AN Exquisite Experience

Memorabilia- Reminiscence from a remarkable trip to UK

As the sun waited to peep through the blanket of the night, the flight carrying us touched the grounds of the Manchester airport.The team was filled with excitement and eagerness to take the fullest from the experience. Through the run way of Manchester aerodrome as the flight sped to a halt, it seemed to symbolically suggest the rapid pace with which this incredible experience would come to an end.

Identifying Ron Burgess at the airport was not a difficult task with the MMU tag attached to his jacket. He offered a warm welcome making a remarkable beginning to our stay.
The cottage where we were to be put up for the next 7 days was comfortable and cosy. We were shown our rooms which was on the first floor of the cottage. On the ground floor there was a kitchen where we could even cook food if we wished to. The food that was stocked in the kitchen was a great relief to the famished team.

It was interesting to note that the organizer Judie Gibson and her team had left a package on the dining table, with our itinerary outlined meticulously for us to execute. Each day’s activity was mapped well in different envelops with food coupons, train tickets, theater tickets and maps for us to find our way and enclosed. This made it very convenient for us to carry out our routine without having to ask for anything much.

After settling in the room and refreshing, it was time to step out and explore the MMU Cheshire Campus which stands on the sprawling 100 acres land. The campus was not in its thriving self as many students had their vacations. Yet it did represent the charm and elegance it stands for.

The long walk across the campus with Ciaran Hodgers, (who had brought Yarav, the other participant) explaining how each of the rooms in the Contemporary Art wing functioned, gave us an idea about the upcoming workshops and training sessions. These rooms were to witness the training and performances of the budding actors in the team on the 5th of June. We also visited the shopping mall of Crewe which promised a lot of scope for shopping.

The morning of 1st June was pleasant with sun shining brightly rendering a warm welcome to us.

As per the routine, after breakfast at Student Zone, we were expected to gear up to face the morning session of acting workshop with Holly Flower who is the student trainer of MMU. Her sessions were always to be conducted in the morning.
Holly tapped the inner strength to let the actors (students) express what appears to be a difficult scene. Her unique style of training without really demonstrating was quite interesting.
Stephan Berwind trained the students to perform 'As You like it' with proper understanding, intonation and pronunciation. He also took a session on the following day revealing to us the power of the mask. Mask enables an actor to express or communicate with body language. I was also a participant in this activity.

Dr. Patrick explained the importance of control on mind and body while acting out a character. The students were impressed by the grace and elegance of Dr. Patrick while imparting the valuable lessons of psychophysical approaches to acting.
On the first evening of the commencement of the session, we had a table booked for us at Crewe Hall to have dinner with the MMU staff. The magnificent Crewe Hall in Cheshire is a hotel one would want to return to again and again. As we made our way up the tree lined drive, the majestic building stood proud in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

We usually walked every evening to Crewe railway station to catch the train to Manchester Piccadilly (2ndJune), Birmingham (3rd June) and Liverpool (4th June). While returning it would be so bright that we never felt it was half past eleven or midnight. Due to the summer season the sun never set on some days! And we found it hard to believe that there can be midnights with twilight effect.

In Manchester Piccadilly we saw the play ‘the Ghost Train told by an idiot’at Royal exchange theatre. The play was incredibly captivating. The actors brought the characters alive with panache and passion. Their performance was par excellence.

We also had the opportunity to enjoy the famous musical play ‘Wicked’ at ‘The Lawry’ in Salford Quay. The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. The original show was nominated for ten Tony Awards in 2004, winning three, including the Best Actress in a Musical for Idina Menzel. It also won six Drama Desk Awards and one Grammy Award while the London show has been the recipient of five Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning one.

In Liverpool we were enamoured by the theatre show ‘Spalding Suite’ which centres around the theme of British basketball players living and striving in the shadow of their foot balling peers which is charming and unexpectedly moving.

In Birmingham we watched the play ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ at Hippodrome focusing on the Protagonist Christopher John Francis Boone, a young boy whose symptoms and behaviour suggest he has a mild form of autism, perhaps Asperger’s Syndrome. Christopher’s goal in the novel resembles that of many teenage protagonists in coming-of-age stories: to become independent and find his role in the world. Because of his condition, Christopher cannot be as independent as he would like.

