जड़

कुछ समय पहले मैंने एक कहानी सुनी थी। आज उसे अपने शब्दों में लिख रही हूं।

एक गांव में एक पिता अपने बेटे और बहु के साथ रिटायरमेंट के बाद खुशहाल जीवन व्यतित कर रहे थे। बेटा और बहू उनका खूब सम्मान करते। कुछ माह में उनके दादा बनने का संयोग था। वे अपनी गर्भवती बहु की सेहत और आराम का पूर्ण ध्यान रखते थे।

एक बार पिताजी शाम को मित्रों के साथ टहल कर घर आये। उनका बेटा आफिस से लौटने के पश्चात हाथ मुँह धो कर बैठा था। बहु ने गरमा गरम चाय का कप देते हुए पिताजी से पूछा कि भोजन में क्या लेंगे। पिताजी ने कहा "बहु कुछ देर बैठो भोजन की क्या जल्दी है! " भावी माता पिता से पूछा कि तुम अपनी आने वाली संतान का किस प्रकार पालन करोगे। बहु ने कहा - "पिताजी हम उसे बहुत लाड़ प्यार से पालेंगे, सदा उसका ख्याल रखेंगे।" बेटे ने कहा -" हाँ हाँ पिताजी हम उसे किसी चीज़ की कमी नहीं होने देंगे। उसे जीवन का हर सुख देंगे। नाज़ों से पालेंगे।" पिता के चहरे पर मुस्कान आ गयी किन्तु वे मौन रहे। बहु बेटा आश्चर्य में थे लेकिन कुछ बोले नहीं।

अगले दिन पिताजी दो पौधे घर ले आये। बहु बेटे को बुला कर कहा, "ये लो तुम्हारे लिये मेरी ओर से तोहफ़ा, एक पौधा मैं रखूंगा एक तुम रखो। इसे बगीचे में लगा दो।" दोनों सोच में पड़ गए कि पिताजी की इसके पीछे क्या मंशा है, अपना पौधा लिया और उसे बगीचे में लगा दिया।

वे दोनों अपने पौधे का बहुत ध्यान रखते, रोज़ पानी देते, खाद डालते, उसे सूखने ना देते, उसके बड़े होने पर खुशी मनाते और अपनी इस सफ़लता पर गर्व करते। वहीं पिताजी का पौधा रूखा सूखा रहता, वे उसे काफ़ी दिनों तक पानी भी नहीं देते। दोनों को बड़ा आश्चर्य होता।

एक रात बहुत वर्षा हुई और तूफान आया। उनका पौधा जड़ से निकल कर अलग हो गया था और टूट कर एक कोने में पड़ा था। अगले दिन उन्होंने जब ये देखा तो बड़े दुखी हुए। सोचा कि हमने इसकी देखभाल में ऐसी क्या कमी रखी जो इसके ये हाल हुए। वहीं पिताजी का पौधा टस से मस न हुआ। उन्होंने पिताजी से इसका कारण पूछा।

पिताजी ने बड़ा सुंदर जवाब दिया - "मैंने अपने पौधे को स्वावलंबी बनाया। मैं उसे कम पानी देता था और सीमित देखभाल करता था। इससे उसने अपनी जड़ों को अंदर तक बढ़ा लिया और ज़मीन द्वारा ही पानी लेता था। इससे आज वह स्वस्थ और स्थिर है। तुमने अपने पौधे के संरक्षण में इतने प्रयत्न किए की उसे कमज़ोर बना दिया। तुमने अनजाने में उसे ख़ुद पर निर्भर कर दिया और वो ज़रा भी तकलीफ़ ना सह सका। उसी प्रकार संतान को भी हम प्रेमवश मानसिक, आर्थिक और शारीरिक रूप से कमज़ोर बना देते हैं। हम उसे सारे सुख देने की इच्छा से और जीवन मे सब आराम देने के लोभ में दुर्बल कर देते हैं। हम अगर उसके साथ कठोर नहीं होंगे तो भविष्य में यह उसके लिए हानिकारक होता है। अब शायद तुम समझ गये होंगे मेरा पूर्ण उद्देश्य। "

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I see...

The tinkling of bells of her anklets was audible much before she could reach the Father's office. Father Francis had been removing his glasses and keeping it at his desk after a tiresome day. While he was still rubbing his eyes, he sensed from a distance that little Shubhra is around. Even before turning back he guessed that it was her.

"May I come in Father?", said charming Shrubhra excitedly.

Father Francis' office was a big room. His vintage desk was towards the right corner behind which were three many wooden cupboards with transparent doors, queued next to each other. Piles of documents and files were locked up in there. The desk was almost empty after his day of work that involved calculation of funds for the orphanage, records of new children joining them, grocery, stationery, staff records etc. The other corner of the room had a piano, playing which was his favorite past time along with a rocking chair.

"Yes, my child. What is bothering you?", smiled and said Father Francis.

"Father, what is the meaning of my name? Everyone in the class kept asking today?", She uttered heftily.

Father laughed, "why is that so urgent, dear. I will answer this some other day? I am tired."

"But you said you will answer all our questions any time we ask." Shubhra looked down and replied sadly.

While she was about to return, Father Francis walked towards her, stopped her, held her little hand and carefully sat her on the rocking chair.

"Shrubra means white, my child" replied father politely.

The corridors were quiet and unruffled at this time. It was the time when children would have finished their "Thank you God" prayer and retired to slumber. Only a few lights in the corridor were lit up. The ticking of the giant clock in Father Francis' office was clearly audible.

After a pause, Shubhra continued, "What is white? Something yummy, or something that smelled good, or something as soft as the Christmas cake, or beautiful music like that of your piano." Her brows rising up and down while she asked excitedly.

Father hesitantly answered "That's.... that's a color. White is amongst various colors that paint this universe. It is the most pious of them. White is..."

He abruptly stopped and stood worried about her subsequent question.

"What is a color? I know alphabets, words, sentences,... flowers, fragrance, countries... oceans, trees but.... not colors. Did Sister Rosy forget to teach that to our class?" She uttered without a pause, emphasized on all the related topics she learnt in her current grade.

The six year old Shubhra who was blind since birth and an orphan since she was 3 days old. She was a dear child at the St. Mary's Orphanage. She was found at the gate of the orphanage in white clothes and her face was fair as a ball of cotton. Hence, one of the caretakers, fondly called as Shanti Maa, named her Shubhra.

"There is no escape", thought Father.

"Well, I will explain to you what are colors. But promise me you won't ask further.", dictated Francis.

"Okay Father", the curious lad smiled.

"Fine...", sighed Father.

He walked towards the other end of the room, and sat in front of the piano, paused, closed his eyes and started playing a soft tone. With the music playing in background, he recited playfully-

Seven are the colors,

But hundreds are the shades,

Green is for prosperity,

Happiness and spring,

Green are the leaves,

Grass and plants,

Blue is for cheer,

Water everywhere,

Blue are clouds,

Sea and cold ice,

White is serene,

Peace and clean,

White are rice,

Pigeon and teeth,

Yellow is bright,

Energy and sunlight,

Yellow are sunflowers,

Fire and turmeric powder,

Red is stark,

Fear and attention,

Red signals attention,

Danger and blood,

Brown is dull,

Chocolate and coconut,

Brown is wood,

Dirt and mud,

Black is absorber of colors,

No moon night and absence of light

Hair are black,

Bat and cat

Rainbow is beauty,

Earth's lovely bounty,

Rain and light combine,

seven colors at a time,

The arch in the sky,

Pleases every eye.

"And my child, before I bid you good night, remember that the world is full of colors, and I have shown them to you with my eyes. Never be upset of not being able to see. Smile, because you are born, you are loved and your senses are stronger than those with eyes."

