1. Signing off 2020...

 Would like to welcome all of us to a very happy and grand 2021 with a set of 12 wishes, hopes and prayers:

 to meet in early part of the year.

 to have a healthier and stronger life.

 to cherish the good times of the current year, thereby forgetting the not-so-good phase(s).

 to make a lot of wonderful memories around.

 to spread the kindness and love.

 to enjoy the nature in all possible forms.

 to consume the peace and bliss showered by the cosmos.

 to love all the living beings eternally.

 to create a soothing environment.

 

 to touch each and every soul with a sense of divinity.

 to experience the existence holistically.

 to connect with the supreme power that is within, around and beyond.

Signing off 2020... Well Almost...

          with loads Love ❤️, Prayers 🙏 & Gratitude 🙌🏻

3. Who was - II?

I shall be back by 9pm, You take care while I am away - Although concerned, Mom was happy as she was gonna have a rendezvous with her sis after long.

My heart jumped with joy and hands reached out to dial her number.

Are you sure it will be safe? - She countered with a sheer hesitation in her voice.

Wow! Finally, I see you. I was holding my excitement since infinity - Feeling on the top of the world, I exclaimed.

I feel excited, yet worried - her statement sounded more like a whisper as she was expressing her concern, while tucked in my arms.

Don't worry babe; it's just you and me for next 5 hours, and may be a little more.

Oh! God...Who must be at...? - She intoned frantically as the doorbell rang.

I'll get that. Meanwhile, please hide yourself in the bedroom - I muttered as I rushed towards the door.

What made you take forever to open the door? - Mom was panting yet she could manage to keep her speech firm.

Bang! - A surreal voice of an object desperate to hit the floor head-on, surfaced from the kitchen.

Reva, What are you doing here? - Mom was flabbergasted.

Mom, Let me explain... - My voice was at the submissive best.

Mom punctuated - Wait a minute. Reva stepped out  of the bedroom.....

Then....

Rasode me kaun tha??

2. कुछ पन्ने...

 कुछ पन्ने पलट कर देखूं अगर,

इतना बुरा नहीं है अब तक का सफर,

हां, दुख ज़रूर है कई मुकाम पर,

लेकिन खुशियों का हिस्सा है ज्यादातर...

फिर भी, भविष्य की चिंता में अक्सर,

मन विचलित सुबह, रात, दोपहर,

आने वाले कल की होती इतनी फिकर,

इस क्षण के आनंद से हटती नज़र...

जो होने वाला है उसकी नहीं है खबर,

उसमे उलझने से क्या होगा मगर,

कुछ हुआ भी तो मिलेगा उत्तर,

हौसला बुलंद तो मालिक बैठा है ऊपर...

ए दिल, आज फिर कुछ ऐसा कर,

हो जाए जिसका सुनहरा असर,

यह समय जाए हस्ते गाते गुज़र,

और याद रह जाए सारी उमर,

कल जब फिरसे...कुछ पन्ने पलट कर देखूं अगर,

लाजवाब लगे यह जीवन का सफर ।।।

1. ख्वाइशों का त्योहार.

।। ख्वाइशों का त्योहार ।।

बीत रहा है जीवन,

कश्मकश है बरकरार,

ख्वाइशों की सूची लंबी,

अंजाम देने को दिल है तैयार...

थोड़ा सा और कमा ले,

दिमाग कहता है लगातार,

पूरी कर लेना इच्छाएं,

पहले संभाल अपना संसार...

समय की सुई भाग रही,

है उसकी तेज़ रफ्तार,

एक दो शौख तो करने दे,

मुझे मुकम्मल मेरे यार...

कमाई हुई लूटा देगा तो,

कैसे चलेगा आगे व्यवहार,

तेरी नादानी की कीमत,

भुगतेगा तू, तेरा परिवार...

तो फिर क्या है बता, 

इस जीवन का सार,

कुचल दूं सब जो दिल कहे,

और ना करूं सपने साकार...

सारा जीवन बाकी है,

क्यों सोच रहा है बेकार,

अभी दुनिया के संग दौड़,

और कर ख्वाबों को फरार...

भाग रहा हूं, सोच रहा हूं,

दिमाग को करके स्वीकार,

यह उम्मीद लिए दिल में,

एक दिन मनाऊंगा... 

