Zindagi ke chaar kshan socha jee loon umang se
Aakhir cheez kya hai chaar Kshan dekh loon to dhang se
Pata nahin nazar lagi do kshano ke ant ko
Sikuda hua hoon bheetar hi, vichar khade hain dang se
Raat ki chadar lapete waqt aaya kaal sa
aaj bhi yaad hai woh din bhara bhoochal sa
Krandan karti aashayein, rok na paaya us dwand ko
pada shithil main nirjeev sa, padh na paya us chhand ko
sochta hoon kya kiya tha jo phansa toofan mein
tinke sanjota vishwas ke, uth to loonga phir kabhi aage badha yeh than main
Vipda hai aayi ghor sir pe, kaise jutaoon hausla
lagta nahin main khush kabhi tha, shrishti ke is gaan main
lathpath pada hoon nirjeev sa, nirashaon ke gart main
kya kabhi main uth sakoonga sachhai ke arth main
Chaar kshan ab bhram lage hain, laga raha main swarth main
Ab badhoonga nischayi, aaj kaliyug paarth main
Shakti ka aalap sun, aaj mann ki baat sun
Jo nahi hai mil saka, uski aaz aagaz sun
Laga hai jo nischay ke path par, krodh aur shanka se bhinna
Ban ja pathik us raah ka, chhod chal apne padchinha
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
सफर
कहाँ गई क्यूँ हुआ
यह मन हुआ विरक्त सा
गायब कहाँ जुनूं हुआ
समर्थ मन डरा हुआ
है आज क्यूँ थका हुआ
आशाओं के द्वंद से
भयभीत सा मरा हुआ
प्रकृति के प्रताप में
है हौसला थका हुआ
प्यार के आवेश में
सना हुआ पका हुआ
जले हुए दरख्त सा
अरमानो तले दबा हुआ
मोह माया प्रेमजाल
पकड़ा हुआ खड़ा हुआ
प्यार के आगाज़ से
बना हुआ मापा हुआ
उन्ही के मापतोल में
निरंतर लगा रहा
कुंठा भरी समाज से
जुड़ा रहा बना रहा
है वक्त आज शोर का
खड़ा कहाँ तत्पर हुआ
नही कभी यकीं कर
कौन है कहाँ गया
आज वक्त आ रहा
तू सूर्य है प्रकट हुआ
समाज तो कुटिल रहा
सदा यहाँ यहीं रहा
तू पथिक है राम का
आज से संवर रहा !
उड़ चला मैं
उड़ चला मैं
उमंग थी पर लगाने की
चाह थी कुछ कर गुज़र जाने की
ऐसी कुछ उड़ानों की कसक लिए
उड़ चला मैं
दूर कहीं वो बैठी होगी
अन्जान इन पथ की कठिनाईयों से
आज ऐसी टीस उठी है दिल में
कि मिल आऊँ उससे क्षण भर को
सो उड़ चला मैं
इस जीवन में उद्देश्य कई थे
संचय करता अरमानो का
अज्ञात दिशा की उमंग लिए
उस हीरे की प्यास लिए
उड़ चला मैं
दूर कहीं है चलना
बाधाओं के परिपक्व होने से पहले
काश उसकी सूरत का दीदार हो
उस खुदा से पहले
अरमानो के भूचाल लिए
उड़ चला मैं
क्या वो करती होगी मेरा इंतज़ार
क्या होगा उसे मुझ जैसा प्यार
इन दुविधाओं की गाँठ लिए
उड़ चला मैं
अभी मीलों का सफर है तय करना
इस काया की मंशा में है और लौह भरना
परिणामों की चिंता से अनभिज्ञ
उड़ चला मैं
हाथ लिए अरमानो की वरमाला
कर निश्चय पीने हलाहल प्याला
आज उठा मैं गहराई की धरातल से
पंख लगा आशाओं के
उड़ चला मैं
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Humanity
We are going through troubled times - as if I told something new! This would be the umpteenth time when I have decided to give way to something brewing up in my mind, with this sentence. As is the wont, I must thank my lords for keeping me in good shape and letting me think the way you will get to know in a short while. I don't take any responsibility for incoherence of my thoughts and any disturbances caused in minds other than my own. And for those who must think good of my opinions, deserve nothing better than a slant smile. So, what brings me here - to the keyboard? One picks up a keyboard only in two situations; either he means business or he means nothing. I mean business when I get to my desk in office to slog out for precisely 549 minutes everyday. You would do well to keep a track of this 3 digit number, which as a matter of fact, has become the most important part of numerology which makes some sense to me. You would also do well to brush up your basic skills in maths and calculate for me(?), total number of minutes in a day. When you get down to measuring the attributes out of hundreds, you would know that it's no big deal to see a guy talking like the way I am going to talk now!So, in a way when I am supposed to mean business, I have decided to let go of my saintly guise and "mean business". You won't know the repercussions of my actions until you have been "billed" anytime. There are two keyboards which get my attention throughout the day - one for the entire 549 minutes and other for the rest of the time during the day(my suggestion to calculate total number of minutes in a day is coming handy here!) unless I "mean business" in the mornings or when I am watching Rakhi Sawant's histrionics on TV. The 549 minutes keyboard is the privileged one today!