Besides this we had an opportunity to travel by tram as well. In spite of the busy life that people lead there, they realise the need to conserve environment. They move on foot to places they go. The maps also impart the information of what contribution one makes in saving environment and how much calorie one would burn if one goes walking to places. i thought this really is motivating.
On the final day of the workshop Nadia, Yarav and Asmita performed on an excerpt from As You Like It which was witnessed and appreciated by the MMU staff.
I was given an opportunity to express gratitude on my behalf as well as British Council for the warm hospitality extended by MMU during our stay. We had really felt very much at home on a foreign land.
London Visit materialized as a kind gesture from MMU. They made arrangements for our travel and gave necessary directions to book tickets for a tour in the Hop on and Hop off bus which was a double Decker bus with open roof on the top. As we went past the streets of London it appeared as though history of London was unveiling itself before my eyes. The London Eye, the peripheral view of Buckingham palace, London tower, Tower Bridge, Big Ben were only a few to mention. We also visited the Kensington Palace where Princess of Wales Diana lived and which was called a "children's paradise". The air in the palace had so much of warmth and amiability for which princess Diana was known. 

The London trip brought an end to the 7day schedule which was so methodically mapped for us by MMU authorities.

The morning of 7th June saw us departing with cherished memories in heart. Ron burgess had come to see us off. As a crowning glory to this inimitable experience, Ron granted us a wonderful drive through the country side of Manchester, unraveling before us a panorama of scenic sights which were awe-inspiring. The view was so enchanting that for some time I stood mesmerized, forgetting to click photographs. Once I summoned myself up and started clicking, the camera just refused to stop. The trip back to airport was too splendid and awesome.
I would have been deprived of this experience had not my school AMS P OBULREDDY PUBLIC SCHOOL supported me throughout our preparation for the School Drama Programme and the valuable inputs by our principal Mrs. Anjali Razdan, Shashi Brahmandam Ma'am, many colleagues and my friend Renu Jain. This trip would have remained a dream, had not British Council selected me as the Best Teacher coordinator. Without the collaboration of British Council and MMU to sponsor the entire tour with the fool proof planning, this experience wouldn’t have been so memorable

UF!

My dear students , I love you. but as i ponder i couldn't help these thoughts
                 Uf !!!!!!
Uf! This job of a teacher
Cumbersome and irksome
If you speak gently you are taken for a ride
And a pandemonium that you see around
If you are sterner, you see raised eye brows
Branded villain with no understanding whatsoever

Uf! This job as an invigilator
Making baddie out of a fine human
The serene expression of students
Seem to change into suspicion invoking glances.
An earnest request for answering nature’s call
Have to be permitted with apprehension .
A stretch of muscle after prolonged posture
To be looked upon as attempt to discuss answers.

Uf! This system of examination
Its intention is to test the academic potential
Alas! Certain Potential except academics is tapped
Compelling the benevolent into malevolent
The invigilator says ‘try me and you will see’
Students say ‘touch us and we will show you’
They look at him/her ‘Are you smart or are we? You, against 40 of us?

Uf ! The conflict of a teacher
A teacher cannot afford generation Gap
But the gap is already pre-installed
Both in the minds of students and teachers
Winning over is a one sided attempt
Teachers to take initiative
Students to measure the level of patience

Uf! The plight of a teacher
I am in love with my student fraternity
Though I do get reciprocation, very genuine
But they are far too less
Mine is a far cry, cause
I want to be loved
In spite of all the detest I gather
Once they step out of this phase, things get de-tested
I am certain they’ll know what I am
And will surely love me then
If not what’s there? I love them anyway
With their success, love is the winner eventually

Uf! What a paradox
I love this profession,

Shimmering Reflections

Trip to manali was something I was looking forward to with anticipation and apprehension.  Being new to school, and having made only acquaintances among staff members, not though so reproachable rapport with students, but with only a handful of amiable student circle to look forward to, I had all reasons to be a little anxious and uneasy. However, the dawn of 15^th October unveiled before me with a new hope and enthusiasm. I was up early and ready to be picked up, thanks to Harish and his parents. As soon as we reached the station students one by one reported their presence and proceeded to board the train. The train arrived and one could see the freshness of the dawn being replenished with the abundant gusto of the students.

