Tushar was indeed a cute kid . Sparkling eyes with a tinge of mischief , curly hairs and an innocent face this little devil had .
The way he would tilt his neck while saying Bye to his mother ..on his way to school bus ….was the best moment of Shila’s life .And she would live that every day .
Readying tushar for school …. grooming him like a prince …she would thank god …everyday… for giving her such a lovely son .
Shila …his mother was really proud of her son .For mothers love knew no bounds to her only son and Tushar was smart kid @ school too .
This kind of added to the love his parents had for him .Especially to his father , a professor of Physics @ university .
It was kind of ego extension for both of them to have the best kid in the world as their son . Only that they were unaware of it .
Tushar nevertheless got the best love and care a kid would get .He was pampered for all his demands made for cars and game console.
Even for his mischief’s he was handled very gently .
…Except for one thing .
Tushar had a nasty habit of cleaning his nose with his finger .He would put his finger inadvertently in his nose …every now and then .
“But he is only 7 years ” the mother said , “we must not get harsh on him” .Suresh his father was rather adamant of disciplining Tushar of this habit ..”We have given him the best training in this town…how can he do this …?”…he would crib .
“U know Misses Premjis daughter ..that little Shahina ….she still sucks her thumb …..our tushy …oh he must be having some real irritation in his nose ” ..
“Or is this a case of sinus…dunno if kids so small to get it …….may be we should show him to doctor …………or shall I ask him to do anulom-vilom …..is it ok if kids do it …may I should call baba ramdev on the number they show on Aastha …and ask him only … ” “Oh my little tushy …but we must not get harsh on him …its only a small habit …see how well he behaves otherwise ” …
Oh mothers heart ..!! ….shila would go at length to defend her kid ….whenever Suresh will shout @ Tushar for putting his finger in his nose .
But inside her heart ..she felt depressed ..a little . She would love to see her son to be the best in the world . And the harsh words coming from Suresh were also true .
We must groom Tushar to be …a man ..tomorrow he has to compete in the world outside …with the Shahina of premjis …..satyam of the next door rajus …and tony of the ramodurai’s..and may be …some day …the firangis
She was disturbed .Knowing not what to do .The noon passed like this and her angel came back from school . Oh what a bliss it was to see him back from school on time .
And immediately she remembered everything that she thought …through that noon . Tushy just put his finger in his nose .
“Honey …don’t do that … u know it’s a dirty habit ….” She said . Tushy promptly took his finger out .”This would not work ”she thought .”Its just not acceptable ..may be I should do something more sustainable ” shila’s mind started working .Calmly .then she approached Tushar ..embracing him with a firm hug …she told him the pact ….
Tushar would get an extra glass of apple juice for the day he would not put his finger in his nose …and he would not get his favorite bournvita for a day he puts his finger in his nose .
Not that tushar liked apple juice …he rather hated it ..but he would drink it anyway …for the love his mother would give it with .
Oh he did obey his mother …. Shila was happy … it worked … now she could love her some more ….and flaunt it in front of Suresh to …she won …
“See our sonny boy is behaving so well” she said proudly to suresh ..as they were sipping tea on a Sunday morning ..overlooking a Tushar playing …outside …
As luck would have it …then next moment …he put his finger in his nose ….Suresh gave a dry smile ….and shilas heart sank …
“Oh its not working ….he behaves well only inside house …..its not good …….may be …may be I should tell more people to monitor him “ …
With that ….next day …she called his class teacher …and told her to keep a watch ….
And it worked !!….only a month later ….his teacher called and told her the good news ….Tushar ..stopped putting his finger in his nose ….in the class room.
“In the class room ….oh that means outside he does ” …”May be I should tell his friends too …to keep watch on him” …
She started talking to Tushar’s friends……one by one …and lo …its worked ….
Shila was happy …it was working ….her honey kid …is now behaving ….he wouldn’t put his finger ..in his nose ……………………in front of all the people …
But that saddened her a little ……………he would still do it ….when he is with strangers …..”But I cant tell everyone in city ……about him …..it will hurt his self esteem …may be I should do something more sustainable ….”
Only if …there was some facility …………………something like a satellite camera that would follow…tushar …all the day …every where he goes ………
May be if there was some facility ………………something like a mobile speaker that would follow Tushar …….so shila would could control him ..herself …every moment …
Every time …then on…..when Tushar would even lift his finger she would know from the camera…..and then …she could ….shout from the Loud spaker …..
“Please …use handkerchief to clean your nose …………….please …..don’t put you finger in your nose ….”
…oh my sonny boy …you are supposed to be best in the world ….why don’t you understand …………my kid …..” shila went on …disciplining her kid ..
Background :
There is this footpath that’s been build recently at my work place . Its a tiny little path on both side of roads inside our campus . We are supposed to walk on it .
The problem is we are supposed to walk ONLY on it ….Tch Tch … it didnt work …
and finally one fine day there were sicurity guards deployed on the walkways … they wud guide us with whistles to walk on the footpaths…..Tch Tch …it dint work too …
and then one fine day …..These guards were given loud speakers …and they would shout from it …asking us to walk on the FP … Only on the FP .
The story was prompted based on this occurance but none from my workplace related to it ..
PS : With rainy seasons the loud speakers are silent ..and I hope this is forever ..