...ख्वाइशों का त्योहार।।।

2. Who Was?

 The door-bell was constantly buzzing. I felt I have woken up to a dream, but the sound kept entering the ears while my eyes were wide open. It was 1.30am.

I was all alone at home. Although I rushed to attend, my heart was feeling scared. As my hands reached out to the door handle, I wasn’t sure what should I do – My brain was asking me to open it and the heart was speechless. The brain signal overtook the silence of the heart.

Please take me in. The mob is after my life. They might reach here in the next minute – came the voice.

Before the eye-contact could be established, he entered, shut the door from inside and fell on my feet.

Hey, but, who… what… how… anyway listen, please stand up first – Flabbergasted me could manage to speak this much.

He rushed to the water-bottle, that was just 10 feet way. I am not sure how much of it went inside his mouth but all I could notice is it was all over his already panting face and little on the floor already.

I am so sorry, but you please don’t panic – The person who was dead scared was telling this to me. Irony!

Somehow, I could balance my brains and asked him – Ok tell me, how may I help you?

Before he could tell anything, the ever-melodious door-bell rang and for the second time in last 12 minutes, I realized that soothing door-bell can sound annoyingly noisy when it rings at the wrong time.

They are here. Please hide me – Now he was scared beyond limits.

I said – Go inside the bedroom on your left and I will manage.

At the door with the same feeling, I opened and 3 ppl with sticks in their hand asked me about him.

I responded – Hello, who are you? There is no one here and why have you guys surfaced at this hour and that too in such a dangerous avatar.

I could tell this only after gathering so much of courage in 3 seconds.

They asked me – Are you sure there is no one in the house and you are all alone?

I don’t know what struck me and I happened to convey – My maid is in. Do you want me to fix up a meeting with her?

Let’s go. This guy is crazy – Came another voice.

As they were about to go, a sound of vessel reached out to all the ears that were present.

Who’s that? – asked the first person

The third person advocated me – He just mentioned about the maid. Now, let’s not invest more time else we will not be able to fulfil our purpose.

I exhaled so deeply that it sounded like I was taking off to the space. While rushing towards the kitchen, I screamed – I asked you to hide in the bedroom. Now come out of the kitchen quickly.

He came out from the bedroom and that left me in a bigger shock.

I questioned myself – Rasode me kaun tha?

 

 

 

 

1. Congratulations.

Congratulations Zevar. I am happy for you!

Hey Thanks! Surprised, how did you know?

Mark told me...

Who? And How does he know? It just happened today and hardly 3 people know about it so far.

I mean it is all over the social media about you getting promoted in your work role.

Ah! That! It was a year ago and I am unsure how come it reflected today.

So, what happened today?

I delivered a baby girl..

Aaha! Congratulations for the right reason then!

2. दो गज का फासला...

दो गज का फासला,
दिलों को करीब ला सके, तो सही है...

चेहरे पे भले मास्क है,
लेकिन उसके पीछे जो इंसान है, वही है...

घर की दाल में भरा प्यार,
स्वाद उसका शायद बिरयानी जैसा, नहीं है...

तेज रफ्तार थी ज़िन्दगी की,
अब उसकी गति कभी धीमी, कहीं थमी है...

ऐसा लगे मानो चारो ओर अंधेरा,
परंतु समय की सुई उजाले की दिशा में, बढ़ रही है...

केवल हौसला दे रहा हूं खुद को,
बाकी ये सब बातें इस कायनात में, कहां अनकही है...

दो गज का फासला,
दिलों को करीब ला सके, तो सही है...

-----------------------------------------------
Reply from a friend:

बातें तो कहां तेरी और मेरी अनसुनी है,
जानते तो यह सभी है।

वक़्त का पहिया कहां किसी के लिए कभी रुका है?
चाहे यहां आंधी या छाए अंधेरा, उजाला और रोशनी वहीं के वहीं है!

तु समजदार है, और सब तो जानता है;
बस फर्क ये है कि,तु बोलता है और सब चुप रहते हैं।

दूरी और फासला इस महामारी में जरूरी हो गए है,
पर जो बिना कहे,बोले सुन के, समज ले, सम्बल जाए उसे तो दिल की डोरी बंधी है!!

