#FenceSitting

Win you should,
Win you must.
Blind people here,
Cant see the fence rust.

‪#‎FenceSitting‬

-------

Fools amongst them
Morons amongst you
It doesn't matter
Thousands or a few
I search for a Kabeer
Darkness lies there
You are pale blue. 

‪#‎FenceSitting‬

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

Couple of poems I wrote before Delhi elections, 2015. There will be a post on what has happened to AAP post Delhi as well. 

Happy Independence day 2013

गुलामी 

आओ आज आज़ादी के दिन गुलामी का गुणगान करें 
आओ , कम से कम आज तो, सच का सम्मान   करें 

बहुत कड़वी  है पूर्ण भाव प्रकटन की स्वतंत्रता  
नहीं सुनी जाती हमसें हमारी कमजोरी 
वचन जो हमारे हित में नहीं 
कहलाये जाते  हैं मानहानि
दुश्मनों को  दोस्ती का हाथ 
या फिर कह दो सुन्दर सी बात 
है अब  दुर्बलता की निशानी 

जो करना चाहते हैं 
बस वही नहीं करते 
हमारी ख़ुशी की हमें ही नहीं परवाह 
कहीं वो अनजान समाज रूठ न जाए 
ताज़ा रात में, शुद्ध सवेरे में 
नींद का सहारा लिए छुप  जाते हैं हम 
कहीं अपने आप से दिल की बात न हो जाये 
हैं हम 
अपने ही कर्मों के गुलाम

यह जो हकीकत हैं 
मुझे पसंद नहीं 
देश की जो भी है बिमारी 
मेरी मुसीबत नहीं 
कल  बिलकुल सुहाना होगा 
मेरा ही तराना होगा 
हूँ मैं 
अपनी ही काल्पनिकता का गुलाम 


आज आज़ाद हैं हम 
चुनने को 
दो बेवकूफों में से एक को 
अपना प्रधानमन्त्री 
मुक्त  हैं हम आज तो
खुद से अपना 
गला घोटने के लिए
गुलाम तो वे  थे 
जो देश के लिए जान दिया करते थे 

Observation Point

Observation Point

ऊपर चदते हुए सांस ऐसे हाफ्ती है 

जैसे एक  ट्रेन घने जंगल से गुज़र रही हो 

नीचें उतरते हुए जोड़े रो देते हैं 

रुक जाओ , थोड़ी देर के लिए, ज़रा रुक जाओ 

मगर उस चट्टान की चोटी पर 

जिसे observation point  के नाम से जाना जाता है 

एक सुकून का आलम है 

यहाँ समय रुक गया  है

ऐसा दृश्य जो आँखें बंद करने पर भी नहीं हटता  

ह्रदय देह से कहता है - "धन्यवाद । बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद "

उस पत्थर की चोटी पर 

जीवन का निष्कर्ष , 

हमारे अस्तित्व 

का  पता चलता  है 

अपनी रूह देखने को मिलती है 

अतीत, भविष्य, सब चिंतन व्यर्थ है 

अभी । ज़िन्दगी है अभी 

नीचे उतरने के पश्चात,

एक संतुष्टि की भावना बस जाती है 

होटों पर मुस्कुराहट चाप जाती है 

आज ज़िन्दगी उम्दा है 

आज ज़िन्दगी सफल है 

One day

A day will come,
believe me,
when you will be tried,
in front of a judge
accused.

For,
a crime that you didn't commit,
a sentiment that you didn't believe in,
a thought that you had not expressed,
an identity that is your opposite,
a face that is not you,
a voice that is not yours.

All in the name of,
national interest, for a nation of hypocrites,
collective conscience, a conscience which sleeps in a coffin,
public good, while you wonder who is this public.


Alas for when you are executed,
they will say,
Better late than never,
whatever happens, happens for good,
truth has prevailed,
justice has been served.

For every finger that is pointed at you,
One day,
There will be fingers pointing to that finger
and so on....
A day will come,
believe me.
One day.

