Vasant Heights

She had this aura all around her. Some would mistake it for arrogance but Vani very well distinguished the thin line between self esteem and conceit. The former being of utmost importance to her and the latter a mere word in the dictionary. But today this face did not have that charm. Something had disturbed her terribly and her heart would not be at peace until she set things right. She did not like the feeling of being ‘not right’. She could not sleep even for a minute after the phone-call last night. It was a Pune number 020… something,  how could she not remember the std code?? The call started in a little surprise… a lot of excitement, recollection and then disappointment. She would not talk, would not eat and not utter a word. All she did was to pack her tiny travel bag and catch the first train in the morning.

She got down the train, still with the same expression like a zombie, came out of the main exit and hired the taxi. “kaka Kothrud la zaanar aahe”, the driver could not understand how this typical outsider “north Indian”, could so fluently talk in his language. She enquired about all the new developments, the old roads, she could connect to the city so well. But after every small while she kept reassuring herself something.  As she got down of the taxi and walked with a quick pace towards the main gate of the ‘Vasant Heights’ ,she was lost in her thoughts, memories from 10 years back. Flashbacks of the past were so vivid. The road was just how it looked when she first came here. She noticed the watchman, he was the same man, she could not recall his name. She distinctly remembered how they always troubled him past midnight hours. “College life” , she smiled to herself, “when were we ever back home before 12?”. The (now)old chap, was always fast asleep at the gate when these people used to come back home. “Home”, she thought “how could I forget this was home once”. ‘Kasakae Kaka?’ The man looked up and in an astonished tone said ‘Barr aahe’, clearly he did not recognize her. She smiled and had barely walked a small steps when she saw that withered bench in the corner under the tree.
Continue reading..

                

STRUGGLE

Problems are not my issue, fear it is.

There has to be a start, the beginning to an end, -

End to the might of fright,

 Like a creeper I rose tall and wide, but not without support.

Rose to the heights, smiling at the sunshine, -

Pretty but frail,

I lost focus and there was someone to magnify my aim,

I fell and had hands to lift me and buck me up,

Friends, philosophers, guides, have helped me rise and shine.

But rising is no more my aim; standing firm is.

I refuse to take assistance,

A helping hand will do more harm than good.

Friends, philosophers and guides is not what I need,

Predicaments are not simple any more, to explain,

What is the need to explain?

Let me fall, let me cry, but let me reach out to myself.

In the darkest corners of mind does one find illumination.

I want to touch the light, that, that shines within me.

What if the world thinks I am able, let me realize I have it in me.

For, its just I who knows what I am.

The fear of drowning has taught me to swim,

Let me touch the danger; let me know what it is to stand up on my own.

Heal Your Soul

“ Its not about coming home with an award to prove it to others, its about knowing in your heart that u won!’

How many of us relate to this postulation? I don’t. Maybe I am not enlightened enough to understand the fact. As, for me happiness comes not from what I think of myself but by what others think of me. I am too earthly to understand the complexity of this statement. But I ask myself the question did I ever give myself a chance to prove myself in my own eyes. Will I ever stop proving myself to others and start doing things what I feel is right. Yes I have, but all these times I have in turn faced unacceptable reactions from the society. But why do such reactions disappoint me? It is because I seek for their consent. For once if I give myself credit enough to decide for myself what is right and what’s not, then surely and slowly I will put my belief in the above postulation.

“I am a winner at heart”, because with a clear conscience I know what I am worth. These might seem as bookish and not applicable practically. But, it is a universal truth that the man who thinks high of himself always stands upright in all adversities. Not only having ‘self esteem’ is tough, but also holding onto it in testing times. But how far can we take this self esteem and not allow it to get on our head and maintain the fine line between self esteem and pride is more important. And even more important is not to overrate our own selves. Because overrating might lead us to a downfall, we might just make efforts but all in the wrong direction. “Its easy to progress, but its difficult to make it in the right direction” –JRD Tata.

In this busy life one should give one a chance to sit in quiet and listen to one’s heart, know what’s right, act accordingly and please oneself not others. As, the inner voice is never wrong. It is said that the subconscious mind has the capability to cure fatal diseases like cancer. So, this subconscious mind will surely help us in believing in ourselves.

