A need or Status Quo
Posted 25th July 2008 at 11:31 AM by malspie
INVERTER - A Need or Status Quo!
It was June – September of 2007 with heavy load shedding with no proper time or duration in the city due to torrential monsoon showers. A satellite city and such load shed! Well, folks the whole of Maharasthra is suffering with load shedding – villages for more than 16 hours! All blame was shifted to the Government and its capabilities of taking the state to the dogs.
It was me with myself in the year 2007 as my full time maid has also parted from me (she was terminally ill and was advised bed rest). The erratic power cuts would make my life miserable, a tired day at office and load shedding in the evenings with no option but to cook in the dark with a candle burning quietly in the corner. A torch in the purse became a must to climb stairs to my home (thank stars the company vehicle drops me at the gate). There were times when the power would get cut off at midnight leaving me tossing and turning on bed, sometimes after a good dinner when I am planning to do something creative, I was left with an option of chewing my thumb in the dark. I would hesitate to switch on to my FM on mobile saving the battery. The discussion of getting a chargeable light was in the offing but I wanted to go for the INVERTER.
My next door neighbour was a proud owner of ‘Inverter’. It added to their status in the society! But the moment they hear any footsteps on the stairs, they would close the main door so that person on the stairs does not enjoy the illumination of the passage from the light of their house. I was not aware of their inverter and foolishly ran to them asking why there is power in their house and not mine. I was worried as I had already switched on to my night wear and had to immediately call the electrician!
This year I did not want to take chance and got an INVERTER for myself ignoring the call of the Govt that Navi Mumbai and Thane would be spared of load shedding. May be I also joined the bandwagon of rich people owning one!
Fortune Cookie was in my favour as my neighbours inverter went for a toss (due to overloading) and it remained PUT for more than a month. The children would get very upset and it touched my heart. Whenever there was load shedding in the evening, I would ask them to join me for dinner and watch TV programs too , I would keep my door open so that there is enough light in the passage of the floor for people to move about.
I always follow my inner voice which keeps saying - when you see someone in trouble, approach them and give a helping hand, do not wait for the person to reach you, Everyone is not the same, some may feel shy, some may hesitate, some may daringly ask for help, each person is different. It is our duty to go forward and pull them out.
My neighbours are filthy rich and have more than 4 to 5 properties in Mumbai at prime places that includes commercial and residential too. They always boast about their financial stability. Wonder, why they could not buy a spare battery? Folks, they are good at heart and I am the only person who shares a very cordial relationship with them as I have the habit of taking the good qualities of a person and ignoring the negativities in them until and unless they try to create hindrance in my life.
May be at times, one forgets what we have is not for pride but to share!
Hope they have learnt a lesson and will not shut the door – moment they hear any footstep and laugh at people who sit in the dark. Did I tell you, the wealthy man was standing at my door the other day asking if he could run the mixer at my place, he ignored my warnings (my inverter cannot take the load of mixer and geyser) and went ahead! God! My fellow tripped! He went laughing back home saying “Mals inverter is new and from a reputed brand, but the battery is down so soon”. I did not correct him sweets, but quietly got on my stool and reset the battery! Later told his wife that it has got auto-cut off facility if it is overloaded! Howzaat!!
It was June – September of 2007 with heavy load shedding with no proper time or duration in the city due to torrential monsoon showers. A satellite city and such load shed! Well, folks the whole of Maharasthra is suffering with load shedding – villages for more than 16 hours! All blame was shifted to the Government and its capabilities of taking the state to the dogs.
It was me with myself in the year 2007 as my full time maid has also parted from me (she was terminally ill and was advised bed rest). The erratic power cuts would make my life miserable, a tired day at office and load shedding in the evenings with no option but to cook in the dark with a candle burning quietly in the corner. A torch in the purse became a must to climb stairs to my home (thank stars the company vehicle drops me at the gate). There were times when the power would get cut off at midnight leaving me tossing and turning on bed, sometimes after a good dinner when I am planning to do something creative, I was left with an option of chewing my thumb in the dark. I would hesitate to switch on to my FM on mobile saving the battery. The discussion of getting a chargeable light was in the offing but I wanted to go for the INVERTER.