Gulzar - BLF - Untitled

(At 2012 Bangalore Literature Festival, Gulzar on the topic of mountains recited a poem. I can not find it either in Selected or Nelgected poems. But i had an audio recording, based on which it is copied below. To me, this was the best poem that he read during those two days.)

 

पिछली बार भी आया था
तो  इसी  पहाड़ ने
नीचे खड़ा था
मुझसे कहा था
तुम लोगों के कद क्यूँ छोटे होते हैं ?

आओ हाथ पकड़ लो मेरा
पसलियों पर पांव  रखो  ऊपर आ जाओ
आओ ठीक से चेहरा तो देखूं 
तुम कैसे लगते हो
जैसे मेरे चींटियों  को तुम अलग अलग पहचान  नहीं सकते
मुझको भी तुम एक ही जैसे लगते हो सब 
एक ही फर्क है
मेरी कोई चींटी जो बदन पर चढ़ जाए
तो चुटकी से पकड़ के फेक उसको मार दिया करते हो तुम
मैं ऐसा नहीं करता

मेरे सरोवर  देखो,
कितने उचें उचें कद हैं इनके
तुमसे सात गुना तो होंगे
शायद दस या बारह गुना हो
उम्रे देखो उसकी तुम, 
कितनी बढ़ी हैं, सदियों जिंदा रहते  हैं
कह देते हो कहने को
लेकिन अपने बड़ों की इज्ज़त करते नहीं तुम
इसीलिए  तुम लोगों के कद
शायद छोटे रह जाते हैं

इतना अकेला नहीं हूँ मैं
तुम जितना समझते हो
तुम ही लोग ही भीड़ में रहकर भी 
तनहा तनहा लगते हो
भरे हुए जब काफिले बादलों के जाते हैं
झप्पा  डाल के मिल कर जाते हैं मुझसे 
दरिया भी उतरते  हैं तो पांव  छू  के विदा होते हैं
मौसम मेहमान है आते हैं तो महीनों रह कर  जाते हैं
अज़ल अज़ल के रिश्ते निभाते हैं

तुम लोगों की  उम्रें देखता हूँ
कितनी छोटी छोटी मायादों  में मि
लते और बिछड़ते हो
ख्वाबें और उम्मीदें भी
बस छोटी छोटी उम्रों जितनी
इसीलिए क्या
तुम लोगों के कद  इतने छोटे रह जाते हैं  

मैंने उससे यह कहा

Few days ago, i heard Laal Band's song Maine usse yeh kaha - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyBswYoUnf0  . Not only the lyrics seem catchy, they were very political. Some googling resulted in the lyrics with translation which can be found here - http://pak.nkut.com/entertainment/mainay-uss-say-yeh-kaha-laal.html 

"Maine usse yeh kaha" is a satirical poem written by Habib Jalib. In the poem, he is talking to some govt. bigshot explaining him that you are right and the public in general are morons. I loved how the lyrics play out. The idea of a satirical poem inspired me, so here is my edition of  "मैंने उससे यह कहा". In my version, i am speaking to the common man. 

मैंने उससे यह कहा

मैंने उससे यह कहा 

मैंने उससे यह कहा

तू काहे को है परेशान

जब तक है तू , ख़ुशी मना इस दौरान 

आयेंगे हमारे बाद जो,

उनकी फ़िक्र हमें क्यों 

यह है उनका इम्तेहान 

खुद ढूंढेंगे वे समाधान 

मैंने उससे यह कहा 

मैंने उससे यह कहा

ग्लोबल वार्मिंग एक मिथ्य है

सारे यह प्रदूषण असत्य है

भ्रष्टाचार न जाने कौन सा तथ्य है 

विश्वास है मुझे मेरे राम पे

पार कराएँगे इस संताप से 

घर बैठ के तू विश्राम कर

सुबह शाम दो माला का जाप कर

मैंने उससे यह कहा 

मैंने उससे यह कहा

देश तरक्की है कर रहा 
FDI, GDP आज सब है बढ़ रहा
भूल जा तू किसान को
हर छोटे बूढ़े उस इंसान को 
यह है एक नया दौर 
तू तेज़ रफ़्तार से दौड़ 
अपने आप का सोचना भी है इक कला 
तेरे भले में ही है देश का अब भला 
तेरे भले में ही है देश का अब भला 
मैंने उससे यह कहा 

