Turning to a new page of experiences
There was a time in life when I felt the firsts were over. The first day at school, the first outing with friends, the first time I wore a saree, the first day of college, and all the firsts that came with marriage and children. Then I read somewhere that we must keep doing new things that add zest to life. In our younger days, they keep us alert, while in our golden years, where I am now, they make life interesting.
“Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing,” Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde once wrote. That suggestion resonated with my core; so I try to add atypical and unconventional things to my page of experiences.
This pandemic and the lockdown was a first I could never have envisaged, even in my wildest dreams. As we settled into a domesticated, family-together time, doing household chores, I started looking for a new activity in this never before scenario.
I had come to Punjab after my wedding. Though I could speak Punjabi, I couldn’t read or write the language. Since long, I had the urge to learn the dialect, at least enough to be able to read notices and instructions on boards. The desire languished in my mind, aging like the wine in the cellars till the now ripe, almost old age.
So I decided to learn to read and write Gurmukhi during these ‘stay safe, stay home’ days. With the advent of the internet, whatever we wish to do has become doable and easy. I googled to lessons in Punjabi for beginners and was delighted to see the alphabets open up before me with reassuring words: Learn Punjabi in 10 minutes. Great! I could visualise myself reading the signs as the car whisked past.
I guess I’m gullible and believe whatever I’m told till proven otherwise. After 10 minutes, all I could remember was eight letters.
I wondered if age makes retention difficult or if I did not have the aptitude for it. I silently prayed for perseverance and kept at it. The doubts started to creep in, my self-esteem was shaking. Was it worth it? Then, I came across a quote, “You should never regret anything in life. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.”
Like a friend offered, it said 10 minutes but for how many days has not been specified. After 60 days of learning, I was able to read the headlines. I practised with the quotations in Punjabi which my husband very conscientiously kept forwarding me. When I tell someone about it, the expression of confused askance clearly indicates how unimpressed they are but who cares! I am proud of myself and feel exuberant at my achievement.
In every situation, there are lessons to be learnt. For me, this could not get more literal. Now I’m waiting for healthier days to come for I need to test my ability. I’m sure I will be able to read the words, slowly but definitely.
I GOOGLED TO LESSONS IN PUNJABI AND WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE ALPHABETS OPEN UP WITH REASSURING WORDS: LEARN PUNJABI IN 10 MINUTES