'Close your eyes and imagine what you would do for the rest of your life if no one paid you to do it'
-Miss Malini
-Miss Malini
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Monday, 29 August 2016
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 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।"
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.)
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Monday, 22 August 2016
From Baby to Bhabhi
Hello Peeps. I am back, this time from Namma Bengaluru!
Where was I?
After a sabbatical of 6 months, I am here to ink my thoughts on your screen! During the past 6 months my life has taken a major drift, from my roka and wedding and subsequently moving to Bangalore. In short, transforming from "Baby to Bhabhi".
Why this post?
Well, this single post shall not be enough to describe the entire story of my being Happily Ever After!
You may call it a warm-up note to break the ice between me and my blogger account. You may also assume that I am puking my undigested thoughts after a break. Please bear with me this time :)
Where am I?
Bengaluru- the Silicon City as they say, is quite different from MY Indore. This place taught me a lot, may it be buying vegetables, surviving the bumper-to-bumper traffic, the entrancing Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Oriya, Malyalam, aka the vivacious South Indian culture; their cryptic languages (with due respect); the palatable food and what not. I am lovin it!
Guess what? Bengaluru does not have cows (got to see only 3 cows on roads in the past 3+ months), stray dogs here only prefer non-vegetarian meals.
Where was I?
After a sabbatical of 6 months, I am here to ink my thoughts on your screen! During the past 6 months my life has taken a major drift, from my roka and wedding and subsequently moving to Bangalore. In short, transforming from "Baby to Bhabhi".
Why this post?
Well, this single post shall not be enough to describe the entire story of my being Happily Ever After!
You may call it a warm-up note to break the ice between me and my blogger account. You may also assume that I am puking my undigested thoughts after a break. Please bear with me this time :)
Where am I?
Bengaluru- the Silicon City as they say, is quite different from MY Indore. This place taught me a lot, may it be buying vegetables, surviving the bumper-to-bumper traffic, the entrancing Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Oriya, Malyalam, aka the vivacious South Indian culture; their cryptic languages (with due respect); the palatable food and what not. I am lovin it!
Guess what? Bengaluru does not have cows (got to see only 3 cows on roads in the past 3+ months), stray dogs here only prefer non-vegetarian meals.
Moreover, I could barely see any old person here! Seriously, everyone here is young, none with salt-and-pepper-beard, only young folks everywhere. Ghosshhh! Don't people turn old here? The vast IT brigade has occupied the town.
About me-
I turned into a responsible young lady (sort of!) from a chirpy perky girly! Amusingly, I spend hours finding best deals on Dettol, Harpic, Vim bar, mop, non-stick cookware, moong dal, sugar, multi-grain aata, pillow covers, Patanjali Ghee, lemon and cauliflower on Amazon and Big Basket. This is a big twist in my life that came from marriage. And you must spare me a much deserved pat on my back for handling my maid who is Kannada from heart, soul and TONGUE!
What next?
In the last half year my life took a 360 degree turn by transforming me into the proud individual that I am now. Watch this space to know more of my myriad experiences.
About me-
I turned into a responsible young lady (sort of!) from a chirpy perky girly! Amusingly, I spend hours finding best deals on Dettol, Harpic, Vim bar, mop, non-stick cookware, moong dal, sugar, multi-grain aata, pillow covers, Patanjali Ghee, lemon and cauliflower on Amazon and Big Basket. This is a big twist in my life that came from marriage. And you must spare me a much deserved pat on my back for handling my maid who is Kannada from heart, soul and TONGUE!
What next?
In the last half year my life took a 360 degree turn by transforming me into the proud individual that I am now. Watch this space to know more of my myriad experiences.
(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.)
Monday, 1 February 2016
Its My Right Too
Since past few days, every time I turn the TV on and fiddle with the news channels, I can easily spot at least one channel showing 6-8 thumbnail sized faces and one bigger thumbnail of the news reader / moderator of the debate. The debate regarding entry of women to the popular Shani Shingnapur temple's sacred sanctum.
First, the news channels are seeking pleasure in giving air to the fire of the thought provoking debate which at the end of the day has no conclusion. Do we have anyone authorized to present a verdict on this, and hence a never ending debate it is!
Second, if our country keeps fighting on the name of religion it would be difficult for us to excel. This is what US President Obama said once. Let alone cross-religion fights, this one is amidst people of the same religion. So you may call it same-religion-cross-gender dispute-with-no-respite.