मैंने उससे यह कहा

हम लोग हैं बड़े होशियार 

छोटी चिंता पर न हो तू बीमार  
सूर्य शक्ति हैं अपने आर्ड़ 

परमाणु भी हैं अपने पास

गला देंगे पलास्टिक को

जोड़ देंगे ओज़ोन परत को 
अगर फिर भी संतुष्ट ना हुए हम 
मार्स पहुँच कर जायेंगे जम 
मैंने उससे यह कहा 

मैंने उससे यह कहा

The Statistical Anomaly

The Statistical Anomaly


To the gang who keeps Church street clean,
day after day.
To the traffic policeman who was there at 6 am,
at that chaotic junction close to my office
To the guy who covered the three potholes
near my house,
To the auto driver who agreed to charge metered fare,
irrespective of my destination,
Take a bow, i salute you.
You are now a rare breed of people,

who work efficiently, with ownership and with dignity,

with pride.

But i hate to break this to you,

You are now a statistical anomaly.

To the one who held the trash in his hand,
until he found a trash bin.
To the one who controlled the pee pressure,
cause a public space ain't the place.
To the driver who drove on the left lane,
because he was slower than the rest.
To the commuter who got up from his seat,
on seeing that old man.

To everyone who refused to pay a bribe,

To anyone who refused to accept a bribe.

I know you know this but please listen

You did the right thing, you are a hero.

They said - "Everybody else is doing it! "

"Not me", you told everyone. 

There will not be any brave tales to tell your deeds,

no songs will be sung in your honor. 

But don't be bothered. 

I know it. You know it.

You are now a statistical anomaly.

To that dude who thought it was cool,

to jump a red light,

to talk inside a movie theater,

to come late to a concert,

to smoke weed,

to drink and drive. 

Grow up! 

You are a burden, you are a shame,

on me, my people and my culture.

You do not belong here, 

You are a statistical anomaly.

To the one who volunteered to mentor

a stranger's kid

To the teacher who teaches in a tribal area

by his own choice,

To those villagers who planted trees,
every time a girl was born,
To anyone who left his high paying job,
for doing what he believed in
To all those who ran a full marathon,
because you believed in a cause.
Kudos to you!
You are my inspiration, you are my hope.
I am glad you exist, even though
you are a statistical anomaly.

