Strange Day Indeed

Sun was shining too bright,
Silence seemed too tight,
Fluffy clouds looked too light,
It was a strange day indeed.

Something seemed amiss, true,
This long, grass has never grew,
Ships were still, and no crew,
It was a strange day indeed.

The pace of wind horrified,
An abandoned child cried,
Couldn’t find a human, tried,
It was a strange day indeed.

Lot of feelings, inside,
More of seek and less of hide,
Lion and deer drinking side by side,
It was a strange day indeed.

I was walking on the cloud,
Did lot of things, not proud,
Tried shouting, couldn’t be loud,
It was a strange day indeed.

Everywhere I saw just one face,
More curious than Button, my case,
Time to slow down, what rat race,
It was a strange day indeed.

सोचा न था

चहकता है मन, गाता है दिल,
सुबह से शाम, कटती नहीं अब,
ख्वाब देखना भी भाने लगा है,
ऐसा होगा कभी, सोचा न था|

सुबह उठना अच्छा लगने लगा,
काम करना सच्चा लगने लगा,
समझदारी भी आने लगी है अभी,
ऐसा होगा कभी, सोचा न था|

ठण्ड छूने से जिसको लगी थी कभी,
तपन उसके ही आने से होने लगी,
सर्द रातें भी पल में कटती हैं अब,
ऐसा होगा कभी, सोचा न था|

चंद लम्हों में सो जाया करता था जो,
कितने पहर आँखों-आँखों में कटने लगे,
दर्द भी होता है न ताकीद अब,
ऐसा होगा कभी, सोचा न था|

अपनी बातों से फुर्सत नहीं थी जिसे,
बातें करना ही वो भूल बैठा है अब,
दर्द-ए-तन्हाई समझ में आने लगी,
ऐसा होगा कभी, सोचा न था|

जो होना था हो ही गया है तुझे,
राख पे रोने से कुछ पायेगा नहीं,
तमन्ना सरफरोशी की जग है गयी,
ऐसा होगा कभी, सोचा न था||

Is it really the change?

“Post marriage everything changes. People change. Things which were once liked become irritating. The childishness which used to be kinky turns into advice of getting matured. Promises get broken, love dissipates. Pillows which were used for fights start defining the boundaries. Relationship becomes sour.”

We all would have heard such lines, haven’t we? What’s the story behind? I don’t believe that core of a person can change after a certain age. During the formative years yes, but not post that. So what’s this change that people talk about?

Sometimes expectations on which a relationship is built are not met post marriage leading to the issues. Broadly speaking there are two types of love. Based on Thrust and Based on Trust. Let’s take them one by one.

Love Based on Thrust
When we meet somebody, find the person attractive, we try to woo him/her. Boys would laugh at girls’ jokes, no matter how pathetic they are. They would go all out to make her believe they are they for her no matter what. The gifts, the roses, the promises are all thrusted in to design a make believe world of dreams. Never was the laughter real, never was the care from the heart, never did the gifts hold any meaning, never were the promises made to be kept.

Girls would meet boys all dressed up, looking attractive. Would portray that she likes him just the way he is, with all the goods and ills. Possessiveness is considered to be endless love. When he spends loads of money, she likes it. Later the dressing up stops. She starts to dislike the ills which she never liked in the first place. The possessiveness becomes engulfing and unbearable. The guy is just a spendthrift now.

Love Based on Trust
Love based on trust is a bit tricky. Mostly this is without any explicit proposal. It takes time. Often there was no great initial kick. Never was a need to impress, no pressure to be presentable. No pretentions, nothing. There were no promises made under false pretext to be broken. All gifts had some meaning. The laughter was real, the zeal was real. Everything was shared without fear. Neither of them pretended and hence no change perceived later.

Basically it’s not the change; it’s just that the real person comes to fore, which is never rosy. Be true to one and to each other. Remove that extra ‘h’ from thrust and have some trust.

A Mad Kitten

Just say it

It’s been around 10-12 years, but the importance of what my Dad told me that day, presents itself time and again.

