.....Small Steps Taken On A Mighty Long Road....

Meddling with Twenties

2007-03-31T02:49:00.000-07:00

when I last read Kalidas he said :

"Look to this day!
for it is Life, the very Life of Life
in its brief course lies all the verities and realities of your Existence"

Like an hour glass thousand grains of sand had passed from the top of the hour glass slowly and evenly through the narrow neck in the middle.....nothing you or I could do would stop it. When we and link about the yester years we realise one fourth of our Life is over and the sand grains seem really very expensive ....memories ..down the Lane . And suddenly coming to twenties a revolutionary is born in you who wants to have great "Moments of ACTION".........Then there are days when you plan to earn money and be Rich and Famous you aspire to be the leading men and Ladies you want to behold the Camera and Lights ...then one fine morning you get up say huhh.... enough of all this i want to be free no one's holding you but you seek freedom :).....
You now look for a new objctive perhaps to do good to everyone........you start with giving unwanted suggestions..even when no one lends you ears for it ...you try to help even when no one seeks it .....what a good chap I am "making world a better Place " an Angel.....behaving goody goody all time you forget your on path all the while you were trying to help someone you have messed up your own Life ..........
Then you pledge to be worst of worsts ..deadly n unkind ..you wont laugh and never good again being a Nester all your Life at this third stage you find people coming to you explaining how many ill's you have ..how you could probably rectify them.......the call goes as ....'Your not a Kid anymore '.........'Mature up"........'I did not expect this from you"............"How could you do that???"..........." what are you up to???"...... new RAICHANDS will emerge and new Teachers join your school of behavioural sciences ...:).........trying to make your Primary key (identity) as a foreign one..:) modifiying each aspect with their little good's they say "I am trying to help you" a joke worth hearing ...:) and your grey cells echo " Let no one help next time .......Pleaseeeee"
You feel like going back to your childhood , atleast you could call dragonflies as butterfiles and insist that everyone will call it butterfly some day .........:)
strange were those days and these seem no familiar ones ..evey one talks about the money they made the customer care of Banks calling you each day to talk about credit cards the lucrative offers of the cell fone companies ..sometimes even the IVR 's they seem to be your best friend calling you daily ..:) ..sometimes even you wont mind speaking to them specially on a Lonely n boring summer afternoon when you die to hear your own voice.:)............
Then you realise you need to be a little social find friends and be merry again and you spend your precious grains of sand in merry making and watching movies,.....actors are now replacing all I wonder be it any media of communication or literate or illeterate conversation I pity is this my country !!!!!!!! were every one knows about Rahul Bose but no one about Dr J C Bose..and when you try to intiate a knowledge based conversation you are declared as a KB( knowledge bank ) which starts marketing any where ..:) strange people ..:)
Some how you try to come to your own terms and decide to look for only the a person who will understands you ...perhaps your betterhalf ..it comforts human's that there is someone who actually understands ...when actually no one can ever understand anybody......you keep chatting meeting people from all walks of life and find some one so interesting that you say this is the one for me but suddenly youfind not only this but that also understands me well and the other one is too good and what about this new one I met Today !!!!! is'nt he good .....too many options :) and then you seek more out of life in a true materialist sense you want a house and all the luxuries in it...but in days to come the worth of sand grain is again realised you reach out again for new skies .Truly the art of living is to want less and experience more ..after all most precious things of life are free of cost...............................................................................................................................
" Time Like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away:
they fly forgotten as a dream
dies at the opening day ."
we have hundereds of task to accomplish and if we do not take them one at a time the sand grains of the hour glass will pass smoothly and evenly through the narrow neck .....till the time we realise their worth .................................................................................Let it not be Late again ...

"Tough grounds ...............but spirits high ....................move on"

