Who am I ? A human first...
We have recently been into some social work, though I don't like putting it forward as "work". We have really mixed in with these three young sisters, who we teach with so much passion and hope.
These three have taught me how to shake it off and LIVE when things are not in favor; smile everyday like never before; challenge the people who think you are less and walk with dignity wherever you go.
The three of them always greet me every morning with a pleasant "Good morning, Didi (sister)" which by magic, drives away all my stress and makes the start of my day all the more cheery.
Two days ago, we celebrated the birthday on one of these girls. We did cake cutting, put on some music and had a mighty energetic dance followed by a tired bunch of us. French fries, juices, pizzas, etc had really satiated our hunger.
After few days, when I asked the eldest one what she wanted to become when she grows up, the reply was touching. It left me pondering.
She said, "I want to be like Ma'am (My Mom). Yes! I want to become a teacher. She has taught us passionately and taken so much pain and effort to get us admitted in a school. I have full gratitude for her and that being inspired by her; when I grow up, I would like to help others the way she helped us..."
Analyzing the reply, I realized that how one humanitarian act leads to another; how one moral value inculcated in a person leads to virtue and optimism in and around; how a leader can actually inspire and influence the world...
The world really needs good people who can lead; lead to a greater, habitable and morally invincible society...Let's try to be one.
The star that will shine to infinity and beyond...
I looked out of the window
The sky always made me smile
I grew up admiring the luminescence of the stars; the sobriety of the moon
The gravity of the moon attracted me; and the twinkling of the stars...
As if called me to a new and curious realm
Still undiscovered, still unexplored
My life was up there
As I wanted to touch the glittering sky...
It was not that easy
The workout was herculean
100 push-ups; 100 crunches; 100 sit-ups
And a 100 degree-s of qualification
is not enough
It requires confidence, courage and self-motivation
Of which all I was still lacking
So I closed my eyes;
Searched my heart
And finally found the brighter side...
I remember the pats on my back
when I completed my first task at NASA
And of course, the conventional remarks of society
which tried to pull back a star
rising and shooting with aspirations.
So, I pulled forward, pulled and pulled
And broke myself of the chains
that held me in bondage.
Now, here I am
Standing at the base of a space shuttle
Which reads, "COLUMBIA"
Wearing a bulky and bright orange space suit
Smiling at the cameras
And making headlines before I
finally touch the sky...
First woman of Indian origin,
Kalpana Chawla, I am
to live my dreams
and
finally touch the sky...
People who ask me, why I shine
To them I answer
That, I glow because the desire to achieve kindles determination in me...
Yes! It's the desire and potential that we, hold within us
That can make us reach tremendous heights
It requires a little spark of empowerment
And you will be left wondering
about what we can achieve.
Clouds came in my life
with rain and thunder then;
now they add hues to my sky
of hope and happiness...
I stepped into the metal container
And saw a dream come true
Of a million small girls
Who dreamt like me
I realized I was a star.
And with my own light
I was illuminating the path
Of a million small girls
Who dreamt like me...
About the author: Prerna Mittal is a sixteen-year-old from India. She’s the winner of city awards of “Student of the Year 2018-19” and won third prize in “Vedic Wisdom Contest 2018”. She’s a voracious reader, passionate writer and a blogger. Her works are highly influenced by nature, philosophy and the desire to bring change. Aside from writing, she enjoys making portraits and sketches. This is her first online publication by a world renowned literary journal.