Our family was having dinner together. Out of nowhere Dad said, “Today the food is great”. I found the food no different. It was the same. I was perplexed. Dad understood what I was thinking and told me, “It’s important once in a while to compliment your partner even if you don’t mean it. She puts in a lot of effort everyday for this usual food. A single word of praise goes a long way to ease the tiredness of the daily routine. It’s refreshing and a lovely thing”.

The Man was indeed right. My Mom passed a blushing smile and the tension of hard work was gone. It was replaced by satisfaction. Had my Dad not said anything to Mom, it would have been fine. But just fine and nothing else.

To feel is not enough. What’s important is to express those feelings time and again. With our monotonous routine, we fail to keep track of these things and life starts drifting. To keep the fun alive, timely intervention is needed.

When you love someone, be it your parents, your siblings, your friends, your partner, it’s necessary to remind them verbally of that love time and again. They know that you love them, but little reassurance is always nice. Next time you meet your Mom, tell her that you love her. You would be amazed to see the smile on her face.

Courtesy: A Lovely Cat

This Animal and You

I sneeze and you skip a breath,
I fall and you shed a tear,
So much good inside you, Stop.
This animal doesn’t deserve the care.

I err and you take the brunt,
I slur and you just listen,
Perplexes me why you are with me,
This animal doesn’t deserve the care.

Your time, you invest in me,
Your life, you trust with me,
I wonder am I worthy of it, no,
This animal doesn’t deserve the care.

When I hold your hand, the chill,
Your touch of assurance, I am still,
Don’t give me belief, wake up,
This animal doesn’t deserve the care.

My anxieties soothen by mere smile,
I am no substance, just style,
Worry you a lot about me, stop,
This animal doesn’t deserve the care.

The fast, the sacrifice you do for me,
That tied string under the banyan tree,
Quarrel with the maker for me, don’t,
This animal doesn’t deserve the care.

The future together, the hope,
I will make it happen, be assured,
Sadness be false, happiness be true,
This animal cares a lot about you.

सात दिन बरसात के

भीगी भागी रात थी वो,

घूंघट डाले साथ थी वो,

भूल नहीं मैं क्यूँ पाता,

वो सात दिन बरसात के|

असल नहीं वो सूद था बस,

जो मुझे लगा था रब जैसा,

वापस कर दो मुझको अब,

वो सात दिन बरसात के|

मुझको होती थी सिरहन सी,

उसकी आँखों की नश्तर से,

खो गए हैं जाने कहाँ गए,

वो सात दिन बरसात के|

बारिश की बूंदों का पड़ना,

बिना बात के भी तेरा लड़ना,

छप-छप करती चप्पल जब,

वो सात दिन बरसात के|

एक सौंधी सी मट्टी खुशबू,

ठण्ड लगी, सो लगी अलग,

गर्मी करती उसकी सांसें,

वो सात दिन बरसात के|

वो बात ना जाने क्या होती,

जो रात जहन में आती थी,

खुस-फुस करती फ़ोन पे तू

वो सात दिन बरसात के|

खुशियाँ आयीं बेहिसाब,

गम सारे मेरे हवा हुए,

फिर आयेंगे जल्दी से कब,

वो सात दिन बरसात के||

Why O! Why

Wipe off that beautiful smile,

I can’t resist it.

Cover up those bare toes,

Temptations building.

The piercing eyes,

All truth they know.

Those luscious lips, look away,

My feet trembling.

Oh that wiggly nose,

Red cherry passion.

A dancing belly perfect,

Why O! Why.

Open up the tied hairs,

Bring down the curtain.

रात जवां, अभी ढली नहीं

नश्तर से नैन तेरे चल जाते,
जब तब, घायल कर जाते,
दिल को मेरे हाय, तब तब,
थोडा ठहर, न हो रुखसत,
रात जवां, अभी ढली नहीं|

प्यारी सी हँसी, कोमल पंखुडियां,
होठ तेरे, ललचाते मुझको,
शर्म से लाल गाल तेरे,
कितना रोकूँ, तड़पाते मुझको,
थोडा ठहर, न हो रुखसत,
रात जवां, अभी ढली नहीं|