ESCAPIST

Run into the open field,

Fresh with sparkles of morning due,

Break free the yolk of wants,

Impervious to the rough wind,

Unaware of the exogenous influence,

Pristine knowledge within,

Individual but part of the whole,

Intense, not shallow,

Wish I could be an escapist from the traditional,

Be not what I want to, rather what I am,

Unmoved by circumstances,

Igneous and not met-morphed with age,

 …The wish truly wished – To be an Escapist.

Mann main RAM

The much awaited Ayodhya verdict is round the corner.With so much anticipation, It is bound to arouse the sentiments of one of the groups. Much blood if not ink has flowed since the babri-masjid kand on the 6^th of December 1992, which is dated in red ink in the history of the SECULAR state of India.

                According to facts and figures the Archeologiacal survey of India concluded that the piece of land was the birth place of ShreeRam and hence an important spot for hindu pilgrims. Then in thr 17^th century with the advent of the Mughals the place of the temple was taken up by the Babari-Masjid. But literary works of the ancient times point out that uptil quite sometime both the hindus and muslims worshiped that holy spot together, but with provocation of certain parties like the VHP(Vishwa Hindu Parishad) and other opposition parties, the masjid was demolished in ’92 leading to mass killing of more than 2000 people in the northern parts of the country and also in Mumbai. Since that day onwards this has been a sensitive issue bringing sour memories and reviving revengeful feelings for many.

                Going to the root, is it really important as in whose favor will the decision be?  How can a piece of land be the cause of loss of peace, can it be so important that it boils down to life and death for millions of people. It is said that it’s the janmbhumi of lord Ram but if we get to thinking would lord Ram-the messiah of righteousness and humanity want such non compassionate behavior by the his followers?

Will it actually matter if we have one less mosque or one less temple? If that place is so holy then shouldn’t it be a reason of oneness rather than bloodshed and violence? Religion is a way of living which helps you to follow the path that takes one to spiritual happiness and not incite us to curb the religious beliefs of other sects. Will the muslims not read their namaz if that mosque is not made or the hindus stop worshiping if the temple is not? On a personal note “mann me Ram baithao, bhumi main kya rakkha hai?”

Mysterious

I wish to go up to the horizon,

Follow the boat that goes furthest.

I wish to encircle the rainbow,

Chase the birds that sit on the colorful bands.

I wish to follow the arrows of the highway wherever they may take,

No destination just to know where it takes.

I wish to explore the forbidden paths,

Behind the bars of restricted entry.

I wish to see what clouds are made of,

To tickle and make them water.

I wish to dissect happiness,

And see what its made of.

I wish to understand the mystical, the supreme power that holds the universe,

The light that we pray to,

I wish to unravel the unknown,

And in the process comprehend my own self.

I CAN

I CAN

I can do what I want,

I can do what I need to,

I can overcome every obstacle,

I can reach the heights not soared,

I can touch the the depth unreached,

I can prove facts unproven,

I can learn my own lessons,

I can surmount the fears inside me,

I can rise above the pettiness of materialism,

I can grace being my own self,

I can be my own strength,

I can defeat the devil inside me,

I can get through the toughest times,

I can solve the arduous maze,

 If only I believe I Can,

If only I believe that His hand is over my head,

If only I give myself a chance to,

If only I take the trouble of doing it,

If only I let myself make a mistake,

If only I TRY to…

Vande Mataram---- Hail to the MotherLand

There is so much to commend about our motherland,

I lack words to applaud its glorious history,

I bend my head in the honor of this great land,

This land of valiant warriors,

Our courageous leaders from past and present,

Men of wit and astuteness,

Her sons who toil to make the land reap gold,

Flavors spread far and wide,

So different yet so similar,

So many dialects and numerous traditions,

It’s rich culture and splendid saga of bravery,

Stories of humility and hospitality,

The pioneers of medicine and numbers,

The ocean of enlightenment and knowledge – The Vedas,

The epitome of lovingness and compassion,

 The stories of immortal heroes and heroines,

We bend our head in front of this great Land,

In respect and duty,

And be utmost ready to glorify its present and future.

