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This and That!

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He asked, what is it that you want?

I answered, this and that!

Then he asked, why is it that you want this and that?

I answered, just wanna feel good and happy about myself!

He couldn’t help asking, with the things that I gave, are you happy?

I answered, not really, but I guess, this one would certainly make me feel happy!

He smiled and didn’t say a word after.

I wondered!

And so is the wonder that we keep wondering,

We keep aspiring,

We keep making aims,

We keep having ambitions,

And

We continue to perspire for this and that!

hand-towards-rising-sun

Then comes a reality check, when we all take a pause to ponder,

Over the things we all have so called achieved in life,

Over the assets that we all have accumulated over a period of time,

Over the relations that we all have forged during our lifetimes,

Yet

We don’t get that thing that we all look for,

What is it that we all look for?

And then we all come across a thought which resonates with something like this:

ख्वाइशों का आलम ऐसा था जनाब,
कि हम खुद को ही भुला बैठे!

What ensues is a trail of:

Not finding answers,

Not finding a purpose,

Not being able to come to terms with one’s current state of affairs and mind,

And

Getting lost in the ख्वाइश of this चमक and that धमक of this material world.

Without realizing what this and that did and continues to do with all of us.

Source for the image: https://www.calmdownmind.com/when-your-desire-feels-ordinary-its-on-the-verge-of-manifestation/

After All!

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Considering the kind of busy lives we have got habituated into spending,

Not often does one get a chance to move out in the wilderness,

And once one does, the kind of activities we get to do, any guesses?

Trekking,

Rafting,

Mountaineering,

Wildlife Safari,

Para-sailing etc etc

Have you ever wondered, how many times have you ended up doing nothing?

Just being there,

Relaxing,

Seizing the moment,

Whatever comes to your mind in that moment, you do,

Letting go of any thought that comes to your mind,

Freeing yourself from all worries that tend to haunt you on a daily basis,

Bereft of what the boss tells you,

Not caring about how many questions your parents would keep asking you,

Without giving a consideration to your spouses’ expectations at home,

And then if you get into knowing such a beautiful description of what life means to a few over a bonfire, you might as well write about it 🙂

life

To me, if i were to tell you, 

Life is nothing more than getting up in the morning, 

Asking myself a question, in what mood would i want to be today, 

And say, well…not many reasons to get upset about, 

So many wonderful things happening to me, 

as well choose to smile rather than frown, 

not a bad beginning, eh!

regular chores happen, 

my boyfriend calls right after i come out of the shower and take my first bite, 

well, can get too much at times, but how many would actually do so, 

by the time am about to finish getting ready and he getting into a cab for office, 

we get on a call again, saying good morning again,

the cab guy, i have stopped quarrel with, 

after all everyone is frustrated because of something or the other, 

so why argue!

having a flirtatious conversation with my boyfriend just brightens up my day, 

then comes office, 

bosses will always be bosses, they are also learning

so why not give them a benefit of doubt?

sorted, haan!

lunch is always of my choice, not too heavy yet good and light, 

meantime, he keeps texting, sending sweet messages, i feel loved, 

comes the evening and he is right there waiting to pick me up, 

after we go for a long drive, 

do random chats, 

sit in a coffee shop, 

or 

just be there in the moment, 

sometimes we kiss as well, make love, good for hormones you see, 

he drops me back, in the comfort of my house, 

late evening is mine, 

where i would read some book, watch some movie, 

Ya, spend time with parents, after all they brought me into this world,

night..back to hormones, be it a movie, books or him again,

on second thoughts, he really loves me 😉

one might wonder, what’s the future plans?

well, who knows there is a future, what if there is none, 

and i went in my sleep!

at least it would be worth it, 

see, it’s not also about the bf, 

even if he wasn’t there to share my time, i would seize the moment, 

What is after all life but a collection of beautiful moments!

