Sunn Pukaar Tu Meri...

Umeed khwahishon mein..pankh bandishon mein..
Meri zindgi hai bandhi kuchh faislon mein...
Vishwas hai...aas hai...darr main jaanta nhi...
Apna kehkar ek bar..main muh modna jaanta nahi..

Mera vajood hai ajeeb...main apno ke kareeb..
Paas hokar bhi yun main begana rha...
Khilona kisi ka...kisi ka main saathi...
Kya sahi kya galat main tha jaanta nahi...

Hain usool kuchh mere..jo hain sanjodte mujhe..
Sache iraade mujhe aage badhate rahe...
Hai kishti meri tufani baarishon mein..
Beech raaste hath chhodna main jaanta nahi..

Hai hausla buland..hai khud pe yakeen...
Pathhar ki moorat main maanta nahi..
Mere karm meri awaz...hai aastha mein vishwas
Jhoothe dikhave ke peechhe main bhaagta nahi..

Ek kadam do kadam main badhata rahun..
Naseeb apna main khud hi banata rahun..
Sunn pukaar tu meri..de hausla mujhe...
Aye Khuda tujhe yun main pukaarta nahi..

Reflections…

It’s not every day that you pause, and listen. You cringe hard, in a frail attempt to listen to the voice inside, yes, the one that seems so distant now. You yearn to look back, perhaps even to re-trace your steps to meet the cross-roads that you had so carelessly overlooked. You ask yourself, was it the right road that was chosen?

Yet, some part of you urges you ahead. It forces you to think that as you had come this far, going even further up will not be much of a problem. You experience a feeling of guilt of having stopped at all, as the moments of decision taken back in time reflect so clearly out there in the oblivion. You contemplate if it’s just a passing season of winter, and that the cheerful days of spring are fast approaching.

Yet, you think of each step you had taken, and you try to feel the highs and lows felt at each foot-fall. Yonder, the world seems to be mocking at you, and you can almost hear your own self sneering. You ask yourself if it’s actually worth it. Something is amiss. Somewhere, something is definitely wrong. You know it, you feel it, and yet you do not portray it.

Yet, you shake your head, and scold yourself to be so weak. You convince yourself that life is hard, and that the easier parts of it are just not worth it. Deep down, you feel a level of satisfaction, and you take pride in yourself that you had taken the difficult path, and that you have lived up-to the challenges it forayed. You congratulate yourself of having come so far, and that it was a decision well taken. You have always believed that ‘Life is simple; you make a decision and you never turn back!’

You shrug. You smile. And you take another step….forward.

Teary Hopes…

In solitude I sit, dejected…forlorn,

The air hangs heavy, my heart is torn.

The moments are passing, but I do not care,

Whispering hopes now turning to despair.

Irony profound, I apply my might,

A war I wage, a tradition I fight.

You aren’t my foe; my war is for you,

My strength is our luv, despite my chances being few.

My spirit yearns, is burnt to core,

Its suffered pain, humiliation it bore.

I need you, I luv you, Yea, I try,

And yet in solitude…I sit 'n cry…

Kuchh lafz...

Dekha jab tumko, 
Ye chehra dil ko hai bhaya,
Mandra gya yun main 
Jaise bhanware ka ho saya,
Yaad kar wo lamha, 
Zindgi pal main jee aya,
Palke seher uthi, 
Khayal jab tera lehraya, 
Ye nasha hai ya madhoshi, 
Madira sa hai chhalkaya,
Hue gumsum yun hum to, 
Hai pal pal yun sehlaya,
Mann kiya dil  khol dun, 
Magar kuchh keh nahi paya,
Kare Kya, Ae Husn-e-jaan, 
Abhi mera waqt nahi aya...
Abhi mera waqt nahi aya...

Human Values...a thought shared

I was born in a country that boasts of being a Secular Republic. I was nurtured by a family who laid great emphasis on my moral education first, followed by the academic aspect. The importance of human values was understood then, and that became the founding stones of my personality, developing with each step taken by me towards achieving academic, moral and professional pinnacle.

I am not a philosopher, but I understand what my morals are. I am not religious fanatic, but I believe in maintaining my dignity, and not reel in front of the quick but short success.  The policy of ‘Do unto others what you would want unto you’ was taught to me early in life.

Today, I understand what the lessons of honesty and integrity meant. The B-school I study in is trying its best to land me a good job. The interviewer that I face is trying hard to understand me beyond what I project. As he readies himself to write my destiny (for time unspecific), I think of the near future. The commercialization of my knowledge in the coming years would require for me to take some drastic steps, some to which the world will not agree, and some which will prick my conscience forever. As I steady myself to ride the roller–coaster professional life in the coming years, I pray. I pray for the power to retain my patience with other people, I pray to be saved from the venom of my ambitions, and I seek peace in the thought that as long as I have kept my values in the forefront, there is little to fear.