My next door neighbour was a proud owner of ‘Inverter’. It added to their status in the society! But the moment they hear any footsteps on the stairs, they would close the main door so that person on the stairs does not enjoy the illumination of the passage from the light of their house. I was not aware of their inverter and foolishly ran to them asking why there is power in their house and not mine. I was worried as I had already switched on to my night wear and had to immediately call the electrician!
This year I did not want to take chance and got an INVERTER for myself ignoring the call of the Govt that Navi Mumbai and Thane would be spared of load shedding. May be I also joined the bandwagon of rich people owning one!
Fortune Cookie was in my favour as my neighbours inverter went for a toss (due to overloading) and it remained PUT for more than a month. The children would get very upset and it touched my heart. Whenever there was load shedding in the evening, I would ask them to join me for dinner and watch TV programs too , I would keep my door open so that there is enough light in the passage of the floor for people to move about.
I always follow my inner voice which keeps saying - when you see someone in trouble, approach them and give a helping hand, do not wait for the person to reach you, Everyone is not the same, some may feel shy, some may hesitate, some may daringly ask for help, each person is different. It is our duty to go forward and pull them out.
My neighbours are filthy rich and have more than 4 to 5 properties in Mumbai at prime places that includes commercial and residential too. They always boast about their financial stability. Wonder, why they could not buy a spare battery? Folks, they are good at heart and I am the only person who shares a very cordial relationship with them as I have the habit of taking the good qualities of a person and ignoring the negativities in them until and unless they try to create hindrance in my life.
May be at times, one forgets what we have is not for pride but to share!
Hope they have learnt a lesson and will not shut the door – moment they hear any footstep and laugh at people who sit in the dark. Did I tell you, the wealthy man was standing at my door the other day asking if he could run the mixer at my place, he ignored my warnings (my inverter cannot take the load of mixer and geyser) and went ahead! God! My fellow tripped! He went laughing back home saying “Mals inverter is new and from a reputed brand, but the battery is down so soon”. I did not correct him sweets, but quietly got on my stool and reset the battery! Later told his wife that it has got auto-cut off facility if it is overloaded! Howzaat!!
Total Comments 17
Comments
 |  Dear Mals, Enjoyed reading your words, well written with beautiful imagination.It is too good. I liked it very much. I could not imagine to do like this - " My next door neighbour was a proud owner of ‘Inverter’. It added to their status in the society! But the moment they hear any footsteps on the stairs, they would close the main door so that person on the stairs does not enjoy the illumination of the passage from the light of their house." What a punch you have given them !! Good shot, straight for a six!!! I am very happy for you. |
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| |  Dear Mals, What a wonderful piece! True, in the peak of summer load-shedding, everyone looks with envy at the one who has the all-powerful inverter! You did absolutely right, to not hold their selfish behaviour against their kids, and yet making sure they do not inconvenience you! To quote Khalil Gibran, "It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding." You have just exemplified what the poet wanted good people to do!! Cheers to you, Sowmya |
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| |  Hilarious and thought provoking !Hi Mals, Really a wonderful write up ! Makes ones delve deep and analyse their actions. Is it really worth for us to enjoy something when others are deprived of it? Shows that you are really a generous human being Mals...keep it up ! Couldn't control my laughter at the end when one of the neighbors came with his mixer...ultimate !! :) This reminds me of the "inverter" that my inlaws have in Chennai (it has become very common nowadays there) because of incessant powercuts ! They can have fan and tv in one room (no AC, grinding, switching on motor etc at this time). It is really distressing especially in the peak summer ! Last, I heard, they are having mandatory powercuts for the past 10days...!! Seems like it is the same in other states too !! Keep blogging.. Cheers Krithika |
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| |  Mals honey You have written so well.. for me its like someone struggling with thirst and finds water served .. such a pleasant trip.. i remember having this inverter too.. definetly a big help sometimes.. BTW why bother about the odd behaviour of others.. thats not our path my friend. Remember the road less travelled? With love:) |
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| |  Mals, This shows your nature in helping others.. Rightly pointed out that some time we forget to share the ones we have... sriniketan |
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| |  Hi Gowri66, Hey are you a cricket fan! Lets shake hands first then! It just occured at the spur of the moment. Yes, they would shut the door, moment they hear footsteps! Oh, the attitude they had just for owning a gadget, none of my other neigbours in the building speak to them. Well, they are not so bad, but have pride of money. At every step they try to exhibit the power of it. Thanks Gowri for being here. The ball has gone for a six and its time to dance! |