Source for the Image: https://unsplash.com/images/people/life

L-After

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The conversation started by remembering the famous dialogue from the movie, Om Shanti Om: “yanna rascala mind it”

When the experienced and the knowledgeable started contemplating the very fundamentals of:

what’s to be mind

or

what’s not to be.

What’s to be given the heed required,

What’s to be taken seriously,

What’s to be considered important,

What’s relevant,

Though it all came down to,

“nothing in life is serious enough to be taken seriously”

And then he went on to narrate what I feel like taking the liberty of calling it the essence of life.

you know, am 70 now, 7 decades you see, 

lot of people look at my wealth, comforts that I have,

Call me successful, and what not, 

but if you were to ask me whether all these compliments matter,

Not really! 

When I close my eyes to sit down for my me time, 

the only thing that comes to me is (and then he pauses for a moment)

the moments that I was fortunate enough to spend with beautiful people in my lifetime, 

I can still feel that touch, the spurt in energy, the emotions that flowed with it, 

its only these scenes that i vividly remember,

though they say that am loosing my memory (pauses for a while, smiles),

yet no one can take it away from me, 

the time that I have lived has passed in a flash, 

little time, though we think we have plenty, 

every day when I get up, 

the first thing that I experience today is mortality, 

I am alive for one more day to choose to experience so much more, 

Wish I had the same perspective when I was your age or even before, 

Having said that, it’s never too late to start (pauses and smiles again as if he just remembered some familiar face)

life

Goes into some deep silence,

A nurse walks in, “you shouldn’t disturb him any more“.

And then he speaks for the final time, before I left

what is life after all if not gotten disturbed,

what is life after all without involvement, 

what is life after all without compassion, 

what is life after all without desires, 

what is life after all without beautiful moments, 

what is life after all!

Smiles and shuts his eyes.

Source for the Image: https://unsplash.com/images/people/life

The Ever Last-ing

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20 missed calls…yet no reply….make it 40..result the same…
what is the matter?
what could have happened?
it was just a fight!
how could she?
it doesn’t happen like that?
well…sometimes it does!
but she calls back every time.
Alright! no more talking to her ever again!
or let me see…should i give her another chance?
but why me every time?
this is truly unfair!
The phone got picked up on the 41st:
“Hey what’s the matter with you? Why are you not picking my calls?”
“Who’s this?“, a guy spoke from the other side.
“Who are you? Where is Sanjana? Give her the phone.”
“You should come to the Apollo immediately in case you know her”, and the guy disconnected.
Apollo? How come?
I hope it’s not that bad!
How stupid I was to think like that!
Alright, I will not fight with you….I promise.
Thoughts kept pouring off his mind as he drove his bike at full throttle.
“Where is she, I mean Sanjana!”
“Are you the guy who just called, she is in ward no. 13″, the nurse at the reception directed him to proceed in the all important direction.
There she was….Sanjana….lying unconscious….
how did that happen?
“It’s an accident case. She was brought an hour back”, the doc in attendance spoke.
1 hour? Are you guys crazy? Why you didn’t inform?
“Is she alright, doc?”
“Lot of blood has been lost, it’s a bit critical, we will try our best”
You gotta try better. What the hell are you talking?
Time passed…an hour later
For the last and final time she opened her eyes and looked at me:
“where do you keep wandering around…
 
in the dreams…or for real…
 
in both cases the world travels with you….
 
some where some day it has to be…
 
some day some where it will be…
 
and then the calm and darkness will prevail…
 
leading to the light that you always craved for!“
bye-written-sand-7929543

Resolutions: USNE-उसने

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What do we do when something goes wrong?

or

We meet with an accident?

or

We don’t qualify an exam?

or

We are beaten up by a teacher?

What is the first reaction in such situations?

We try to get into an escapist role, where we start to put the blame on either the:

Situation

or

Other person

You

Have you ever given it a consideration, why it’s so difficult to take responsibility for our own actions?

Why the hesitation of not being able to accept the situation and the consequences of the same, which by the way, happens because of our own actions?