The journey commenced as the train rolled away from the Nampally station, wheels thundering on the rails to the reverberance of the students exuberance. The halt at Delhi lasted only a few hours but our Vice principal Mrs.Shashi who accompanied us who was the tour in-charge and leader of the team, made arrangements for the students to avail the free time judiciously by taking us to the rail museum. The visit brought back the memories of the life I had as the daughter of the employee in railways. The girders, the steam engines and the feel of the railways everywhere transported me back in time and it was with a lot of reluctance that I returned from there.

The journey from Delhi to Manali by the Volvo was exciting. We had a nice time watching movies and listening to music. The halt for dinner at a Dhaba was additionally flavoured by the birthday celebration of Sreedevi, a student of class XII.

The next morning brought us to river Beas/ vyas in Manali where White water rafting was done. Beas/Vyas river is good for rafting , kayaking, canoeing etc. Rafting

trip started from Mohal and covered 6 Kms distance.  Basic equipment required for the water sports with rafting guide/ instructor was provided. The rippling waves sometimes stirred up as if to challenge the daredevil spirits of the little rafters. The students accepted the challenge, cutting though the waves and bumping on the rocks beneath, tossing the inflatable boat ,causing spine wrecking fear and cold water piercing the skin as if with a needle. Students even ventured into the water for the feel of the bone chilling cold water. Within a few moments they turned numb in water and the instructor had to use all his might o pull them out of water into the boat. After a thrilling river rafting experience, we changed into fresh clothes and boarded the bus to Manali

Upon reaching the hotel the students were allotted room to be shared with their choice of friends. The suit, which we teachers were fortunate to have got, had a marvelous view from the balcony. The snow clad peaks osculating the clouds, producing picturesque scenic beauty was in stark contrast from the skyscrapers in Delhi or Hyderabad.   We were enamored by the gurgle of the stream and the silver purity of the water in the backdrop where the union of “yin and yang”, i.e. earth and the sky rendered the pleasure of spiritual ecstasy to heart and soul of the onlooker.

Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hidimba, wedded to the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. That evening, after a short visit to the DHOONGRI TEMPLE, the students proceeded to the shopping locations, and retired to bed after dinner, mentally preparing themselves for the trip they had to undertake to Rohtang Pass the next morning.

Here I would like to share a few pieces of information about Rohtang pass. The pass provides a natural divide between the sub-humid/humid climate of Kullu Valley. The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins. On the southern side of this pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River, a source stream of the river Chenab, flows westward. It offers a panorama and spectacular mountain view. There are beautiful sights of glaciers, peaks and Chandra River flowing down in the Lahaul valley.

Early next morning the students got themselves fully prepared to trek. They were taken in a vehicle to the base of the Rohtang pass and asked to trek if they wanted to further explore the peaks/ hillocks that surrounded the area. The panoramic view of distant Himalayan peaks from Rohtang Pass was breath taking. The high altitude affected some of our metabolism severely and we competed with each other in a puking tournament throughout our ascent towards the Rohtang pass.  After a few hours’ experience of the trekking and the snowy atmosphere there, the steep switchback descent from Rohtang Pass summit towards Manali began and with that my students friends and I resumed our puking competition. The traffic jam, while descending from Rohtang,  delayed our arrival at Manali hotel. Once we reached the hotel,all of us returned to our rooms to take rest. On seeing my plight, Roja mam and Devsena mam brought lunch to my room and coaxed me to grab some bites to prevent me from further deterioration of health. Basking in the compassionate gesture of my friends I tried to have something and fell flat on the bed for a deep slumber for an hour. In the evening, the dining hall wore exuberant ambiance with the DJs getting ready for the students to entertain themselves with dance and songs. They had a gala time before dinner and then retired to their rooms.  

The upcoming morning  had something more interesting activities awaiting them. The real trekking!!! They tightened their waste bands and lined up for attendance with invigorating spirits and reverberating with enthusiasm.  Mr. Prasad appraised them about the trekking guide lines and blew the whistle to commence the trek. They went on foot from the hotel premises and reached Nehru kund from where the real trek began. The path was stony and the climate cold. The distance covered by the students was equally proportionate to their undying spirit. The best example for the diehard spirit was put up by our Vice Principal Mrs. Shashi.  She trekked for almost two hours and reached the camp site with her liveliness and zeal intact.