जब होती है तू उदास, रोता है,
मन मेरा, दुखता अन्दर कुछ मेरे,
मत बहाना कभी तू आंसू,
बहुत कीमती हैं, पूछ मुझसे,
थोडा ठहर, न हो रुखसत,
रात जवां, अभी ढली नहीं|

जुल्फें तेरी, उलझी सुलझी,
हर वक़्त तेरा जूझना उनसे,
पर जैसी भी हैं, भाता है मुझे,
उंगलियाँ जब फसती हैं मेरी,
थोडा ठहर, न हो रुखसत,
रात जवां, अभी ढली नहीं|

बचपना तेरा, इतराना, कट्टी,
हंस पड़ता हूँ, बंद आँखें करके,
मेरे छूने से होती सिरहन तुझे,
तुझे परेशां करता मैं हक़ से हूँ,
थोडा ठहर, न हो रुखसत,
रात जवान, अभी ढली नहीं|

जाना है तो जा, न पीछा
करूंगा मैं, बस निगाहें मेरी,
रुखसत भी हो गयी जो तू,
अहसास को कैसे ले जायेगी,
कितना भी दूर चली जा,
यह रात लौटकर फिर आएगी||

चार भौंकते कुत्ते

सपने में आते हैं मेरे,
डरता हूँ मैं, खौफनाक ,
क्यों न मुझको सोने देते,
वो चार भौंकते कुत्ते|

मैंने क्या बिगाड़ा तेरा है,
क्या ऐसा पाप किया है,
सुख चैन हर ले गए जो,
वो चार भौंकते कुत्ते|

एक बेचैनी सी छाई है,
पसीना पसीना हुआ हूँ मैं,
क्यों दिल को मेरे धड्काते,
वो चार भौंकते कुत्ते|

सुनसान गली, रास्ता तंग,
घेर लिया मुझे चारों ओर,
मेरे पापों की गिनती करवाते,
वो चार भौंकते कुत्ते|

काँप रहा मैं, ठण्ड लगी,
मुख में मेरे आवाज दबी,
राम नाम मुझसे जपवाते,
वो चार भौंकते कुत्ते|

तभी एक तेज रोशनी दिखी,
आँखें खुली, कुछ साफ़ हुआ,
मुझे साहस देने आये थे,
मेरे डर को भागने आये थे,
मुझे हिम्मत देके चले गए,
मेरे डर को लेके चले गए,
वो चार भौंकते कुत्ते|

Gibberishing

There are times when we wake up to that recurring nightmare. We hope it to be the last one. But alas! It comes back. Similar are the bad habits. However hard we try, they keep hanging onto us.

One such habit that I have tried to shed, with little success is ‘talking too much’. I have dealt with short temper, emotional outburst, butt-booze successfully over the years. But I have no reasonable explanation for my tongue.

I have faced losses at academics, work and personal life alike due to my gibberish. Mind needs time to think, channelize thoughts and come out with something reasonable. But when one talks a lot, rubbish comes out, as mind has no time for processing.

People stop giving importance to what you have to say, considering the huge volumes. Over time you become like background music. You are an irritant, hindering the foreground processes.

Your relationships too take a hitting. You lock in most time for what you have to say and less time for listening to the other person. One needs a partner one could talk to. No one needs to be with a J L Baird, one way relay.

One speaks so as to express the existence of oneself, but eventually ends up being non-existent. Irony!

If you are also the one who talks a lot, now is the time to rein in. I won’t list ‘n’ points towards improvement as I am still struggling with it. If you have any advice, do let me know. It’s time to give our tongue taste of its own medicine.

Wannabe Love Stories

“Love, a quaint feel,
Love, rags to glories,
North to south, East to west,
Everyone likes love stories”

Right from the childhood we are told stories of a charming prince to the rescue of the cursed princess, the frog prince kissed back to human form, Cinderella’s shoe etc. Even in our Indian culture, who would not know of Heer-Ranjha, Shirin-Farhad? Even Satyavan-Savitri and Ram-Sita are eternal love stories.

A common thread to all these is the struggle and sacrifice through the journey. The princess had to be cursed, the prince had to fight the dragon, Cinderella had to go through the hardships, Ranjha and Farhad are replete with tragedies too. In fact, it’s this very element of tragedy that makes love stories all the more eternal. Nature has perhaps intertwined a tinge of pain even with lovemaking for that very reason.