Tajmahal Through My Window

2007-01-29T22:38:00.000-08:00

History itself is quite fascinating.....and when it comes to the great architecture and errotic style of mughals emperor "Shahjahaan" stands a step ahead of the rest.....Today Tajmahal and India stand complimentary to each other..counted as "One of the world's Wonder" .the Pearl white tomb attracts thousand of tourists each year specially the young bubbly Hearts across the globe......errect it had withstood the ravages of time..signifing the devoteed Love of a Husband..to..his dear wife ..:)..Several time this Story has been ..narrated ..My mind wonders ..is it a Myth or a Reality ..just to satisfy my query i decided to take a Leap back into the Moughal Period ...n find out abt ..Shahjahaan.
Born on the auspicious ocassion of the 1000 birth aniversary of Prophet Mohd. he was Special and was replicated as reborn..prophet ..he too Lead a very disciplined Life of true Muslim ..Contrary to other rulers he never touched wine ..annoying many of his patrons...
Marked with intellect and a true governing sense he was .......A ruler surrounded by an enigma of Pride who wanted to be immortal...
When Mumtaaz took her Last breath at the third quater of the day..the emperor of a mighty land sulked and was shattered..the soft corner of an arrogant ruler is revealed...the shock and breavement turns him 100 in 10 days greying ..his long beared....He then composes the best poetry of his times .....a touch of death.. enlightens our innermost soul..
When i visited Taj i was so astonished to se the beautiful garden ..with Taj at One of its end..contrary to other style of Mughalian architecture..Like the one seen at Delhi Hymayun's Tomb..the Tomb is to be at the centre of a garden ..but why did ..Shah ..decided to build it at the end..i recently watched a documentary that helped me to answer my quest ..One answer Found ..:).............It was strange to know that it was Taj which had one of the Largest verses etched on it ..specially those related to the final day of judgement...the verses on the Main gate speaks of the scenario when you enter jannat and the devine is on his seat to decide your fate ..(if it really exists after death ..:))...Being a Literary scholar Shahjahaan had actually tried to replicate a diagram by Ibrahim ..supposed to be a great Literary scholar of the age...design of Taj is a Perfect Match to it.....It reads Like this " the four waterways are the four corners of the world which ends into a Pond ..the Pond of man's desires n wishes...which is surrounded by beautiful garden ...n when you take the Last step in it you enter the God's own seat ..that's the TAJ".........was Shah challenging God or wanted to Portray himself as One ???
No matter what he drained his Royal treasury creating "The Jannat"...He even Planned to make a Black Taj on the Opposite shore of Yamuna, facing this Taj as his Last Burrial ground.....But his Fate is decided by his own son Aurangzeeb who becomes...a strict ruler seeing the spendthriftness of his father.The mighty emperor jailed in his Own Fort ....what games Destiny Plays ..Old bones and weak eyes watch the white Pearl till they were closed at the age of 77 on january 31 1666.........What a trajedy the Emperor whoh had build great Forts Palaces ..n other monuments had no Place for his burrial . His beloved Daughter escorts him to his Last Abode ..."The Taj"......Where both Lie ..in "Jannat".
Indeed Taj through my window is not meant to shatter the beliefs of those who swear in its name ..:)..but yes ..it was not Love alone that caused King Edward to throw the Throne ..or ..Shahjahaan ..to drain his wealth..Shahjahaan wanted to be Immortal and has become by replicating "Jannat on Earth"....afterall everycoin has two sides..:).

" We are walking in backlanes ....................Stroll Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Adab Ai Latiff.........

2006-12-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

Being in hyderabad how can you be untouched by the Royal ecstacy of Urdu and great Nizaams..Some of the Poetic genious are still residing in the Old city and Proclaim to be the decendents of Nizaam..I had rarely imagined a detested Oldie could have Blue blood and a maked excellence of Poetry and writing........
Mohd AFJ shaukat ali a hooked man of seventy five stood stooped at a book store bargaining with the shopkeeper.The irritating smell of Local itr mixed with tobacco, paan flowing out left and right of toothless mouth ,the dark mascaraa in red swollen eyes, the untrimmed beard ,the dirty cap with beautiful embroidary that went unthreaded at places sloping down the head, the patched sherwaani , a wooden stick and oddly suited plastic shoes marked his attire....
....both the shopkeeper and Mr detested were trying to get the best over an urdu book ,which I being an illetrate in urdu could not read over........conversation indicated it marked some good text and Prose..finally they setelled it for RS 250.........Mr detested decide to pay 150 and the rest wentto his account.....he went on saying....."Miyaan hum yahaan ke nawaab hain bhaag thode hi jaayeinge "...........
Lightning struck me and the word Nawaab echoed a million times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I enqired about the so called nawaab and as a gesture of goodwill shopkeeper itroduced me to the Nawab.....after recieving the greetings of " Salaam Walekum Nawaab Sahab" the toothless mouth gave a baby like smile filling the air with messy smell Once again .........
We decided to move to a nearby Biryaani centre and talk about his ROYALITY........AS we moved out he brought his Royal Vehicle......A cycle which was the brand of 50's or 60's i suppose........Perhaps the only use of hs cycle was to put his walking stick as he could barely ride it.....................At the biryaani centre the old mouth became watery and I decided to give this Royal a "ROYAL TREAT" we came back to the conversation and he gave me details aout his bloodline ....names followed one by one ...then came the sad story ..how they felt govt has cheated them....the decline of Nizaams ..how there fathers ,forefathers and he himself lived spendthriftly............he chuckled as he spoke about his childhood memories ..the kabutarbaazi...patangbaazi etc. Thoughts flew like a bird just released from cage..........
Then came his Poetic genious several Prose and verses were recited in urdu and meaning explained hereafter inHindi ....AS he kept naratting those my mind was scrolling the Lines of NEERAJ
"Auron ki ghar ki dhup usse kyon Pasand ho
Bechi hai jisne roshni apne makaan ki
julfaun ke pooche kham mei use mat talaashiye
yeh shaayari jubaan hai kisi bejubaan ki"