When a tiny hand wraps my finger as I walk, I feel the warmth. I miss this warmth while shaking hands at a client meeting. As I compare the difference, I notice the purity of heart behind the clasp of those feeble fingers, and then feel ashamed to have compared that purity with my own motives of landing the business deal during the client handshake.

My experience with the people has made me realize the paramount importance of human values. The term is far deeper than the words can echo. However, the global village stinks of foul practices and impatience among people. As I commute with the morning newspaper in hand, I notice the frustration among people, and wonder how strong an organization can be, if it stands on the shoulders of such a tired lot. It seems that this feeling of helplessness has put to rest the excitement of life, and while the human remains, the values diminish.

The solution is not very difficult. All it would require is a compassionate approach. It vital for us to understand that mere recognition of an employees’ effort would not only enhance his/her professional spirit, but also would send out a signal that you respect the one committed to excellence.

The dictionary tells me that the human values comprise of love, peace, truth and non-violence and many similar words. I do not doubt that, but have one question in mind; “Will the peace and love sustain when all I would be focusing on would be to land a business deal? And that too, when my manager’s words ‘get it by hook or crook’ echo in my ears?” The idea of todays corporate and traditional ‘care for each man’ philosophy going hand in hand may have issues, but there is hope.

Generation Y has displayed a considerable interest towards social issues. It gives me immense pleasure when I notice that today’s generation resents authority. The feeling of freedom inculcates the sense of not bullying others, and this ripple effect would lay foundation to a great human utopia.

After all, the challenge is not to win once; it is to maintain your winning performance. 

You are still the one…

 You are still the password of my laptop,

Thinking of you still make my eyes bright,

My b’ful day still starts with you,

With you I call it a night…

My lips pronounce your name with care,

My fingers still yearn to run through your hair,

My toes still write your name in the sand,

My face still misses the touch of your hair strand,

I still don’t believe that it is true,

The only one who didn’t understand me, t’was you,

Was I an idiot, or was it your cute stupidity,

But it was always you I wanted till eternity,

Think, my dear, of those lovely moments,

Remember, it was just you and I that in them,

Our intimacy was divine, our luv pure,

Then why the hell did we break up for sure?

I kneel on one knee, my head is bowed,

You are still the one I seek from the crowd,

My heart whispers a silent sigh,

Its still you I need, and my hopes are high,  

My dream you are, my horizon you,

My breath is short, my words are few,

You are still the one I worship, Yea; its true,

My luv you are, my life you…

Terrorism; for all it is...

They murder our hopes, instill fear in our hearts, rape our supposedly bright future, and manage to
get away with it, thanks to the religious sentiments flared in their speeches and dead militants being
portrayed as legends. Who says that dead men don’t tell tales; well they shout the word of terror and
themselves rest in graves while the public still struggling to get on with their own life face grave dangers
of never returning home.

Humanity begun by war against nature to survive the cold and rain, the struggle continued when
kingdoms were formed, and today the war is against the fellow brother. Terrorism is not limited to the
bomb blasts and mass killing; it starts at the tender age when a tiny heart is terrorized by glares of a
mother during toilet training, and it continues in form of bullies at school. What we know of the terrorist
activities is the much later form, when there is lack of education and/or veteran approach towards
brain-washing. Religion is often used as a tool here, and sentiments are deliberately hurt to portray the
rest of the world as an enemy, and the only word taught is ‘kill’…

I venture out of home and receive multiple calls about my whereabouts, I cross my child’s school gate
to ensure the institution is still safe, and I return home as a triumphant warrior, who has survived yet
another day of a possible RDX attack. It’s not safe to let my young son go to the community park swings,
it’s not safe for my daughter to stir outdoors when the sun has resigned for the day, its not safe for my
lovely wife to wear her favorite neck-piece I bought her for our last anniversary, and yes, I am forbidden
to visit crowded markets.

The war is not against the militant groups, neither is it against the independent small time crooks, the
eternal war wages inside us, that we cannot finish off this serpent of terrorism, and that we cannot do
away with its roots, bribery and corruption being the chief among them.

For once, let us understand, terrorism knows no sympathy, it has no mercy on children or the aged, and
above all, it has no religion. The so-called protagonists of terrorism are not the God-sent creatures who
have the aim of improving the world, in which you and I strive to live in, they are people who have no
mercy, no soul, and no conscious. They are not here to provide solutions, they are here to kill, and if you
are not with them, you are against them. You kill, and then die/get killed, and they go on in search of
another such ‘martyr’. To them you were a stepping stone, and to the victim, you were the devil himself,
and yet you think you are serving humanity! God bless you, and give you the power to sense what is
right for you and the world you live in, and above all, what comes first, your religion or the mankind.