सत्यमेव जयते

सत्यमेव जयते

तू बोल चल, तू बोल चल

सत्य वचन तू बोल चल

सच में ही है वीरता 

सच में ही सुकून है

सच में ही है धैर्यता 

सच में ही संयम है 

सच बोलना है आसान 

सच बोलना कठिन भी है 

सत्यमेव, सत्यमेव जयते

हम तो  है चल पड़े 

मंजिल का न कोई अता पता 

यह जो रास्ते  के हैं  किस्से 

बातें करीं जो अपने आप से

देख लिया, खोज लिया, 

घूम घूम के अब समझ लिया

हर यात्रा का अंत तो अपने घर में है  

सच्चे राही की मंजिल इसी में है 

सत्यमेव, सत्यमेव जयते

जहाँ जहाँ भी हम गए 

अजूबे शहरों में जम गए 

अजनबियों से जुड़ गए 

सत्य वाणी में हैं कुछ ऐसी मिठास 

मामूली भी बने है ख़ास 

सत्यमेव, सत्यमेव जयते

आगे आगे बढे हैं हम

तकदीर अपनी  लिखे हैं हम 

करियर में, व्यवसाय में, समाज में

ज़िन्दगी की भागम - भाग  में 

सर हमारा हमेशा ऊपर रहा 

सच जो हमारा हमसफ़र रहा 

सत्यमेव, सत्यमेव जयते

अपने से पहले दूसरों के लिए जब सोचे हैं आप

दूसरों की सेवा में जब तत्पर रहे आप 

दिल से जब आप करे प्रणाम

माता पिता का जब करो सम्मान

छोटे छोटे कर्मों में है सच 

ज़िन्दगी की हर ख़ुशी में है सच 

सत्यमेव, सत्यमेव जयते

कहाँ खो गयी है तेरी मुसकुराहट

कहाँ चला गया है तेरा चैन 

देख अपने अन्दर आखिर क्या है गढ़ा

पायेगा तू वो एक झूठ है काफी भारी पढ़ा 

अरे खुद को तू अब पहचान ले 

दो बात तू मेरी अब मान ले 

सच ही तेरा खुदा, सच ही तेरा मीत है 

असत्य में होनी है हार और सच में ही जीत है 

सत्यमेव, सत्यमेव जयते

Tree @Botanical garden

The tree @Botanical garden

The tree stood there silently.
There is a circle around his roots,
so that no one can enter.
There is a barb wire on one of his low hanging branches
So that no one can sit on it.
He could not bear the noise around him,
But he was old now and like any old man,
nobody was paying any attention to him.


He couldn't remember how long it has been
Since he had been there.
Some white man wearing khakis had planted him
Along with his friends.
His friends who wished him happy birthday
on any random day in a year.
who cracked jokes at his enormous girth
who would clasp roots just like best friends clasp fingers
 But most of them are gone now.
One by one, they were taken away.

There were new trees
where his friends who used to stand.
First, he ignored them because of grief, anger, pride
how can they take his friend's place.
Now, they ignore him
because of generation gap.

People come, people go.
Some see, some admire.
Some pee, some ignore.
This silence has been a long one.
He wonders if anybody
will talk to him ever again. 

Dont judge us

Don't judge us.
Don't judge us yet.
One century, two centuries is too short of a time.
Leave it for the future historians.

What right do you have to judge us?
We were looted, we were exploited,
like a slave, like a POW.
They came, They saw, They conquered.
Where were you then?
Why don't you judge them?

Yes, ours is a way different from yours.
We still have a long way to improve upon.
We admire and respect your accomplishments.
We still have to fulfill basic human dignity.
We look up to you for inspiration.
But there is a cost even in your way,
a cost that is hidden,
that is either unknown or unacknowledged,
intentionally or unintentionally.
Someone is always paying the price.


What are countries?
Arbitrary lines on a map diving land on this planet.
Lines invented by us to serve what purpose?
To claim superiority of one over another ?
The process of birth is still a scientific miracle,
A randomized function where there is an equal probability
of being born here or being born there.

We may act like arrogant folks
who will discard your ideas as impractical and foreign
But deep down, we are desperately seeking answers.
These problems are more complex than we can handle.
And we are shit scared! afraid even to show it.


Don't judge us.
Don't judge us yet.

Gulzaar

Yoon toh humari kabhi mulakat nahin hui
kabhi haath mila ke handshake nahin kiya
Na kabhi hi hello ki
aur na hi kabhi telephone pe baat kari


Magar, akeli shaant raaton mein
baith kar saath coffee zaroor pi hai
sagar kinare kai bar,
suraj ko doobte hue dekha hai
train ki khidki se,
pahad, pedon ko guzarte hue dekha hai
ek baar,
dentist ke waiting room mein samay bhii bitaya

exam ke dinon mein, kitaab se hatkar
aapke saath man halka kiya hai
ghar se door, kabhi kabhi
aapse guftagu kar ghar pahunche
is daudti hui zindagi mein
chote se break diye aapne

Footpath pe chalte hue,
Chand ko dekhte hue
long drive mein baithe hue
doston ke saath thass marte hue
kitne hi baar aapko yaad kiya

gulzaar sahab, khoob padhi humne aapki rachnaein.

I have sold my own soul

I have sold my own soul

I know i have done it .... lost that mattered the most
I have sold myself .... i have sold my own soul
It is not any secret .... i did it for the money
i do not how this happened .... my pocket has a hole.