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A Blank Notebook

Amidst eerie calm of the midnight, she was tossing and turning on the bed. All that was audible was the clock ticking near the door. On that full moon night, a glint of moonlight was peeping past the curtains, adding dim light to her room. The king size bed was too wide for her to lie there alone. Like every year, December weather in Bengaluru was not that cool. Anamika was all alone at home, her husband had been out for three days to attend an official meeting at Chennai.

Lying back in her cozy pajamas and loose tees, thoughts came in and passed as she was having a sleepless night. She had been missing her husband, who was a source of inspiration for her every time she was low. While Anamika was looking towards the window, from the little space left uncovered by the curtains, a thick lock of hair falling on her forehead was bothering her. She moved it slowly behind her ear. Her eyes fell upon the clock, the time was 1:10 AM. Nevertheless, she ain’t going to sleep tonight.

Something was keeping her awake. Anamika’s husband, Rishi had his client presentation the next morning. So she did not want to call and disturb his slumber sleep. If she called him at this time in the night, he would get worried for no reason.

Thoughts climbed up her mind as and as the night passed.

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It all started a year and half ago. She got married and moved to Bengaluru. Life was a joyful ride since then. Having someone to share your joys and sorrows with, to be cuddled and cared for, to be accompanied in all endeavors and choices, is one of the best feelings. It was then Anamika had started penning down her book, her OWN book. It’s been a dream since years. Her husband kept her encouraging to give it a start. Rishi often said, “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you are right.”

“Eureka! I did it. I wrote my first book.” After multiple drafts, series of writing, re-writing, feedback, editing and burning the midnight oil, Anamika had completed her book. Now the time had come to share the script with the publisher. He was already impressed by her manuscript. Anamika had been on cloud nine since then, her husband equally happy. They had submitted the script to the publisher. For a week, Anamika and Rishi had waited for the publisher’s phone call. Every morning they woke up with vigor, anticipating his call. But success was not supposed to knock so soon on Anamika’s door. The script was rejected. She was shattered. The book was her baby. Thereafter, she spent days and nights in despair. Rishi tried his best to condole her, to convince her that it was the first but not the last time. He insisted her to try writing again. Anamika was too discouraged to write again. She said, “It is not my cup of tea. How could I even dream to see my book in people’s bookshelves? I was much better writing poems and short stories.” She engrossed herself in everything else and stopped writing.

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This time, in Rishi’s absence, Anamika was revisiting the past events for the umpteenth time. She recalled that while leaving for the airport, Rishi had asked her to open the first drawer of her “writing desk” for once. In excitement, she jumped out of the bed and moved towards her “writing desk” in the other room. The door knob was closed, which she opened quickly. The desk was marvelously decorated and on the walls behind were pasted various posters, print outs of her poems, articles and stories, inspirational quotes- all very lucrative for a writer. In the drawer was a folded paper which was hand-written by Rishi for her. The letter just mentioned-

“Sometimes our power resides not in what we do, but in what we don’t do. There is only one difference between dream and aim. Dream requires effortless sleep and aim requires sleepless efforts. Sleep for dream and wake up for aim. Get up and write :)”

Beneath the letter was lying a notebook, a blank notebook. The scent of fresh pages and the sight of an un-scribbled notebook was so soothing. Anamika pulled out a pen from the holder. She opened the blank notebook. And in no time, started writing her destiny - her book, once again!

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

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कल तुम भी वृध्द होंगे

शर्मा जी क्षेत्र के पार्षद थे। जन साधारण की सदैव मदद करने हेतु वे विख्यात थे। शहर के अनेक लोग उनके पास अपनी समस्या का समाधान लेने आते थे।

दिसम्बर का शीतल सोमवार, प्रातः 9 बजे। शर्माजी कार्यालय जाते समय अपने वृद्ध पिता को मन्दिर ले कर आए हुए थे। सीढिया चढ़ते हुए उनके समीप एक व्यक्ति जो लगभग 40 वर्ष का और उसके साथ लगभग 70 वर्षीय वृद्ध आये। शर्माजी ने दोनों को नमन करते हुए पूछा की वे उनकी क्या सेवा कर सकते हैं। मंदिर में आरती प्रारम्भ हो चुकी थी सो शर्माजी के पिता आरती में सम्मिलित होने की मंशा व्यक्त कर के आरती स्थल की ओर जाने लगे। शर्मा जी ने तुरंत अपने ड्राइवर को साथ भेजा। यह देख कर मदद को आये उस व्यक्ति के भाव परिवर्तित हो गए।

उन्होंने पुनः उस व्यक्ति से पूछा की वे उनकी क्या मदद कर सकते हैं। उसने बताया कि साथ में जो वृद्ध हैं वे उसे सड़क के उस पार अकेले खड़े मिले और आग्रह किया कि शर्माजी उनकी यदोचित सहायता करें। प्रतीत होता  है  इनका कोई नहीं है।

शर्माजी ने तुरंन्त एक वृद्धाश्रम में फ़ोन लगाया और उनसे आग्रह कर उस वृद्ध का वहाँ दाख़िला करवाया। साथ आये व्यक्ति ने आभार व्यक्त करते हुए शर्मा जी से कहा कि कार्यालय जाते हुए वह उस वृद्ध को आश्रम छोड़ देंगे। शर्मा जी यह जान कर प्रसन्न हुए की मानवता आज भी जीवित है।

आरती एवं दर्शन समाप्त होने पर शर्माजी अपने पिता को ससम्मान घर छोड़ कर अपने कार्यस्थल की ओर गए।

दो माह पश्चात शर्मा जी के पिता कुछ दिनों तक अस्पताल में भर्ती रहे | पूर्ण रूप से स्वस्थ होने के उपरांत वे उनकी अस्पताल से छुट्टी करवा रहे थे| अचानक उन्हें एक कक्ष से वह् व्यक्ति आता हुआ दिखा जो कि उस वृद्ध को उनके पास लाया था | उसी के नज़दीक वृद्धाश्रम का अधिकारी शर्मा जी को पह्चान गया | उसने बताया,  "उन बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति का स्वास्थ्य ठीक नहीं है | डॉक्टर ने कहा है अब उनके जीवन के कुछ ही पल शेष है | हमने उनसे पूछा कि किसी नाते रिश्तेदार या मित्र से मिलने कि इच्छा हो तो बता दें | तब उन्होंने इस व्यक्ति का फ़ोन नम्बर दिया|"

शर्मा जी समझने लगे थे कि दाल में कुछ काला है | कुछ क्षण पश्चात वह् व्यक्ति पुनः उस कक्ष के भीतर गया | वापिस आया तो थोड़ा उदास दिखा | डॉक्टर से पूछने पर ज्ञात हुआ कि वे वृद्ध पुरुष अब नहीं रहे |

सांत्वना देने हेतु शर्मा जी उस व्यक्ति के पास गए | उसने वृद्धाश्रम के अधिकारी से पूछा कि क्या उन्हें उन वृद्ध ने कोई फाइल दी थी| उत्सुक्तवश शर्मा जी ने पूछा कि वह् उस वृद्ध के बारे में इतना कैसे जानता है अथवा उसका उनसे क्या नाता है| सिर झुका कर, हिचकिचाते हुए उसने बताया कि वह् उनका पुत्र है | पिता की चिकित्सा के लिए धन ना दे पाने, उनकी सेवा के भार से बचने और अपने पुत्र के पालन में व्यस्त होने के कारण उसे उन्हें वृद्धाश्रम भेजने का विचार आया। वृद्धाश्रम की फीस ना भरने की मंशा से उसने शर्मा जी की सहायता ली। और उन्होंने बिना कुछ जाने उसकी सहायता कर दी।

शर्मा जी अत्यन्त लज्जित हुए। फाइल खोल कर देखी तो पाया कि उस वृद्ध ने अपनी सारी संपत्ति अपने पुत्र के नाम कर दी है। शर्मा जी को यह जान कर दुःख हुआ के जिस पुत्र ने उन्हें जीवन के अंतिम समय में वृद्धाश्रम छोड़ दिया उस वृद्धाश्रम के लिए कुछ देने की जगह उन्होंने उसी पुत्र को सम्पत्ती दे दी। साथ ही उन्हें ग्लानि हुई जो ऐसे कुपुत्र पर उन्होंने अंधा विश्वास किया |