Just the other day, I heard someone talking about humanity. Although I never give even an iota of chance for any thing to enter into my mind for contemplation, I happened to think over it. I thought, thought and thought. And then I thought again. What is humanity? I still remember how I planned to get rid of the fear of public speaking. Every morning, through one of the
chores meant for morning ablutions, seated(or squatted?) on my two limbs for the enigma of "Newton's law of gravitation" to unfold, I used to cook up a random idea in my mind - be it any conversation or topic of relevance (or irrelevance?) and start speaking. Until I was finished, I would keep on blabbering, imagining a multitude sitting in front of me and listening to me piously. That day I repeated it for humanity. Voila! the multitude was there, but not the words. Although my usual performance was over, I got out unsatisfied. This was the first time I went completely blank in my performance. Not even a single word. With a heavy heart I set out for the drudgery and kept thinking while my bus honked its way to my workplace. That day it took quite a long time to reach office. I got down the bus and it started itching - in mind. I thought of asking the guards -after all they are the ones who keep seeing the sea of humans everyday. But I decided to give myself some more time. Maybe some other day, in some other performance, I could run away with all the accolades.
And now today, I realised what's humanity.Of the may friends with whom I loiter inside the office campus, one happens to be complete extrovert. He is one of the type who may compel you to rethink your decision of hanging out with him. But what else can I do, when he is the only option to contend with. While having lunch, he expressed his desire to confess something. It must be pointed out that the way he was sitting, it seemed like he is sitting on a banked track. Before he could confess, my question had presented itself in full authority. He had a sheepish smile on his face, when he said he had a boil at his backside and so the posture. I could feel his pain, not because I have had the experience but because he was my friend. And that precisely was the moment when humanity struck me! I could have laughed at him, but I preserved it for some other time. Time was ripe to show humanity and that I did.
Now think of our ancestors. We have learnt so may things from them. They devised so many things, out of which, faith and belief had a major share. Apart from fire and wheel, inventions of repute have happened in "our" era. So, our ancestors had nothing else to showcase other than the fire and the wheel.Now we take pride in developing the iPod wheel. We have learnt about society, togetherness and what not from our ancestors.So, how could have the concept of humanity come to dwell in their minds? I have an explanation and readers would do well to keep in mind my warning issued at the start of this writeup.