he explained the art of writing a Prose or a Poetry which hi called "Adab ai Latiff"...the art of being subtle ,mannerful and tacful ,the aility to link facts and the "Tehjeeb ai peshkash" art of presentation...suddenly Mr detested became a "Great Scholar"....so much to learn from so many ...[:)]... Excellence comes with age and Practice as he says...."Apne Kaam Pe aitbaar Rakho...Duiya toh aani jaani hai"
We had a good lunch.....I seemed to have now admire his Ragmuffin Royality...as ........I decided to escort him to his cycle he said
" koi saath na de mera
chalna mujhe aata hai
main aag se khelunga
jalna mujhe aata hai"
and there i stood watching the Nawaab..................
The Pride was the same but only the procession of elephants ,horses and king's men went Missing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"you are in Royal courtyard .......be Merry"

On The Frontiers

2006-12-16T03:06:00.000-08:00

Friday was the passing out parade of Air Force Academy Dundigal and flying officer Ajit Pal Singh Saini was Presented the Presidents Plaque and Chief of airstaff's SWORD OF HONOUR....
....Accompanied by breath taking stunts of suryakirans and sarad Halicopters 153 flying Officers marched out of AirForce Academy.....Reported all the National Dalies...
I just tried Peeping into a soldiers insight ....Soldier O soldier thou head held high ...marked the Pride and Valour of a warrior...Miitary Life teaches Discipline which teaches Obedience to law and Order n compliance to Duty above rest..
" Theirs not be a reason why, theirs but to do and die" is the motto of a soldier.Military trained people care for there duty which is blended with hi technology,training techniques and strategic Doctrines it not only makes u an officer but a soldier's soldier.
A place where oldies are full of Nostalgia,talking of the wars the innumerable stories blended like a cocktail ......I just tried exploring a cadets Life from Academy to the Frontiers.
The trainees are organised into four squadrons the Aquino,Bran ,chitnis and Katre named after the first four commandants ...Interbranch cohession wards to eat live and work together in all endeavours the regular competitions and healthy rivalary ...Pushes one to show his /her BEST.
The typical day of a cadet begins with Revellie at 0430 h with a pre shift breakfast of Porridge and sandwiches...then comes the sorties preceeded by detailed briefing and debriefings morning ends at 1200 h . Up to 1400h trainees return to mess for lunch followed by short run rest.
Then follows the squadron commands periods which includes social etiquetts courteisies mess etiquette and Moral Science followed by SPorts they reassemble for dinner at 2030 h after an hour of Private study lights are switched off at2200 h the is called off and they retire to recharge for another hectic day........
" Sweat hard so that you may save your Blood " becomes the guideline for all, As Ajit said
" Determination ,will and Focus helped me through..." Ajit aBtech merit holder shunned the tempting engineers job to DON THE SKIES he smiles and says " The call of Airforce was stronger"............
As they get ready to rule the Frontiers the Nation Backs them with Respect ....SALUTATIONS to YOU......
A soldier has the destiny of GOD as said "God and Soldier both remembered at times of Danger not before ,when the danger passes God forgotten and the soldier Slighted"..but only a few get opportunity to have such a wonderful cause both to LIVE and DIE.

"Your on the Borders be alert!!!!"

