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maxiMum caught up with Jeet Rajinder
Singh, author of Twinkle
Twinkle Nike Tare, grandmom, mom, teacher and…always,
a wife. As told to maxiMum: |
Who is Jeet?
Grandmother,
mother, woman…. And if I'm perfectly honest, I will always be my
husband's wife. I never feel he's not here - all these years and
it seems he's always around, in the room, at the party, with our
friends, with the family. Being his wife is the happiest thing -
it's me - and it doesn't prevent me from being anything else.
(And if you think this woman has submerged her identity
as wife, think again. Wife is her happiest identity.
She has many more - each more creative and loving than
the other)
What
does Jeet, the teacher, the professional wish to share with a younger
generation?
I
have worked for 40 years with a couple of gap years. It wasn't work
like you think of work - I just loved what I did. I loved the kids,
my colleagues, the school, the staff - it was second home. Even
now after I've retired they all come to me with their problems and
their happiness. As a working woman, you just need to be very organized
- at home and at work. And if you're organized, you'll be happy,
your family will be happy, and you'll be so good at what you do.
You can't say I'm working and can't do this or that. You have to
find a way to do it - or a very good alternative.
How did Twinkle Twinkle Nike Tare come about?
I was in London on vacation
two years ago and my niece's little 3 year old was asked to perform
a poem for me. And this cute round fair dumpling with curls, who
speaks accented English, started off with 'manu rani, manu rani,
kithe gayi si?.." , Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where have you been, in
wonderful Punjabi. I was transfixed. She must have been taught this
by a Punjabi teacher at school. I couldn't get over it. On the way
back to where I was staying, right there in the taxi, I translated
two poems in my head. That started it. They just poured out. I didn't
have to look up a book - I remembered all the nursery rhymes. I'd
forgotten my Punjabi, but slowly the phrases came back. It's been
effortless, even the rhyming. It's not a translation - I've used
Punjabi ways of saying the same thing. And while I think English
nursery rhymes have a bit of a dark side, my Punjabi versions are
fun. I would get inspirations - my grandson with his thick locks
of hair and a temper tantrum triggered off the version of 'There
was a little girl/ who had a little curl'.
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What do you do - now that you are retired and kids and
grandkids are so busy?
(Jeet's grand-daughter will be married by the end of the year,
and her grandsons are in college)
I am loving this freedom and time.
I've met up with all the people I didn't have time to meet while
I was working. I've started a Koffee with Koko (friends
and family call her Koko)
morning once a fortnight - and you
have to make one innovative dish if its in your own house - enough
of getting things from outside, lets revive our interest in cooking
delicacies; then I have a neighbourhood group of women - mothers,
daughters, mothers-in-laws, daughters-in-laws - who meet once
a month at least - the oldest is 94, the youngest 30 years old!
You have to know and engage with your neighbours. A lunch group
goes out once a month to an exciting place. I just don't feel
guilty about not working - I've worked for 40 years now.
She does much else. I can see magazines and books. Her television
is right there in front of her. A 50 year old sewing machine in
pristine condition is well-used. To meet Jeet at her house is to
be sure of excellent tea or coffee served elegantly and something
marvelous to eat - regardless of time of day. She's a gracious hostess,
perfectly groomed, and full of love. Her room is a little haven
of her own, different from the rest of the house, and open to all
ages and any strays - people or animals. This is a woman of substance.
Twinkle
Twinkle Nike Tare is also available at the
maxiMum store co. The poems are in Roman English and
Punjabi script. And if you want Jeet to do a special
reading for kids, call us and we'll request her. Chances
are, her answer will be "Of course! I would love to".
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