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I am not vaccinated. Why not? Read this, please, and share your thoughts. This is not by choice, of course, for I think getting that shot is both our right and responsibility. So, I am now alone at home, building an army of autobots. Meet the gang leader, Pintu Singh :)

...and a course correction.

Please NOTE: Most of this episode is in Hindi, and the poor audio in places is because of a phone conversation under some seriously difficult network issues! 

MEET Versha Verma, the woman who is caring for those who have lost their lives, livelihoods or loved ones to the #COVID19 #pandemic in #India, providing succour and an invaluable service to the families of the dearly departed. Even though the Coronavirus pandemic in India has given her efforts a whole new dimention, she has been helping those who often cannot help themselves for years now - ever since she was a teenager. She tells me why she does this - especially ferrying bodies of the deceased from their homes, or those who are unclaimed from the streets or police stations, and ferrying them to the crematoriums - even cremating them with the respect and dignity that every human being deserves. She talks about her inspiration, the support of family and strangers alike, as well as the importance of education when it comes to empowering women. 

Hers is a story of courage, seamless service, of breaking taboos and imagined barriers and, above all, of heroism inspired by a simple belief: just do whatever you can for someone else, with the hope that they will pay it forward.

I'm grateful to her for speaking to me, and, especially, for all that she and her team at "Ek Koshish Aisi Bhi" does. If you require any help in, or around an approximately 100 km or so radius of, Lucknow - do reach out to Versha and her team at her number +91 831 819 3805  Also, do reach out to her if you might like to assist her in her efforts by volunteering your time, or in other ways. Thanks for tuning in!  

In an impromptu interview with seven-year-old Miraya, who prominently features in yet another episode on this podcast, I ask her about Corona, why she thinks that it is punishing us like it has been, what this time means to her, how she has learnt to value family and what her advice is to people who are ill or worried about their family in these dark times. This is a child's honest, uncut view and I hope it is taken in the spirit it is intended. You can write in to me with your thoughts on [email protected] or message me on Twitter/ Instagram and Facebook  Happy Listening! 

~ Preeti | @TruthAbtNobody 

This is the third episode in the series, fourth in Season 3 Growing Up Punjabi, and the second part in "Sardaron ke Bachche"... Little Surdy kids in groups can be quite formidable, and scarier than their parents sometimes. Imagine a bunch of them, hopped up on ghee and sugar, at weddings, for example. Or at small-town events like "kuppal" (couple) or "family" kitty parties, and you will be stunned at the shenanigans these children can pull. Tune in to find out! 

FROM THIS EPISODE ON, AND FOR THE NEXT THREE EPISODES, AND FOR EVERY LISTEN TO EPISODES IN THIS SERIES, I WILL MATCH Rs. 100/ listen and donate to a charity helping COVID-19 patients. UPDATES TO FOLLOW after the 3rd part in this series. Please Share/ Subscribe/ Listen/ Reach out if I can help. #ThePodcastPledge

About this episode: Growing up Punjabi - Well Sardaron ke bachche (Sikh kids) are in a league of their own. You’d see what I mean if you look around you - in ads and lines that have been made famous in advertisements and/ or movies by a Surdy or Punjabi kid. I’m here to tell you stories from my childhood in a Surdy-Punjabi household, surrounded by the craziness that only Punjabis can bring to any situation. It’s no wonder all three of us siblings have been labelled “dramebaaz” (melodramatic), with my nearly-seven-year-old niece following merrily in the footsteps of her very Sikh father and Punjabi mother. This is a tribute to all the mad little Surdy bachchas I grew up with! You guys rock.