"Quote-Unquote"

"Facts do not vanish because they are ignored, and when they compel attention, there is a feeling of displeasure and resentment at the unexpected happening, as of some trick having been played (Nehru, The Discovery of India)."

"I love India, not because I cultivate the idolatry of geography, not because I have had the chance to be born in her soil, but because she has saved through tumultuous ages the living words that have issued from the illuminated consciousness of her great ones (Rabindranath Tagore)."

"Man's dearest possession is life, and since it is given to him to live but once, he must so live as not to be seared with the shame of a cowardly and trivial past, so live as not to be tortured for years without purpose, so live that dying he can say: 'All my life and my strength were given to the first cause in the world-the liberation of mankind (Lenin)' (Nehru, The Discovery of India)."

"Today she swings between a blind adherence to her old customs and her slavish imitation of foreign ways. In neither of these can she find relief or life or growth. It is obvious that she has to come out of her shell and take full part in the life and activities of the modern age. It should be equally obvious that there can be no real spiritual or cultural growth based on imitation. Such imitation can only be confined to a small number who cut themselves off from the masses and the springs of national life. True culture derives its inspiration from every corner of the world, but it is home-grown and has to be based on the wide mass of people. Art and literature remain lifeless if they are continually thinking of foreign models. The day of a narrow culture confined to a small fastidious group is past. We have to think in terms of the people generally and their culture must be a continuation and developments of past trends, and must also represent their new urges and creative tendencies (Nehru, The Discovery of India)."

"About her (India)there is the elusive quality of a legend of long ago; some enchantment seems to have held her mind. She is a myth and an idea, a dream and a vision, and yet very real and present and pervasive. There are terrifying glimpses of dark corridors which seem to lead back to primeval night, but also there is the fullness and warmth of the day about her. Shameful and repellent she is occasionally, perverse and obstinate, sometimes even a little hysteric, this lady with a past. But she is very lovable and none of her children can forget her wherever they go or whatever strange fate befalls them. For she is part of them in her greatness as well as her failings, and they are mirrored in those deep eyes of hers that have seen so much of life's passion and joy and folly and looked down into the wisdom's well. Each one of them is drawn to her, though perhaps each has a different reason for that attraction or can point to no reason at all, and each sees some different aspect of her many sided personality (Nehru, The Discovery of India)."

Enough of these Senas, Dals, and Jamaats...

Acts of vandalism, public harassment, assault-all in the name of what? morality? It seems almost everyday you wake up to fresh news of such acts committed by hooligans calling themselves moral police honchoed by those who themselves hold an extensive criminal record. The status quo has become a tit-for-tat game by a petty neighbor and exploitation of the word "secular" by hoodlums within the country. Secularism is becoming ostensible. The "secular India" that was born 60 years ago has become a mere cliché, or at least seems to be advancing towards becoming one. The masses are looking up to the government for immediate action to put an end to all this. The time for phrases like sochenge, dekhenge, vichar-vimarsh karenge has long passed. There is almost a desperate NEED (and I can't emphasize this word enough) for strict laws, swift trials and harsh punishment for those convicted. The government also needs to get strict with Pakistan or this will drag on for years to come. Why are we still running the samjhauta express service? Why haven't we put an end to imports from Pakistan? What the hell is going on in this country? Hello? Is anyone listening??

Unanswered questions...

I am repulsed by the thought of how the Brits treated us in our own country. How humiliating and exasperating that must have been. But at the same time I am stupefied as to why it took Indians such a long time to realize the atrocities and raise their voices against the self proclaimed landlords of this country? Is it because we try to adjust to anything and every situation- no matter how repulsive or unjustified? Why is it that we accept things the way they are and restrain ourselves from changing them? This ignorance is the "gap" that Nehru talks about in The Discovery of India. Referring to the Indian people he writes, "The people generally had grown apathetic and servile. There was thus a gap which had to be filled before any revolutionary change could take place. Perhaps this gap had been produced by the static nature of Indian society which refused to change in a changing world, for every civilization which resists change declines. That society, as constituted, had no more creative part to play. A change was overdue." We still seem to find bliss in the same ignorance. We might not be under the British rule anymore but are swayed by hard-boiled politics and apathetic politicians who threaten to consume us in their wild games. Why are we still not able to break out of the shell that binds us in many ways? What would it take to bring about a bigger and much needed change? Are we waiting for another revolution?