दो गज के फासले है,जरूरी है
पर कुछ ना केहके भी समाज जाए उस दिल से दिल की डोरी जुड़ी है!!

( ए दोस्त।।। खुब लिखकर जो सच है वो बयान किया वो सही है! और तेरी अदाओं में भी वो सादगी और... नमी है!)

1. I, Me, My...

"I", "Me", "My" - These words are connected to the existence.

"I" am a XYZ person.
Well, this is "Me".
"My" name / hobby / profession is so and so.

These words, when used in a sentence, more or less, initiate the process of proving the existence.

Well, to whom? To Self or to others?

Also, it is necessary to ensure that the image that is carried alongwith "I", "Me", "My" should never tamper; rather ever enhance.

What is gained out of it?

How others think about "Me" makes me feel happy or sad? Is it?

"I" feel good to receive the certificate of what "I" have accomplished, from others.

"I" get a new car for "My" happiness; the feeling of possessing it and driving it does make "Me" feel happy but does it look incomplete unless "others" praise it? 

If "I" am happy about doing something and declaring it to the world makes "Me" feel happier, it still looks ok, but what if "I" got to do something irrespective of "Me" not liking to do? It might make the "other" party happy but will "I" be happy? Even if "I" say, "I" feel happy to realize that the "other" party liked it, am "I" actually happy?

The other side of it is, "I" love doing ABC but got to restrict "My"self  as it might not look "good" to "others" and they might print an adverse certificate in "My" name, which "I" might not like as it's not "Me" who can face a display of adversity in the image that is based on the existence related to "I", "Me", "My".

While "I" write this, it is constantly on "My" mind that the message has to be conveyed in such a manner that "no-one" thinks anything "otherwise" about "Me".

5. अलविदा नहीं, फिर मिलेंगे...

अलविदा नहीं, फिर मिलेंगे ...!!!

राह पर चलते, मिलते है मुसाफिर अक्सर,
लेकिन JioCloud का ज़रा हटके है सफर,
आप शायद कल से नई दिशा की ओर चलें,
लेकिन रहेंगे आप सदा इस यात्रा के हमसफ़र...
यकीन है, आप हमारे ज़हन में सदा रहेंगे...
इसलिए अलविदा नहीं कहता जनाब,  मैं कहता हूँ फिर मिलेंगे !!!

प्रगति की ओर, बढे आपका हर कदम,
आसमां को छुए, करते रहे अच्छे करम,
ख़ुशी आपके चेहरे पर रहती है, और क्या कहूं,
दुआ है, स्वस्थ और सफल रहे यह मनुष्य जनम...
आशा है, आप हमें दुआ में याद रखेंगे...
इसी उम्मीद से अलविदा नहीं कहता जनाब,  मैं कहता हूँ फिर मिलेंगे !!!

4. Jack Mars, I Am Listening.

Few days ago, I received a message that mentioned - Hey, do you know Jack Mars (name changed), by any chance?

I replied - I have heard the name; can't quite recollect but tell me what's the matter?

"I have given up and want to quit soon". This is what Jack has written - came the reply.

I requested for Jack's phone number.

Without investing time in thinking about what to talk, I dialled Jack.

After around 45 seconds of ice-breaker, I said - You may want to confide in me. I am here to only Listen.

We spoke for 24 minutes and approximately 90 percent of it was listening.

A couple of statements I firmly added from my end were - The duration of our lifetime is decided by the ultimate supreme power; let's not interfere into and try to change it. All we should do is focus on changing how to LIVE in that duration.

He concluded that he is feeling better and has accumulated some strength.

He also added - Some phases of life are really so wierd that you feel like giving up.

I said - Yes, it can and might happen. Hence I want to request for a simple promise - God forbid such a situation arises but in case if it does, Please register in your mind from now onwards that you will call me before coming to any conclusion, even if it is 3am in the night.

I will LISTEN.

3. दिल खोल...

