Saturday, December 29, 2012

Do more than liking this blog post

I don't know what to write. I don't know how to write. I don't know what I can say that has not been said before. When I was in Bombay last week I wanted to blog about the fabulous time I had with my old and new friends, my family, the food I ate, the lovely beach walks I took, the shopping I did. I wanted to talk about how wonderful it was to be back in India. How I feel so loved and cherished when I am there. How beautiful life is in Bombay. How I adore been back. 

However I could not get myself to do it. How can I be happy being in a country where life is not valued? Where a girl can get raped and subsequently die, while authorities merely give out politically correct statements? Where another girl is compelled to kill herself as she was humiliated by the police when she tried to lodge a complain against her rapists.

It's shameful. It's tragic. I feel defenseless when others criticize my nation, but what else can I expect them to do? A nation that can't protect it's people, is not a nation worth defending. 

There is anger, rage even. People are organizing protests and marches. There is lot cyber chatter. There is a lot of resentment. Voices are being raised. Everyone is appalled. It's justified and I perhaps have contributed to it.

We all want justice. We all want to see the bastards die. I know I do.

However, lets also spare a thought for families and friends of the victims. Imagine what they would going through. The parents of the two girls who would have raised them with love and pride. Who perhaps had lots of dreams for them. Whose biggest prayer to God would have been to keep their daughters healthy and happy. Now they have lost their daughters. And not by accident, but by evil intentions of cruel people. My heart goes out to them.

However I don't know what to do. Does the world need yet another blog, FB update, Twitter hash tag about this issue? May be it does.

The parents and family of the victims however need more. They need strength to survive, to fight. They need faith that justice will take place. They need assurance that Government will make the streets safer for women.

They need our prayers. A prayer for another has a lot of power. Don't underestimate it. So like me if you are struggling with 'What can I do?', close your eyes, join or raise your hands and pray to your God for the suffering families. It's the least we can do and it's power is much bigger than you can ever imagine. 

Instead of spending the few minutes commenting on this post or liking the various other updates, use the time to pray for the families the girls have left behind. They will value it a lot more than one more FB comment. 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Intezaar

Dhoop mein chav si
March ke mahino ki bahaar si
Dard mein marham si
Sardiyon mein kambal si

Thi tum aise meri zindagi mein
Hasa thi, sehala ti thi
Khoob mujhe behalati thi
Roothta tha, tum manati thi
Bin maangein, bahut kuch de jaati thi

Pur us samay mujhe chah thi
Khule aasman ki baahon ki
Rangeen raaton ki muskurahaton ki
Tumhari panahein lagti thi bandish
Tumse door rehne ki hoti thi khawish

Ab itni door ho tum mujhse
Ki fursat toh hain
Lekin usse bharne ka saamaan nahin
Haseen mehfilein toh hain
Pur unke ghazalon ki mujhe pehchan nahin

Umeed karta hoon tumhare lautne ki
Tumhari god mein sar rakhke letne ki
Tumhare hothon ko halke se choone ki
Tumhare haathon ko kaske pakadne ki

Himmat nagin hoti magar,
Tumhe bulane ki
Agar tum kar dogi inkaar
Toot jaaonga, bikhar jaaonga

Ab sirf is baat ka hai sahara
Ki shaayad kisi din tum ho jaaogi phir se meri
Aur mein tumhara

Tak tak hai intezaar
Aur abhi tumse hai bahut pyaar
 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

For Myself

I have been told that I have an NGO mentality (Non-Government/Voluntary/Charity Organization for the uninformed). I am much kinder and compassionate to others then I am to myself. I feel others pain to the extent it brings tears to my eyes. I go out of my way to make them feel better, to help them- in whatever little way I can. My phone is like Akhbar's Darbar, where no request went unheard. I reply to every SMS, I return every call, I answer to every ask- and some times when its not even asked.

These are unselfish deeds, but the slight selfish part to them is that they make me feel good. It gives me immense pleasure knowing that I have helped someone, given then something they enjoy, looked after them when they needed it, was the shoulder to cry on, or simply the ear to listen to. I am happy that I am the chosen one when someone is in need. I hardly ever expect anything in return. Its purely because I like to help people. If life were a 70s movie I would be the union leader who fights for the rights of the workers.

I never felt there is anything wrong in this, but this New Year I resolve to add one more person to the list- MYSELF.

  • I resolve to not to be as harsh on myself
  • I resolve to be kinder to myself
  • I resolve to let things go (this one will take a while) :)
  • I resolve to focus on myself
  • I resolve to live in the present
  • I resolve to surrender to God
  • I resolve to not control every aspect of my life
  • I resolve to look inwards
  • I resolve to improve myself
  • I resolve to heal myself
  • I resolve to spend time with myself
  • I resolve to feel happy by my myself
  • I resolve to simply be
For everyone who I love, I promise I will always be there for you. You know where to reach me and you know I will return your call/SMS/whatsapp/BBM/email/FB email.

I will give you what YOU SAY YOU NEED. Not what I THINK YOU NEED. (even though sometimes I know latter is right) ;)

Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world". I want to see a more peaceful world. I have always believed in the 'Live and Let Live' philosophy, which is only attainable when everyone is at peace with themselves.

I resolve to find at least some  of that inner peace- if Kung Fu Panda could do it, I think I have a chance too!

Happy New Year Folks!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

I hold that summer in my heart




I hold that summer in my heart

The summer of love
The summer of innocence
The summer of joy
Of pure indulgence


The summer of youth
Of fun and laughter
Of frivolity and silliness
And all things that matter





The summer of friendships
Filled with lazy beach walks
Ice creams, carnivals
And long telephone talks
It was a happy time
With few worries on the way
Some crushes that crushed you
But just for a few days


It was easy to pick up the pieces
And cycle down the garden path
To stop and smell the roses
To hear the wind chimes dance

I hold that summer in my heart
When friends were close to touch
And spirits were high without the wine
And heart was joyful with so much




Sometimes even today
When I close my eyes tight
I feel that summer in my heart
And I know everything will be alright