Some came, they saw and conquered. Others came, looted and went back. With them went away most of the wealth, and in a way the pride of our land. India has had a long history of tolerance, something which she still maintains. During the course of her 5000 years of history many invaders came to conquer her but became a part of her instead. Then there were those who were able to take advantage of this tolerance and took back a lot that did not belong to them. Unarguably, most of India was sucked dry of its wealth by the outsiders, and bled white until poverty and famine had enveloped what remained of her. Now that it's been 61 years since Independence, I wonder why the government isn't asking back for the "cultural property" of this land? There is a piece of India's legacy and pride still under the control of foreigners. Will we ever get it back?

Mumbai terror attacks: India will never forget

A thanksgiving break that was going to be utilized well as a study break turned out to be something that was far beyond imagination. On Wednesday morning I turned the tv on to catch up with some of the day's headlines. The breaking news (on NDTV) was that Mumbai was under attack, and it wasn't just those low intensity time bomb attacks that other Indian cities had endured throughout this year. This was much bigger, unprecedented and something that would be known as India's 9-11. As the reporters explained that terrorists had entered and shot many people inside some of Mumbai's most posh and luxurious hotels, and were holding many hostages, I knew it was going to turn out to be a very long day. Little did I know, that one long day was going to stretch into sixty very long and unforgettable hours.
As the news story unfolded in front of my eyes, I found out that the bloody rampage was carried out at multiple sites around the city -10 in all. Some of the early pictures showed the massacre at the Leopold cafe and the CST station which were merely a diversion for the authorities as the main targets were the Taj and Oberoi. They had come with the intention of causing maximum damage and to kill till the last breath. After killing a couple of the terrorists, arresting one and losing some of our own top officers, the attention of the nation turned to three major sites where these terrorists would wreak havoc for the next sixty hours-The Taj Mahal hotel, Oberoi and Nariman House where many people were held hostage.
Amongst the first ones to report were the local police authorities, the army, MARCOS (naval commandos), and RAF (rapid action force). As the authorities realized the severity of the situation, they also summoned the elite NSG (national security guard) commandos who are trained throughout the year for tackling situations like the one at hand.
The courageous men from the army, the commandos and the Mumbai police force fought with much bravery to save the lives of innocents caught up in the horrific ideology of these terrorists. These men carried out their duty well and some of them even laid their lives down in the process. After rescuing hundreds of hotel guests and staff members, they went in to confront the terrorists and only emerged after neutralizing every single one of them. Not to mention they saved Mumbai's most precious and iconic symbol-the Taj from being reduced to rubbles as planned by the millitants.
As for me, I was glued to the couch with my eyes on the television for the length of the entire operation. Switching back and forth between four news channels I tried to make sense of what was going on, and why it was happening. Somewhere in the middle of the operation, the whole thing started to look surreal. It seemed more like a bad movie with no end in sight. There were times when I felt bursts of anger and sadness. At times I wanted to yell out, how dare they! I wished I was there to help people somehow as those who did by donating blood and those who came together in this time of need and served refreshments to policemen and firemen working nonstop to save lives. While other times I just looked helplessly into the eyes of my clueless dog. In the final hours of the operation as a part of the Taj broke out in intense fire, tears welled up in my eyes.

India watched in horror as innocent lives were lost and as shameless, callous politicians played the blame game and used the tragedy as an opportunity to propagate themselves. We applaud and salute the martyrs who sacrificed their lives; the commandos, the police and army personnel, firemen, the hotel staff, and other civilians who acted valiantly in this time of terror.

Mr. Terrorist: I am alive. What more can you do?

Mr. Politician: I am alive despite you.

I am a Mumbaikar.

-a placard held by one of the persons at the Mumbai vigil

Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain

Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtehan aur bhi hain
Tahi zindagi se nahin ye fizayen
Yahan siakdon karwaan aur bhi hain
Khana’at na kar aalam-e-rang-o-bu par
Chaman aur bhi aashiyaan aur bhi hain
Agar kho gaya ek nasheman to kya ghum
Maqmat-e-aah-o-fughaan aur bhi hain
Tu shaheen hai parvwaaz hai kaam tera
Tere saamne aasmaan aur bhi hain
Isi roz-o-shab main ulajh kar na rah ja
Ke tere zameen par makaan aur bhi hain
Gaye din ke tanha tha main anjuman mein
Yahaan ab mere raazdaan aur bhi hain

Beyond the stars there are worlds more
Our quest yet has more tests to pass
This existence alone does not matter
There are boundless journeys more
Do not rest on what you have
There are paradises more to explore
Why worry if you have lost one abode
There are a million addresses to claim
You are the falcon, your passion is flight
And you have skies more to transcend
Lose not yourself in the cycle of days and nights
Within your reach are feats even more
Gone is the day when I was lonesome in the crowd
Today those who resonate my thoughts are more

Mohammed Iqbal
Naujawaan ke Naam, Bal-e-Jibraeel, 1908

Happy Independence Day

"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again" - This is what Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said on India's most significant day.

