Sunday, August 14, 2016

Azaadi 70 Saal (70 years of Freedom)

Hello people

I have been thinking of penning down my thoughts for a long time now, so finally I've decided to write them down. I would like to share, on this occasion of 70th Independence Day, what I feel about nationalism, patriotism and what we, as an individual or group, can achieve. What I want to discuss does not define what nationalism or patriotism is, for that is quite subjective and I don't want to get into that. Most of you who would be reading this, I am sure, are in a position to think, analyze and conclude on any given topic. So I would request you all to give a thought to what I am about to say.

It has been 70 years since independence and so many politicians have come and gone promising reforms which would help to uplift the society as a whole. But what I have observed, for most of the part, that the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. In my opinion the primary cuplrit here is the lack of basic necessacities. I will take one very familiar (and controversial) example, reservation. This facility was supposed to uplift the impoverished communities to the main stream, right? But, just be honest, how much of it has acually worked? I know improvements are there, but as a whole it has failed. The reason is a very simple one, if the said communities actually start progressing, these politicians would have nothing left to chew on and garner votes. Also, if these people are educated beyond a certain level, they will see through the veil and understand what the politicians are thinking. Now, lets forget the politicans for a while and assume this system is a good one, then what do you feel is lagging? If you ask me, the lag is at basic level. You see, providing reservations in education and job is good only IF one can actually gather that much education. There aren't many who, despite being from poor background, try to, or even know how to get minimal qualificaitons for such education/jobs. You may have heard (if you have been to, or belong to some village) that xyz kid is very good at studies, and then 5-10 years down the line, she/he has either given up studies, or hasn't reached the level of success that he could.

So, what can be the solution? Let's face it, we can't do anything regarding these politicians because such tactices have been encoded in the DNA of Indian politics. That one is, therefore, out for the count. The only thing that we can control is our own actions and here comes what I feel about patriotism, nationalism. In my opinion, one will be true patriot/nationalist if he gives his best towards the country. It includes doing one's job with full committment and giving back to the society. I am sure, all you readers do your jobs in the best way possible, so coming to the second part, which many of you may not be doing or even if you wanted to, may not know where to begin.

Some of you may be donating regularly to some NGOs/Groups responsible for taking care of or educating underprivileged people. But I am requesting for something more. I would suggest we should take at least one child under our mentoring and provide her/him with moral support and guidance needed to take her/him to her/his dream. Young minds are fertile fields, one can grow anything on them. I don't think this is a full time job, or that one needs to meet this child everyday. But periodic meetings, some teaching, keeping a track of progress and helping with information and guidance required will be good enough. At lease the child will know that if she/he needs some help, where she/he needs to look for.This, dear friends, is the best thing, in my opinion, one can give back to society. Imagine how quich the transformation would be, if everyone decides to mentor at least one child! And that too, is possible even with the current political, social scenario! This will be "Azaadi" in true sense.

Cheers!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Racism on TV??

Everyday we see commercials promoting fairness creams. It is ok for companies to promote their products, but now a days the commercials are increasingly becoming the racist kind. They are showing the so called less fairer group to be a less successful, sometimes hated or ignored kind of person. Is it so?? Tell me which fairness cream Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose used? or for that matter Dhirubhai Ambani used? or Obama or Nelson Mandela used? Aren't they successful?? Let's leave such high dignitaries and have a look around us. Are only the fairer people excelling or are the supposed less fairer people less successful?

Sunday, August 25, 2013

प्रेम या मिथ्या????

सावन की प्रथम फुहारें थी
या था अपना अल्हड़पन...
एक अखंड प्रेम की अनुभूति या
स्वप्न देश में था ये मन...
वो रीति प्रीति की पावन थी
या गुड्डे गुडियो का छल मात्र...
कुछ ज्ञात नहीं, कुछ याद नहीं,
दुविधा है ये क्या भीषण.....

अबोध ह्रदय ने संभवतः
रचा था ये काव्य अनाम प्रिये...
इसके प्रथम पृष्ठ पर अंकित
अब भी है तुम्हारा नाम प्रिये...
एकाकी चलते युग बीता,
गंतव्य दिखे अन्धकार मात्र...
इस दुस्वप्न की सुबह तुम ही हो,
तुम ही हो इसकी शाम प्रिये...

कब से यूँ रस्ता तकती ,
अब आखें भी पथरायी हैं...
सावन भी आ के बीत गया,
अब कलियाँ भी मुरझाई हैं...
बिछोह सहा ना जाता है,
अब आस भी टूटी जाती है...
जो अब तुम वापस ना आये तो
फिर सब मिथ्या है, परछाई है.......

Thursday, August 22, 2013

चलो एक नया आशियाँ बुनते हैं...

एक बंजारा था,
आवारा था,
निकल पड़ा एक अनजाने सफ़र पर
तन्हा मैं बेचारा था...
तुम आई, कुछ यूँ छाई,
दूर एक मंजिल सी नज़र आई...
अब दोनों साथ मिलकर
इस मोड़ से रास्ता एक नया चुनते हैं...
चलो एक नया आशियाँ बुनते हैं...

Monday, August 19, 2013

एक ख्वाब देखा था...

एक ख्वाब देखा था...
अश्कों का सैलाब देखा था...
जिस्म तो चंद लम्हों में डूब गया,
रूह को निकलने को बेताब देखा था...
क्या अच्छा, क्या बुरा...
जो हुआ, सो हुआ...
बीती बातें भूल कर
उम्मीदों की एक नयी दास्ताँ बुनते हैं...
चलो फिर एक नया आशियाँ बुनते हैं...