Confidence Booster

Santosh Tyagi (l) conducts the tai-chi exercises today

Conducting exercises in the middle is proving to be a big confidence booster for many – particularly those who are shy and reticent by nature. Many of them have led sheltered lives and now, with advancing age, find themselves at a loose end.
“I feel so much better,” Santosh Tyagi said soon after conducting the tai-chi round today. This was the first time in 12 years she was invited to take charge of the exercises. “Thank you very much, everybody.”
Initially though, Santosh panicked and turned beetroot red, refusing to step up when her name was called out.

Khatoon Baig

As she had once mentioned, the fear of being the centre of all attention was working in her mind. “It would feel like 30 pairs of eyes are boring into me,” she explained, knowing well she had developed an acute sense of stage fear. “I realize also that I have to get over this phobia. I got to find my confidence.”
Clearly, the inclination was there, but not the self-assurance. The turning point came last week when she saw Khatoon Baig being goaded to

Razia Khan (middle) brought us chikkis and lozenges from a visit to Pune

conduct the exercises (ref post of April 22) and eventually surviving the session, unscathed. What’s more, she noticed Khatoon to have turned unusually vocal and assertive – indicators of her newfound self-esteem.
Now Khatoon, like Santosh has been painfully shy and used to largely keep to herself. A nagging asthmatic condition aggravated matters. She was gradually losing her voice when it was decided to push her up centre, if that would help conquer her inner demons.
It worked. Khatoon has since been on a song, even rebuking talkative members and once, much to everybody’s surprise, threatened to take Shekhawat to task for being inattentive towards her. She no longer needs to be told but volunteers to conduct the exercises.
Likewise, Santosh has found her place in the sun. Before dispersing today, she offered to conduct the main free-hand exercises tomorrow morning. This, from a person who, not-so-long ago, had threatened to stop coming to the Garden should she be told to step in the middle.
Dilip Babani:
Santosh-ji became new teacher of tai chi.
Siba Prasad Maitra:
Belated Happy Birthday, Gupta-ji and Shekhawat-ji. I missed two important birthday gatherings due personal engagements. But I pray to God to give both of you a long and healthy life ahead. Namaskar!