What is it that we fear?

Won’t it be better if we were to stand up for, if nothing else, our own actions?

At least that would make us less:

Insecure,

Fearsome,

And

Make us more:

Sensible,

Confident

Individuals, who are prepared to provide solutions to problems.

So, till the time one realizes that there is nothing like Hum Tum (You and Me),

Till we still have a tendency to delve into the duality of everything in existence,

Till we understand that we are no different from each other,

Why not make a fresh start,

A new year resolution,

Which makes us at least not put the blame on the other person (USNE-उसने).

The only question being, are we prepared to take up this challenge in 2020?

Source for the Image: http://pluspng.com/and-you-png-9765.html

India at Crossroads

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The world suggests that India is all set to take on a leadership role. Our leaders take great pride in the thought process.

Yet, India seems to be located at a very interesting crossroads which will surely decide the fate of not only India but the entire world in times to come.

If we look at the way development has and is taking place all over, is primarily on the basis of a constant quest of:

Making our lives more comfortable,

Aimed at satisfying our materialistic needs,

Justified in the name of creating a positive impact on the society.

How long it can go like this is one question, I ponder upon?

How long can we keep acting ignorant of the destruction that we are bringing in the name of development?

How long can we let our youth get depressed and commit suicide in the name of wanting to be successful based on the benchmarks referred to by the society?

Well, the modern and the medieval history that we all read about India in the school books is about:

They came. They conquered. They exploited. We fought and finally got freedom. Now, we roam aimlessly waiting again to be supported or conquered by some external force or entity. 

When would we get over with a defeatist mentality?

The same Indians when we go abroad seem to strike gold more often than not.

Ever wondered why?

Is it the opportunities?

Is it the conducive environment bereft of the crab mentality which seems to pervade in the country, be it the political quarters or the regional forces?

Could be none and all inclusive.

Crossroads

What keeps us going is possibly an inherent nature, which is:

Resilient,

Confident,

Intelligent,

and

over and above,

Spiritual, which guides us in the very manner we go about leading our lives.

Be it the influence of Yoga and the very manner in which we breathe,

Be it the influence of the Gods who occupy every nook and corner of this country,

Be it the care and respect we have for our elders,

or

Be it the Karma and Dharma, concepts which we seem to fall back upon every now and then whenever in doubt,

With such basic ingredients,

Don’t you think it’s high time for us Indians to start acting as the torch bearer to the entire World?

Bereft of any rigidity,

or

Bereft of any hateful tendency,

and

Inclusive of sensitivity,

Inclusive of sensible actions,

or

Inclusive of the very ingredients which make us all human,

The only question being,

Can we become open to the very possibility and start discussing things in the open without any fear or insecurity?

Source for the image: https://www.careerattraction.com/how-to-take-advantage-of-a-career-crossroads/

ऐ ज़िन्दगी-नयी सुबह का आग़ाज़

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वैसे तो हर नयी सुबह की पहली किरण एक नया एहसास ले ही आती है,

