Three weeks of total bliss it was. Forgot all worries of
life, forgot my age.. sometimes even forgot I am needed elsewhere too. It was a dream come true.Staying with one’s children is always a blessing and joy. But,
to know that one’s child is grown up
into a super efficient homemaker, is one
eyeopening bliss for any mother and that
exactly was how I felt.Added to that was the joy of staying in Doha—with its
natural beauty, people, fresh food and umpteen good things and above all the
Sea, which took me back to those days of
crazy adolescence when it was a gay abandon of every thing around. Roaming
around with my little one, being pampered by my son in law and daughter brought out the child in me…..receptive of
all care and affection……..
Roaming around, I splashed in the sea waters with my little
one, turning out from 60 to a 6 YEAR OLD
like her, going round in Dhow—a special boat remotely similar to a house boat,
I went into an ultimate trance …again oblivious of my age….The clean
surroundings, thick greenery in a desert land, polite local people ever smiling
and cordial neighbours……….these and much more endeared Doha to my heart. I saluted the people and
governance of a foreign land in my heart…….But……certain things made my heart
weep for my country……..
From the kitchen to the living room of my daughter’s house,
I found mostly things purchased in Doha …but made in India. The simple Lipton
tea, the eastern curry powder( and a variety of spices and condiments packed by
the eastern food products…), table mats, utensils, glass wares spices and much
more were extremely good in quality. The ground and whole spices, tea leaves and even the
ubiquitous roasted rice powder and other raw mixes for indian snacks, turned
out to be a feast to the palate and taste……. That is when my heart wept for my
country and its people. Such variety and high quality of things we have in the
country!!!!!!!!!!!AND… We the people are deprived of all that. We have to spend
extra to purchase the so called” export quality” goods and those too are
nowhere near what I saw in the country I visited. Later I was told that what we
get as ‘’export quality’’ are actually those rejected by the export office ……I
am grieved that the health and well being of its people has no importance to the govt compared to the foreign exchange
it gets for the high quality stuff
exported. Adulterated stuff is destined to our people who have to spend huge sum of money to hospitals and chemists
to treat them after the consumption of the low grade stuff available to
them. Where moveth thou my country……??????????????
What fate awaits the people of this country????????????
As I roamed in the midst of the thick greenery and natural vegetation
of Doha..I wondered to myself how is this
possible in a desert land. I had my answer from my daughter and son in law The
people and government of Doha work to plant vegetation and maintain the
ecological balance and convert the land into a blessed green area. The
surroundings are kept clean by the people who don’t litter or spit in roads and
public places. The cleaning staff and gardeners appointed by the govt perform
their duties diligently and sincerely .Whereas what happens here???????????????
..My heart weeps for you my India…….