मन ही मन स्वयम्‌ को वचन दिया कि अब किसी कि सहायता करने से पूर्व वे पूर्ण जाँच करेंगे |

इतने में शर्मा जी के किसी संबंधी ने उन्हें आवाज़ दे कर सूचित किया कि उनके पिताजी को घर ले जाया जा सकता है | बिना विलम्भ के वे वहां से उठ खड़े हुए |

जाते हुए उन्होंने बस इतना कहा- "यह मत भूलना, कल तुम भी वृद्ध होंगे।"

ऊँगली पकड़ कर सिखाया चलना जिसने,
हाथ पकड़ कर उसी को छोड़ आए वर्द्धाश्रम,
नींद अपनी खो कर तुमको सुलाया जिसने,
सदा के लिए सो जाए वह ऐसा करते हो श्रम,
दिल से हम करे सम्मान बुज़ुर्गों का,
है किस्मत वालों को मिलता आशीर्वाद बुज़ुर्गों का।

(Disclaimer: This post does not intend to harm, defame, or hurt the sentiments of any person, gender, religion, political party, news channel, religious belief, god or to whomsoever it may concern. I sincerely apologize in advance if it is so.) 

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Blue Silk Scarf

Note: I wrote this story for TOI- WriteIndia (author- CB)

She sat in the Starbucks cafe, sipping her coffee and staring out of the window. The blood stained knife lay next to her handbag, covered with her blue silk scarf.  Yes a blood stained knife!

I was sitting diagonally to her approximately 10 feet far. Her face was visible to me from that distance. It was a Saturday afternoon on that hot summer day. The aroma of coffee and chit chats of people engaged me while I was alone waiting for someone.

I got call from my mother to which I responded- "What, she is not coming?.... but you said she would be there by 4 PM. Maa, I am waiting since last 30 minutes" My mother had chosen a girl for me, who was coming to meet me that day. But she couldn't turn up for certain reason. Now I was alone in the cafe watching people come and go. It was just then I observed this lady who seemed to be of around 25 years of age, a good looking, and well-dressed confident girl. She had applied kajal in her big eyes which made them even more attractive. It seemed like she had been waiting for someone. But why would a girl recklessly place a blood stained knife beside her and sit at such a public place. For a second I thought to approach her and ask whether she had just committed a murder lately! You never know, this is Delhi.

Then while she was helping herself to bring back a flick of hair falling over her forehead, I noticed a bandage tied on the wrist of her right hand, looks like she met an accident recently.

Since no one joined for long time the cafe manager would not want me to enjoy the music and the air conditioner for free. So I ordered a Cafe Frappe for me.

A pair of girls aged about 5-6 years emerged from the cafe entry walking notoriously. A woman, I guess, their mother followed them loaded with shopping bags and trying to meet their pace. They sat opposite to their mother after one-sided talk with the fishes in the fish tank at the entrance, and their mother asking them the umpteenth time to sit. Amidst all this, I again focused on that young lady. In my mind I named her Anamika, since I didn't know her name!

She glared at the kids with a half full smile and her eyes almost met mine while I just managed to look at the kids before she could notice that I am observing her. I hope she didn't notice me.

Her eyes moved to a man pulling the door of the cafe, dressed in formal shirt and blue jeans, well-built personality and dusky complexion. Let's attribute the complexion to Delhi's tanning summer.

He was searching for someone and within seconds he caught the sight of the one he was looking for. He came near Anamika and pulled the chair rudely to sit. She looked scared. He seemed angry. Leaning forward he started talking to her. I could not hear anything from the distance, but thanks to expressions I could sense what was going on. There was something serious. A tear dropping down Anamika's cheeks while the cold hearted guy was fuming with anger. She pointed towards the knife and was saying something as if requesting him for a favor. And a few seconds later, she slipped the knife into her handbag. They spoke, rather, argued for a few minutes and the guy left in anger.

Watching from a distance, unable to judge what is happening, but somewhere in my heart I felt sympathy towards the girl.

Her eyes welled with tears, Anamika went to the washroom. In the meantime I paid my bill. I was curious to know her story. My questions made me restless- why did the guy go away? Why did the girl who looked so strong at the beginning, was weeping so much? Why is she carrying a knife in that public place?

When she left from the washroom and exited the gate of the cafe, no signs of tears were seen on her face, except for the kajal was now wiped off completely. I stood at the billing counter waiting for my bill to be processed. She arrived at the counter, totally lost.  To avoid eye contact, I started looking at my cell phone. She asked at the counter in a low tone, "How much?" She paid the said amount without even collecting the bill.

I followed her quickly. She was walking on the footpath, grief stricken, she walked slowly and I followed her carefully and curiously for over 10 Minutes. She stopped at a deserted place, pulled the knife out of her handbag, tears flowing through her eyes, threw the knife in a garbage bin and turned around to check if anyone has seen her. I was hiding safely behind a wall so she could not see me. She left the place after that. I stood their puzzled, thinking about what just happened at the café and at this place.

----------1 Week Later-----------

That fine Saturday morning, while I was still on bed leveraging the start of weekend and my bachelorhood, I got a call from Mom.

"Hello Maa..Good morning." I said half asleep.

"You are still sleeping. Its 9:30!” like yet another Indian mother, her volume turned up.

"Ummm...no my dear mom... tell me what happened", I replied politely. She has all rights to scold me at any age.

"Remember the girl who was to meet you last Saturday…She is going to come today at Starbucks Cafe today at 4 PM. Be there."

It was 3:55 PM when I entered the Starbucks cafe. I dislike reaching late! Soft English music played in the background. I could sense the aroma of coffee up to my nostrils. At the counter I left my card to help them find me if that girl comes asking for me. I sat near the window where Anamika sat that day. Strangely, there was not even a day during last 7 days when I haven't thought about her. There was something in her that kept pulling me, but I had not seen her after that day.

It was almost 4:00 PM. I was looking out of the window and listening to the music, when a girl came to me and said, "Hello, are you Rishi?" I nodded in a yes. She replied, "Hi this is Ashwini. Our parents wanted us to see each other." I replied in awe, " oh yes, please sit", in my head there were multiple voices which argued to me," Can't you see, this is Anamika? Yes this is Anamika..." World is round, very round. The same girl who I was observing last week, and was thinking about the whole week was seated in front of me for a marriage compatibility meet! The voices in my head didn't stop" Oh god, what do I do? Should I tell her that I know her? No no let me first ask how it feels carry a knife like a toy? She looks normal to me, she must be her twin sister- Anamika& Ashwini, or may be a look alike as in Hindi movies..."

"Rishi, Rishi... everything fine?,"Anamika kept saying while I was busy in discussion with my head.

"Yes, yes, everything is fine." I pretended to be normal with a grin on my face.

We ordered our coffee and began talking, started with an introduction. She worked with an MNC at Delhi since 4 years and hailed from Meerut. I briefed about myself, " I am from Allahabad and working with an MNC here since past 5 years."

She became quiet for the next few seconds sipping her coffee. Using couple of her fingers she managed to move the flick of her hair falling on her forehead, behind the ears. The bandage was still on her arm, but condition seemed to be better. She noticed me looking at it, and hid her hand in her lap. She said in a subtle but sad tone. "Well, before we discuss anymore I would like to tell you something about my past. I had an affair, but it didn't work. I tried committing suicide but even that didn't work. Now I have decided to move on in life and get married. But trust me, my past will never ruin my present and future. I am a lively girl, and function on logic. Life has to go on then why not live it cheerfully. I heard somewhere, pain is inevitable, and suffering is optional. No one is in-charge of your happiness as much as you are. And about love, it can happen as many times as we are open to it." She smiled confidently at the end of it.