All this makes a good read, doesn’t it? Love stories are cherished by all. But love can’t be plotted/planned/forced. It just happens. But since we have grown up being fed these ever romantic tales, we want to have our own love story. Here is where things go awry. We try and force a love story. Peer pressure perhaps. Love does not mean having a trophy to show around and a background story to talk about. Sadly it has been reduced to this very thing.

When one really falls in love, there is no explicit need to convey it. It’s felt. But when we try and initiate love so as to make a love story, it’s devious. Here is what happens and why it twitches with time. One tends to portray oneself so as the other person will like him/her. This charade can go on to an extent but no more. One tends to make compromises with a lot of things just for the sake of a story. These things keep on accumulating leading to an eventual blowout.

It’s always nice to have a love story but it’s not pertinent for being a romantic. Be with someone only if you like the company, or perhaps for obvious needs. But to try and enforce love to chart out a love story will only result chaos and nothing else. Wait for the sparks to happen. Artificial sparks is never a good option.

ऐसा नहीं है

ऐसा नहीं था कि मुझे कुछ गम था,
पर जीवन में लगता कुछ कम था|
पत्र तो था पर मंजिल थी लापता,
अगले मोड़ पे टकराइगी, क्या था पता||

ऐसा नहीं था कि मैं कोई विश्वामित्र था,
पर तपस्या थी हकीकत, न चल-चित्र था|
इन्द्र की बारिश, ये दिल सह न सका,
जब तन मन तपाने बनी तू मेनका|

ऐसा नहीं था कि कभी मस्ती नहीं थी,
पर अपनी कोई अलग हस्ती नहीं थी|
दौड़ा गयी तू सिरहन, मिली नयी राह,
कट रहा था जीवन, आई नयी चाह|

ऐसा नहीं था कि कोई पगला था मैं,
हाँ समझदारी में थोडा कंगला था मैं|
‘हड़बड़ी कबतक, आदतें सुधारो’, तूने ज्ञान दिया,
ज्यादा नहीं गर थोड़ा तो समझदार किया|

ऐसा नहीं था कि दिल ये पत्थर था,
पर धड़कने को नहीं ये तत्पर था|
मौत के जैसे आई औ जिंदगी दे गयी,
दिल को धड़का, मेरी सांसें ले गयी|

ऐसा नहीं है तू मुझे भाती नहीं,
या सुबह शाम तेरी याद आती नहीं|
सहे हैं दुःख तूने, और दे नहीं सकता,
असमंजस है मेरा, वक़्त ले नहीं सकता|

6 conditions rejected by Anna Hazare

Delhi Police imposed 22 conditions for peaceful protest by Anna Hazare. Last heard 6 out of 22 were rejected by Anna and his team. What these 6 conditions were had been kept under wraps. Yours truly found it out through well placed sources at US Embassy, who tends to know more on India, than India itself.

Conditions were as below:
1.  At least 50 helicopters should be present at the Anshan site (Quick evacuation in case of bee attack).

2.  50 AC’s are mandatory. No one should suffer heat stroke coz of Dilli ki Garmi.

3.  All the attendees must sign an undertaking that they hereby agree for nasbandi.

4.  Attendees should give an undertaking that they will not urinate for the entire duration. Anyone found otherwise will be lynched.

5.  Such fasts tend to get boring. So as nobody dies of boredom, performance by Lady Gaga is must. Pending her nod fast cannot go ahead.

6.  People made to sit long hours can develop severe back pains. Arrangements should be made for back massage by professional masseuses.

According to our sources, Anna and his team were bummed out specifically by Lady Gaga condition. They tried to reason with her. But once she insisted to perform, they had no option but to back out.