इस नए साल की सुबह कुछ हसीन ख़याल और इत्तेफ़ाक़ ज़रूर ले आयी,

आखिर पूरे डिकेड का सवाल जो था,

कभी कभी ज़िन्दगी का रुख बदलने के लिए एक लम्हा ही काफी होता है,

वजह कुछ भी हो सकती है इस परिवर्तन की,

चाहे वो नज़रों का नज़रों से टकरा जाना हो,

या

उस एक मुस्कराहट के लिए दुनिया के सफर पे निकल जाना,

चाहे उस रात का दिल बहल जाना हो,

या

उस छवि का दिल में बस जाना,

चाहे उन कापते हुए हांथों का थाम लेने की चाह हो,

या

किसी के लिए कुछ कर जाने का जज़्बा,

dear-zindagi-1200

हर वो लम्हा एक यादो की कड़ी पिरो ही देता है,

कभी भागते थे जिस याद से,

आज उसी को सिमटा के कहीं बैठ जाते हैं,

यही कुछ यादें ही तो है जो ज़िन्दगी को ज़िन्दगी का दर्ज़ा देती है,

कभी पूछेंगे इस ज़िन्दगी से सवाल,

ऐ ज़िन्दगी तू कहाँ थी कभी जो अभी अभी यहाँ है,

शायद डूब जाना ही तो है,

या

डूब के खुद को पा लेने का नाम-ये ज़िन्दगी

Source for the Image: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/dear-zindagi-deleted-scenes-shah-rukh-khan-narrates-a-beautiful-story-to-alia-bhatt-which-will-leave-you-inspired-watch-video-4510458/

गाँधी और बंदर

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बंदरों का हम सबकी ज़िन्दगी में बहुत अहम् रोल रहा है.

चाहे वो हमारा एवोल्यूशन ही क्यों ना हो

या फिर

बुराई को ना देखने का, ना सुनने का और ना बोलने की हिदायत ही क्यों ना हो.

कहते हैं अच्छी चीज़ों पे फोकस करो तो ज़िन्दगी हसीन लगने लगती है,

हर इंसान के अच्छे पहलू पे फोकस करने को डेल कार्नेगी भी लिख गए है.

पर जैसे ही इन किताबों का हैंगओवर पूरा होता है,

और

गांधीजी कहीं किसी कहानी में खो जाते हैं,

फिर वही हम और हमारी क्रिटिकल शक्की नजरिया,

ये ऐसा है,

ये वैसा है,

इसने मुझे ये कैसे कहा,

उसने मुझे ऐसा कह दिया,

मुझे इसने इज़्ज़त नहीं नवाज़ी,

उसने मुझे गरिया दिया,

शिकायती टट्टू बनने में हमें बिलकुल देर नहीं लगती,

आज सुबह जब मैं कैब में आ रहा था,

तब ट्रैफिक में चलते हुए लोगों की आपा धापी देख के मैं घबरा गया,

पहले गुस्सा आया दुनिया के इस रवैये पे,

फिर दूसरे पल मैंने एक चिंता का मखौटा पहन लिया,

चिंता के बाद कुछ ना कर पाने की हताशे में मैं डूबने ही वाला था,

तभी

गांधीजी के तीन बंदरों की छवि मेरे समक्ष आ गयी और मैं हस पड़ा,

pic

इससे मैं टेंशन मुक्त तो हो गया

पर

क्या यही एक रास्ता है इन सब से पीछा छुड़ाने का,

ये विचार करने लगा,

आपको क्या लगता है,

इस बदलते समय में जिस तरफ हमारा देश और दुनिया अग्रसर है,

चाहे वो हो रहे रेप या हत्याएं हो,

चाहे वो सड़क पे बढ़ता हुआ गुस्सा और अग्रेशन हो,

चाहे वो पैसे के पीछे भागने की होड़ हो,

चाहे वो वैल्यू सिस्टम का समाप्त होना हो,

चाहे वो माँ बाप की सेवा करने से हाथ धो लेना हो,

चाहे वो इस वातावरण को तहस नहस कर देने का हमारा व्यवहार हो,

या

चाहे सिर्फ अपने बारे में सोचने की आदत हो,

क्या सिर्फ अच्छे पहलू को देखना ही इसका एक मात्र उत्तर है,

और अगर नहीं,

तो क्या हम सबको अपने अपने लेवल पे एफर्ट करने की ज़रुरत नहीं है,

इस ज़िम्मेदारी को हम सबको समझने की बहुत ज़रुरत है,

जिससे एक अच्छे सोसाइटी का निर्माण किया जा सके,

इसके लिए हमें गांधीजी के उन तीन बंदरों को इगनोर करना ही क्यों ना पड़े,

सवाल बस इतना सा है दोस्तों,

क्या हम खुद से ऊपर उठ कर

इस दुनिया में जी रहे और लोगों जीव जंतुओं के बारे में सोच कर

एक सही सिस्टम के निर्माण का निर्णय लेने को तैयार है या नहीं?