Next, our country has bigger problems to deal with. If every community comes with one such problem, its enough to land us in the middle of nowhere and other countries enjoying our cat fight! Recently, THE GREAT actor (you-know-who), and most importantly the husband of celebrity, actor and member of Parliament (you-know-who), has come up with a BRAND NEW (atleast it seems to be brand new) fight for the rights of a CASTE from Kashmir. And alas! he has received the most coveted Padma award, even before the issue is resolved. It seems that he is evoking the rage of the countrymen for the sake of popularity and awards. How come he suddenly arose after all those 26 years of injustice to the community?
Coming back to the original topic, the right to worship. While an interesting debate was being telecasted, a WOMAN, yes a woman priest (acclaimed saadhvi) was protesting AGAINST women's right to worship because they menstruate. A bunch of men who were on the extempore with her were favoring women's right to worship. Aweful contradiction. Meanwhile, the moderator representing the new channel was worth appreciating. Let me paraphrase what he said- "I don't go to such temple where my daughters are not allowed. I don't believe in such a god whom my daughters can't worship." And he ended the debate by reading a sentence from a piece of paper, which was probably passed on to him from his channel's representative. It said- "जिसके गर्भ में नौ महीने रहे उसी को गर्भग्रह में नहीं जाने देते..."
Next, for the women who protested. Do they have any political intent? Are they paid to cause the havoc? Is there something we are unable to see here? Do the news channels themselves pay them to help creating such masala news? Are they really devoted to visit the temple? Is this the only temple left on the planet? Don't you fear that Shani Bhagwan will be angry at you for causing this mess? Forget about Shani Bhagwan, don't you fear that the epitome of Hinduism, those self-acclaimed modern Dharm Gurus will spell curse on you? Don't you think the time, energy and money you are wasting to convince those who can never change, can be used for some noble cause which in turn will automatically impress the honorable deity? Are you real or mechanical? A real incidence that happened with me a few months back, while I was visiting a famous Hanuman temple in my vicinity during evening aarti. They were forcing all the woman to stay behind the barricades placed a few feet far from the diety. I, unknowingly tried to go past that region to worship the diety, and a man shouted- "ladies, stay away". I was speechless, could have protested, but didn't. I didn't visit the temple again.
Next, for the saints who are favoring the restriction. Can you tell who has made such weird rules against the fair gender? Was it The God himself, or The Society? If it was God who did this, I wonder why would he get impure by the touch of those whom he has created? Is there any scripture stating this? If God has made women and the fact that they menstruate is also bestowed by God, how could he himself be impure because of their entry to his so-called home. As per sanatan dharm, god is present in every particle (including every human). In that case, we are causing impurity to our own existence. Let us eradicate women in that case. If it was human who made the rule, then let me tell you, to err is human! समाज हम से है, हम समाज से नहीं | Moreover, some of you are trying to confuse people by saying that Shani dev is not a God and he is a Grah (planet).
Next, to the news channels. There are a lot more places of worship in the country who have similar restrictions, either on the attire to be worn, or the entry of a specific gender or specific race or religion. Why are you creating havoc and mocking the religion for ONE temple? What is your motto: to cause more protests, to solve the issue, to create a new rule, or to earn TRP? You must aim, not towards destruction of humanity, but towards encouraging constructive thoughts. What is it that you are diverting the public from, any news which may have been more relevant, but not masala?
Next, for the men who have come in support of the women. Well, thanks for showing that you value women and their rights. Never mind, but you are just a handful of people and your efforts are already going in vain.
Next, when everyone is coming up with their opinion, why not me. I say- पुरानी परम्पराये जाएँगी तभी तो नयी आएँगी।
Thanks to these inconclusive agendas, that after progressing two steps ahead, we pull ourselves one step back. In that case, we as a nation remain standing where we had started.
(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. I wrote this to present the whole picture from my perspective and to encourage constructive thought process for a better and progressive nation)
Thanks to these inconclusive agendas, that after progressing two steps ahead, we pull ourselves one step back. In that case, we as a nation remain standing where we had started.
(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. I wrote this to present the whole picture from my perspective and to encourage constructive thought process for a better and progressive nation)
Monday, 25 January 2016
Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars
I spotted this book on the Goodreads Choice Awards page. It has a whooping 1,814,600 ratings and 129,752 reviews as of date, which compelled me to buy and read it! This book is penned by John Green, who resides at Indianapolis and is one of the bestselling authors.
While reading, one gets totally soaked in to the raw, humorous, simple, medical fiction. This is the story of a 16 year old cancer patient Hazel who happens to meet Augustus Waters at a Cancer Kids Support Group. After this her life turns into a wonderful tale. Augustus is himself a 17 year old cancer survivor. Eventually they become good friends and then lovers. The plot is simple, down to earth and practical.
