I am learning Kathak for now about 2 years, still feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to learn. When I see guruji performing the steps effortlessly, I see not just talent but all the years of training. The beauty of classical dance is there is no end to learning, the process of learning goes on. You can never master the art and therefore one can never be bored of it, there is always enough challenge to take on. Whenever a newcomer joins, I can also see the distance I have already covered. This is my first formal training in any art and there is more than just dancing that I am learning. I am also learning to learn. The way guruji admires the process of learning, rather than the packaged presentation is unlike any other previous experiences with teachers. For example in maths and science, you would get marks if your answer is correct. Whereas in art, you get appreciation for the effort you are putting in.If an outsider would attend the classes, they would fail to understand why guruji is praising someone whose steps are still clumsy while not happy with a seemingly graceful presentation. But over the years, sitting in that class, I can see she is appreciating the process of learning.

I am learning that any new thing I try, should go through the same steps, the efforts need to appreciated. The final product will only come after years of genuine effort. If we hurry to reach a presentable product quickly, it may look presentable but mostly its a copy of what has already been done.
I am in the process of forming a society for type 1 diabetes. I am sure there are quite a number of them and lots of other doctors are struggling with exactly the same issues while dealing with type 1 diabetes. It is a challenge to achieve a good glucose control in patients with type 1 diabetes, and the easiest way to look at it is doctors can only advise and educate. It is up to the patients to follow those advises, after all it is their disease and their problem.
People can be helped if they ask for help. It is not a surprise however, that those who need help the most, are least likely to ask for it. One of the main agenda of Saksham is to encourage patients of type 1 diabetes to come out and talk. In a culture where conversing and talking is no more practiced, I realize how difficult this challenge is. I want people to come out with their clumsy unformed thoughts, as clumsy as the first steps of dancing.
I have been trying to do the same on watsapp. I have attempted this in various groups, but was disappointed about the lack of genuineness of most conversations, although the chatter is voluminous. People would rather forward quotes of other people on social media because that is precise, finished product of someone else’s lifelong efforts. They are scared to put forward their own clumsy thoughts. But I would any day appreciate their efforts, rather than a presentation without effort.