What about your principles .... what about your morals?
And what about those aspirations .... all those ideals you once swore
What can i say .... What do you want me to say?
Yes i know i have failed .... i feel like a whore


I-N-J-U-S-T-I-C-E .... C-O-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y
To all who suffered .... you have my pity
Why did you give to those .... to those who didn't deserve
I have received money .... for actions that i didn't serve
To nature, to planet Earth .... you owe to the child yet to come
I will pay my debts .... pay it forward in years to come


What do you think will happen .... 25 years later when you look back
when you had the option to keep it .... but you sold it anyway
I do not know .... that is left for time to tell
But do not judge everything about me .... based just on today


Life is a drama .... i wanted me to be perfect
But the script was flawed .... and i just did my role
I know i have done it .... lost that mattered the most
I have sold myself .... i have sold my own soul



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


The above poem was inspired by the song "I've done it all" sung by Bjork and written by Lars Von Trier and Sjon for the movie Dancer in the dark. Here are some links -
Wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Seen_It_All
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zFt6M_GLo

The poem is written in a way to be sung in the same manner that the song is sung. If it is not clear, the idea is to make it like a dialogue with some confessions.

10 things i know to be true

1. I know that hard work has always pays.

2. I know that there is a truth and it is universal.

3. I know that there is nothing to fear as long as i am truthful.

4. I know that my writings/poems are mediocre but it feels great to write them.

5. I know that good music can always make me smile.

6. I know that i do not need to drink/dope to experience high.

7. I know that time will change and change is always good.

8. I know that i have limitations.

9. I know that respect has to be earned.

10. I know that there is a joy in giving that can not be felt in any other way.


Inspired by this TED talk -


Update 1: Now, i have watched that video twice. I love the 2nd poem "Hiroshima" that Sarah narrates in the end. It reminds me so much of veer ras in indian kavi sammelan. She sings in that ras. I like it a lot. More videos can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJdQHQ6kbv0

Depends...

On Feb 4th , i finished two years of working post my masters.

Depends...

Two years of working,
Excited? Time to change?
Depends..
how you see it.
One second, it feels like yesterday;
Other, it seems a decade.

So many things accomplished;
so many learnings, achievements, awards,
recognition, self-confidence and happiness.
But, Yet,
Nothing materialized,
all that work for nothing.
was that work after all?
So much to do, learn, understand, build...


Why do i work here?
Somebody told me - "We will change the world".
I believed - "I will change the world", rather -
"I would contribute in changing the world".
Have we changed the world?
Are we changing the world?
Yes and no.
But what about the meta question -
Does the world require this change?
Gandhiji's talisman - think of the poorest man,
Will he see the change?
Depends...


Friends - made and lost.
Friends moved on,
old friendships forgotten,
New friendships based on new interests.
New interests based on new friends.
Are new friends better than old ones?
Are old friends better than new ones?
Depends...

And what happened to your plans?
Motherland, fatherland, place called home?
Hey! it is home where i live.
Carpe diem.
But for how long?
Depends...

लास वेगस

लास वेगस

देखा हमने ऐसा एक शहर
यह शहर नहीं एक मेला है
इंसान तो है ही सही, पूरा शहर ही यह वेला है
जुआं यहाँ का खेला है,
ओ रे लास वेगस, तू अपने आप में एक अकेला है

होटल बने हैं झाकियों के पीछे
न्यू योर्क, अल्लादीन, आइफ्फेल टॉवर,
ग्रीक महल, सहारा डेसर्ट, विक्टोरियन कास्टल
भिन्न भिन्न तरह के डिजाईन
मानो के पूरी दुनिया मिलती हैं इस शहर में

खेलो तो जी जान से
जीतो तो मान से
हारो तो शान से
अरे हारने में शान कैसी जब खेल हो जुआं ?
शान तो है बस शहर की ,
हर कोई है हारा यहाँ पे |

Zindagi se darte ho

Just came back after watching Peepli live (review in another post). But at the end of the movie, while the casting and other information comes, there is a song performed by Indian ocean - Zondagi se darte ho.
The movie was good but this song in the end. everyone in the theater had left except four people, all listening to this Indian ocean song. I think this is definitely one of the best songs of this year for me. And Indian Ocean is definitely my favorite band now. They are able to bring the raw energy, the passion into these songs, it just makes you stand up and run! Yes run!

