Overwhelmed

I was going through my emails a while back and I came across a random mail about sports scholarships. I was about to move on as there's nothing I could I do with a sports scholarship, I suddenly remembered one of Sri Lanka's foremost athlete's. Having had the opportunity to briefly work closely with the country's sportsmen and women I quickly searched to see whether I had his email address. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it. Luckily I had his number with me, so dialed him and explained that I needed his email to send him an email about a sports scholarship.

He was very surprised that I still had his contact number and more so that I would ring him up to give him details about a scholarship! During this conversation I ask him how he is and how his training is going. He said that everything's going well.

He then goes on to tell me something I had completely forgotten about. Without a pause he says 'thanks to you miss. My house is near completion.' For a moment, I forgot what he was talking about. He says he only has to complete the roof and then they can settle in. I was like 'wow! That's awesome! I am so happy for you!' Thereafter he proceeds to thank me for helping him at the initial stage, in getting all the necessary documents in order. I was extremely touched that he was thanking me for an effort so small and that remembered-when I clearly couldn't. Being the incompetent person I am in accepting compliments, I merely brushed him off saying it was nothing.

After hanging up, I had tears in my eyes. I was overwhelmed. I realised I had done something-something good-to get this person and his family a permanent roof over their heads. It was all the more emotional because he remembered.

I am simply speechless and unable to express myself beyond this narration of the incident.

Reconciliation in Sri Lanka

I attended my first Hindu wedding ceremony last weekend after travelling roughly 400km, north to Jaffna. It was my first time in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, where a three decade long war was fought. The feeling in being able to travel to the north and seeing a part of the country I have never seen before was overwhelming. But that is left for another blog post. 

Everyone keeps talking about how so much needs to be done for the people in the North; the people who have come out of living their lives in the conflict zone. I agree there's lots to be done, naturally the area witnessed one of the most devastating wars at the time. I will not  go in to details of what happened during the war etc. 

What I want to cover here is what's going on now; the reconciliation process and the development process. We all know or rather are of the understanding that the Government of Sri Lanka along with other friendly nations and IGOs conducting projects in this region to develop it, from de-mining to developing infrastructure and the road network. This is to give the people there a chance to live a normal life. Leave what these organisations are doing there aside for a moment, there's more we, as citizens of this country can do to promote reconciliation. 

rec·on·cile

  [rek-uhn-sahyl]  verb, rec·on·ciled,rec·on·cil·ing.

verb (used with object)

1.

to cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something not desired: He was reconciled to his fate.

2.

to win over to friendliness; cause to become amicable: to reconcile hostile persons.

3.

to compose or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.).

4.

to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent: to reconcile differing statements; to reconcile accounts.

5.

to reconsecrate (a desecrated church, cemetery, etc.).

I think I've beat about the bush enough. Let me get back to the wedding story. :) So at this wedding-my first Hindu wedding- I learned a lot just by being a guest. 

Seated in our designated seats, my friends and I observed the customary rituals. We were in awe at some of the practices. I have to be honest, we did feel a little self-conscious for the obvious reason that we were the only ones alien there. Alien in the sense that we were sort of foreign; not from the Northern Province or the Tamil ethnicity. My batchmates, lecturers and I were given special treatment. Needless to say this heightened our presence there while making us feel special. 

Another thing that caught my attention was that my friend's family and everyone else who was present there was unsure as to how to respond to us. It was like they were not accustomed to non-Tamils being present at their functions. However, I saw the appreciation in their faces. Appreciation that a group of Sinhalese friends of the groom had traveled to be a part of the couple's special day. I saw understanding. Understanding that Sinhalese and Tamils are not against each other as some times portrayed. I guess this was because majority of the bride's side where diaspora Tamils so they probably had a tainted view of the Sinhalese. I am sure they were trying to wrap their heads around our presence there. 

I felt it was a start on my part-our part- in reconciling. We had giving an important message on this auspicious day and formed a bridge of friendship between the two communities. In my personal capacity, I felt that I had been a part of a major transformation. I believe it is little things like this that can help patch the gap between the two communities. 

My take-a-ways from this experience is that all of us as individuals have a larger role to play in the path to positive peace in this country. I am sure, if we can all play even a small part like this, the memories and the feelings that are generated by the experience will erase any animosity towards the other community. 

I know it wasn't a big thing we did. But having experienced that moment, I felt peace, and complete understanding between the communities is possible. We only have to try a   little harder. :)  

Moving on

Today is the 24th of July, a day which is significant in the history of this country. Many from the older generation and the present younger generation have bitter memories of this specific moment in history. However, my intention isn't to write about this incident. What made me write this post was coming across discussions on Facebook with reference to this particular incident. 

Having said that, it me think that harbouring ill feelings towards people simply because you have had to face bitter moments due to certain events in the history of this country, is just not done; I feel. Having these negative feelings makes one unhappy and bitter. It really doesn't do any good and I was able to see this for myself when I was reading those discussions. It had me thinking. 

It made me realise that people just keep thinking of the past and make themselves unhappy reminiscing these incidents. At the risk of sounding like a cold, unemotional person, I tell you, move on! There's nothing good that's going to come out of thinking of the harrowing incidents of the past. One must learn to put it behind, where it is should stay and move on. Walk towards the future. 

Actions from the past doesn't necessarily define the future. Nothing positive will come out of acting on those bitter memories. One must learn to forgive the past incidents. Don't get me wrong here. I am not saying to forget what happened. Remember it, so that in that remembrance such an incident will not reoccur. 

My take-away for you from this post is:

Remember, sometimes you have to learn to forgive what happened  in the past, if you want to move forward. It's not that you have to forget what happened, just strive to  make peace and create a better not bitter atmosphere for the future. 

Things to do before your 30

I just came across a blog post that spoke of doing things you have always wanted to do, and that too, before you hit 30.[It can be any specific age, really.]

It basically gives a list of 30 possible things one can do, before one hits the big 30. It made me realise, that there are quite a few things that I too would like to do before I hit 30. Looks like I have a head start on this one. :)

So I am going to list a few things here, that I'd love to do before I am 30. I must warn ye, I have been inspired. 

• To travel to all the continents as I love travelling and experiencing different cultures
• Go watch a movie alone [I'm a little meh about going alone.]
• Go on a road trip alone
• Learn a new language/s
• Get more piercings
• Try to get my dream educational accomplishment sorted [I say this at the risk of sounding too ambitious]
• Make a considerable donation to an animal welfare organisation
• Travel the whole of Sri Lanka
• Bungee jump, sky-dive and go on an air balloon
• Have a place for myself and do it up
• Draw the family tree covering both sides of my very large family
• Have a few publications under my name
• Learn to dance, properly :P
• Read more classics & listen to more classical music
• Go to an opera
• Go to an international band concert