"Would you say yes?", she enquired after a minute of silence.

I already had a soft corner for her since the first time I saw her, and all my questions were answered by her even before I could ask her. "I like your honesty Ashwini" I replied. Her smile made her look even more beautiful now.  We spoke for almost an hour about all sorts of topics varying from family, friends, studies, weather, food, hobbies, pets, Delhi's traffic, books and what not. Surprisingly we shared a lot of similarities. Then on we dated for about a month and now we are happily married for two years.

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Fate and Wit

Note: I wrote this story for TOI- WriteIndia (author Amish)


Close to the city of Paithan, in a small village called Sauviragram, which lay along the banks of the great river Godavari, lived a woman named Ilaa. Being cotton farmers, her family was well to do, but not among the richest in their area. It was the harvest season, and cotton had to be picked from the plants. The wholesalers and traders from Paithan would be arriving in just a few weeks, carrying gold and goods for barter. They would exchange what they carried for the cotton that the farmers grew. The bales of cotton had to be ready in time! Work was at its peak!

But Ilaa was not to be found in the fields. She wasn't working. Instead, she was sitting by the banks of the great river Godavari.

She sobbed while recalling the event that happened at her house a prahar back and Yogiraj’s verdict on her life, "It is Ilaa’s turn to get married as per the Prathama Pratha this year."

She was a woman in her early 20s. Born as the second girl child to her parents in the year 1643, Ilaa was an intelligent lass, adept in vivid fields of knowledge and good at household chores too. She justified her name well. Ilaa means earth- like the Earth which supports life and hence, is unique amongst all planets in the solar system; she was unique amongst others in her village with exemplary knowledge and wit.

The villagers had been making preparations to welcome the traders who were anticipated to buy their crops. It was no lesser than a festival to them, in the form of repayment of the toil they had done throughout the year.
--------------

In the courtyard of her house, as a regular chore, Ilaa had cleaned the floor and laid down a beautiful rangoli at the porch, which was thought to bring good luck. While she was spreading the mat awaiting the young girls of Sauviragram to attend her class on preaching of summary of Bhagwad Geeta, which was the subject for today, her mother Sakvarbai, called her and said cheerfully- "Ilaa, my daughter, you keep running from here and there in the house. Why don't you spare some time for your old mother?"  With a tear drop glittering at the corner her right eye, the lady continued, "God knows when luck strikes my daughter and we tie the nuptial knot for her. Then you'll fly away like a bird, my child!"

Hesitatingly Ilaa replied, "Oh mother, I'm going nowhere. I won't leave my parents so early. I want to bag more affection from both of you." With great confidence, and a sigh, she continued, "Moreover, you know how desperate and fond of I'm of teaching the young girls of the village! I had been doing this since years. What will happen to them if I discontinue the classes?"

Caressing Ilaa's hair, Sakvarbai said, "Ilaa, I understand this, but it is the harvest season, and you must assist your father in picking up the cotton from our fields. Traders from Paithan shall be here soon." Her eyes widening, she elucidated, "And yes, someday you have to marry, otherwise the villagers will keep names that we could not get our daughter married. As per our tradition, daughters cannot be married in the same village."

Responding sadly over this, Ilaa said, "But mother, I don't want to leave Sauviragram. You know what happened to Hridisha Tai, and I don't…." Before Ilaa could end the sentence, she got a glimpse of her father entering the house, and she became quiet as if nothing just happened.

Ilaa's sister Hridisha was married 10 years back to a trader's son Sopandev in nearby city of Shivgaon, as per the Prathama Pratha. She was just 16 then. His was a well-to-do family. They traded in grains and were the first to arrive Sauviragram that year. Sopandev, a well-educated man and a trader's son, was not interested in business. He was in a job with the East India Company at Calcutta. The wedding was a grand ceremony that happened with a lot of gaiety. They left for Shivgaon a day after the wedding. The family hadn’t seen their daughter since then. Sopandev had already married a year ago to the girl of his choice in Calcutta - the daughter of a senior official. He married Hridisha under family pressure. Knowing the fact that their son was married to another girl, his family did so to keep their societal fame alive. They also conceived that there was some black magic hovering over their son, which shall go away only after he got married. After a series of fights with Hridisha for the next few months, Sopandev dropped her to his parents’ home and vowed never to return back. A few days later, Hridisha, unable to bear the agony, committed suicide.

Ilaa’s father, Shyamrao, an old aged, skinny man, wearing the paithani topi and a white kurta payjama entered the courtyard where the mother-daughter duo halted their conversation. He was an introvert, quiet man much affected by what had happened to his beloved daughter Hridisha, he had cut himself off from any indulgence. Ilaa went to fetch a glass of water for him. Shyamrao, in a subtle voice, instructed his wife, "Make preparations to welcome our village priest Yogiraj Eknath. By the grace of Maa Godavari, he himself wants to visit our house and to meet our daughter. He would be coming here by the third prahar of the day. I have to return to the fields now." While exiting from their dwelling, he turned to say, "Tell Ilaa to be ready to join me at the fields after Yogiraj leaves from our house."

Sakvarbai, a homemaker was herself a reticent woman. She followed her husband's instructions to make preparations for the evening.

"Therefore, fight for your right as your duty, O Arjuna", Ilaa narrated from Krishna's speech to Arjun, as a part of the preaching of the Bhagwat Geeta to her young students.

"Ilaa Tai, who gives us our rights? ", one of the girls, Kashi enquired innocently.

Ilaa took a deep breath and replied with a grin, “Right is not something that someone gives to us; it is something which no one can take away from us.”

She finished the lecture before the end of the second prahar to assist her mother with the preparations.

It was the end of third prahar when Yogiraj arrived at Shyamrao’s house with three of his disciples. He was an old man with large white beard and long tresses. He wore a white dhoti-kurta. With rudraksha beads in one hand and eyes closed, he had been reciting something while being seated on the coir mattress. The family of Shyamrao sat on the floor, with courteously folded hands in namaskaar mudra, and Yogiraj’s disciples standing beside him. He asked Ilaa to come near him. The girl shyly glanced at her father to seek permission, who nodded with a yes. She stood up carefully grabbing her green Paithani saree’s pallu and went in front of Yogiraj. Ilaa, respected Yogiraj but in her heart, she was against the way whole village blindly followed him. Apparently, being a girl, she had no say on this. What happened now couldn’t stop her tears from flowing and she ran away to the river bank.

During the fourth prahar, Ilaa was sitting quiet at the banks of river Godavari, silently observing the redness of the sky as the sun was setting down. This was her favorite place, where she often sheltered herself in the search of calmness in the lap of the Mother Nature. The redness of the sky matched the color of her tearful eyes.

Farming was the only way to earn livelihood in Sauviragram. It was a faith of the villagers that every year, one girl from our village is to get married to the first trader who comes to barter their cotton. It was a notion that Maa Godavari would bless the village with prosperity if this ritual was followed. This was called the Prathama Pratha. The decision of choosing a girl was taken every year by Yogiraj Eknath- the demigod for the villagers, using his said spiritual powers. No one objected to what he instructed.

Hridisha was also a victim of this tradition years back. Her husband being married already was considered her ill-fate and her death was termed as her destiny. Call it a superstition or blind faith, none of the villagers, including the deceased’s parents had questioned the Prathama Pratha even after this incidence. Only on Yogiraj's orders, they had stopped trading with Shivgaon to reciprocate what had happened to the girl.

It was Ilaa's turn now. There were two reasons why she did not intend to make this happen- one, her desire to keep teaching the girls of the village; second, the fear of the unknown- the one that led to her sister’s death. She decided something and wiped her tears off.