दिल खोल, मुझसे बोल, यह जीवन है अनमोल...
कुछ रास्तें कभी लगते है बंद,
ऐसा लगे विकल्प रह गए है चंद,
नयी सुबह नए मोड़ पर लाएगी,
जो लग रही काली रात है वह,
           कुछ घंटो में गुज़र जायेगी...
वर्तमान क्षण में अपनी क्षमता को टटोल,
दिल खोल, मुझसे बोल, यह जीवन है अनमोल...
मंज़िल शायद लगे इतनी दूर,
कदम डगमगाए, दिल हो जाये मजबूर,
मौसम की खराबी कुछही क्षण टिक पाएगी,
और फिर बदलकर अपना रुख,
             हवा नयी दिशा दिखाएगी...
निराशा के आगे आशाओं को तोल,
दिल खोल, मुझसे बोल, यह जीवन है अनमोल...
शायद ऐसा लगे जीवन में कुछ नहीं बचा,
क्या कर सकते है, हम एक छोटी सी चर्चा?
उम्मीद है, ज़िन्दगी फिर से मुस्कुराएगी,
जब एक चाय की प्याली अपने संग,
             थोड़ा सा समय बिताएगी...
करते है साथ बैठकर सुख-दुःख का मोल,
दिल खोल, मुझसे बोल, यह जीवन है अनमोल !!!

2. 52 review

The *Abundance* within you have been growing, flowing and spreading so much that by being *Punctual* , *Listening* to your heart you have launched and with your extended *Family*,  *Shared* such a beautiful artwork.

You have multiplied the joy of a reader, doer ...to accomplish and initiate the Incomplete *Goals*.

Calling out all who are missed over a *Coffee* table and reliving that moments.
Without losing *Hope*, *Working-out* to keep myself boost up and *Praise* too!
Creating an environment of joy thru *Playing* feeling much *Gratitude* for everything!
Recreation of treasure of *Re-Bonding* with the ones who are not in touch anymore through *No-media* and only face 2 face communication!

Creating a lovely comfy zone by *Greeting* people with their Names and experience the Bliss.. Without a judgement and *Negative* approach. Through the widened vision and confidence doing some basic *Chores* in order to avoid SOS in future!

*Praying* for whole universe, amending the *Relationship* through forgetting all. Most of all feeling the oneness in the *Orphanage* among all kids..

Bidding adieu to my own Made *Notion* and harming myself..Sharing al pink and blues thru the wonderful *Friendship*.
Thru proper introspection want to *Discover* my within. And yes refraining to be driven by others and remain in *Neutral* state to be a better version of me!

Wanna *Forgive* all with whom the not so good relationship is going on.

Will enjoy the very existence by *Walking* and be connected with nature.. and experiencing the *Peace* that naturally exists.

Mark myself to remain *Honest* with all the people I interact with and practising *Compassion* for all living beings by being sensitive, and *Non-violent*.

Averting things that leads to sadness and live for *HaPPineSs* and making an *Passionate* day .. Ofcourse will take a really a day off, *Break* from all the work and chores to remain within me, observe and knowing myself more!! Completion of all the tasks with complete stress free mind and *Relaxation*.

With the complete *Aware* state, make my stand clear with to the point thoughts and will be *Assertive* with all discussion that takes place, without any judgements and shall practice to speak only *Truth*.

Will feel so blissful by spreading good *Vibes* everywhere. Re-visit my *Hobbies* that used to be and have fun. Letting Mr.Mind to wander, I shall practice a while of *Meditation* and experience the thoughts and thought-free state without getting one with them, giving a good *Pause* to hustle rustle life with no pace in it.
Stay *Positive*, give love and warmth to all the Old aged at *Old age home*.

Execution of *Project* on small basis and completing it to end. Become a helping *Hand* for my own satisfaction.

Writing a *Letter* to my most important near ones and make them feel how much significant they are.

Diving deep in to the rhythmic world thru *Music*. Re-living the old days by visiting the old *Place* again..share a *Smile*. Getting the smiley and stars by doing *Homework* of some kids. Eating the right amount of right food in right quantity maintaining healthy *Diet*.

Ultimately removing my all the inferiority complex wanna be aware of my own *Superiority* and existence.

💫⚡⚡⚡✨⚡⚡⚡💫

Excellent review by RBI

1. Tiny Tales.

26/Aug/2020

The couple would daily pray for a girl when the wife conceived. It was a girl. In a fortnight, they visited a shelter home for abandoned kids and adopted one infant boy. They didn’t bring him home but took care of all his expenses.