Okk..here I go preaching again...bare with me as I need to get it out of my system...

They gave their lives without any indecision...
They raised their voices with righteous indignation...
Their sole purpose in life was to attain 'freedom'...
And they brought us our India in a palanquin- They were our freedom fighters. They had many aspirations for this country, for their country.
It's been 61 years and we have come a long way...or have we? Look beyond the glitzy malls, and the slums are bigger than ever. Look beyond the private schools for the elite, and we have underprivileged children working arduously just to make ends meet everyday. Look beyond the fake countenances of politicians and you will see charlatans in disguise. Look beyond the jazzy eateries and you will see impoverished, famished and emaciated individuals without a ration card, look beyond the female leaders, professionals and the glamorous babes of Bollywood and you'll see female foeticide.

We are in a funny, and contradictory position. Seems like we have achieved a lot and yet nothing. We took one step forward and two steps into the past. We would gain independence in true sense when we clear away our societal flaws. That is the 'freedom' we need to obtain as the upcoming generation; play our role as the offspring of those freedom fighters and give something back to our society. We are at it.... just need to keep on trying...harder.

Tell me she is joking...

She has been the chief minister of India's largest state four times in a row. She tops the highest tax payers list, organizes lavish birthday parties for herself, loads herself up with expensive bling, and is now eying the highest position in the political kingdom. Yup...the 'Dalit Queen' has expressed her desire to become the future Prime Minister of India.


I am proud to have been born in a Dalit household.
Above all I am ‘Bharat ki beti’. I would like to ask the casteist leaders that if the daughter of a Dalit could become Chief Minister of the biggest state in the country four times, is capable of providing a good administration and working for the uplift of the masses, why can she not become Prime Minister of the country? she says

But this post isn't in acclamation for Mayavati's impressive rise in power (and bank balance) over the years, nor it is about wishing her good luck for her transformation into the leader of India. The mere thought of her coming into power is frightening. If she becomes the PM, she will be the weapon of mass destruction for the nation. This flagrantly corrupt and power hungry politician is one of many politicians on the current Indian political scene who have no intention whatsoever of serving the nation and it's people, rather they think of politics as a means of accumulating immense wealth, authority and a higher status by defrauding illiterate and poor people and leading them into believing that their days of glory are around the corner.

She claims that she is capable of running a country. But is she even capable of running a state? She wants to divide up UP because she thinks it's still too big, even after the creation of Uttarakhand. If she cannot run a state properly because of its size, how the hell does she suppose she can run the seventh largest country in the world; a country with so much diversity and people from all backgrounds? How many more divisions do we need? Everyone knows she favors the Dalits. Her voice wouldn't be the voice of all Indians, her voice is and will be the voice of her kinfolk. A good leader is wise in his/her words and deeds. A good leader has an unpretentious demeanor, thinks of the 'junta' before oneself and doesn't rape the public of its money. Wouldn't we all like our leaders to have these qualities? Maya...who has petty thoughts, clearly does not have any of these traits. She makes preposterous accusations at Rahul Gandhi; says that he bathes with a special soap after meeting with the Dalits. She installs her own statues all over the state capital, and throws expensive birthday bashes for herself. She's just a chief minister yet she has crores in her bank accounts. I don't think that a government job in India pays that well. Come on Maya, be a little humble. You were appointed to do 'junta ki seva' as opposed to your own 'seva.' Now tell me...can you really imagine her as the next PM?

This wasn't supposed to be a Maya-bashing post. But I guess I got a little carried away with the heat of the topic. We have our hands full with corrupt, unscrupulous, even criminal politicians, and the last thing we need is another one of them as our next Prime Minister or President. I beleive we all are created equal; be it the Dalits or the Ambanis. We need a leader or leaders rather who think of India and its people as a whole and who do not segregate or show favoritism towards certain casts, creed, religion etc. We need leaders who would work with each other and not against each other. We need leaders who would work FOR the country and not just to fill up their pockets. We need diplomats and ambassadors who will be able to represent India at an international level (I don't see Mayavati being able to do that). We need young politicians like Rahul Gandhi with new, fresh ideas and who will become the voice of this new INDIA, but most importantly we need politicians who actually want to do something for their country and for their fellow countrymen. I know... I know.. this whole post sounds so preachy, but I have been feeling very strongly about this whole thing for the last couple of days. I also know it's easier said than done, but I guess you've gotta start somewhere...someday..