That night Ilaa was sitting quietly on the mat of their living room, when Sakvarbai returned coughing after cooking the chapattis on their stove. Shyamrao and Sakvarbai were dismayed since the evening. They were afraid to send their only alive child in the hands of an unknown person only on the basis of who arrives first in the village to trade. A deathly silence prevailed in the house, only until Ilaa broke the ice by saying in a powerful voice to her parents for the first time- "Aai, baba, what have you decided? Do you also believe that your daughter is a good that must be bartered to bring blessings to the village, which are to be the fruit of their hard work, instead? Do you want to sacrifice me just like you did with Hridisha Tai? Till when do you want this custom to prevail? How many more Hridishas do we gamble against superstition? Not only her, but the fate of other girls is no different so far. I had been teaching the girls of this village for free to make them self dependent. And look, what is about to happen to me now!"

Shyamrao felt ashamed and said, "I understand, my daughter. I don’t want to sacrifice you at the hands of fate like your sister. But this is the custom, and I cannot go against the villagers and Yogiraj. If we refused and the trade doesn’t go well, they would shame us and expel us out of the village. What do I do?"

Yogiraj ashram's grand entry gates were made of wood and sculpted in fine design. It was funded with donation by 15% of yearly earnings from each of the farmer of the village. Cattles were sheltered on a side of the veranda. The atmosphere was serene. The building that housed Yogiraj and his disciples was a large villa colored pale yellow. Opposite to the building was a garden. A few disciples of the saint were sitting in meditation posture on the grass floor and Yogiraj was seated on a raised platform facing them. Shyamrao arrived to the Yogiraj’s ashram with Sakvarbai and a few of their neighbors. They looked puzzled. They sought permission from the saint to elaborate a dream that Shyamrao said he had last night. Yogiraj nodded.

"Last night Maa Godavari appeared in my dream. She said 'Vatsa! it is my order that from now on, no girl of the village will get married by Prathama Pratha. Those who go against my will, shall be punished. All the girls, with consent from their families will have the right to make choices for their spouses.' I asked, ‘Will it not bring bad luck to the trade of the village?' She replied, 'You must do your karma and not expect the results. You will get the fruit of your karma. The boundary of one’s jurisdiction ends with the completion of one's duty. Do your duty to the best of your ability.'- Shyamrao narrated.

Yogiraj was surprised and wasn’t ready to believe this. He debated out of fear of loss of faith in him, “This has been our ritual since generations. We cannot change it abruptly because of a dream.” The stooping elder, Vasantdev came ahead and said politely, "Yogiraj ji, with due respect I request that although it was a dream, but it is the time that we must consider changing ourselves. We respect Maa Godavari and already perform havan every year at the temple to please her. I appeal to you on behalf of the villagers to ban the Prathama Pratha." The villagers gathered in the ashram shook their heads in agreement. For the first time, the women of the village also stood in favor of bringing a revolution to the age old customs. It was as if the hidden regard in their mind was spoken by Vasantdev. Consequently, Yogiraj announced a ban on the Prathama Pratha. (A few days later, when the traders arrived, all the farmers got fair payment of the cotton they sold to the traders.)

With a stream of tears of joy, Sakvarbai who was standing in a corner of the crowd, in her heart admired her daughter’s wit and what she advocated the last night at their home- Let us explain them in a way that they understand. Bhagwad Geeta indicates that it is ethical to tell a lie if it can bring immense good.

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On the Street

(This is purely a fiction)

The morning sun had just started beaming and emitting soothing warmth. It was a Sunday morning in January. The dew drops were almost dry by now.

It was a crowded street. The air was dusty, since the sweeper hadn't finished sweeping the street yet. I was 8 and was accompanied by my father, who held my hand and we started to walk upwards the slant unpaved narrow lane. At the origin of the lane was a Hanuman temple. The gentle sound of the priest chanting morning prayers and ringing of bells alongside by the devotees waned as we distanced from the temple. 

The lane was occupied on both sides by vegetable vendors. Some were sprinkling water on their vegetables to keep them afresh. The water that fell on the floor produced a soft fragrance of the soil. The smell of onions and garlic was spread across. The vendors were cited repeating with ardor, rates of the vegetables they had for sale. The intermediate voice of the weighing scales and their weights was inter mingled with theirs.

People kept rushing across in the wee hour of the morning, and some others stopped to buy the vegetables.

The jingle of an old lady vendor's green glass bangles over her sagged skin was apparent, while she was arguing with one of the buyers who seemed to be bargaining the rates. Another vendor was shooing away a brown cow which was trying to satisfy its appetite with the leafy vegetables he kept for sale.

As we moved ahead, three children nearly 5-6 years old, were running haphazardly quarreling over a blue paper kite, and occupied most part of the lane. I incidentally stepped into a puddle of mud that appeared from the middle of nowhere!

As their voice faded, we came close to a shop that served snacks. I could sniff the fragrance of fresh samosas being fried. It was a small shop, with discolored walls, a cook busy frying samosas in a black kadhai (utensil) and piling them onto the giant plate to his right. Another one was preparing tea, letting the tea to drop from a height back to the vessel to add flavor. Four or five men were chit-chatting while being seated on brown colored stools kept out there, sipping their tea and eating the samosas. For the time until we walked past the shop, the heat of the stove helped us feel warm on that chilly winter morning. A few feet away, the cool breeze could be felt again. We returned home after buying our vegetables. 

If observed closely, this busy street wraps a whole town in itself. 

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Sooryavansham to be declared national movie due to Max’s repeated telecasts

New Delhi. It is alleged that in this winter session of Parliament, a bill is to be proposed to declare Sooryavansham as the national movie of India. For those who are unaware, Sooryavansham is 1999’s Amitabh Bachchan starrer Bollywood drama film.

The proposal came up owing to repeated telecasts every other day by Sony Max.

This is what a spokesperson from Sony Max has to say on this- “We are glad that our efforts paid off. We worked day and night to plan the repeated telecasts of this super awesome movie on our channel. Also, the idea of a national movie is a new concept for the country. It is a matter of pride that our channel contributed to make this happen.”

Moreover, the channel head has planned to throw a grand party once this is declaration is confirmed. This party will have a grand premiere of Sooryavansham for the guests.

Not only this, even the regular audience of this channel is too excited to hear the news.

When contacted by Faking News reporter, one of the fans from Fakepura said – “I and my wife are so much addicted to watching this movie on Sony Max that we often take sick leaves to make sure that we do not miss even a single telecast. My wife became suicidal when the channel did not showcase the movie for long during the IPL season. Last week we had organized a hawan (prayer) at our home town to pray for Sooryavansham to be declared as the national movie of India.”

(FYI- I have submitted this report to Faking News and it is published at this URL -http://my.fakingnews.firstpost.com/2014/12/16/sooryavansham-to-be-declared-national-movie-due-to-maxs-repeated-telecasts/)

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Leaked: Samsung Galaxy Note-102 Launch

New Delhi. Samsung is expected to announce the successor of its popular Galaxy Note-101 smart phone at its launch event in capital on Friday. One can easily judge that this phone shall follow the legacy of the Note family and will be called Galaxy Note-102.

In the first teaser posted on Tuesday, the company tweeted – “Why only watch, and not smell your photographs!?” This clearly depicts that the camera of this phone is designed to capture smell along with sight.

Sources have indicated some of its key features–

1. Camera -

500 MP camera with 20X zoom. It is built to capture molecular-level pictures. This may worry the youths who suffer from pimple problems. Also, it captures smell of the object.

2. Battery –

Battery has always been a source of worry for smart phone users. But this revolutionary phone is designed so that it gets auto-charged while in use, but requires charging whenever kept idle.

3. SIM cards –

Supports 13 SIM cards – one for parents and rest for a dozen girlfriends.

4. Size-

This miraculous innovation can be folded or stretched to any size varying from that of a laptop to a match box.

5. Display –

It comes with an XX-HD display. The color band consists of a range whose upper and lower spectrum is not even visible to the human eyes.