Once he finished his education, he had to move out from the shelter home. Since he had started working, he shifted to a rented apartment.

Husband and Wife reached out to him with a proposal to marry their daughter.

11/Jun2020

A goes to donate Blood for a B. After the donation, the receptionist comes and tells B - you forgot to mention the relationship with the patient. A responds - Blood relation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11/Jun2020

A invites B to meet to discuss a potential investment opportunity in his company.
They initiate a warm talk where B tells A that I have heard a lot about you.
B responds by saying - People keep talking anything behind the back. It's all non-sense.

A concludes with a remark - Well, I had heard a lot of positive things.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10/Jun/20
They travel together to work. He picks her up every morning. Today, they returned with beautiful memories. It was a Sunday.
(Changes suggested by Megha)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10/Jun/20

She had to login on his machine and hence asked him his password in his absence. He told its her name followed by 2016.

The story begins ends here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

05/Jun/20

She checked in at the airport to fly-out on a vacation to Auli.

Next day, she tweeted - I am back home.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Europe - Ek Saal.

Ek saal pehle shuru hua,
Europe ka haseen safar,
Kai ummedein thi mann me,
Jab chhod rahe the ghar...

Anjaan log, naye sheher,
Kise pata tha kaisi hogi dagar,
Dheere dheere honi lagi baatein,
Jinse pehle mili thi sirf nazar...

Bus me shuru hota tha din,
Prabhu bhakti aur prarthana sabhar,
Phir tarah tarah ke nazaaron ka darshan,
Karte rehte hum sab din dopahar...

Swadisht desi khaane ka luft,
Issey kya ho sakta hai behtar,
Sadak kinaare baith jaate kabhi,
Yaaron ke sang coffee lekar...

Raat me karte the mauj masti,
Thakaan nahi hoti thi itna ghumkar,
Shubh raatri ek dusre ko kehte, 
Ant me pahuchte apne bistar...

Keval 17 dino me hua kamaal,
Bane naye mitra, dekhe kai manzar,
Aakhir wo din aa gaya jab laut aaye Mumbai,
Aage badhe Sabko Phir milege kehkar...

Lekin Kahani abhi baaki hai,
Aise thodi hum jaate bikhar,
Naye mitra ab ho gaye hai pakke yaar,
Khub mazey karege jab tak sambhaale Ishwar.

4. Dreamgirl... Local...

Tune: Dreamgirl... Kisi Shayar ki Ghazal... Dreamgirl...

लोकल... लोकल... लोकल...
मोदीजी की ग़ज़ल... लोकल...
हो जाओ सब वोकल... लोकल...

पास मिलेगी, दूर नहीं जाना...
आज नहीं और कल...
लोकल... लोकल...

पैकेज दिया बढ़ाके,
छप्पन का सीना चढ़ाके,
ख्वाब दिखाया ऐसा,
फुले नहीं समाते...
करेंगे सपने सफल...
कौन?...
लोकल... लोकल...
मोदीजी की ग़ज़ल..लोकल....
लोकल... लोकल...

3. Mother.

One day God Thought,
He wouldn't be able to care for all,
So he created Mom,
To nurture you during Summer Winter Spring & Fall...

She welcomed you to her world,
Only to realize, you turned out to be a world for her,
Pampered you with milk and meals,
Despite herself being deprived of Bread & Butter...

She got you a beautiful cart,
On which she could ride you around,
She looked after your needs and wants,
On you, spent the last pound...

She donned you in beautiful clothes & shoes,
Got you lovely toys to play,
Seeing happiness on your face,
Just made her each day...

She chose a great school,
For you to study and progress,
Wanted your career & future bright,
Didn't care about her own mess...

She made you bright and capable,
Your Life is now bigger than this Rhyme,
She doesn't want a payback,
Just a little love and some time !!!

2. Time.

Money would keep increasing,
Investments will soar,
Savings shall mount,
Assets could grow more...

All at the cost of something,
That can turn billion into a dime,
It will all vanish,
Not even a matter of time..


The below 4 lines by Kirtan...

Life is forward moving,
And so is time
Neither ever go back,
And that completes this rhyme..