Some customers don't deserve a service...

This is for unreasonable, petulant, and demanding customers who try to take advantage of the service being provided to them. There are some who try to dish out a whole new definition for the term 'customer service.' It does not mean that the employees have to be subservient to you. STOP treating people like serfs and STOP taking unfair advantage of the term 'customer service,' because whoever said ' customer is always right' didn't come across customers like you. Some customers are just plain wrong.

Don't mind me..came across two uncivilized apes today at work...

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4: "[1]To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: [4] A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

state of mind...

“Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once, just once, understand.”

-Author Unkown-

Missing you isn't the hardest part, it's knowing that we once had you, that breaks our heart

You will always be remembered in our hearts

Let me linger...

Let me linger in the woods
where soughing wind tells a story
passing on secrets to me
singing in all its glory.
Let me linger in the mountains
and feel the fresh air in my face
walk amidst the tall grass
and leave footprints that one can't trace.
Let me linger in the snow
and loose myself in my mirth
find and ground myself somewhere
and melt away into the earth.
Let me linger on the shore
and feel the sand under my feet
taste the salinity in the air
and sleep to the ocean's beat.
Let me linger in my dreams
and make the most of my imagination
slay and win over my blues
and reign over my trepidation.

The road not taken...

Where the hamlet ends

a less trodden path takes shape
look for a bed of wild flowers
where the willows drape

the flowers bloom throughout the year
which ain't an ordinary sign
between two willows is a portal
to a land beyond time

once through the willow trees
you leave the world behind
here time itself does not exist
and uncanny plays your mind

a warning to behold for those
who wish to go explore
here good and evil coexist
and magic takes its toll

a mile into the wooded land
and tranquil creek emerges
follow the creek unto the end
where it splits and diverges

at that point you pick and choose
and let luck weave your fate
one way leads where demons tread
the other at Eden's gate

an honest soul that's pure of heart
will choose the right path
a deceitful one with sinful past
shall suffer a dreadful wrath

if fate brings you to the fiends
those soul sucking wraiths at unrest
they'll rip you of good memories
forever to wander in dark forest

but if you prove your heart is gold
and abstain the route to abyss
elven creatures will come forth
to receive you in entrancing bliss

a pair of dreamweavers...

Night falls heavy on them
they sleep unaware

surrounded by onerous dreams

perhaps they have a story to share


drifting into the morn
the first ray sneaks through
inundating
with new prospects


they speak mutely
a language of secrecy
words etched in memory
then come to life


contemplating the world
they seek a candid soul
to trust
with a blink


they hold a million mirrors
reflections of her soul
tempting you to look deep
and when u do
you are overcome with the desire
to find out more


night falls again
they enshroud
to make more dreams
and whisk her away

Eye candy...

whats a visual treat for you? window shopping? the new designer look..a hot pair of shoes? just a sight of chocolates or scrumptious feast? There are a million things that can perk up ur day..there are material things then there are things that are purely, truly associated with human emotions, that perhaps are not so much related to materialism, rather linked to who we are and what we were before we became so materialistic..no..not chimps..a little more into the future..yeah before industrialization..before the invention of television and electricity..when families wud sit by the fireplace or in a candlelit room at night and read stories out of a book..when it was all about the "family" and spending time together, and more importantly getting things done on time, as opposed to blogging aimlessly in the college library when someone should be working on their assignment. But back to the emotional side of us..Watching a baby walk with a baby walker..seeing a new flower blossom after a few hard days of labor in ur yard, seeing nature in its many attires..an A on ur report card..and (dnt get me wrong..but) watching two strangers fight (especially two women), someone slipping on banana skin, or tearing their trousers in the back...after all what maybe tragedy for others can be comedy for us..sometimes..depending on the situation..u knw what i mean..
u knw what made my day today? watching this man playing with his dog..capering around in the snow as I just happen to luk outside my window..he wud make snow balls and throw them and his little, adorable puppy wud run and try to fetch...and so the show went on for another few minutes..but it was amusing.. enough to inspire me to get out and do the same with my dog..but I'm feelin lazy and its cold outside.. I'm gnna need two shots of Guinness before i do that..hehee..and not to mention my dog is a spoiled, lazy ,unobedient mutt who wnt fetch and instead run out on me.Then i wud have to go find him and lure him into the house with either a treat or a threat...i knw the sight of food always work as an eye candy for my pooch..silly dog acts like we dn't feed him ...if he keeps puttin on carbs like that hes gnna need help gettin outta his bed every morning..u c some dogs are not as smart as shown in the movies..and mine is no exception..but, more abt him some other time..
The whole point here is..if u can't cope up with a puppy, go watch tv.. well not really..the point here is that we tend to overlook little things in our daily shuffle..things that can bring a smile to ur face and give u a realization that this place called earth isn't that bad after all..and u dnt have to go shopping or go watch a movie, get drunk, party till the wee hours in the morning or spend money to please urself...some things just come gratis... :)

ramblings...