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| | Hi Sowmya, Firstly, let me say, I like your name very much. I could not see the kids sit in the dark - minus the luxury they are used to. I hope they have learnt a lesson and are more kind and caring towrards the less privileged. Thanks a ton dearie, for stepping in with such lovable quote. It was a pleasure interacting with you here. |
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| | Dear Sri, God has given us things and is watching what are we doing with it. Sharing makes my heart happy, it is in my nature. Thanks a ton Sri, for patiently going through all my blogs and writing in. |
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| | Hi Krithika, Maharashtra has suffered and is still suffering with major load shedding. Now with the rain god being unkind, the govt. has announced 18 hours power cut for villages, 6 hours for cities, 12 hours for industrial belts and 10 hours for small suberbs. My neighbours inverter is back in action, thank God! Happy blogging with you Krithika! |
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| | Ac dearie, Wow! to read your posts is like interacting with you directly sweetie. Common, you thirsty, then me ready with a pitcher dals! I wanted to reflect the behaviour of few people on this earth and it is worth watching human behaviour - my subject is Human Resources and it is my bread and butter, I have to study the nature of the person and observe him minutely to understand what he is not trying to say! Recruitment, factory grievances, leave notes, late comings, increment all comes under my segment and I have to be close with human mind. Ha ha... |
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| | Dear Mals, As you have correctly said, I love cricket. Now, I join hands with you for a dance. I liked your comments, words and the soft humour .... admiring your words. Keep it up !! |
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| |  Dear Mals, Your write up had me smiling...first at the your description of neighbour's attitude and then smiled with pride of having such a friendly, kind hearted friend...who takes only the virtues from the people around her..Hat off to you Mals... I am sure...they have a lot to learn from you that things like invertors are now a necessity and not just status symbol...and when you share what you have...you gain double the joy that you ever experienced.. |
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| |  Hi ! Malsy, Lovely and lively piece! Great reading about all the INVERTER Dramas ......a la the rich neighbours!! All through your write up you shone like a glorious angel offering them assistance in their hour of need ...even letting their kids come over to your place to watch TV and dine.At first when I read that part I was fuming thinking those creatures didn't deserve the kindness you showed them as they had shut their doors to all not sharing their light . But Malsy , generous soul that you are, you shared your light with them ......that was a beautiful gesture....hope those kids at least will learn from your kind deed ....though it doesn't seem they have good parents to lead them on the right path of life.Being so good hearted you knew the value of sharing with others ....it is very true that sharing good things will multiply our happiness a million fold. love, PAULINA |
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| | This topic is closer to your previous blog - Imitating Parents. Do you think the kids have picked up any good lesson from their parents gesture of closing doors to prevent the light of their house falling on the passage. It means they are injecting the thought that they are rich and capable and others are poor. If the kids are too small, they may forget this incident, and if they are big enough, thank the parents for preparing a unkind, uncouth next generation. You have showed a "Gandhian Example" to them. I have little doubts that they have picked any, such people never change. The tail of the dog is always bent inwards is the best saying that goes with them. Good write up and I take it to the FP of the month. |
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| | Dear Saras, Most them of the people think, I need full attention and adulation coz I have money and status. Now this neighbour were throwing attitude for owning an 'Inverter', When I bought one, she immediately told me "Ha, now a days inverter is there in all houses, it has become a necessity'. Now Howzaat. Thanks for enjoying the blog. |
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| | Pauli Dearest, I have always been like this from childhood and have taken bricks from my parents for my nature. I believe in teaching people a good lesson in a milder way, some learn and some ignore. It does not matter to me. Wonderful to see you here. Bye Take Care |
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| | I wanted to teach them, that owning things does not make you rich, it is by sharing your things you become rich.Sharing not for name, fame and power, share it quietly and walk away without any pomp attached to it. The moment you attach pomp to it, you are asking for fame and name. Hope they have understood the lesson. |
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