The Manali camp was an area which was almost 6000 feet above sea level, surrounded by majestic snow peaks standing with royal grandeur as if to honour us.  The tents that were pitched made the atmosphere look colourful and refreshing. Pleasant ambiance of the camp site was contagious and I could easily replace my dampening demeanor due to the chilling climate, with a cup of warm tea and pullovers. I also wore the warmest smile possible to elevate my own spirits.

The mouthwatering lunch prepared Mr. Kapil’s (who made arrangements for the camping) culinary experts was appetizing.

The students were once again allotted tents for their stay for the next couple of days. I shared a comparatively small tent with Roja. The adjacent tent was shared by Shashi ma’am, Jayashree ma’am and Devsena ma’am.  The tents were also cozy, but too tiny that I found it hard to crawl in and out for basic needs. There was a supporting rod inside the other teachers’ tent and on one of our social visits to have a chit chat I found it too hard to crawl in with the rod limiting the space for free movement. My expression was ‘why have they fixed a rod in the middle? ‘To which everyone had a hearty laugh. On the very same night I heard loud peals of laughter coming out of their tent. On enquiry , Devsena ma’am explained amidst her laughter that just then Shashi ma’am tried to move about in the tent with the support of the rod, and her expression was like’ thank God they fixed the rod there!’ what a contradiction!!!!

After the lunch the students were divided into two teams. One team proceeded for rock climbing and rappelling while the other group went ahead with team building activities. The trainers had such an expertise in each of the activities that students could reap the benefit of it fully. They looked delighted and a sense of fulfillment was beaming on their faces.

The next day the teachers and students went trekking into the forest on the hillocks. They had fun with their friends while collecting twigs for the camp fire. It was amazing to see the perpetual mood of cheerfulness that exuded from the students. Another miraculous feat was displayed by devsena ma’am with her enduring energy with her endearing spirit. She put to shame many of the youngsters with her liveliness and vigor. She did pose a challenge even to many students who became a little lethargic and wished to lotus eat in the camp on second day. Jayashree ma’am and Roja ma’am also showed immense prowess and interest by trekking the hazardous climbs.

They returned after having had a joyous time exploring the forest. There was not an iota of dullness in their demeanor. They had lunch and got ready to try and test their competence in rock climbing, rappelling and team building activities. To watch the students reverberating with zealous deportment was a sheer joy!

The cakes baked, with rustic technique, by the cooks of the camp was an icing to the delicacies the camp had to offer in terms of excellent experiences we have had. The cake was decorated with chocolate icing and the décor added by the home science students of classes XI and XII gave the cake a grand look. The birthdays of Varun and Ayush was celebrated with cake cutting.

Now let me tell you something about the life in the camp. The students had to spend those two days in the tent pitched for them. They were provided with sleeping bags which were to be used for the night. The students had to have a plate and a mug either steel or plastic, for drinking beverages supplied, mostly tea, or for drinking water and for eating their meal. They had to wash these by themselves and retain them in their tent for the next couple of days.  And mind you! The water is chilling cold! Yet they all did it without fail and without much of resistance. The cooks prepared simple yet a variety of mouth watering dishes, which really kept the going very enthusiastic in the camp. The hygiene was maintained quite commendably.

The students were made to learn a lot of life skill based lessons through the process of rock climbing, rappelling activities, river rafting and team building activities. They learnt the lessons of team spirit, compromise, adaptability etc. The Mentor, as he likes to be addressed as, Mr. Prasad of Wandering Bee, had taken the entire responsibility of the tour program. I must admit that though some students had certain reservation about his handling the issues with them, he did a commendable job as an organizer and coordinator. This was the first time I had seen the program organizer being actively involved with the team and in the real sense of the word mentoring the students. It is but natural that there are times when one has to be a tough task master to get the students to act responsibly and productively and he did exercise this without any hesitance at all. He never minced words when he instructed the students about how their conduct should be and what tasks they are expected to do.  His team also consisted of equally passionate members who were constantly on vigil with their alertness and agility.