सारे जहाँ से अच्छा

सारे जहाँ से अच्छा, कहता था एक बच्चा,
हम बुलबुलें हैं इसकी, कहती थी दादी उसकी,
ग़ुरबत में हों अगर हम, विश्वास न हो बस कम,
रहता हो दिल वतन में, फक्र से न घुटन में|

परवत वो सब से ऊँचा, सबने लहू से सींचा,
गोदी में हज़ारों नदियाँ, हो गयी हैं जिनको सदियाँ,
ए आब-ए-रूद-ए-गंगा, दुबकी जो कर दे चंगा,
मज़हब नहीं सिखाता बैर, असल बात जाने दो खैर|

हिन्दी हैं हम वतन है, दुश्मन करें जतन हैं,
यूनान-ओ-मिस्र-ओ-रोमा, कुछ गए, कुछ को कोमा,
हस्ती मिटती नहीं हमारी, झूझने की है बीमारी,
हम तुझको क्यों सुनाएं, दर्द-ए-निहाँ हमारा|

PS: My tribute to Saare Jahan se Accha by Muhammad Iqbal

Things I love/hate about Anna Hazare

1. I hate that he makes me feel corrupt. He tries to wake up my conscience. He makes me uncomfortable. He irks me.
2. I love that he does not contest elections and hold legislative posts. Scared if he becomes PM.
3. I hate the fact that he brainwashes today’s youth into believing that corruption is a bad thing.
4. I love when he goes on fast and his health deteriorates. Good Riddance.
5. I hate that his crusade will take off food from plates of corrupt people like me.
6. I love that people like him are not selected for constitutional posts in our country. Who would bear a lokayukta like him?
7. I hate that my dream of owning a black money account in Swiss bank will remain a dream because of him.
8. I love the fact that he is old.
9. I hate that his legacy will continue forcing me to answer to laws of the land for corruption.

आँखों में हैं ऐसी तन्हाइयां

मेरी आँखों में हैं ऐसी तन्हाइयां,
कि नींदों में आती बस अंगड़ाइयां|
लगे है बेगाना कुछ ऐसा जहां,
जैसे ओझिल है रातों को परछाइयां|

पास होकर भी वो दूर जाती रही,
मार ठोकर हमें, मुस्कराती रही|
उसकी लानत में है एक ऐसा मज़ा,
बिना उसके ताने, यह जीवन सजा|

उन बातों की यादें, हैं आती मुझे,
कि रातों कि आहट में खोजूं तुझे|
तेरी मुस्कराहट, एक ऐसा नशा,
उन मदहोशियों में, यह बेबस फसा|

जंगल का राजा, होने दो शेर को,
एक दिन तो खदेड़ा वो भी जाएगा|
अगर पास हो शेरनी,  तेरे जैसी तो,
खदेड़ने पर भी राजा वो कहलायेगा|

ऐ काश, रेत रूकती मेरे हाथ में,
समय को भी थमने को कह पाता मैं|
तो साहिल से कराता में पहचां तेरी,
और चुपके से तुझको सता जाता मैं|

होश वालों को होती नहीं जो खबर,
वो खबर मैं नशे में सुनाता रहा|
रात भर मेघ काले, बरसते रहे,
रात भर गीत, मैं गुनगुनाता रहा|

मेरी आँखों में हैं ऐसी तन्हाइयां,
कि नींदों में आती बस अंगड़ाइयां|
लगे है बेगाना कुछ ऐसा जहां,
जैसे ओझिल है रातों को परछाइयां||

Top 5 Tips for Girls to Gain Weight

Of late size zero has become a phenomenon. Humanity has never lost so much weight in history as today. What girls tend to forget is that guys like curves. Slim figure is welcome but zero is not. Most thin girls have a phobia that by gaining weight they will look fat. First of all they should shed this inhibition. A little bit of chubbiness adds to the beauty anytime.

For all those single girls whom I have been able to brainwash into gaining weight by my above appeal, here are certain easy tips. Follow them and you will thrive and men will hover around like a beehive.

Tip No 1 – Find a Guy who lives alone
It’s quite easy to find a guy in metro cities who is working there and lives away from family alone. Such guys tend to eat out most of the times rather than cooking. You will start eating out too. Eating out regularly will add that missing kilos in no time.

Tip No 2 – Hit the bed long
Getting lots of sleep is one of the easiest ways to gain weight. A minimum of 8 hours sleep is necessary. Anything above is a bonus. This way weight gain would be like a dream come true.