The following lines by Riddhi...

We are born with a roar,
Some leads their life to whole,
And some leads to no where...
Either you do it or not.

All investment of life goes in vain,
All vanishes as air and whatever created is at stake!

Once again you become one with soil...

1. एक.

एक ख़ुशी ने
मिटा दिए ग़म
एक मधुर वचन ने
किया कठोर को नरम
एक प्यार भरी नज़र ने
की नफरत ख़तम
एक चाबी ने
तोडा बेड़ी का जुलम
एक बीज ने
दिया पेड़ को जनम
एक मकसद ने
बनाया पामर को परम

7. Irrfan.

A tribute

सलाम बॉम्बे कहते हुए आये थे साहबज़ादे
बॉम्बे को कर दिया सलाम, छूट गए कुछ वादे

सब कुछ कर लिया था हासिल?, पलक झपकते चल दिए
बनेगी अपनी बात, यह कहते रहे फिर भी निकल लिए

लाइफ इन ए मेट्रो को जल्द ही बोल दिया थैंक यु
कुछ कसूर, कुछ गुनाह, अधूरे है बिल्लू

पान सिंह तोमर की दौड़ में काफी थी रफ़्तार
किसे पता था, इतनी तेज़ चलेगी, ये साली ज़िन्दगी पर तलवार

फुटपाथ पर चल पड़ा था अकेला, कारवाँ बन गया
मानो या ना मानो, वो ब्लैकमेल कर गया

लेकिन नॉक-आउट कर दे ऐसा हुआ ज़ालिम रोग
वरना D-Day का ना होता इतना जल्दी योग

राइट या रॉंग की मुझे नहीं है समझ बिलकुल
मदारी का यूँ लंचबॉक्स छोड़ देना इस स्लमडॉग को नहीं मकबूल   

There are 21 movies and 2 serials in this poem1 सलाम बॉम्बे
2 हासिल?
3 कसूर
4 बिल्लू
5 ये साली ज़िन्दगी
6 फुटपाथ
7 ब्लैकमेल
8 रोग
9 राइट या रॉंग
10 The लंचबॉक्स
11 मकबूल
12 लाइफ इन ए मेट्रो
13 थैंक यु
14 गुनाह
15 पान सिंह तोमर
16 तलवार
17 कारवाँ
18 नॉक-आउट
19 D-Day
20 मदारी
21 स्लमडॉग

1 बनेगी अपनी बात
2 मानो या ना मानो

6. Questions and Answers.

Questions to Self, and Answers (to Self) too...

How much money do I have? The number should include everything that can be liquidated except the house that I live in!

Amid all this, am I happy? If the honest reply is yes, I can stop right here and resume enjoying life…

How much money do I normally need to spend? Count for recurring expenses, basic medical expenses, spending that occurs once, twice, thrice a year and some random rational expenses. Do not consider like 50 million for sudden health crisis. Have faith!

Am I earning for the next generation? If so, until what age of my next generation, should I earn?

Will my next generation require my money once it starts earning on its own? Will it really need a new house soon as it starts earning or after few years of staying with me, the folks in that generation can buy their own!

Who will they earn for, if I earn for their entire life? For their next, really!

What percentage of saving is actually important? Consider the saving to earnings ratio!

What do I plan to do with my savings? And When? Whatever I plan does it generate happiness as a result of consumption or only accumulation like piling up new assets, gold, long term investments!

With the increase in my earning, does my saving also increase or do I start spending more? Yes, consider a regular percentage of inflation, but what do I equate the happiness of my raise with more spending or more saving!

What am I going to take along? How much baggage is allowed? Do I intend to die rich!

Amid all this, am I happy? If the honest reply is yes, I can stop right here and resume enjoying life…

Do I take stress, am I anxious, do I have insecurity related to money? Am I programmed to think that I will be running out of money someday and hence I need to save more and more!

Do I really feel I will have absolutely zero money someday in my life? What makes me feel save so much and just keep accumulating!

Am I not confident about my abilities to feed myself, my family and take care of all the expenses related to the necessities in life?

Is the constant insecurity in subconscious and to an extent in conscious, that stops me for living a wonderful life, worth?