6. Touch-less Control –

With a little training, your phone will understand your instructions in the form of your breathing.

7. Weight –

It weighs  ~1000 grams. You can now carry your smartphone while shopping for vegetables; you need not rely on the cunning vendor’s weighing machine anymore.

8. Accessories – 

a) Gas cylinder-  For those who travel often, can cook anytime on the move, with this handheld device.

b) Home theater- This will turn down the Television market drastically.

c) Stereo speakers- Though a little tedious to carry, but the stereo wide speakers are an added advantage to this phone and will make you the center of attraction on a DJ party night.

d) Phone covers- Attractive bullet proof phone covers with mirror on one side, for the ladies who, otherwise use the screen as a mirror!

e) Additional memory- 1PB external hard disk.

Some of its miscellaneous features may be –

1. It comes with a smell sensor for photographs. Not only you have the real time experience with its superb colors, but can smell the photographs now. For example, the photograph of a rose would come along with its rosy fragrance.

2. It takes your selfie every 30 min.

3. Changes your baby’s nappy after specified intervals.

4. Performs best when immersed in water.

5. Inbuilt apps for smiley generation and Whatsapp joke generation.

6. You can open the phone from middle and store snacks there.

7. A button at the top to release pepper spray, for the safety of women. Easily refillable at any recharge shop.

Although the prize of this device is still not finalized, but rumors have it that this most awaited economy phone may cost anywhere between 100000 INR to 200000 INR.

The only setback that we foresee with this smartest-ever phone is that it has no facility for missed calls. This means it may not do well in Indian markets, where, “missed calls” are the most used feature by every Indian.

 (FYI- I have submitted this report to Faking News and it is published at this URL - http://my.fakingnews.firstpost.com/2014/12/01/leaked-samsung-galaxy-note-102-launch/)

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प्रतीक्षा

हवाई अड्डे पर अगली घोषणा कि प्रतीक्षा में बैठी राधिका कि असली प्रतीक्षा खत्म हुई जब उसके पीछे से शरारत भरी आवाज़ आयी - "तुम्हारा गुड्डा आज भी मेरे पास है |" सामने कान्हा था- उसके बचपन का मित्र | वह मुस्कुराते हुए बोला -"मैने कहा था ना, एक दिन मैं हवाई जहाज़ उड़ाउंगा | "

इस अप्रत्याशित अनुभव से राधिका कि आँखें नम हो गयी, वह कुछ जवाब ही नहीं दे पायी | अपनी भावना व्यक्त कर पाती उसके पहले ही विमान के उड़ान कि घोषणा हो गयी और कान्हा चला गया |

बरसों कि आरज़ू सामने हो तो दिल कि कसक मिट जाती है,
पलकों में भर आता है समंदर खुशियों का |
जो शब्दों में बयान हो वो एहसास ही क्या,
कुछ एहसास बयान करने में अनेक अल्फाज़ कम पड़ जाते है |

--------- कुछ घंटों बाद ---------

विमान के उड़ान के दौरान मंद-मंद मुस्कान लिए हुए राधिका के कानों में कान्हा की आवाज़ गूँज रही थी | मानो उसके कानों में किसी ने शहद घोल दिया हो, या जैसे मधुर संगीत बज रहा हो ! 

कोई वादा नहीं फिर भी एक इंतज़ार है,
रिश्तो की डोर पर एतबार है |
हर एक रिश्ते का कोई नाम नहीं होता,
हर एक रिश्ते का अंजाम नहीं होता |

अचानक विमान दुर्घटनाग्रस्त हो गया | सब तहस नहस हो चुका था, सारे यात्री घायल थे | लोगों कि दर्द भरी चीखें हर ओर थी | कहीं खून बह रहा था, कहीं रुदन कि ध्वनि | राधिका बेहोश थी, पैर मलबे में दबे हुए थे | जब आँखें खोली तो उसे अपनी दृष्टि पर विश्वास ना हुआ, कान्हा के मृत शरीर को ले जाया जा रहा था |

अगले ही पल, आखरी साँस के साथ राधिका ने जवाब दिया - "मैंने भी कहा था ना, मुझे हवाई जहाज से गिरा मत देना.... ये प्रतीक्षा अब कभी खत्म ना होगी" 
वह बिना सुने ही चला गया |

--------- 5 साल पहले ---------

गर्मी का मौसम था | एक दिन मामा के घर कि सफाई करते हुए कान्हा अचानक बेहोश हो गया | मामी बहुत कोसती थी, कहती, "इस अनाथ को जब से घर लाये हो हमारी तकलीफें बढ़ गयी है | इतना कमजोर है, कोई काम ठीक से नहीं करता | "मामी उसे दिन में एक बार ही भोजन देती थी |

बेचारा कभी उफ तक नहीं करता | अपने बचपन के सपने को साकार करने के लिए खूब मन लगा कर पढाई करता था | 

अक्सर ख़ुदा अपने बंदो का इम्तेहान लेता है,
ग़र दर्द दिया हैं तो मरहम भी वो ही देता हैं |

--------- 7 साल पहले ---------

अपने माता पिता के साथ रह कर कान्हा शहर में अच्छा जीवन व्यतीत कर रहा था | पढाई में भी होशियार था | दुर्भाग्य से उसके माता पिता कि मृत्यु एक सड़क हादसे में हो गयी | उसके मामा अपनी बहन कि आखरी निशानी, कान्हा को अपने घर ले आए थे | उसे बहुत प्यार देते | परन्तु मामी उनके इस निर्णय से अत्यन्त हर्षित न थी |

--------- 2 साल पहले ---------

आज कान्हा कि जिंदगी में बरसों बाद ख़ुशियाँ लौटी थी | मामा भी बहुत प्रसन्न थे, उनका भांजा विमान-चालक (पायलट) जो बन चुका था |

उसके साथ एक विश्वास था - अपने माता पिता के आशीर्वाद का, अपने मामा के प्रेम का और अपनी बचपन कि दोस्त राधिका कि मित्रता का |

ज़िंदगानी हसीन हो जाती है, ग़र दिल से फरियाद करो,
हैं रात तो सुबह का इंतज़ार करो,
वक्त और नसीब पर एतबार करो,
उम्मीद का दीया रौशन लगातार करो |

कान्हा ने हर संभव प्रयत्न किया कि वह राधिका को ये शुभ सूचना दे सके, परन्तु वह असफल रहा | आठ साल से उन दोनो कि बात ना हो पायी थी | गांव में सूखा पड़ने के कारण राधिका का परिवार दूसरे गांव जा कर रहने लगा था | इसलिए उनसे संपर्क नहीं हो पाया |

 --------- आज का दिन ---------

राधिका का भाई विदेश में रहता था | रक्षाबंधन पर अपनी बहन से मिलने कि इच्छा से उसने लिए हवाई जहाज़ के टिकट भेजे थे | 

पहली बार शहर आयी सहमी-सी राधिका हवाई अड्डे पहुँची | वहां की गतिविधियों की जानकारी ना होने के कारण पास बैठे एक यात्री से बात कर रही थी | उसकी नजरें कुछ ढूँढ रही थी, मानो उसे आभास हो गया हो के उसकी प्रतीक्षा अब खत्म होने वाली हैं |

 --------- 10 साल पहले ---------

आसमान में उड़ते हुए हवाई जहाज़ को देखते हुए वो बोला - "एक दिन मै हवाई जहाज उड़ाउंगा" | बदले में राधिका चिढ़ाते हुए बोली, मुझे गिरा मत देना अपने हवाई जहाज़ से! "

नदी किनारे कयी पहर दोनों साथ बैठे रहते | खूब खेलते, ढेर सारी बातें करते | ना जाने इतनी बातें कहां से आती उनके पास | साथ होते तो वक्त का होश ही नहीं रहता |

