Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Its A New Year To Live!!!!!

Hi there,
It is that time of the year again when we exchange New Year wishes and look at life through new lenses or glasses (as you please...)
I have mailed my share of greetings to those who matter in my life and to others, whom I know through this blog or those who know me, here's wishing them all that they wish for in life. May your blessings come true for you in the coming year and may 2009 end at a way better note for you than 2008 did.
And last but definitely not the least, I wish peace and prosperity to be showered all over the world. May no one go hungry, lonely or destitute in 2009. May there be no more killings, bloodshed, pain, grief to anyone in the coming times. And, most of all, let love and humanity be the universal religion to be follow by all of us.
The past year has brought a lot of changes in my life. Right from professional to personal changes, I have tried to take everything in my stride, although at times, I have looked up to the skies and wondered, rather despaired, "Why Me???"
Sometimes, there have been answers and sometimes complete silence, but never has God let me be alone to face it. As we know from the "Footprints In The Sand", I have found only a single set of footprints whenever I was bogged down with the weights of life, which assured me that I was indeed in lord's hands.
As 2009 dawns on us, I am going to take each day as it comes and would try to improve myself so that I turn out a better person than I have been in the past.
I dont make resolutions, especially during this time, because I find it very ceremonial and I have a natural aversion to anything ceremonial or binding, in any way (Does that make me an atheist?? well, that is some more fodder for thought for me but that would be for another day and time).
Therefore, I would just promise to live life in as righteous way as possible, where I don't harm any one either intentionally or unintentionally, (although, in the case of latter, I am not sure I would even be aware, but I can always be cautious, isn't it?)
Well, that is all from my side for this year. Hope to see all of you hale and hearty in the next year.
Till then, goodbye, drink (responsibly!!!) and be merry (with happiness, health and wealth).
Take care and god bless...

HAPPY NEW YEAR To ALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The cure of boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity...

Nice thought that is, in the title but boredom in itself is not a nice thought to have, i think so. After the tumultuous and devastating week that went by, the dust is settling down on the days even as the sun keeps playing hide and seek through a "more dusty, less cloudy" sky.

For the past many days now, I am feeling kind of bored of life. Dont worry, I am not having suicidal thoughts, I can't because for that you need to be really driven to death from boredom (how can that be???).

My condition is a little different in that I really need a "zor ka jhatka" to get me out of my present slumberous existence.

It is not as if my otherwise life is full of adventurous trips across the Himalayas or camping in the Terai. But the work has begun to get on my nerves seriously. So, I have been looking for some means to rescue myself from the all-encompassing slumber.

Any ideas, guys?

P.S.: I hope I didnt bore you to death with this piece, I just needed to get it out lest I fell asleep at my work desk. Thanks for reading, by the way...

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Not any more.....

I dont have words to reflect on what happened in Mumbai in the past one week and what is happening thereafter. So, I choose to share with my readers a hard-hitting poem, "Is Baar Nahin", written by poet Prasoon Joshi, published in rediff.com. Please pay attention to the words and try to ponder over them because as Indians, we can no longer afford to be insulated to the bloodshed and grief pouring out around us. English translation is given along with it.

Is baar nahin,
Is baar jab woh choti si bachchi mere paas
apni kharonch le kar aayegi,
Main usey phoo phoo kar nahin behlaoonga,
Panapney doonga uski tees ko
Is baar nahin
(This time when that little girl comes to me with her bruises, I will not blow gently at her wound, nor distract her, I will let her pain grow. Not this time.)

Is baar jab main chehron par dard likha dekhoonga,
Nahin gaoonga geet peeda bhula dene wale
Dard ko risney doonga, utarney doonga andar gehrey
Is baar nahin
(This time when I see pain on faces, I will not sing the song that eases pain, I will let the pain seep in, deep. Not this time.)

Is baar main na marham lagaoonga,
Na hi uthaoonga rui ke phahey,
Aur na hi kahoonga ki tum aankein band karlo,
gardan udhar kar lo, main dawa lagata hoon,
Dekhney doonga sabko hum sabko khuley nangey ghaav
Is baar nahin
(This time I won't apply any balm, Nor will I ask you to shut your eyes and turn your head While I gingerly apply medicine, I will let everyone see the open, naked wounds. Not this time.)

Is baar jab uljhaney dekhoonga, chatpatahat dekhoonga,
Nahin daudoonga uljhee dor lapetney,
Uljhaney doonga jab tak ulajh sake
Is baar nahin
(This time when I see difficulty, uneasiness, I will not run to solve the problems I will let them become complicated. Not this time.)

Is baar karm ka hawala de kar nahin uthaoonga auzaar
Nahin karoonga phir se ek nayee shuruaat,
Nahin banoonga misaal ek karmyogi ki,
Nahin aaney doonga zindagi ko aasani se patri par
Utarney doonga usey keechad main, tedhey medhey raston pe,
Nahin sookhney doonga deewaron par laga khoon,
Halka nahin padney doonga uska rang
Is baar nahin banney doonga usey itna laachaar
Ki paan ki peek aur khoon ka fark hi khatm ho jaye
Is baar nahin
(This time I won't pick up my tools as a matter of duty, I will not make a new beginning Nor will I stand as an example of one dedicated to my job. I will not let life easily return to normalcy. I will let it descend into muck, on the twisting paths. I will not let the blood on the walls dry out Nor will I let its colour fade away This time I won't let it become so helpless That you can't tell blood from paan-spit. Not this time.)

Is baar ghawon ko dekhna hai,
Gaur se Thoda lambe wakt tak
Kuch faisley, Aur uskey baad hausley,
Kahin toh shuruat karni hi hogi
Is baar yahi tay kiya hai.
(This time the wounds need to be watched Carefully For a long time, Some decisions are needed And then some brave moves to be made. We have to begin somewhere. This time this is what I have resolved)

... Prasoon Joshi