Do I keep feeling that by compromising on many things in my life, I am not compromising it actually, but I am happy to do that? I need to think of the things that I really like but not doing / buying those. Had these things been available for free, would I buy!

Amid all this, am I happy? If the honest reply is yes, I can stop right here and resume enjoying life…

Whom do I want to prove that I have accumulated wealth in my life? Also, when do I want to prove it?

Even if I prove it, what will it satisfy? My Ego? Is my identity only related to the accumulation that I am constantly doing!

Am I really into a competition of hoarding money? What is the result of the competition? Am I the frog in the well!

What are my ambitions and aspiration leading towards? Do I want to build and maintain my image to show anyone and everyone that I am something and everything!

When I brag, do I think that I am the only one bragging and the rest of the world is interested in listening to by brag or is each one pouncing on their own turn to brag? In this consolidated, chaotic bragging, how many are listeners, how many are speakers and what is the outcome!

Amid all this, am I happy? If the honest reply is yes, I can stop right here and resume enjoying life…

If I really, thoroughly, honestly sit back and calculate, do I have or not have enough to live a happy and healthy life? Whose life? My Life? My Life that I am living for myself or My Life that I am living to prove it to a set of people!

If I am living my life to prove it to others, am I not doing the biggest charity of my life?!

5. वक़्त.

वक़्त
------
एक छुपी हुई ख्वाइश,
न की थी कभी फरमाइश,
आज मिला है वह अवसर,
क्या हो सकती है आजमाइश !!खोज रहा था जिसे अक्सर,
आ रहा है आस पास नज़र,
क्या मिलेगा दोबारा ऐसा वक़्त,
जिसकी तमन्ना रही हरदम भीतर !!काल भले चाहे जितना सशक्त,
मेरे जिस्म में भी है गरम रक्त,
खुद से और आपसे है यह गुज़ारिश,
बनाये रखे एक दूसरे को हम सख्त !!

4. अजीब दुविधा.

अजीब दुविधा
-------------------
बनना है राम लेकिन
नहीं चाहिए वनवास
रावण होने की चाहत नहीं
फिर भी है लंका की प्यास

3. सब कुछ.

दोस्त, परिवार,
स्वस्थ्य, आधार,बिस्तर, बिछाना,
बर्तन, खाना,वस्त्र, निवास,
हवा, प्रकाश,बिजली, जल,
मिटटी, हरियावल,पवित्रता, प्यार,
निति, सदाचार,सेवा, कीर्तन,
संतोष, अमन ||शब्द और अर्थ से परे,
यह जीवन का खज़ाना है!
अब भी वक़्त है,
क्या इसे आज़माना है?या फिर वही रफ़्तार से,
रोज़ भागना, भगाना है?
सफलता और अहंकार के चक्कर में,
क्या अनमोल जीवन गवाना है?चतुरों ने इस बेवक़ूफ़ को सुना,
बड़ा अच्छा ज़माना है,
इससे पहले की जूते पड़े,
अलविदा कह रहा ये दीवाना है !!

2. LockDown.

मेरी दुकान एक दिन भी बंद रही, तो बहुत नुकसान हो जाता है। ज़िन्दगी रुक जाती है। जीना मुश्किल हो जाता है।ऐसा कहने वाला में १२ दिन से घर पर बैठा हूं, दुकान बंद है फिर भी ज़िन्दगी चल रही है। जीना भी ऐसा कोई खास मुश्किल नहीं है।ऊपर छत है, साथ में परिवार है, तीन वक़्त का खाना है, सुकून की नींद है।ऐसा शायद ज़िन्दगी भर नहीं चलेगा लेकिन जीवन में ऐसे कुछ दिन जब आयेगे तो खुशी से चल जाएगा।मुझे रुक नहीं जाना, पर एक विचार करना है।यह सब जब फिरसे शुरू होगा तो क्या में वैसे ही भागता रहूंगा जब तक कोई मुझे जबरदस्ती ना रोके?मुझे आज यह संकल्प करना है कि ३ महीने में एक बार, में अपने आपको रोकुंगा केवल ३ दिन के लिए और इसी तरह ज़िन्दगी बिताऊंगा जैसे पीछले १२ दिनों से गुजर रही है।मेरे लिए जो काम कर रहे है उन सबको छुट्टी दे दूंगा। मैं भी छुट्टी ले लूंगा और छत, परिवार, खाना और नींद - इनका आनंद लूंगा।१२ महीने भागना ही है तो १२ दिन तो रुक भी सकता हूं ना।

1. Run-Snatch-Run.

Run-Snatch-Run

Being an outdoor person, it gets challenging to stay home. Be it fitness or conversations or anything that can be avoided indoors, I prefer exteriors. I feel pepped up.