Source for the Image: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/other/sunday-nbt/future-stars/three-monkeys-of-gandhi/articleshow/29820353.cms

खुद पे गुमान

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ये बात सही है कि गुमान को घमंड में तब्दील होने में बहुत देर नहीं लगती.

मगर क्या ये इस देश में पैदा हो रहे और पल रहे हर बच्चे के जीवन का आधार नहीं होना चाहिए?

इसपे विचार करने की आवश्यकता है.

क्या कभी आपने सोचा है कि एक हिन्दुस्तानी आदमी जब विदेश जाता है, तो उसे उस तरह से इज़्ज़त नहीं मिलती जैसे किसी और देश जैसे कि जापान या यूरोप के वासी को मिलती है.

इतनी प्राचीन संस्कृति के बाद भी क्यों एक हिन्दुस्तानी को एक तरीके से नापा और तोला जाता है.

कुछ लोगों का मानना है कि हर इंसान को बिना किसी भेद भाव के देखा जाना चाहिए.

जैसी उसकी हरकते हो वैसे उसके साथ पेश आना चाहिए.

लेकिन एक आसान तरीका ये है कि उसको किसी ग्रुप में डाल, उसके बारे में राय कायम करी जाये, भले ही वो राय सही हो या ना हो.

लेकिन किसके पास इतना समय है, कि वो इसपे विचार करने का कष्ट करे.

परिणाम स्वरुप ये ऐसे होते हैं, वो ऐसे होते हैं, की प्रवलित राय बनने में देर नहीं लगती.

ये हमारे देश के अंदर भी बहुत होता है,

जहाँ

एक नार्थ इंडियन और साउथ इंडियन को अलग तरह से मापा जाता है.

images

क्या ये एक प्रकार से सूचना और ज्ञान में अभाव नहीं है?

और ऐसा अगर है तो क्यों है?

हमारा इतिहास क्या बिना किसी भेद भाव के रचा गया है?

क्या पुरातत्व शास्त्र (archaeology) का उपयोग बिना किसी पक्षपात के किया गया है?

अगर नहीं, तो क्या ये गवर्नमेंट या हर नागरिक की ज़िम्मेदारी नहीं बनती कि वो इसको बदले?

इसको एक छोटी सी बात मान लेना क्या हमारे आने वाले जेनेरशन के लिए अच्छी बात होगी?

जहाँ आपको विदेश में एक प्रकार का ट्रीटमेंट मिलेगा.

अगर नहीं तो हर किसी को एक भारतीय नैरेटिव के बारे में बात करनी होगी जो सच है और उसके आविष्कारों और उपयोगिताओं का व्याख्यान करे.

अगर हम इन बातों को अपने बच्चों तक नहीं पहुचायेंगे और हमेशा हमारे बच्चे किसी विदेशी के आविष्कारों के बारे में सिर्फ पढ़ेंगे,

तो उनमें गुमान कहाँ से पैदा होगा.

परिणाम ये होगा कि हमेशा वो खुद पे गुमान करने के बजाये खुद को कम आकेंगे

और

आने वाले दिनों में ये पूरे समाज की मानसिकता बन जाएगी.

क्या आप ऐसी मानसिकता से अपने बच्चों को नहीं बचाना चाहेंगे?

कहते है वक़्त रहते अगर काम हो जाये, तभी उसकी एहमियत होती है,

ये हम सबको खुद से पूछना है, क्या हमारे पास वक़्त बहुत ज्यादा है?

और अगर नहीं,

तो इस वक़्त में हम ऐसा क्या करके जाना चाहेंगे जो हमारे बच्चों के लिए आने वाले समय में मददगार सिद्ध होगा.

Source for the Image: https://happyrealization.com/differences-between-ego-and-self-respect/