Tip No 3 – Beer it
Over the centuries ‘Beer belly’ has been one of the most controversial phrase. But it works and how. Drink beer regularly for a month and you wouldn’t believe how lovely you look with those plum cheeks.

Tip No 4 – Don’t flunk the junk
Go junkie! Those Big Macs, fries, pizzas, pastas are a sure shot path towards glory. Never be scared of the food. Eat as much and as junk as you can.

Tip No 5 – Get married
Easiest of them all! Scientists have been wondering over the years as to why Indian women gain weight so quickly as soon as they get married. Regardless of the reason behind, it works. The only flip side is that you are married now.

Bonus Tip: Call me!

Reincarnations of the Modern Kind

When a Rajinikant movie is released, there are poojans and processions all around. The fans have relegated a mere human to the status of God. In fact over the period of history, there have been several such cases when humans have performed such feats that the followers became worshippers.

They say there is God in all of us. Let’s consider it true for a while. Let’s try and identify the almighty who walk among us and whose reincarnation are they.

1. Shiva

America

The Destroyer. A handsome young man, meditating and minding his own business, when disturbed unnecessarily, opens his third eye and wreaks havoc on the world.Who more similar than America, A place for opportunities, an inviting habitat. But when Japan carried out an unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor, retaliation was swift and deadly. Even Taliban would agree! Revered and Feared

2. Rama		Sachin Tendulkar

The Maryada Purshottama. Unswerving self control and virtue. The composure and patience never wore out. Perfect adherence to dharma.The choice is unanimous. Sachin Tendulkar.An ideal man and a perfect human. Need I say more?

3. Ganesha		Pranab Mukherjee

Vighnharta. This son of Shiva, hailed as the Remover of Obstacles.For the past 7 years of UPA rule, Pranab Mukherjee is the one to whom Congress run in dire situations, he is Vighnharta for sure.

4. Hanuman		Manmohan Singh

The devotee. Served Rama from the heart.Manmohan Singh was the right hand man of Sonia Gandhi when she was bidding for PM post. Once she decided to sacrifice, her ardent devotee was rewarded. Ever since 7, Race Course has hardly disobeyed 10, Janpath.

5. Durga		Mamta Banerjee

Feminine Force. The Devi riding a lion with a smile. Fearless.Mamta Banerjee has fought against the system for last 35 years in West Bengal single handedly. Her only weapon being her fearless and killer attitude. Durga came into full force in 2011 assembly elections when she ran over her opponents.

6. Lakshmi		Jayalalita

The goddess of wealth, wisdom, prosperity. Sheer good luck and wealth to all the devotees.When IT dept. raided Jayalalita’s premsies, everyone was astounded to see the wealth. She promises her voters cash and kind if they bring her to power.

7. Krishna		Akshay Kumar

The prankster. The raas-leela. An ideal lover. The Supreme Being. The Gyaan of Geeta.Akshay Kumar has always been known to be a ladies’ man. The pranks played by him on his co-stars are a part of a legend. The wit and humor is unquestionable.

8. Annapurna		Big Bazaar

Goddess of food. Supplies food to people.In today’s world its Big Bazaar which fills the hungry stomach. From food to fruit, everything you get by making a wish to Big Bazaar.

9. Vishnu		Common Man

The preserver and protector of creation. Mercy and goodness. It’s a self-existententity.The Common Man by R K Laxmanhas been the face of aam aadmi since eternity. As witty as Vishnu and representing the facets of humanity akin to various avatars.