राधा रानी और श्री कृष्ण कि ही तरह राधिका बारह वर्ष की, और कान्हा ग्यारह का, राधिका का रंग गोरा और कान्हा का साँवला, राधिका भोली और कान्हा नटखट | 

वो मासूम बचपन,
वो नटखट शरारत,
वो मीठी नोक झोंक,
वो रूठना मानना,
वो गुड्डे गुड़ियों का खेल,
वो भोर कि रौशनी,
वो साँझ कि हवाएँ,
वो चाँदनी रात में तारे गिनना,
वो गिनती भूल जाना,
काश हमेशा साथ निभाता,
वो मासूम बचपन |

अगली शाम, मध्यम कद काठी का वो अबोध बालक साइकिल के पहिये को एक लकड़ी से घुमाता हुआ अपने पिताजी के साथ राधिका के घर पहुँचा | राधिका कि कजरारी आँखें और मोरपंख-सी पलकें उस दिन भीग गयीं जब उसे ज्ञात हुआ के उसका परम मित्र और उसका परिवार शहर जा रहे हैं | कान्हा के पिताजी का तबादला हो गया था | रुआंसा चेहरा लिए वह सब सुनती रही | 

गांव से निकलते वक्त कान्हा को राधिका ने अपना प्रिय मिट्‍टी का गुड्डा तोहफे में दिया | अक्सर उसे ले कर दोनों में मीठी तकरार होती थी | दबी आवाज़ में बोली, "इसे सदा साथ रखना " |

"मैं तुमसे मिलने कि प्रतीक्षा करूँगी |" इतना कहते हुए वो दौड़ कर अपने घर कि ओर गयी और किवाड़ बंद कर लिया | कान्हा ने तेज़ आवाज़ में उत्तर दिया - "मैं भी...." | वह बिना सुने ही चली गयी |

छोटी-सी आयु में उन्हे कहां ज्ञात था - "राधा और कृष्ण का मिलन भी कभी हुआ हैं भला ! "

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ख्वाबों का शहर

नम आँखों से जब अपने ख्वाबों को पूरा करने मैं अपने घर से दूर चलने लगा, वो सड़क बड़ी छोटी लगने लगी, ऐसा लगा काश वो सड़क खत्म ही ना हो. अपने साथ यादों का कारवाँ ले के चला था मैं. यूँ लगा उन सब यादों कि जुदाई सही ना जायेगी और घर के सामने कि वो सड़क लंबी हो जायेगी.

मेरे घर के हर कोने से मेरी अनेकों यादें जुड़ी थीं. चलते वक्त मन को बहलाने के लिए माँ कि बात याद आ गयी. उनने चिढ़ाते हुए कहा था की जहां मै जा रहा हूँ वहा इससे भी बड़ा घर होगा. अगले ही पल मन ने कहा - घर दीवारों से नहीं उसमें रह रहे लोगो से बनता है.

मन में भारीपन लिए पहुँच गया अपने ख्वाबों के शहर, उस सुंदर आलीशान घर के आगे मेरा अपना घर छोटा दीख पड़ता था,  फिर सोचा माँ जान कर बड़ी खुश होंगी!

उस अनजान नगरी में हर किसी के साथ कोई ना कोई था, आपस में हँसते-बोलते रहते और मै अकेला उन्हें तांकता रहता.



उस भीड़ में मेरी नजर दो दोस्तों पर पड़ी. उनका वो मासूम-सा तकरार और अगले ही लम्हें में ढेर सारा दुलार, मानो एक दुसरे के साथ है तो दुनिया से कोई सरोकार ही नहीं. एक तरफ़ उन्हें देख कर खुशी हुई और फिर मेरे सबसे ख़ास दोस्त का ख्याल कर के दुःख.

कभी लगता था यहाँ से भाग निकलूँ, किंतु मेरे ख्वाब मुझे पीछे खींच लेते थे. उस तन्हाई के आलम में ख़ुद ही को समझा लिया करता था. दिन गुजरते गए. एक दिन माँ का ख़त आया, उनके जन्मदिन पर एक दिन के लिए घर बुलाया था. फिर क्या था, एक पंछी कि तरह उड़ चला अपने आशियने में. मेरे शहर कि गलियों कि वो महक, घर में घुसते ही माँ कि प्यारी-सी मुस्कान, पिताजी का दुलार और बहन का शरारत भरा झगड़ा - 'भैया, तुम खाली हाथ तो नहीं आ गए ना'! ऐसा लगा ख़ुद को फिर से पा लिया. जन्मदिन मनाने के बाद अपने ख़ास दोस्त से मिलने गया. खूब बातेंं कर अपना मन हलका किया.

हर्षित मन के साथ लौट आया अपने ख्वाबों के शहर, इस बार दुगने उत्साह के साथ!

मोह पाश से इंसान कभी नहीं छूट सकता, मगर चलते रहने का नाम ही ज़िंदगी है ना!

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Offline - A Day Without Internet

6:00 AM

The alarm rang and while I still was half asleep one morning, as a ritual the first thing I did was to connect my cell phone to WiFi. To my surprise, I spotted that I had received no "updates" since last night!

That summer morning, a few minutes later whilst the environment was serene and filled with chirping of cuckoo bird, I stepped out to check if the hawker has dropped newspapers in our veranda (baramda). While grabbing the newspaper, I saw the headline which read - "No Internet today". My eyes went wide open and all sleep flew away. Unlike everyday, I sat reading the news article. It reported that during the midnight, the world's internet crashed! For a moment I was dumbstruck pondering whether it is really practicable. But it surely was not supposed to be fictitious, since I had no updates on my phone that morning.

---

8:30 AM

Every news channel had confirmed the unbelievable by now. The channels reported that the internet should be stable in the next 12-15 hours.

With my face drooped, I sat imagining how would I spend the rest of my day being disconnected with rest of the world... The first learning of my day was to understand the value of time. This because it was the due date for paying my phone bill online, which would otherwise have to paid with surcharge later.

---

9:00 AM

Though, as a habit, I kept checking my phone, for emails, Whatsapp and other social updates. Sooner, I engaged myself in some other activities like helping my Mom in household chores, visited the nearby temple, assisted my father in gardening, which otherwise was my time for all sorts of unproductive or partially-productive activities on my cell phone and laptop over the internet. It was a contrasting experience to me that left me with inner satisfaction.

---

6:30 PM.

I was back home early from office.

As a part of my routine, during and after the dinner I had to be stuck to my cell phone. After all, I am supposed to be updated about all that is happening around, from social networking to the news app on my phone to my favorite whatsapp to gmail and my office emails to the melodious songs on saavn. I would barely raise my head to talk to my family everyday.

But this fateful day was entirely different. I had to, rather, I got to spend time with my parents. We talked about all sort of stuff that day while having dinner. After dinner we went for a long walk. I shared my experiences of the day with them. Also, I turned into a keen listener to my mother and father about what they did the whole day, varying from my mother's complaints against the maid and my father's comments on the country's changing political scenario.

I shared with them my experiences of the day at office.

---

11:00 AM

In the absence of connectivity to the web, amusingly, office' work came to a standstill. Software Engineers can do zero work in the such a situation. We went on a team lunch, and played some team building games out in the open. This rejuvenated the child in all of us. We also got to see the sunset after a long time. We enjoyed and laughed and almost forgot that the virtual world of internet and social networking. No email popped up and no chats with fake smileys came in that day.  This should originally have been termed as "staying connected".

---

10:00 PM

Sitting idle, I pondered over how long the day was a fun filled day. And then I realized that it has been months since I spoke to some of my distant close friends. Thanks to Internet that kept us updated to such an extent that we didn't get a chance to hear each other's voices. It was the day when I made phone calls to all of them. All our college time memories were refreshed by then.

---

11:00 PM

Ideally this is the time for me to stick on the bed with mobile and typing on Whatsapp. But this time, carrying no regrets of the absence of it, I went towards my bookshelf, smelling the fragrance of what we call as unused books- my novels and journals. I chose one of my long pending novels, read it for sometime and went to bed with a smile on the face cherishing the lovely thoughts of the day.