Few weeks back, I had been hearing of early morning incidences of mobile-snatching on the service road parallel to Eastern Express highway, which is my regular route for running and sun-facing work-outs.

Also, in my Cycling group on WhatsApp, there was a mention by someone who had experienced it himself along the same route.

I did get a bit cautious but honestly, didn’t pay much attention. I kept up with my scheduled regimes.

One day while running, I saw a police van in front of me. Usually, there is one near the traffic light, but this was a different one and at another location. As I approached the van, I saw the cop on the driver seat gesturing to stop-by. I didn’t assume that it is for me, so I kept my pace on. Once I got close, he slid his hand outside the window and asked me to stop.

I greeted him and the cop next to him. To my surprise, both responded back. The police on the passenger seat conveyed me about the incidents happening and asked me if I was aware of it. I mentioned that I have heard of a few but honestly, haven’t bothered to dig further.

He requested me to run with mobile in the pocket. To which I responded – Sir, I do not have a pocked in the running gear that I am wearing today but from next time on, I shall ensure.

Both of them said – Dhyan Rakho aur hume support karo (Take care and support us).

I bid adieu to them and the remainder of the stride left me with a couple of thoughts –

·               How nicely are they proactively alarming us at the wee hours! Really appreciate.

·               Those who are performing the act of snatching phones at 5-6am in the morning, what kind of situation must they be going through? (Of course, I am not supporting them but thoughts can come from anywhere)

I narrated this incident to one of my friends who travels along for office. To her misfortune, in a couple of weeks, her iPhone was lifted during her morning run!!

1. चलो, चलते है उस युग में...

चलो, चलते है उस युग में...

तू ऊगा गेहू,
मैं उगाऊ चावल,
कोई दाल की करे खेती,
और, कोई सब्जी की फसल

किसी और से कहे भाई,
तू ऊगा थोड़े से फल,
दवाई के लिए हम,
जड़ीबूटी में खोजें हल

२ जोड़ी कपडे और छत,
क्यों चाहिए संदूक और महल,
चलो, चलते है उस युग में...
जहा सुख चैन से जीए हर पल ||

2. साल २०२०.

Jointly created by Suchit and Dilip.

जो गगन उड़ चली है पतंग जनवरी में,
कंदीलों से सजाना जब आए शिवरात्रि फरवरी में,

मार्च में धुलेटी का पक्का रंग चढ़ेगा इस बारी,
अप्रैल के पाड़वा में शुरू होगी नई पारी,

मई की गर्मी में दस्तक देगी रमज़ान,
जून आते देखेंगे जगन्नाथ यात्रा की शान,

भीगो देगी गुरु पूर्णिमा में जुलाई की बरखा,
अगस्त में पर्युषण न अन्य पर्व इसके सरखा,

सितम्बर करेगी गणेशजी को विदा,
नवरात्रि के नौ दिन अक्तूबर में फिदा,

नवम्बर में दीवाली का जश्न जलेंगे दीप,
दिसंबर की सर्दी में होंगे येशु के समीप,

बीत जाएगा साल ऐसा आनंद हर मास,
पर्वो की पवित्रता लेे जायेगी प्रभु के पास।

1. ख्वाइश और रंजिश.

ना जितने की ख्वाइश,
ना हारने की रंजिश,
बहती नदी सा जीवन,
धुप सर्दी या फिर बारिश.

ना किसी से कोई गुज़ारिश,
ना कही करनी कुछ आज़माइश,
गिला शिकवे अब क्यों करने है,
जब वह कर रहा है परवरिश.

शरीर ने छू लिए चालीस,
फिर भी चल रही है मालिश,
बढ़ने के कोई आसार नहीं,
अब भी हो रही हरकतें बालिश.