For all my loving FRIENDS who have been and will always be there for me

Dedicated to all of u who have and will always be dere for me J

So no one told you life was gonna be this way                                                                                                                    
Your jobs a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.                                                                                                                                                 
It's like you're always stuck in second gear                                                                                                                                      
And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,                                                                                                             
or even your year                                                                                                                                                                                   
but..I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                           
When the rain starts to pour                                                                                                                                                                                                       
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Like I've been there before                                                                                                                                                                                                                
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
'Cuz you're there for me too...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                              
You're still in bed at ten                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
And work began at eight                                                                                                                                                                   You've burned your breakfast                                                                                                                                                                        
So far... things are goin' great                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these                                                                                                                                                                                
Oh but she didn't tell you when the world has brought                                                                                                                                                        
You down to your knees that...                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
When the rain starts to pour                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                            
Like I've been there before                                                                                                                                                                                                    
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                               
'Cuz you're there for me too...                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
No one could ever know me                                                                                                                                                                         
No one could ever see me                                                                                                                                                                         
Seems you're the only one who knows                                                                                                                                                                       
What it's like to be me                                                                                                                                                                                     
Someone to face the day with                                                                                                                                                                                  
Make it through all the rest with                                                                                                                                                                      
Someone I'll always laugh with                                                                                                                                                                        
Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
It's like you're always stuck in second gear                                                                                                                                                      
And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,                                                                                                                                      
or even your year...                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                
When the rain starts to pour                                                                                                                                                                                                 
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Like I've been there before                                                                                                                                                                                     
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                               
'Cuz you're there for me too...                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                  
I'll be there for you                                                                                                                                                                                                 
'Cuz you're there for me too...                                                                                                                                                                                       

Angel

A hand that wasn’t held,

A flower that wasn’t  tendered,

I met this little one at an orphanage,

With face like that of a sage,

Those huge eyes, a whole lot of questions they had,

The voice touched me deep inside, wanted it to call me dad,

The little hands he held out to me,

Just one look made an impression so deep and extreme,

 He had no home,

How could some have left him alone,

Well I thank them for it was my luck,

To have found this angel -  in life that I did lack,

 I feel sorry for the years we spent without each other,

But the moment I brought him to his home has been the best this further,

He has come to be the best part of my life,

Or maybe life itself is him,

Adopt an angel,

Bring the one home who has no one.

Life will have another meaning,

Your world will sparkle with divine blessing.

HOPE

‘Dream’ because you ought to fly,

‘cause you ought to reach the stars so high.

Look back may you never,

Forget not to wear your smile forever.

Success comes from figments of imagination,

Each daring deed needs inspiration.

Every shining star has a hidden story,

Life is just an unsolved mystery.

All the mysteries are run by a power divine,

Behind all the things that nature harmoniously entwine.

There is this enormous power in your soul,

Perseverance and patience can mine diamonds from coal.

Never say ‘I’ve tried enough’

Get up , you got to be tough.

Never feel inadequate in this competitive race,

Remember no one can ever take your place.

So, if you are too far away or just missed the line,

Get up and get going just one more time.

Shattered dream

Disenchanted, lost, frightened,-The inner self.

Dusky, unclear, darkened, The future gets.

It happens when plans don’t succeed,

Unsolicited set of events that impede.

No one to be blamed but circumstances,

Crestfallen mind that cannot find options,

Refuses to dream again, A direction is all what it require.

What it wanted, wasn’t surefire,

But the news that it cannot get that now,

Makes it want it anyhow.

Expectations when not met,

Become bars which on dejection banquet.

Shoulders suddenly start feeling heavy and over burdened,

Insecurities crowd around,

Eyes still stuck on the sky,

Not definite how to even give a try.

A backup plan is what it doesn’t have,

Learnt another lesson,

Will learn to live with it though with hesitation.

  

NANA

I wish I had a chance to say goodbye....


Often have I started writing bout you Nana but never had the courage to go further than 3-4 lines. But this time I somehow find a force inside me that makes me write...