जल उठी धरती फिर

जल उठी धरती फिर धू धू करके,

फिर हुआ स्तम्भ विस्तंभ आज,

छाती चौड़ी, अब जीता डरके,

गम में मुस्कराना, गहरा राज|

कुछ घना, कुछ गहरा, एक साया,

चहचहा उठे पंची सारे, सांझ भई,

धड़कन बढ़ी, सकुचा, दिल घबराया,

पुराने सब काल हुए, दुर्घटना नई|

कितने हँसे, कितने रोये, क्या गिनती,

मुखौटे से दिखे सब, मूक मय अवाक,

ग्रसित हैं, मुक्त करो, बस यही विनती,

कुछ न बचा, साथ गयी झूठी साख|

एक बटन दबा, एक घनघोर ध्वनी,

चिथड़े उड़े, हर ओर गिरे, सब शांत,

चीख भी उसकी, न निकली, न सुनी,

रो उठे सागर, हिंद से लेकर प्रशांत|

लाचार लगे अब, कुछ न कर पाऊँ,

शीश महल, अब नहीं बचा, चूर-चूर,

घर कब्जाया, खतरा, अब कहाँ जाऊं,

पास था साहिल, लगे अब दूर-दूर|

शैतान था वो, कुकृत्य किया जिसने,

बेबाक जिंदगी, न कभी जिए डरके,

सरफ़रोश हुआ, तृप्त-अमृत पिया उसने

जल उठी धरती जब धू धू करके|

Blasts and News

I shied away from news channels last night. Its rare coz I feed over breaking news. However scenes on TV during 26/11 haunted me for long. There was one more reason; I have been so used to these blasts that I knew very well what would be on news channels. Let’s guess chronologically.

t=0 Blast across the city.

t=5mins Unverified news of explosion in the city. Suspected to be cylinder explosion.

t=10mins Unverified news of series of explosions. Definitely not a cylinder explosion. 10 injured.

t=15mins According to sources, it’s a terrorist attack. Blasts across the city within minutes of each other. 2 dead, 24 injured.

t=30mins Police sources have verified that these are bombings. Blast sites have been cordoned off. Injured being taken to the hospital. 7 dead, 56 injured.

t=1hr Home minister has verified it to be a terrorist attack. Lashkar, IM hand suspected. 15 dead, 87 injured.

t=2hrs Terrorist attack probe begins. IB, Forensic team on the spot. Use of sophisticated technology detected. 25 dead, 117 injured.

t=3hrs City on red alert. India put on high alert. 15 IM suspects rounded up. Investigations on. PM realys message to the nation. 29 dead, 127 injured.

t=5hrs Celebrities vent anger on twitter/facebook. Socialites damn the Security forces. Intellectuals damn the Govt. 34 dead, 149 injured.

t=6hrs Qaidai-al-kalami-jamat takes responsibility for the blasts.

t=7hrs I write this post.

न भूल सका

पहली बार जो तुझको देखा था,
शरमाई औ सकुचाई सी थी,
कुछ डरी औ कुछ घबराई सी थी,
भूला मैं यह सब कुछ, न भूल सका,
बस तेरे चेहरे पर आती हुई वो लट|

बच रही थी तू मुझसे, कौन है यह?
शायद कुछ ज्यादा ही उतावला था मैं,
तिर्छी निगाहों से वैसे, देख रही थी तू,
भूला मैं यह सब कुछ, न भूल सका,
बस तेरी वो पहली नश्तर सी हँसी|

दो घंटे इंतज़ार करवाया था तूने,
पहली बार मिले थे जब हम तुम,
ऐसी नादान बन रही थी तू, क्या कहता,
भूला मैं यह सब कुछ, न भूल सका,
बस तेरी वो बिंदी जो कुछ टेढ़ी थी|

लम्बी लम्बी बातें तेरी, नहीं ख़त्म,
जो होती थी, पक-पक पक-पक तेरी,
न जाने कब अच्छी लगने लगी थी,
भूला मैं यह सब कुछ, न भूल सका,
बस तेरा वो तकिया-कलाम, हाय|

निगाहों का नशा तेरा, रिश्ता मेरा,
तेरा रूठना, मनाना मेरा, पल छिन,
वो प्यार से तेरा मुझ पे मुक्के बरसना,
भूला मैं यह सब कुछ, न भूल सका,
बस तेरी वो आखों की सरफरोशी|

तेरा मेरे पास आना, दूर जाना, सताना,
रोकना मुझे, प्यार बरसना, कतराना,
तेरे नखरे सहना, तुझे कुछ न कहना,
भूला मैं यह सब कुछ, न भूल सका,
बस वो सारे ख्वाब जो तेरे नाम किये||

Grandparents

There was a village amidst the mountains. Total population would not have been more than couple of hundred. It was like a family living in harmony since generations.

