Had an interesting weekend.
On Saturday, we were invited to an Interactive Session at one of the schools we have applied for the admission of the little one.
Along with the other parents scheduled for this 11.00 pm interactivity, we were taken to the school's auditorium.
The auditorium had chairs arranged in six semi-circles. Based on some magic formula (which I couldn't crack, obviously), we were made to sit in one of those semi-circles.
In front of us was the big stage and I was worried they may ask the parents to debate Modern parents and schooling or How schools shape societies or some such topic. I have always been crap at debating, but a failure here could affect the future of my child.
But then again, they could ask parents to sing or dance or come up with an interesting or convincing act. You know, a show like This Dad's Got Talent or Mum's X Factor.
Fortunately neither happened. The parents were taken to different rooms (based on the semi-circle they were sitting in) with tiny chairs and tables.
The task was answering the following questions. What do you think about reading to children and why? What value would you like the child to learn at school? What do you do at home to teach child responsibility? List your child's hobbies. What made you choose School X for your child?
There was no time-frame, but you clearly had 30 minutes or so - considering that the interactivity sessions were scheduled every hour and it would take 10 minutes either side of a session. So I got to it straightaway.
Soon, we were joined by a young Ma'am who had the responsibility to verify our documents. It didn't matter that she didn't know the difference between an original and the photocopy. She was the one holding an important document and the pen to mark on it. A few ticks on a sheet and she was off.
Another Ma'am joined soonafter, this time to find out about our little one. A quick pitch and some pleasant smiles later, she had moved too. All around us, we could hear parents talking about their child being "musical" or "creative" or "talented". No one was saying "my child watches TV the whole time and I would be glad to have him out of the house as soon as possible". Or that "I hope you are impressed with my answers. I am a bit nervous about that look".
Anyway, that was too much of distraction. I focused on the task at hand - writing a tome about a creative and talented child, who loves reading and is taught responsibility through small tasks and would benefit if the school taught her the virtues of hard work and empathy.
I didn't have any more original thoughts to share, so handed over my worksheet and walked out of the school - hoping and praying that I hadn't let down my little one.
On Sunday, we had planned to take a friend to see Old Delhi and Jama Masjid. The friend was visiting from London and we wanted her to see as much of Delhi as possible.
Though the day was grim - foggy, grey and cold (like winter in South-East England) - we decide to stick to the plan.
With Delhi preparing for the Republic Day, there were too many cops on the road. Something I hadn't noticed during my auto-rickshaw rides during weekdays, but was quite conscious of while driving myself. Most roads leading to the President's House to India Gate stretch were closed too for the practice of Republic Day parade.
Thankfully, the roads were empty and we were in Rajiv Chowk (known better as Connaught Place) soon. A trip in Delhi Metro was also part of the plan, and it is always a more sensible (and less stressful) way to get to Old Delhi.
Even though it was almost midday, Old Delhi hadn't woken up. Most shops had their shutters down. Some people were getting groomed or having a bath by the street-side. Some were burning plastic bags or papers to keep themselves warm. Some others were waiting outside food stalls to eat freshly-prepared poori-subzi.
Jama Masjid had closed for prayers by the time we reached it. So, a decision was taken to go to Karim's and have our lunch first. For those who don't know, Karim's is nearly a century old in existence and many centuries old in terms of the cuisine it offers. Time magazine has even rated it as among the top restaurants of Asia.
We ordered Chicken Burra, Mutton Korma, Chicken Jehagiri, Seekh Kabab and three different types of breads - Sheermal, Naan and Roomali Roti. All of it was yummy and we probably overate ;-)
Jama Masjid was, as usual, majestic. We have been there countless times and it never ceases to impress me. Its three domes and two minarets are beautiful and the courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. On a regular day like Sunday, though, the only permanent occupants of the courtyard are hundreds of pigeons.
The only thing that stood out was foreigners clad in strange, multi-coloured and ill-fitting gowns. It dawned later that the people manning a particular gate use it as an easy way of making money. Even though the women tourists are covered appropriately, they are told it is mandatory to wear the gowns before entering the mosque. The charge of "borrowing" one is 200 INR (£3) or more.
I walked up to one of those guys to protest that this wasn't right. You are making a fool of someone who is respecting your culture and sentiments. The mute guy was very angry with me, threatening to cut off my neck and asking me to leave the mosque. I knew he had no right to do, but it didn't sensible to pick up a fight.
The cops of duty down the stairs seem aware of this racket. They are the Imam's (Grand Priest) men. Have you seen the mosque? You can go in through one of the other gates.
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