The students reluctantly bid adieu to the camp site early in the morning. There was a deliberation on many faces as they lined up to descent towards the vehicles stationed at a distances in the valley. As we gazed at the heights of the white peaks of the Himalayas, which stood stoically as the representation of the creator’s majestic master piece, we felt quite humbled and enamored too! They were the nature true silent workers, taking care that creatures on earth live their life comfortably! The serene atmosphere also reminded us the disgraceful way we blemish the face of earth. Wasn’t mother earth this serene and pure initially? Haven’t we been irresponsible as her progeny? The questions linger, resolution should eventually come!

The culmination of the manali trip was with the visit to Manikaran where we experienced the marvel of the hot water springs and the visit to gurudwara where selflessly people offer service as their prayer to the Lord. The lunch was simple, staple food. The students volunteered to offer services. The teacher in me watched them with pride as they served in tune with the rhythm of the melodious gurubani and with complete involvement and dedication.

 The hot water spring was an experience in itself. The nature’s splendor in the adjoining area added to the otherwise spectacular phenomenon of the hot water spring.

The last leg of the trip was the much awaited shopping session the next day. Life was at its best blessing when the train towards home was boarded and students were exchanging nuances of the wonderful days spent together. They wanted to be home, but there was reluctance to leave the old and new friends whose company they had begun to enjoy. Promises were exchanged to keep in touch during the ensuing working days in school. The entire atmosphere changed once the train arrived at the station and eager parents were joined by their wards. The dispersal took half an hour. Ensuring that every child is in safe hands we also returned home to our family awaiting for us.

As the vehicle approached home I closed my eyes and once again felt the grandeur of the Himalayas and the bone chilling cold breeze within me. The Ying and yang were uniting to the scintillating synergy by the synthesis of the milk white snow and the sunlight. What a blessing life is!!!

The Game in the exam room

somehow the examination system in school always irritates me for the sheer way they look at the young minds with dubiousness and judgmental attitude. that we suspect them prompts them to act in a certain way. my thoughts put across once again in a silly way!

The Game in the exam room

There he comes, the invigilator,
Look how he frowns like a frightful figure!
Mind full of anticipation, acting as if an agitator,
Walks in he, with immense vigor

Students watch him with apprehension
Trying to figure out if his perturbation
Transforms into normal respiration
So that they can indulge in confident conversation

The gong lets out a shrieking call
The invigilator scuttles here and there
As the students scribble on pages with pall
The game begins as invigilator continues his glare

A purring here and there a panting
Invigilator's roving eyes, with determination
Gazes at the students with his head tilting
Keeping up with the seriousness of the examination

Twisting and turning along with other tactic 
Cursing with jest, 'the pest' preventing
Students look for his rear to turn and be static
As the answer from back is relenting

The invigilator, like an eagle for prey peering
Reprimand for foul play presuming
Passing the answers are they daring 
With each of the poses they are assuming

Then comes an exchange offer
There goes on a passing game
Here a pencil and there a rubber
As if they are performing a mime

It’s a match between the odds
The students at one end
The invigilator with prayer to gods
On the other end to outwit without any relent

Thus goes on the game of examination
With lots of pressure and perspiration
Then bangs the final gong as in detonation
Pronouncing relief from the ordeal of deliberation

