It's been hot and sunny all day. And humid. Right now it seems unbearable indoors. But I know the evening is going to be pleasant. So I'm managing to survive. Everything is quiet. Suman has gone to meet his wife. Bhola and Khagen have gone to gone to Devdand. Bansi is probably in his room -- I haven't seen him since lunch. And Nilambar is not back. The dogs are sleeping. They don't have energy to run around. The trees are drooping. Everything is waiting for the sun to go down. There is a breeze once in a while and it helps to dry up the perspiration.

Yesterday was a routine day. Bhola had gone to Godda after filling in at school for Nilambar. He came back in the evening. In the meanwhile, the others went about their usual business. Khagen and Bansi put some sand on the wet patches on the path in front of the classrooms.


I don't think this photo does justice to the beauty of this sunrise. When the sun rose this morning I was looking forward to a nice, cool and perhaps cloudy day. But as the day progressed, it became obvious that there would be definitely be no rain today. It got hotter and hotter as the sun climbed higher and higher. And humid, to boot. For once my batteries are charging. But I'm feeling discharged!


No village visit. But Fanka from Roldih came to see me about borrowing some money to buy tin sheets. I told him I couldn't lend him money. But if it was roofing sheets he needed, then he should call a meeting of the villagers and we would work out a way. He said he needed the sheets right away and hence wanted to borrow the money. I asked him to come back later and meanwhile I would arrange for some shopkeeper in Devdand to give him credit for a few days. I also told him there's work to be done around the project and if he could come and work I would pay him. He didn't come back. It's obvious he was trying his luck.


Today too, it was school as usual except that I suddenly noticed that Kartik had spots all over his body. I asked him what it was. He said nothing. The others informed me that he has chicken pox! In fact, everyone on the project except me knew that he had chiken pox. And because they saw that I was not bothered about it, they too kept quiet! Of course, I sent him home immediately. He was reluctant to go and so I had to gently explain to him that he needs rest and that being out in the heat and the sun would make things worse for him. Also, I explained he had to behave responsibly. There are many other children in school without proper vaccination. They could get chicken pox too. It would not be fair on them. I hope it's not too late. He and his classmates sit rather close in computer class -- literally rubbing shoulders. I am praying that my lack of observation is not going to lead to an epidemic in school!


I've been checking the attendance registers. And I am shocked! It seems the teachers have not been keeping proper attendance! Kids who have been coming to school regularly have been marked absent. And those who have been absent have been marked present! Now I'm wondering how classes are being conducted. I'm usually too busy shuttling between classes 3 and 4 to pay much attention to what's going on in Nursery, 1 and 2. I despair.


Will someone send me some rain please? I desperately need to cool off. Perhaps a bath will be a good substitute. Even though I've had a wash in the morning, I feel so sticky and dirty right now that it seems I haven't had a wash for over a week!