When the going gets tough..

When a lot is to be done,

It may be a target to achieve,

Its not the data figures which concern me,

Its your own self-belief…

You’ve always had the power,

Look back and remember the days,

When all you had was hope,

And God showed u ways…

You were born to make a mark,

All it requires is strong will,

Be not fearful of the steep climb,

The view would be awesome from top of the hill…

C’mon, u can do wonders….yet again…!!!

DUTY BECKONS

A youngster indolent, suddenly found himself being called,

A badge was awarded, an appointment made,

Suddenly he was set apart from his contemporaries,

And he stood facing the secondary.

A stranger to diplomacy,

New to power and rank,

A definite follower was told to pilot,

Could he bear the burden?

A revelation for him,

He took it as a challenge,

To set an example, an example was needed,

To make a change, a change was needed.

The initiation was tough,

Friends became acquaintances,

A prudent was created,

Reformation was far easier than maintenance.

The bullies got a shock, superiority wasn't welcome,

The mass changed form, the word is opposition,

Popularity among the pack was lost,

He carried on!

Life was something else now,

Something beyond the usual consideration,

Consciousness reflected responsibility,

Commitment was pledged,

Someone expected something!

No doubt he had a status,

A second glance was guaranteed,

But not all was a bed of roses...

Friends changed topic on his appearance,

Laughter subsided with his passing-by,

Not exactly what he wanted,

It's really lonely at the top!

He misses the teenage stuff,

Has got to be role-model,

Away from all the youthful fun and pranks,

He has to carry on...hasn't he? 

Was It, Or Wasn't It?

It had never happened to me,

And never had I wondered.

Was it my innocence,

or had someone blundered?

She never looked my way,

Never she smiled at me,

But she was my only ray,

Though never were together we.

I saw her often through my window,

Going in and out of her house,

Often, had I thought of her,

My heart was in total chaos.

In my dream, I saw the image of her,

Together we were crossing the Nile,

And as the sleep began to blur,

I got up quickly with a smile.

Dressing up was no problem,

Nor were the flowers I would buy,

The only problem was the anger,

When I saw her with the other guy!

I caught him by his throat,

And flung him aside,

Meanwhile she ran,

Looking for somewhere to hide.

I told her to come out,

For she needn't fear,

It was then that I saw,

That little rolling tear.

"I knew you loved me,

I knew you cared,

But I wanted you to tell,

For I could never have dared!

I am happy to know your love,

But you were a little too late,

You missed the Dove,

My parents had already laid the bait!"

A child miseducated is a child lost…

For centuries, the system of teen edification and personality development for a better future has undergone great changes. The mode of education, from ashrams to schools and finally to home-study institutions via internet, has developed so much, that now a child has greater opportunities to learn and better milieu to grow.

     However, the children now, generally speaking, are on their way to the world of fantasy, the world of fashion, the world of drugs…the world of doom! They are leaving books they ought to study; closing computer programmers they ought to work on…the censored magazines and websites are high on demand! What should be the echelon of a child’s knowledge scale; the debate is still a failure.

     The main method adopted by teachers and parents for keeping the next generation on track, is, -on teacher’s part- apathy to the child’s misbehavior; and on the parent’s part, ignorance of the same. The parents are not to be blamed, they never knew about the misdeeds of their child in school or hostel; the teachers are not to be blamed, they could never comment on the misconduct of the child, or they would be beaten up by the student-union and the child, of course, is not to be blamed, for he never knew the difference between what is right for the society and what’s not. Now the question arises- WHO TO BLAME?

      The child is kept in the premises of the boarding-house, allowed only weekly or fortnightly outings, which are spent by the child in shopping/merry making…cinemas! The teachers are busy with the course books, the school politics and yes!- the new job opportunities for higher salaries. The parents…well they are not available for comment, they are either out of station for work purpose, or they are simply minding their own business. The father in the office, the mother in the kitty-parties; back-biting, and the grand-parents have already been sent to the Old-Age Homes!

     The basic element lacking in a child’s education is not disciplinary classes, it is just mere ignorance and indifference towards the future leaders. They are just handed over wads of bank-notes to solve their problems, which are usually spent on the teenage diversities- girls, cigarettes, motor-bikes, fancy clothes and spiffy hair-do’s. The key knowledge of what a society is made up of is certainly something alien to the child’s course of study. His incapability to understand his responsibility owes highly to the medium and methodology of imparting knowledge and another potential is wasted. 

    It is high time that instead of just overloading the child with information, we start to tell them how it can be utilized. How self-improvement would lead to a better society, a better culture, and make the world a better place to live in…!!