The song is written by Noon Meem Rashid.
Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noon_Meem_Rashid

I got the lyrics from this page http://dastangoi.blogspot.com/2010/07/zindagi-se-darte-ho.html


Zindagi se Darte ho

Zindagi se darte ho (4)
Zindagi to tum bhi ho (2)
Zindagi to hum bhi hain
Aadmi se darte ho (2)
Aadmi to tum bhi ho (2)
Aadmi to hum bhi hain
Tum abhi se darte ho

Aadmi zabaan bhi hai
Aadmi bayaan bhi hai (2)

Harf aur maani ke rishta haaye aahan se
Aadmi hai waabasta
Aadmi ke daaman se zindagi hai waabasta
Us se tum nahi darte ho (2)

Ankahi se darte ho
Jo abhi nahi aayi
Us gharri ki aamad ki
Aagahi se darte ho
Tum abhi se darte ho

Pehle bhi to guzre hain (2)
Daur na rassai ke
Be-riya khudaai ke
Phir bhi yeh samajhte ho (2)
Hech aarzumandi
Yeh shab e zubaan bandi
Hai rah e khudaawandi
Tum yehi samajhte ho

Tum mager yeh kya jaano
Lab agar nahi hilte
Haath jaag uthte hain
Haath bol uthte hain
Subh ki azaan ban kar

Roshni se darte ho
Roshni to tum bhi ho
Roshni to hum bhi hain
Tum abhi se darte ho

Raah- e- shauq mein jaise
rahru ka khoon lapke
Ek nayaa junoon lapke
Aadmi chhalak uthe
Aadmi hanse dekho
shaher phir base dekho
Tum abhi se darte ho (4)

ZINDAGI SE DARTE HO-THE SECOND COMING

Afraid of Life, are you
You too are life
We too are life
Afraid of Man, are you
You too are human
We too are human
Afraid already are you

Man is speech
Man is expression too

To the iron bond
Uniting utterance and meaning
Man is joined
Tied to his sleeves is Life
Not afraid of that

Afraid of the unsaid
Afraid of the moment
That has not yet arrived
Afraid of the awareness
Of the coming of that moment
Afraid already

We have seen the times
Before
Of inaccessibility
Of guileless divinity
And yet you believe
To desire is worthless
This night of silenced tongues
Is the path
To divinity

How will you know though
That if lips don’t move
Hands begin to stir
Hands begin to call
Like the Azan at dawn

Afraid of Light
You too are light
We too are light
Afraid of light

As in the journey of love
The traveler’s blood soars
A new passion leaps
Man boils over
Man laughs, look
The city is reborn
Afraid already
-Translated by Mahmood Farooqui with inputs from SR Faruqi


Now some videos

Indian ocean live performance : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0sxapniwqI&feature=related



Sung by Zia Mohi ud Din



And by Noon Meem himself



More research is needed about Noon Meem Rashid.


zindagi se darte ho, zindagi to tum bhi ho, zindagi to hum bhi hain.

kya baat hai! and in the end it says - tum abhi se darte ho!

You are afraid of now!

मियाँ तुम कहाँ रहते हो?