Long time ago, in a fair, a person would have come from a far flung place, so that no one could have known him. Public around him would have been curious. As soon as he would have taken his seat and squealed, curiosity levels would have sky-rocketed. Who is this fellow and why did he wail? Others would have gathered around him just to have a glimpse of the never-before-seen-squealing-man. The drama continues. Nobody seems to care as to why did he squeal but every one's busy finding out the reason by themselves.It was not the only squeal and the man himself blurted out - "Oh! my boil". Nobody seems to have guessed the exact location until they see his hand move in that direction. It's again a boil in the backside!As if to feel his pain, every body's hands moved in the same direction. And someone in the crowd(has to be an old man) couldn't keep his words in his mouth -"How are you son?Do you need any help?"As is the case with any society, young ones are spoon fed with morals like these. The old man was elevated to the status of the "grand old man" and was bestowed with choicest of nicknames in reverence. He was now the father figure and an expanse of thousands of miles beckoned his legacy.Children like us were swept away by the wave of righteousness and landed in the safe hands of freedom. It is with that authority, I have summoned myself to question the unquestionable.Everyone of us is expected to exude humanity but I have turned round the corner and erased my past memories which would have always led me to a known outcome.If I were not educated, would it be possible for me to distinguish between what should be done or not or vice-versa? Humanity as such doesn't exist.It never existed in the first place. So the reason behind the question "where's humanity" is entirely misplaced. We have associated with ourselves an abstract idea, which is based on expectations. That in itself is a source of great misery. So, to get peeved at the loss of humanity is entirely foolish!Thanks to our statesman Dadaji, we have come to expect it from everyone, when it's only an accidental show of concern for someone else's boil in the backside. And thanks to the man who squealed it out, otherwise Dadaji would have remained oblivious of what had really happened. I guess, my friend with his sheepish smile could have helped in that situation.
Just the other day, I heard someone talking about humanity. Although I never give even an iota of chance for any thing to enter into my mind for contemplation, I happened to think over it. I thought, thought and thought. And then I thought again. What is humanity? I still remember how I planned to get rid of the fear of public speaking. Every morning, through one of the
chores meant for morning ablutions, seated(or squatted?) on my two limbs for the enigma of "Newton's law of gravitation" to unfold, I used to cook up a random idea in my mind - be it any conversation or topic of relevance (or irrelevance?) and start speaking. Until I was finished, I would keep on blabbering, imagining a multitude sitting in front of me and listening to me piously. That day I repeated it for humanity. Voila! the multitude was there, but not the words. Although my usual performance was over, I got out unsatisfied. This was the first time I went completely blank in my performance. Not even a single word. With a heavy heart I set out for the drudgery and kept thinking while my bus honked its way to my workplace. That day it took quite a long time to reach office. I got down the bus and it started itching - in mind. I thought of asking the guards -after all they are the ones who keep seeing the sea of humans everyday. But I decided to give myself some more time. Maybe some other day, in some other performance, I could run away with all the accolades.
And now today, I realised what's humanity.Of the may friends with whom I loiter inside the office campus, one happens to be complete extrovert. He is one of the type who may compel you to rethink your decision of hanging out with him. But what else can I do, when he is the only option to contend with. While having lunch, he expressed his desire to confess something. It must be pointed out that the way he was sitting, it seemed like he is sitting on a banked track. Before he could confess, my question had presented itself in full authority. He had a sheepish smile on his face, when he said he had a boil at his backside and so the posture. I could feel his pain, not because I have had the experience but because he was my friend. And that precisely was the moment when humanity struck me! I could have laughed at him, but I preserved it for some other time. Time was ripe to show humanity and that I did.
Now think of our ancestors. We have learnt so may things from them. They devised so many things, out of which, faith and belief had a major share. Apart from fire and wheel, inventions of repute have happened in "our" era. So, our ancestors had nothing else to showcase other than the fire and the wheel.Now we take pride in developing the iPod wheel. We have learnt about society, togetherness and what not from our ancestors.So, how could have the concept of humanity come to dwell in their minds? I have an explanation and readers would do well to keep in mind my warning issued at the start of this writeup.