Hari is a porter, transporting cargo from one place to another. He is a graduate from Ravi Shanker University of Chhatisgarh. Destiny has not been kind to him as he was unemployed in spite of his educational qualifications. The call of hunger forced him to venture the job of a porter. He has been reticently following the schedule without any complaint. He is grateful for being healthy enough to work as he is able to earn for his square meal.
Shaleen is a business man with two sari showrooms to his credit in the city of Jaipur. He started off as a salesman, visiting home to home selling saris. His amiable and compromising nature had yielded him respect and credibility which in turn earned him the faith of his customers. He has no degrees to claim as educational eligibility. But he is an avid learner and an ardent dreamer. He is meticulous in his efforts and has a clear vision which propels him to inch towards his success. Within a short span of five years he has established a sari shop in the center of the city. His amiable and customer friendly approach has paid off. He renovated his sari shop and expanded the business. Soon he could put up another shop at the business center of the city. He has provided about 150 job opportunities. As many as 30 graduates report directly to him, taking care of his accounts and administration. He has even appointed an MBA to explore his business opportunities elsewhere.
Indeed India is a land of diversity. There is no doubt that it is a great country. However it is a land where dynamics that works well with one may not result in substantial gain from other quarters. One needs to regulate and reorganize their strategies. This country has policies and welfare schemes intended to take care of each and every individual, besides focusing on the upliftment of the poorer section. Yet it takes quite some time, before these schemes reach the common man. The work ethics is such in India.
India is indeed is a blessed country. Indians look up to their country with great pride. Every place you visit here has something to offer you in a platter. How can the serenity of life and depth of information as you move around down south be ignored? Who wouldn’t find the different colours of life fascinating when it is served in its full fervor when you happen to visit places like Delhi, Rajasthan or Punjab? A Bengali may surprise you with his persisting sweetness. As you stride your steps into the interiors of rural India you will be swept off your feet with the resplendence and glory of the rich culture.
India is indeed a land with a difference. In India there is no discrimination when it comes to natural, uninfluenced favours. A millionaire with no qualifications whatsoever or a downtrodden despite his best educational background is a frequent occurrence here. An Indian can be a globe trotter with explicit experience and exposure, yet come back and stare at the foreigner he happens to meet on the beaches of Kovalam without a tinge of pretentiousness. This country is indeed a land of peculiarities!

Hari is a porter, transporting cargo from one place to another. He is a graduate from Ravi Shanker University of Chhatisgarh. Destiny has not been kind to him as he was unemployed in spite of his educational qualifications. The call of hunger forced him to venture the job of a porter. He has been reticently following the schedule without any complaint. He is grateful for being healthy enough to work as he is able to earn for his square meal.
Shaleen is a business man with two sari showrooms to his credit in the city of Jaipur. He started off as a salesman, visiting home to home selling saris. His amiable and compromising nature had yielded him respect and credibility which in turn earned him the faith of his customers. He has no degrees to claim as educational eligibility. But he is an avid learner and an ardent dreamer. He is meticulous in his efforts and has a clear vision which propels him to inch towards his success. Within a short span of five years he has established a sari shop in the center of the city. His amiable and customer friendly approach has paid off. He renovated his sari shop and expanded the business. Soon he could put up another shop at the business center of the city. He has provided about 150 job opportunities. As many as 30 graduates report directly to him, taking care of his accounts and administration. He has even appointed an MBA to explore his business opportunities elsewhere.
Indeed India is a land of diversity. There is no doubt that it is a great country. However it is a land where dynamics that works well with one may not result in substantial gain from other quarters. One needs to regulate and reorganize their strategies. This country has policies and welfare schemes intended to take care of each and every individual, besides focusing on the upliftment of the poorer section. Yet it takes quite some time, before these schemes reach the common man. The work ethics is such in India.
India is indeed is a blessed country. Indians look up to their country with great pride. Every place you visit here has something to offer you in a platter. How can the serenity of life and depth of information as you move around down south be ignored? Who wouldn’t find the different colours of life fascinating when it is served in its full fervor when you happen to visit places like Delhi, Rajasthan or Punjab? A Bengali may surprise you with his persisting sweetness. As you stride your steps into the interiors of rural India you will be swept off your feet with the resplendence and glory of the rich culture.
India is indeed a land with a difference. In India there is no discrimination when it comes to natural, uninfluenced favours. A millionaire with no qualifications whatsoever or a downtrodden despite his best educational background is a frequent occurrence here. An Indian can be a globe trotter with explicit experience and exposure, yet come back and stare at the foreigner he happens to meet on the beaches of Kovalam without a tinge of pretentiousness. This country is indeed a land of peculiarities!

India Calling
Walk around the wrap of misty morning
Talk with the whispering wind
Stalk along the winding roads
Balk for a while at the tempting wilderness
That is within your soul, India calling
Look for a while to see around
Nook and corner, life with full vigor
Cook food for heart with tasty aroma
Book a place to experience the broth
That is served with the feel of India calling.
Taj Mehal invites you to explore
Red fort speaks about the days of yore
India gate, gateway of India implore
To recall the glory of days galore
that is for me my India Calling