Changes in School Curriculum — Kaushal Kishore

Yesterday, Delhi state government launched a ‘patriotic curriculum’ from nursery to class twelve to instill a sense of patriotism through simple activities like a patriotic diary, patriotic meditation, flag day, group discussion etc. The patriotic stories will tell the importance of our freedom struggle to younger generations. The fact is that we now feel patriotism […]

Changes in School Curriculum — Kaushal Kishore

Is she breathing?

Is she breathing?

This anecdote is a continuation of “Pressure rising, a wake-up call and my three angels“.

After that blood-pressure rising episode, the three angels went on to take my pulse and respiration rate. I was pleased that they took my blood -pressure correctly. Looking at them smilingly, I turned to look at my table planner. I reminisced the times when I practiced holding my breath under-water.

They shook their watches several times and glanced at each other. Now, they all bent nearer, peering closely at my chest… scratching their heads.

“Yes, finished?” still holding my breath as much as possible.

“Your pulse rate is 80 per minute, but, but… your respiration rate is only four per minute!”

I laughed softly, “ok, ok, I was just pulling your legs! Now I will breathe normally!” They heaved a sigh of relief, completed their tasks, and got my initial into their log books. Teaching can be fun, too!

cheerful black teacher with diverse schoolkids
Can teaching be fun? [Photo by Katerina Holmes on Pexels.com]

These PNC student-nurses had to learn how to take vital signs among themselves, on their seniors, and then, on their lecturers. Only when they had completed that log, were they allowed to do on the patients in the wards.

Decades later, I don’t remember now who they are, but I enjoyed that life-enlightening morning episode.

Thank you, girls!

Quote:-

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” —Dalai Lama

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault

****

Conspicuous absence

Conspicuous absence

***

Forlornly absent (Photo by Mateusz Dach on Pexels.com)

He used to sit there watching

through the window

Now the chair looks

forlornly empty.

****

Where are the people? (Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com)

Where are the customers?

Are the drivers working from home?

Where are the people on the street?

Emptiness (Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com)

It’s a quantum leap

for online shoppings.

Will the malls be irrelevant?

****

The face that was

white rose on womans face ceramic figurine
The face that was . (Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com)

The face that was,

is one’s identity.

It’s about one’s privacy.

‘Cos linked to one’s face,

are other faces and identities

by relation, by kinship,

especially in mental illnesses, breast cancer, Covid-19, HIV.

“Can it spread ?” “Don’t play with them, their mum works in a hospital!”

Contagion by genes, by marriage, by touch, as society defines.

Health education is an ongoing necessity; a continual challenge.

Chen Song Ping,

31 Dec 2020

A forest to cherish in Tangjung Tuan

Tembusu trees, Tg Tuan, Port Dickson – courtesy of Toh HL

A forest to cherish in Tangjung Tuan

Fortunately, Tanjung Tuan has been gazetted as a forest reserve since 1921 and as a wildlife sanctuary since 1971. We certainly hope this natural beauty would remain as a reserve and sanctuary for eternity for the public as well as for the flora and fauna. During most weekends and public holidays, this small sanctuary is swarmed with hundreds of hikers, a testimony of its attractions.

Sunrise in Tangjung Tuan, Port Dickson – courtesy of TohHL

The breath-taking beauty of the forest, boulders, beaches, cliffs and sea proves irresistible to most of us. Hikers come for exercise. But it’s normal for us to take photos of strange trees, fungi, unique rock formations. Also, on rare occasions we took our poses amongst rock pools and watched whirlpools while hiking.

Note:

This is a post by Toh HL. Coauthor, Toh HL is an avid cameraman. He used to teach physics. It’s much later I discover that he is a good writer too!

Does yelling work?

Does yelling work?

“I always say if you aren’t yelling at your kids, you’re not spending enough time with them.” – Reese Witherspoon

When kids fight… (Photo by Victoria Borodinova on Pexels.com)

“I got it first!”

“No, it’s mine!”

They fought and wrestled!

“Sigh! Do they fight only

when I come back from work?”

****

One late evening, the younger one

stood by the door-grill wondering

why his big bro was not home yet

… from the football field!

****

I found that yelling didn’t work… for them and for me! I would call them to a room and gave each of them a chance to explain. Sometimes a hug each… Usually each would still get a few canes on his palm…

*****

“It’s not easy being a mom. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” – Betty White

****

COVID-19: Desensitizing numbers

COVID-19: Desensitizing numbers

blue and yellow graph on stock market monitor
Numbed by numbers. (Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com)

One case of Covid!

Beware, COVID-19’s here!

Careful, don’t go out!

“***

Going on two years

Covid numbers kept climbing

Up-trend graphics show!

****

More daily numbers

What statistics, what numbers?

The figure’s blurring!

***

SOPs complied,

Yet the number kept rising

Soon, it is numbing.

desensitizing.

Dual perspectives: Bringing hospital care to home.

Dual perspectives: Bringing hospital care to home. (Poem, poetry, Senryū)

crop doctor with stethoscope preparing for surgery in hospital
Photo by RF._.studio on Pexels.com
Changing time beckons 
Hospital versus home care
A time to reflect.

Both venues promise
presence of healthcare workers
and assessment tools.

Certain illnesses can be treated and cared for at home and community. In the light of COVID-19, would home-care be a better option?