Long time ago, in a fair, a person would have come from a far flung place, so that no one could have known him. Public around him would have been curious. As soon as he would have taken his seat and squealed, curiosity levels would have sky-rocketed. Who is this fellow and why did he wail? Others would have gathered around him just to have a glimpse of the never-before-seen-squealing-man. The drama continues. Nobody seems to care as to why did he squeal but every one's busy finding out the reason by themselves.It was not the only squeal and the man himself blurted out - "Oh! my boil". Nobody seems to have guessed the exact location until they see his hand move in that direction. It's again a boil in the backside!As if to feel his pain, every body's hands moved in the same direction. And someone in the crowd(has to be an old man) couldn't keep his words in his mouth -"How are you son?Do you need any help?"As is the case with any society, young ones are spoon fed with morals like these. The old man was elevated to the status of the "grand old man" and was bestowed with choicest of nicknames in reverence. He was now the father figure and an expanse of thousands of miles beckoned his legacy.Children like us were swept away by the wave of righteousness and landed in the safe hands of freedom. It is with that authority, I have summoned myself to question the unquestionable.Everyone of us is expected to exude humanity but I have turned round the corner and erased my past memories which would have always led me to a known outcome.If I were not educated, would it be possible for me to distinguish between what should be done or not or vice-versa? Humanity as such doesn't exist.It never existed in the first place. So the reason behind the question "where's humanity" is entirely misplaced. We have associated with ourselves an abstract idea, which is based on expectations. That in itself is a source of great misery. So, to get peeved at the loss of humanity is entirely foolish!Thanks to our statesman Dadaji, we have come to expect it from everyone, when it's only an accidental show of concern for someone else's boil in the backside. And thanks to the man who squealed it out, otherwise Dadaji would have remained oblivious of what had really happened. I guess, my friend with his sheepish smile could have helped in that situation.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Jai Hind
Things coming out over the past one week have peeved me to the core. As a citizen of India, it pains to see your beloved city being ravaged by a bunch of vultures. But, in the aftermath of such a heinous crime, I wasn’t too sure of the long lasting imprints being carved in my psyche. I have never ever been so concerned about anything. I mean, literally anything. My heart goes out to all who lost their near and dear ones in this battle. The sandstorm refuses to die down and I am glued to whatever media has to offer on paper or by electronic means. I can hear a distinct voice reverberate through these times and that is of anger and frustration towards our polity. Never before in my entire lifetime of understanding the political class and their shenanigans, have I heard this voice so strong. Suddenly a country of one billion seems to have found its voice. A political class responsible for projecting this country as soft spoken and an epitome of stoicism has suddenly begun to realize the gravity of the situation. We no more seem to be mere pushovers. No one can now afford to take us for granted. The sooner the essence of our emotions dawns on them, the better. The sincerity is unmistakable.
But these times have compelled me to think. As has the case been with others like me.
What exactly ails India today? Is it the bureaucratic system set up by our politicians?
I don’t think so. India is because of Indians and not politicians. In a democratic setup like ours, the ultimate powers of electing our leaders lie with us. Then, why do we falter? Instead of engaging in blame games, we should engage in introspection. A country of one billion was held for ransom by a bunch of 20 year olds for 60 odd hours. In retrospection, we nitpick every minute detail of government’s ineptness to act proactively. But do we ever pinpoint fingers at ourselves? Do we have the courage and wisdom to look within ourselves and ask questions; questions which are very much pertinent.
It’s the time for self realization. Politicians engage in politics because we let them to. It’s what we did 5 years ago has come back to haunt us. In various manifestations, in various forms, but the signals are very clear. It is a question thrown back at us –“Do we have it in ourselves to unite and stand up for a cause?” Indians are known never to disappoint. But the question staring right into our eyes is –“Do we have that passion?”
I hope I won’t be disappointed. We owe to those who have laid down their lives for this country. Let their sacrifices not go in vain. We have to learn as well as teach few lessons, the most important of those being the message that “We stand united.”
Jai Hind.
But these times have compelled me to think. As has the case been with others like me.
What exactly ails India today? Is it the bureaucratic system set up by our politicians?
I don’t think so. India is because of Indians and not politicians. In a democratic setup like ours, the ultimate powers of electing our leaders lie with us. Then, why do we falter? Instead of engaging in blame games, we should engage in introspection. A country of one billion was held for ransom by a bunch of 20 year olds for 60 odd hours. In retrospection, we nitpick every minute detail of government’s ineptness to act proactively. But do we ever pinpoint fingers at ourselves? Do we have the courage and wisdom to look within ourselves and ask questions; questions which are very much pertinent.
It’s the time for self realization. Politicians engage in politics because we let them to. It’s what we did 5 years ago has come back to haunt us. In various manifestations, in various forms, but the signals are very clear. It is a question thrown back at us –“Do we have it in ourselves to unite and stand up for a cause?” Indians are known never to disappoint. But the question staring right into our eyes is –“Do we have that passion?”
I hope I won’t be disappointed. We owe to those who have laid down their lives for this country. Let their sacrifices not go in vain. We have to learn as well as teach few lessons, the most important of those being the message that “We stand united.”
Jai Hind.
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