Swetha Banda

When I tell people that I teach in an elementary school, people react either with shock or pity. It looks like I have chosen this path because I dont want to take up a serious career or that I couldn't get a better job. Most people don't believe when I say that I really enjoy it and want to be a teacher by choice. And what's worse is that it looks like I have wasted my qualifications by choosing to teach. All this, because teaching as a career does not seem as lucrative as the other professions, although the amount of work one puts in is by no means less. As the economy improves and job prospects increase and people turn their attention towards professions that pay more, seem high profile, and command more respect. Infact, there is such a shortage of good quality teachers in our country that we almost have no role models in the teaching profession to look up to. It is a sad stae of affairs and it proves that for all our lip service about improving and giving the b...

At lunch with a friend this afternoon, we were talking about how in hindsight all our experiences seemed perfect and worthwhile. While, during the said period, it seemed like everyone was miserable and unhappy. I recall a similar experience. In 2010, I lived for a year in Durham, UK doing my Masters. I remember my time there as we remember most of our travels – thrilling and happy, everything new and strange. This is funny, since, if I think back honestly, while I was actually there I did not feel “happy”. In fact, I cribbed incessantly about the loneliness, the cold weather and the long distance relationship with my husband. I was miserable through out the summer I spent in Durham. Although, arguably when I think back one it, it was one of my happiest summers. Some of the happiest memories of my life are of playing badminton at all odd hours of the day or night with my friends, eating a pizza and chatting with my friends about our lives. Even though this whole time I was mis...

Someone once asked me what I would want if I were granted a wish. I replied that I would ask for an elder sister. When my mother was expecting a second baby, I was 6 years old. I distinctly remember saying that I wanted a sister and that I had already decided a name for her. Well, my brother was born and I couldn't give him the name I had thought of. I do love having a brother and we have had really good times. But somewhere at the back of my mind, I still wish I had a sister too. While growing up, I saw friends who have sisters and they wanted to kill each other all the time. They fought over everything and they were as different as chalk and cheese. But as we all grew up, somehow the sisters got closer and their relationships matured. The same siblings who couldn't stand to be around each other, now talk to each other everyday, even if they are on different continents. I have grown up watching my mother and her sister talk to each other about everything in their lives an...

Growing up having a large extended family meant attending atleast one wedding every summer. My mother's side of the family is especially big and I got to attend quite a few weddings. South Indian weddings are very unique in the sense that they are about everything other than the bride and the groom. Typically, you'd find the bride and groom sitting clueless on a pedestal surrounded by the several pundits, all the aged grand parents, several aunts and some cousins. Added to this crowd, there is a photographer from both sides. Let's not forget the noisy kids running around on the Mandap  playing tag and catch. I was once at a wedding of a friend whose South American friend seated next to me pointed out to me how normal everyone thought it was that the bride and groom were talking over the mobile phone while the wedding ceremony was taking place. I was suddenly struck by how little the bride and the grooms involvement in the ceremony really seemed to be. On a lighter note, ...

At one point in life I wanted to be a talk show host. Especially on a news channel. During my Masters programme in Durham University, my dream came partly true. We had a very interesting assignment in one of our courses- aptly called "Innovation and Technology Management" where we had to make and post a video on a particular topic. After much discussion, trial and errors, we finally settled on doing the assignment in a Talk show style and I was very glad to have played the part of the talk show host. Here's the link to the assignment and I have to say, we had a ball during this assignment. Watch the last 3 minutes of the 2nd video if you want to watch just the fun parts. The rest is kinda technical. 

Although I am still a few months away from hitting the big 30, there are clear signs that I am getting old. For instance, you could take my daily routine. (Now, which youngster would you say, has a 'daily routine'?) Anyway, this is how my typical weekday looks like. My day starts with a hot cup of coffee while reading the newspaper, and mind you, I cant function without this first dose of caffeine. Then a simple breakfast, work and then I get back home to a relaxing evening (which includes another cuppa), watch TV, read a book and hit the bed by about 10.30, while I dreamily imagine the aroma of my morning coffee. A weekend includes a quiet dinner with friends and a visit to my parents. Throw in a movie, and the weekend feels rushed. No long drive in the crazy, chaotic traffic to the cooler side of town to eat in at a fancy continental restaurant. I'd rather have a simple meal at a local 'Sagar' type of joint. And whats really bothering me is that I am finally beg...

Growing up in the 1990's in Bangalore  before cable TV had encroached upon our lives and the internet was still a thing of the future meant growing up with books. Especially, if your sibling was 6 years younger there was only one thing to do during the vacations in summer when you weren't with friends - read. The first book I owned and treasured was a second hand collection of short stories written by Enid Blyton. How I loved that book! I read and re-read every story in that book until I could tell them by memory. By the age of 9, I started off on the adventures of the Secret Seven and the Famous Five. Enid Blyton was easily the biggest influence of my childhood. I dream't of having my own adventure club and living in the English countryside with its rolling hills and gentle moors and having an outlandishly romantic name like Jane. I even had the name of my adventure series ready - it was to be called The Fabulous Four. As with other convent educated children, English...