who has turned the world upside down with his talent, determination, discipline and never-give-up spirit. The compatibility between the values they both share is intense and that is the reason this partnership works perfectly.

    With a concern for the society at large,everything that Tata has done has inspired us to dream big, conquer the world and pour all our energy back into the society to do good and inspire good. By facing his demons, Messi has done the same. He enjoys a God-like status in the world today because he dared to dream, achieved the sky and still hasn't lost his humanity a bit. He is still a child at heart and he gives back with his multiple philanthropic activities just like Tata does!

    Talk to any person in India, ask them about the companies they admire the most. Tata is right there at the top. This name is beyond bottomline, spreadsheets, return on investment and share price. It is equivalent to soul of India-soft, kind, diverse, dynamic, eternal. Just like that Messi has emerged as not just another football player but someone whose very life is an inspiration, whose personal struggles are a template for others to emulate and who has morphed into an eternal legend.

    While it would take eons to write about what makes Tata Motors and Messi great, as their list of achievements is too long for us to even skim over, suffice to say that this partnership is for the ages. As they say, some things are made in heaven :)

    Thank you for this opportunity.
    -Richa Shailendra, lovelyricha1@gmail.com

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