मियाँ तुम कहाँ रहते हो?
अजी क्या इसी दुनिया में जीते हो

शरीर का बाज़ार हर रात को लगता है
एक अछूत अभी भी मंदिर के बाहर ही भटकता है
शादी में दहेज़ अभी भी ज़रूरी है
आधे गावों में बेटी अभी भी एक मजबूरी है
यह equality का नारा काहे बार बार दोहराते हो
मियाँ तुम कहाँ रहते हो? अजी क्या इसी दुनिया में जीते हो

देश आज़ाद होने से देश वासी आज़ाद नहीं होते
ज़रा रात को टहलो, लोग अभी भी सड़क पे हैं सोते
तुम तो पढ़ लिख गए, समाज अभी भी है अनपढ़
तुम्हारे मल्टी-नेशनल कंपनी का जमादार अभी भी है बेघर
यह अपनी अंग्रेजी किस पर दिखाते हो?
मियाँ तुम कहाँ रहते हो? अजी क्या इसी दुनिया में जीते हो

कर्म करो, फल की चिंता मत करो- यह है तुम्हारा विश्वास
सदा सत्य बोलो, निंदा न करो, यह है तुम्हारी करनी
माला फेरने वाले के सामने खूब जोर से ठहाके मारते हो.
परन्तु, लेकिन, किन्तु, ...
फसल उगाने वाले के घर में रोटी नहीं हैं
ज़िन्दगी भर बचाई हुई वोह पेन्शन कहीं खोई हुई है
पूरे दिन की मेहनत के बाद जेब अभी भी खाली पड़ी है
न जाऊं मंदिर तोह फिर कहाँ जाऊं
मेरे अंध विश्वास का मज़ाक काहे उड़ाते हो?
मियाँ तुम कहाँ रहते हो? अजी क्या इसी दुनिया में जीते हो

The smartness lies in doing it

The smartness lies in doing it

The smartness lies in doing it
It is not in thinking
Not at all in talking
Little bit in sharing
But mostly it lies in acting.

What is it that you don't know?
What is it that you don't understand?
There is a risk, I know you are little afraid,
Failure is a possibility, I know that too.
But the fact that you tried, that's what makes you smart.

You need an idea!
What is an idea? I ask.
Great on paper, worthless until materialized.
Execution of an idea is the only way to stop it from getting executed.
Smartness does not lie in talking the walk
It lies in walking the talk.

Talented - that i know you are
It is is not the risk that holds you back
Neither the fear of failure.
Time, yes time! rather time commitment.
1yr, 2yrs, 5 yrs, decade or a lifetime.
Unknown variables.....
The smartness does not lie in solving every unknown.
It exists in living with them.

the best of both worlds

the best of both worlds

है मज़ा बस इसी में
हैं एक अलग ही आनंद
जन्दगी अगर जीना है तो
भाग भाग के जियो
तेज़ रफ़्तार से दौड़ो

सुनी थी कहानी हमने
एक खरगोश और कछुए की
कहा था मेरे अध्यापक ने मुझको
कछुआ बनो खरगोश नहीं

अधूरी थी वोह कहानी
गलत था उसका सन्देश
कछुए से सीखो ज़िन्दगी का मज़ा
खरगोश से सीखो जिंदगी की गति
हिंगलिश में कहते हैं
दी बेस्ट ऑफ़ बोथ वोर्लड्स

Mihi Dana

Mihi Dana and Gulab jamun

Baba, O Baba
Come! Come here! Sit with me! Come inside!
How are you able to carry this sweet from so far away?
Are you not tempted to eat them yourself?
Don't you get tired of lifting this big bowl on your shoulders?

O Baba! Why are you laughing, Baba?
Do you know, I can eat all your mihi dana in one day.
But ma won't let me.
If you take me along, then you will not have to carry this load.
I will eat it all and it will again be light for you.


Baba! I have to tell you this.
Other than your Mihi Dana, I like your smile very much.
Baba, i have an idea - You should come at night.
That ways - you can avoid the Sun
and i can stay up till late.
It will be good for both of us.

Baba! Why don't you teach me how to make this?
You should teach me how to make Mihi Dana.
Then, we will go together, house to house selling Mihi Dana.
You can sell yours but i will eat mine.
Baba, why are there so many lines on your face?
Are you getting old?

O Baba! Why didn't you come last week?
I was sitting on my gate since morning, waiting for you.
Are you all right?
Baba, look, there is water in your eyes.
Ma, look, there is water in Baba's eyes.