The visible god

I couldn't hold back my tears while reading it. It was a heart wrenching news report on how a young professor allegedly pushed his mother to death because he was "fed up" with her illness. What has the world come to? Why are parents abused, disowned, or killed by their own children (Unless you've been living under a rock, you might have heard of Thalaikoothal or senicide).

"God cannot be everywhere, so he created mothers". Aren’t these words true beyond doubt? Hell yes they are! But humans are the most insane species, they worship the invisible God and abuse or kill the visible. Mother is symbolic to god, universe, happiness and a lot more. Since the day you took root in her womb to the day you opened your eyes to the world, and forever, the only person who continues to shower all the love and affection in her heart is your mother.  Can anyone else do what she does for you? Absolutely not! A mother is the only person who can love and accept you unconditionally. Her love is deep, pure, and genuine. It will remain unchanged forever.  She is patient beyond words and loving beyond measure. She is the only person you can turn yourselves to, at any age and in any situation, and look for boundless love.

Mother is a god’s greatest gift to us. I’ve disagreed with my mom several times, I have argued with her on several occasions, and have questioned her choices many times. But, age and experience brought the realization moms are always right, and the sooner you accept it, the better off you will be. Many a times I was too preoccupied with frivolous and momentary joys when she needed me the most. I feel regret and guilt over all those irresponsible steps. I’m at the fag-end of my thirties but there is one place where I can be a child again, and that’s in front of my mom. I am sure everyone else in this world too feels the same.  My mom means the world to me and not a day goes by that we don’t text or talk to each other. From predicting my exact emotional state of mind to lending me a shoulder to lean on when I need, my mom always makes me believe that the world is still a good place. She is the only person I can pour my heart out to. She has that magical power to turn things around and make me smile even on those worst days.

How can some people heartlessly abandon their mothers, most selfless and loving people on earth, while continuing to lavish love on the rest of the world? How can one commit parricide or matricide? Not a day goes by without hearing bloodcurdling stories of elderly citizens getting abused, mistreated and left to starve, or killed. Why are they considered as marauders of those whom they’ve cared nurtured throughout their lives? From abandoning them in old age homes to committing gruesome acts that put all of humanity to shame, people are simply failing to realize the value and worth of parents.

I’ve been to many old age homes for women and the sordid tales of most inmates are absolutely tear-jerking.  How can one hardheartedly shun and abandon parents to live and die lonely? Despite dealing with all the odds and hardships to bring their children up, most of them are left alone at the dusk of their lives. Why? Because, their children believe their lives get difficult if their parents continue to live with them. I just cannot fathom the reason behind this barbaric thinking. Here is the ironical part – Most of might have prayed to be blessed with children and at their twilight years they’re facing abandonment and loneliness. Let’s remind ourselves that humanity, sensitivity, and emotions are dying the most pitiful death while the world sprints forward to attain more material and momentary pleasures.

Awkwardly candid

A face-to-face conversation is the best way to know a candidate before a decision is made. It helps hiring managers find candidates who excel and stand out, while weeding out the unfit. While it’s justifiable to get a little candid, friendly, and informal to put the candidate at ease, it’s absolutely necessary to draw a borderline and weigh the words carefully. A thoughtless word or the slightest wrong impression will drive a potential candidate away in no time.  Now let me divulge the actual reason behind this rather ambiguous introduction.

With my hopes set high, I attended a job interview last week, but was taken aback when told that “work matters” are mostly discussed outside of normal work hours. Yes, most of us are forced to work crazy hours to pay the bills. But being adamant and insisting obstinately on odd timings at the very first phase of an interview is rudeness and harassment. Soon came the next startling precondition - Upon selected for the position, I will have to relocate to a “suitable” place where I am free to reach late in the night, as late as 12 or 1 AM on most days. That conveyed a very alarming message. More intimidation followed when I was told that employees who ask about work timings will be fired without any reason or notice. Everyone else is staying late, does that mean I should too?  I don't mind going that extra mile and doing those extra works when situations demand. But, why should it be made a day-to-day requisite, despite the fact that commuting alone from an office located at the fag-end of a narrow lane in a hidden corner of the city is far from easy and highly unsafe?

Escalating my scare further, the interviewer narrated how the leading executive of a top agency sleazily told subordinates that it’s absolutely normal to sleep one’s way up the ladder, while reiterating that it will never happen in the firm I visited.  My heart sank and I felt sick to my stomach. The last straw was the inelegant confession that all the employees are free to go beyond protocols and get drunk at official events and parties.

While the rest of the conversation was very engaging and informative, these awkwardly blunt statements left me completely uncomfortable, stressed, and perplexed. I felt uneasy and petrified. Though I am really in need of job, this discomfiting interview session has left me on the fence as to whether I go ahead or go back.

Being cheeky or loudmouthed is acceptable when you are amid friends or family members. But it’s improper and unprofessional while conversing with a candidate. It’s obnoxious and absolutely intrusive. I am well aware that job seekers must be prepared to face that odd ball or strange question that might come into during an interview. However, these seemingly harmless comments are still disturbing me and leaving dents on my hopes. Chances are that the comments could have been random and innocuous. But isn’t that odd to hear them from a stranger? Or, am I thinking too much about the whole incident?