I wish I could be there,
I wish I could say goodbye,
I know you are still here somewhere,
Over all of us, You keep your protective eye,
There hasn't been a moment more painful,
Than when I found You had left us all,
The sorrow out of which I myself still cant pull,
I still skip a beat when I recall,
There has never been a news as bad,
It took me days even to realize the bitter truth,
Such a sudden farewell,
How could God be so brute,
I miss you Nana,
Every time I accomplish something,
Every time I lose something,
I still remember that rhyme,
I still cant forget the blessings you bestowed,
I remember You being there for my birthdays,
I miss You more now every year,
Diwali has lost its charm,
I light a diya on your birthday,
My eyes still search for you when I enter your room,
My throat fills up when I see your image on the wall,
Your clothes are still hung in the same manner,
Often I search its pockets,
Each and every thing in that house,
Reminds me of your being there,
I wish could just touch your feet once,
I wish I could Fare you well for your heavenly abode,
I wish You could see that I have realized your dreams,
I stand by the principals you laid for me,
I can feel your presence every time I chant OM,
I promise to follow the path you showed,
I imagine the scene of you being taken away...away from us forever,
But I know you are immortal in our hearts,
memories will stay though life may surpass,
I make myself calm reminding what mummy said"He lived a happy life and looked peaceful like a saint when he was been taken away"
I love you Nana, we all do,
I know You will always be there for me, supporting me and loving me, protecting me...

Another "HIGH"

Yet another PEAK conquered.

It must not be a very big thing for many but for me it is an accomplishment. I always undermined myself thinking that I am not
cut out for such a task. But today it feels so nice to have successfully completed yet another trek. This is probably just a small
example of will-power. I decided I wanted to and I did it, just a little training and the attitude"I can do it!" took me through.Its so truly said - "Its not the aptitude but your attitude that decides altitude in life". And I cannot believe I actually enjoy trekking now. There is this inexplicable content when you reach your destination.The breathtakingly beautiful view from the top does justice to the journey. I truly felt as if I rule this world. You are literally at the top of this world when you reach the highest point. I admit that it gets a bit intimidating at times but just as a fellow trekker said "Trust" nothing is going to get wrong. And yes I trusted and up I went. For details we have been going trekking since the past two weekends now. Our first trek was to purandar fort. An amazing trek, though a little rough terrain yet one is left awestruck with the beauty. It was like walking in the clouds, above them to be exact. Heavenly beautiful. The next trek was to Tikona fort, again built by Shivaji, not that challenging but a steep trek. At a point there is this stretch of 200-300 steep steps. You actually have to sit in order to reach the next step. A wonderful experience. One feels so close to nature, lush green tress and grass all around, a soothing breeze, not so soothing sun at times, clouds, rains , rough terrain, completely natural untouched by urbanization, and yes wonderful company. What more can I ask for on a weekend. I loved it. And I am so proud of myself for outgrowing the fear of mine.Thanks to my mates who helped me overcome it.

the DROP of life

"The Need of the hour"

"Every little drop adds to the ocean" We have heard this idiom a number of times. But as of now I am talking bout the literal meaning of the sentence. Yes, if every little drop adds to the ocean then every drop that we consume subtracts from the ocean. If we rethink before wasting every single drop we might end up making a difference. Are we aware of the depletion of fresh water resources? We must have heard a zillion times that in the near future we will be deprived of fresh water. Yet, do we understand the gravity of this topic? The basic aim in our life is to ensure a secure and bright future for our children, but if now we do not take any measures to save water then our coming generations would not be able to survive. Alas! this is the truth that many of us do not realize. But it is shameful enough to know that although most of us know about these problems yet we don't try to look out for appropriate measures to avert the danger.



Its all brown,Its all dry,
What if they had given a try,
No rains, the damns are at level zero,
No grains, there wasn't water enough for them to grow.
Glaciers have all melted,
The rivers once rush-hush are now depleted,
The wells are arid,
Ground water drained,

Its all brown, Its all dry,
What if they had given a try,
Just a little effort,a small gesture,
Would have procrastinated if not cure,
` A five minute shower,
Instead of an hour,
Closing the tap while you brush,
It wouldn't have costed much,


Its all brown, Its all dry,
What if they had given a try,
Believe me it would have been wiser,
Not to have chosen diamonds and gold over water!!