---

6:00 AM

I was in the lap of a stress-free, quiescent sleep and a few minutes after that the alarm on my cell phone rang and I learnt that all this was a dream. Yes, this was a dream and the world's Internet is intact! :)

Thinking about life without Internet may seem like a nightmare for almost all, but this dream woke me up with a feeling that there's a lot in life than technology and that Internet is a black, frivolous hole that sucks away time in huge, horrible chunks.

Night walk with your close ones on the streets is more pacifying than travelling across the planet on Google Earth.

The euphoria of watching the radiant sunset with a loved one on an evening is better than blindly liking pictures of those who are merely "online friends".

Every untweeted observation of daily life is more sacred than retweeting the tweets that in no way correspond to your reality.

Find sometime to recharge yourself, not just your gadgets.

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THE END

(Short story - a  work of fiction)

You opened your eyes and discovered something - A peaceful place, white clouds all around; a glorious white light ubiquitously spread; all hazy; someone clad in white appeared from nowhere.



"You were on your way home and you died. And that's when you met me."

"What! Where am I? I don't understand....."

"You met a fatal accident, on your way home, a truck skid and then the car accident happened. They tried to save you, all in vain."

You exclaimed, "I....I died! Where is my wife? My children, are they fine? Who will take care of them? I want to see them."

"They all shall be fine soon. Your kids will remember you always. Your wife will cry, but secretly relieved. Nevertheless, your marriage wasn't working well."

"Oh. So what happens now, I will go to hell, heaven or something?"

"Neither. You will reincarnate."

"Reincarnate.! So, the Hindus were right."

"All religions are right my son."

"What's the point, then? I will start again as a baby, a blank slate. So all my experiences of this life shall vanish."

"Yes, you are nothing but a magnificent soul. You will be born as a Chinese girl to a farmer in 592 A.D."

"592 A.D., but that has already passed. You will send me to the past! What if I meet my future self then."

"Its only you who is born and dies again. You have reincarnated numerous times. In this universe there are just you and me. You are my child, and I, your father."

"Wait.. You  mean I everyone, and everyone else is me. I am Abraham Lincoln... I am Hitler... I am Akbar.. I am Mother Teresa.. the street side beggar, and I am.... I am Jesus.. Ram......and....."

"Now you get it, my child."

"Every time you victimized someone, you were victimizing yourself. Every act of kindness you've done, you've done to yourself. Every happy and sad moment ever experienced by any human was, or will be, experienced by you."

"You mean I am god."

"No, not now. You are a fetus, still growing, getting mature."

"I am sending you on your way now."

 

 

 

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Somewhere in the Mist

She lived in Oakland; Anna, the chubby girl in her mid 20’s was gifted with dimpled cheeks, curly hair and cat eyes. She was known for carrying a lovely smile and a pretty face. Deep inside, she hid profound grief; she was an orphan who lost her parents at the age of 11 and was brought up by her grandfather who also passed away about a year ago.

After a tiring day at work, now at her plush apartment, Anna had her dinner alone, and went to bed. It was half past 10. Lying on her bed, she was feeling short of sleep due to numerous thoughts that crept her mind. She was hugging her favorite doll and her long term companion, whom she called Dolly. Turning on and off the table lamp beside her bed she was looking at the photo frame hanged on the front wall. The photograph was taken on her 11^th birthday when she and her parents were out for a holiday, where her mother – a thin lady with her brown unkempt locks of hair, dressed in a pretty white gown was standing beside her father. Her father, a tall and fair man, had dimpled cheeks; she inherited hers from him!  In the photograph, she was standing in the middle of her loving parents with Dolly in her hand. She recalled that her grandpa often told her the story of the true love of her parents.

This comely thought was soon overridden by the flashes of the life changing incident that occurred to the family that night while returning home. She always wondered whether it was her fortune or ill fate that she was the only one spared alive out of that fierce accident.

With a tear rolling down her eye, her cheeks turned pink and soon she fell asleep.

The next morning she got ready for her office in a lovely pink dress with polka dots. She took the 9:20 AM bus to her workplace.

As always, she reached the office by 9:45. Her closest friend for the last 3 years, Isabella called her to say she was waiting for her at the café`.

Bella, as Anna called her, was a thin and tall young girl, not as pretty as Anna, had a dusky complexion and thin hair extending up to her waist. She and Anna shared a lot of similarities on one hand and evident differences on the other. Unlike Anna, Isabella had limited friends. Isabella lived in the town with her parents, grandparents and a younger brother. She belonged to a middle class family who had limited resources for their living.

She said, with an alternate appearance of irritation and smile on her face, "Bella, I bet, you'll never change. You have such a weak memory!"
And Isabella replied, hiding her laughter, “Did I make some mistake again? “

Anna’s face drooped and she said, “No you didn’t. Let’s go back, I have a lot of work to finish today.” Regaining her senses, she continued with cheer, “What are you doing this evening? How about going to go for the new movie at the mall?”

“Sorry Anna, I have to take my grandmother to the Doctor today. She isn’t recovering well. We can plan for the movie some other day. Let us get back to work. Anyway, there is nothing so special about today!”

In a low tone, Anna replied, “You are right. We can go out some other day.”

It was 5 in the evening. Anna had already left for home, at her usual time. She took the 5:10 bus, reached home at 5:35, and changed her clothes. She played some soft music and sat in front of her parents’ photograph. She was unhappy today.

It was the day when she lost her parents years ago, and also her birthday.

Soon after, her phone ringed. It was an SMS from Bella. It read – “Need your help, come home soon.” Anna was worried on reading this. She tried calling back but couldn’t reach her. Without giving a second thought, she left for Isabella’s house in the town. It was 6:30 in the evening. She reached there by around 7 PM. She tried making calls to Bella throughout her transit, but couldn’t speak to her. This increased her anxiety.

As Anna reached in front of Isabella’s house, a ramshackle cottage, the darkness of the dusk caused her difficulty in seeing the entrance. While she was rushing in, she accidentally bumped into Isabella’s pet dog. She recalled that Isabella told her the name of her pet was Rusty. Rusty began barking at her. This added to the procrastination. Within moments, she saw Isabella’s grandfather, a stooping old man with barely countable hair on his head, stepping out of the house, called Rusty towards him and directed Anna to the entrance. The door was already open, she peeped in. The lights of the hall of that small dwelling were off. A startled Anna turned back to see Grandpa and Rusty, but couldn’t find them there.

She panicked and worried about her dear friend. Soon after she heard several people singing the birthday rhyme, “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Anna…” and the lights turned on. It was Isabella’s family in the room – her mother, father, brother, grandma, grandpa and Rusty in a corner! She couldn’t find Bella anywhere. She was gratified by this surprise but resentful that she was made to wait for the whole day. A scrumptious birthday cake was kept on a simple wooden table. She was glad to see the whole family offering a candid welcome. She had been missing this for years. The absence of her parents and her loneliness was filled by affection she received from the lovely family of her friend.

A thought abruptly struck her, Bella could be seen nowhere. She asked Isabella’s mother about her. Her mother took Anna to the nearby room where Bella was lying, enervated. Anna was shocked to see her Bella in this condition, her eyes filled with tears. Isabella’s mother narrated to Anna, that her daughter had an asthmatic attack in the evening in spite of which she was desperate to celebrate the special day for her close friend, and willing to bear this ailment for her sake.

Anna hugged her and broke into tears. She had no family, but Bella had. She was rich, Bella was poor. She was beautiful, Bella wasn’t. She made everyone smile, but was unhappy deep inside. Bella was in poor health but had the urge to bring back smile to her friend. Anna hugged her and realized that it was their differences which made their bond special and that there is nothing called misfortune, but the way you interpret what occurs to you.

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