aaahh..so much to do, and so much to learn, but i got no time. lucky are those who have some time to spare. As for me, i am so gud at procrastination, i have no problem keeping up with yesterday.
6: 10 pm ..20 minutes before my astronomy class...just finished cramming for the quiz..damn...i know nothing. read an emotive quote on someone else's blog that reminded me of one i read a few months ago, which also became the inspiration for my first poem after many yrs... and so i named it "falling apart"..in case u wanna read : http://insatiablefantasies.blogspot.com/2006/10/falling-apart_04.html
anyways the quote that i am talking about is by Charlie Chaplin, "i love walking in the rain so noone can se my crying" . came up as a surprise seeing his name at the end of the quote...teaches u not to stereotype anyone..well..i learned so..everyone has their moments..i wonder what he was thinking...

Little Red Diary: A diaries ode to its master

Prelude: Following is a sarcastically funny poem (at least it was intended to be )dedicated to the red diary that my dad has cherished for God knows how long. This brave little diary has survived the wrath of my mother and even found its way back home after being accidentally abandoned and tragically torn apart on the roadside. To make things a bit more clear and to make myself sound a little less insane, I'll give u some background info. Well.. my dad has this diary that holds all his important numbers and contacts and what not. Over the last million years the condition of the diary has deteriorated from brand new to a lil' worn out, to decaying matter. It is completely ripped, tattered but my dad refuses to replace it . His excuse.."there is way too much information to be copied." The red diary has surprisingly become a family heirloom..oops i mean..a joke...
(P.S. - the diary is not any type of personal journal for inner exploration of the human psyche..it just holds all the contact lists and stuff in randomological order, which makes it impossible for everyone but my dad to find anything)


LITTLE RED DIARY- A DIARIES ODE TO ITS MASTER

Cryptic words I hold inside
age and time is what I hide
flip through me and i'll tell you a story
of love lost-found, of tainted glory

A cloak of deep, rich red I don
my pages, though precious are somewhat torn
I lived through rain and hot summer sand
I speak of ties in distant land

I've been envied by many all around
with true love I have been bound
a secret lover who wouldn't let me die
it was him all along, who held me by

Oh dearest master how can I
ever repay even if I try
for all the love and care you gave me sir
i'll try best to hold my pages together.

A Place of Solace

Tender mornings are long since gone
stormy clouds usurp the sky
rusty nights bring lifeless hours
every morning, a new lie

With every passing of the storm
no hope buds to life
time seems lost in an eternity
each morning breathes a strife

Chaos of this wintry silence
whispers words into the room
plays with embers from the fire
cheats them slowly to their doom

Quilted memories bleed slowly
a constant reminder how I feel
a painful lesion in the past
that time may never come to heal

Emotions melt away in eyes
trickling down in my face
finding a place to heal themselves
finding a place of solace

Masquerade

The night ascended upon the sky
the sun began to fade
a cavalcade of painted faces
arrived at the masquerade

Clad in their fancies
they got on their toes
and gave themselves away
to music from the shadows

Unsure of what the night would bring
she walked in the ballroom light
her mind a blur, she only had
unfamiliar faces in sight

She stood in a corner, a nervous lass
her shyness screaming out loud
though she had not a clue but she was
being admired by someone in crowd

A greeting from a stranger
took her by surprise
she turned to a young man
with a mask on his eyes

He offered her his company
for the rest of the festive night
she smiled at him delicately
with curiosity and delight

She gazed into his eyes
discerning what they conceal
to know a lil' more of him
from what the eyes reveal

Disguised underneath their masks
they waltzed and they danced
oblivious to the fate at work
they both seemed entranced

Neither of them knew
what the stars had in mind
for the weavers of their destiny
were especially unkind

A glimpse into the mirror
left him zero at the bone
when he saw all this time
he was dancing all alone

Intoxicated with pain
he felt grief at the most
oh how this fateful eve
he fell in love with a ghost.