Pachmarhi

2006-11-29T21:31:00.000-08:00

If you can Risk your week on a hill ..then Pachmari would definately reward you...
The drive is a good one .Excellent straight road across the plain from Pipariya , the nearest railway station and then a well maintained hill road that winds its way up to Pachmari throught the Satpura National Park...The Temperature dropped perceptibly as we climbed........
........A quick run through the market ,several twists and turns and then you reach your abode..
As looked out of the verandah out to a lovely garden with wonderful view of satpura on The Horizon...Bees and dragonflies go about their business and birds chirp around...If tranquility of nature rocks you then its a LOVELY PLACE..
we decided to hire a gypsy and move around ..enroute we stopped at the lake filled with noisy holidaymakers who boarded bright coloured Pedal boats.... while a horse ,camle and a quad bike awaited.....One can easily imagine a coach rattling up the driveway...
.............Quite Charming !!!
Next destination was Church of Annunciation better known as catholic church which dates back to eighteenth century and is still in regular use...its worth a visit because of its beautifully painted glass.The parish Priest will warmly welcome you and point to objects of interest Glass Windows, Carved Pulpit and Baptismal font....
......Another church that reminded me of my Great School ...Christ Church , the anglican church is closer to the town centre older and poor in repair sunlight peeps through holes in the roof with its half dome over the Altar, wooden beam and magnificient stained glasses with many a Panes missing too.....was also worth visiting.
However the main draws to this place are The cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva...........The Jatashankara and the Mahadeo dating back to BC are lined with devotees and Vendors selling---Religious Aids.
For Adventure lovers there is rock climbing, treks and nature walk ...but if you want to see animals best option is the forest GuestHouse...
Oh yes in the area known as helipad or Landing area a private operator has a parasailing operation going........be careful of the instructions ...otherwise you will have to be thankful to Pachmarhi's only (apparently) doctor who will definately shoot you with painkillers..
Our Rooms were cosy and service good................
PACHMARHI -----------" It's a Quiet Place"
Gauri

"This is a Hill Road Move On !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Vaidehi

2006-11-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

Next blog was on my mind..Iwas wondering what should I write about whom....?.....suggestions kept pouring in... Until Last night when I met this extraordinary Lady..no..no..you are guessing it wrong she isn't some Padamvibhushan or Padamshri.....but a lady hidden behind veil ,wife of an autorickshaw driver and mother of two smart kids.. Sometimes I wonder it takes twenty years for some to grow up and life matures some in just four or five..............
.........well the whole family occupied the drivers seat of a seven seater rickshaw...........more aptly the driver was driving the rickshaw and The Lady house on the rickshaw with all items including books as reserve below their seat.So truly said the pivot of a family is MOTHER..."The Lady Of The House"........this is an ordinary sight for few and for few it becomes a vision...........It's what intellectuals say Empowerment of woman................and yes not to forget the two kids Ruksaar and other.mmmmm..name it chotu(Name to generalise any kid in India) like great advertisers were using eloquence and skills to get maximum passengers for their "gaddi" had such pride in their act as to say ....."Mom you have sowed a seed in me that is growing into a big tree......"
Though I am a child right activist but still sometimes feel that what's wrong when children put out to learn their family business or any such work which teaches to make his bread..................After all its not (a+b)^2 thats going to help feeding your stomach........
Let me come back to The Lady whom I could identify with Sita or Vaidehi....Who set with her spouse to stand by his side in all moments of joy and sorrow.....
In West Ladies are marked with purer and lighter substance ...Like ether or addressed as ariel....Thank God in India we are called Earthy..........Everday when we get up and touch mother Earth( which some might have forgotten Now) we thank Earth for all the bountify gifts bestowed on us.......I feel so great being part of a culture that praises and worships The Selfless ones...........Call it Synchronising with Nature.......Vaidehi.
But what hurts is the Veil be it of society or the atrocities that mark women to hide her identity.that reminds me of a myth i had been hearing from my school days.."Dhol ,ganwaar ,shudra,Pashu ,naari yeh sab taadan ke adhikaari..." you might have got the author but not actually the true meaning....to make it clear let me put it like this Dhol..The ears which hear loud music..ganwaar ..The eyes which are fickle ...Shudra ..the hands responsible for sweeping and cleaning........Pashu..The nose which like an animal keep smelling for more ....Nari ...the tongue. the greedy one these five senses should be beaten its because of them we commit crime............I hope People will be wise hereafter....
its just one clarification but how long and to how many people can you clarify.............But actually when these things are retorated i feel happy.............afterall Nobody kicks a dead Dog and unjust criticism is disguised compliment.............................
Dowry is one more hell!!!! Hells after Hells......and Hells .......but for how long.............
ulitimately the Veil has to Lift and Identity has to be established................................................
If we decide to jump into the fray there will be no looking back...We would like to show the result...I have disturbed the beehive and i leave it to you to decide whether we go away or bring back the Honey!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to your comments

Gauri

"This is not the End of the Road you have to take your Turn"

Small Steps Taken On Mighty Long roads

2006-11-23T04:08:00.000-08:00

A midnight phoenix rises
from the ashes of the past
shimmering inthe darkness
It spreads its wings at last

A golden sun illuminates
The grassy plains below
and crimson blossoms bloom again
where nothing used to grow

Small steps taken on a mighty long road

The music of the universe
still echoes in the song
of nightingales and humming birds
Why can't we sing along?

Discordant notes will sound again
unless we understand
and the Primal memory once awake
creates its own demand

Small steps taken on a mighty long road

So you lift your voice i'll lift mine
Let harmony restore, our faith in dream
brotherhood and peace for evermore

Small steps taken on a mighty long road