Hearing first of a cancer patient's story one may feel that it must be either too gloomy or full of doses of motivation of those who combat their terminal illness, trying to change the world, etcetera. But it is far simpler and still interesting. Generally, no one even imagines of a situation unless it occurs to them. For instance, I do not have cancer and no one in my close or distant family does. So, it is obvious that I would never ever think of what a cancer patient and his family go through. After reading this book, I got an insight into what they go through.
This book portrays it in a balanced and realistic manner, nothing filmy. The narration is from a teenager Hazel's perspective. Hence, we get to know her interpretations, at times, humorous. The grief of her unfortunate parents who are about to loose their daughter, and the only child at the hands of cancer is very touching. Hazel, Augustus and his friend Isaac are facing some or the other deformities that cancer has imposed upon them. But they compliment each other very well. Also, if one reads between the lines, they would realize the worth of life and good health, and that despite of any other form of agony, they are still bestowed with a gift to cherish- LIFE.
I have listed out a few of my favorite lines from the book below-
1) "Grief does not change you Hazel. It reveals you." - Peter Van Houten (Page #286)
2) "A desert blessing, an ocean curse." (with reference to water)- Augustus Water's letter to Peter Van Houten (Page #313)
3) "There is no try. There is only do."- Hazel (Page #218)
4) "...some infinities are bigger than other infinities."- Cassius' note in Shakespeare's composition (Page #111)
5) "I tried to tell myself that it could be worse, that the world was not a wish-granting factory, that I was living with cancer not dying of it, that I mustn't let it kill me before it kills me..."- Hazel (Page #121)
6) "You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, old man, but you do have a say in who hurts you."- Augustus Waters' letter to Hazel via Peter Van Houten (Page #313)
7) "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves."- Page #111 (Cassius' note in Shakespeare's composition)
I read the second part with slow pace because I didn't want it to end so soon. Moreover, the end seems to be a promising beginning of a sequel. John Green, are you listening to me? You ain't gona behave like Van Houten! Are you?
My rating for this book has to be undoubtedly 4.5 on 5. It is near perfect and a touching tale, a mesmerizing saga of boundless love of two dying teenagers, cushioned by parental affection, laughter, tears, fury, twists, heartache and goosebumps.
(PS: the reviews expressed here are based on my personal reading experience, and do not intend to defame, derate or
degrade the sale or vice-versa for the book. I am not paid for writing the review.)
If you are an author and want your book to be reviewed, drop an email at bookreviews@mansiladha.com.
Friday, 15 January 2016
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Book Review: Love Among The Bookshelves
This introduction of the great writer is highly appealing. Except for whatever of his work I have studied during my school days (which I don't remember much), I have very less knowledge of his books. This was his first book which I read, and which came to me as a December gift (secret Santa, to be precise) :)
I read about this book on goodreads which was embellished with mostly high ratings and good reviews, and had built high expectations from this. I am seriously bewildered after reading the book, and suspect how so many people can call it a good read. I totally understand that he is an eminent writer and a reverable figure but what is so good about reading his "reading adventures"? I mean this book is so shallow. Ruskin Bond has written about how he started reading at a tender age, books he read, how his reading and writing took place in parallel, and how his life went by during all this. On almost every alternate chapter, he has added content extracted from a favorite chapter of any of his favorite book. And many amongst these were penned in archaic English, which is out of my sense of language. The chapters suddenly emerged between Mr. Bond's own life story, and confused me. Strangely, so many pages are left vacant in the middle, and those which are printed, have nearly 25% or more wasted in margins.
I felt as if Mr. Bond is too old to blog and use internet, and that is why he wrote all of it in a book in a random way, or the publisher just wanted to oblige the renowned author. I am sorry to write all this. May be it was me who couldn't get to the depth he is trying to guide his readers to, generation gap you may say!
Only one good thing about this book is that after knowing his reading adventures, book lovers get inspiration to read and read! He has read close to ten thousand books, a whooping number it is!
I rate it as 2.5 on 5 stars. However, I would love to read some other books of Mr. Bond. He is a real inspiration for readers and writers.
Only one good thing about this book is that after knowing his reading adventures, book lovers get inspiration to read and read! He has read close to ten thousand books, a whooping number it is!
I rate it as 2.5 on 5 stars. However, I would love to read some other books of Mr. Bond. He is a real inspiration for readers and writers.
(PS: the reviews expressed here are based on my personal reading experience, and do not intend to defame, derate or
degrade the sale or vice-versa for the book. I am not paid for writing the review.)
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