Witness to all these years was a banyan tree. None knew exactly how old it was. Prevalent folklore varied its age from thousands to millions of years. All sorts of carvings could be made out from its trunk. Some looked prehistoric, some recent. The tree was so spread out that it acted like a city centre. Everyone hung out, celebrated festivals under it. It was an integral part of village life; a group of happy populous.

One morning people woke up to something. It was a windy day alright; but apart from sand and dust, there was something else in the air. Thousands of banyan leaves were flying around. Whole village soon gathered underneath the tree. It had lost half of its leaves overnight. The freshness of the morning soon turned into realization of a shock.

The tree was dying. The suddenness of the situation was more than anyone could handle. Ladies started weeping. Men could hardly speak. They prayed, pleaded with their Gods. Every avenue possible was explored but to no avail. It was two weeks when the last of the leaf was seen. It was now a dead wood. The life was not the same anymore.

Suddenly the sun seemed hotter, rains heavier and stars aplenty. Years went by and the tales about the age of the tree changed into tales about existence of it. People started to live indoors. There were no community gatherings anymore. It was like the societal fiber just vanished, the thread broken, the elastic snapped.

Similar is the impact of elders in a home. Grandparents we call them. No one knows how old the grandmother is. She was born this old, with wrinkles, for all we know. Nobody knows from where the wisdom of Grandfather comes from. He is The Britannica for all we know.

They are the root that symbolizes the family and keeps everyone together. Once they leave, the sons/daughters become a self existent entity. The family gatherings become less. The circle of life springs into action. Each of those offshoots starts their own family, become old to be called grandparents themselves. The vacuum remains but the life moves on.

Soon number of trees cropped up under the dead root. The city centre was vibrant again. The banyan tree gave way to multitude of trees. New fruits and new flowers; New pours and new showers.

Top 5 Modern Means to Ease Tension

1. Divorce
	A two faced dragon. Post the concept of divorce, couples has been eased out of tension of living unhappily together. It gives a shot at starting life afresh and get out of the lifelong agony.

2. AC
	In hot and humid conditions, mind is not able to reach its optimum production level. Air Conditioning has solved this altogether. Even in extreme conditions, we can choose to live at whatever temperature we want. How the AC soothes our mind and rejuvenates us in those summers.

3. Chocolate Sundae
	There is nothing like a hot fudge, whipped cream Chocolate Sundae that sooth our nerves. After a tiring day, a sundae relieves us like nothing else. Modern life has its goodies to offer.

4. Bungee Jumping
	Not for the faint hearted. The thrill remains us for life. Try it once and you will never be scared in life. It adds thrill to a boring life and eases our mind.

5. Combat Video Games
	Beating the hell out of someone is an age old solution to ease tension. We can beat, kill, and destroy anyone and anything in this virtual world. Believe you me the thrill is the same. Play a “Beat you Boss” at the end of a tiring day and it will outperform a glass of Beer.

Top 5 Modern Means of Tension

1. E.M.I.
	Works on the principle of “spending before earning”. A family tragedy, some urgency can cause us to default on EMI’s, which is followed up by goons at our doorsteps. Since we have already spent the money there is no options but to keep paying the EMI’s. This destroys the basic premise of happy living, “Live within your means”.

2. Extensive Travel
	Globalization has its demerits. Urban lifestyle involves extensive air travel for business purposes. Many people are forced to live out of their suitcases. This adds extreme pressure. Jet lag becomes an addiction and tension keeps accumulating like anything.

3. Career to Choose
	A son of a potter became a potter. There was nothing like, “Choosing a Career”. It has become a modern demon which destroys much of our early life and by the time we settle on a particular career, we find out we don’t like it any bit. The grumbling stays on eating into our peace.

4. Power/Water cuts
	Sans the concept of power or water distribution, people didn’t have to deal with the cuts. Water was taken right out of lakes and oil lamps were used for light. The modern society is so dependent on power and water supply that frequent cuts (demand-supply), leaves us irritated.

5. Marriage on rocks
	Marriage was a lifelong bond and concept of divorce was not known. These days tension created by divorce, court case, heart break is too much to handle. Good were the days when society chose a match for you and you lived ever together.

…to follow: Top 5 Modern Means to Ease Tension