Giving Wings To Dreams

A slim sweet elf-like newly-wed Capable of stealing the show wherever She would go was in for her first marital blow. "My pretty doll, time to step down from your flimsy cathedra," her husband grinned. Pretty brow was raised and twisted in a pretty way. Her world was giddy for a couple of minutes When she heard the discourse that flew from her handsome husband's mouth. Up she jumped from her cosy couch. She was shaken to her core When she heard her mom-in-law's assigned first chore for her. A ration list she was supposed to compose. Now what to do and how to make the ration list ? Many times, back at her paternal home she had been a witness to her mother's precise jotting down of the list, How foolish she had been in never giving thought to what was included in the contents. Some how in her confident spree She began to pen down the so called list of ration to be. "Shall I check the contents?"  "No, need mom-in-law it's perfect". Newly- wed ...

Twenty years after.... The story still continues... The story of love, faith, cooperation, understanding and at times of misunderstanding, irritation and argumentation... Yet it is the most beautiful tale  As soothing as a refreshing gale. Twenty years after... I wonder what was the life before When we were strangers meant to be beads of the same string that are held tightly by our breaths. Twenty years after.... No one knows us better than ourselves Since now I, me, my has been drowned in the deep well of our life's story. And it's we, us, our for which we strive. Twenty years after... I have a befitting reply when being pointed that l rule you and which is that you own me. My chores , my dreams ,my desires are cherished. My sleep, my smile , my being itself is relaxed Since, l know you are and will always be there to keep me happily alive. Twenty years after... I have seen myself trying to curb my stubbornness and egoistic whims. I have also observed you melt down and devise ...

प्रकृति की छटा जहाँ अद्भूत अपार जिसका अचल अटल पर्वत चहुँ और से करे श्रंगार देवों की भूमि यह है पवित्र पावन भूखंड जहाँ श्रद्धा भक्ति की हरपल जलती जोत अखंड वो है उतराखंड। वो है उतराखंड । यह वो पावन देवभूमि  जहाँ ज्ञान का सागर बहे हर क्षण जहाँ चार धामों में बरसे श्रद्धा सुमन गंगोत्री, बद्रीनाथ ,केदारनाथ और यमनोत्री करें भक्तों का आहवाह्न। जो है सचखंड वो है उतराखंड  वो है उतराखंड। जहाँ सैकडों जीवनदायिनी नदियॉं पवित्र  गंगा , यमुना , मंदाकिनी, भागीरथी और अलकनंदा संग करती है जन-जन का अभिनंदन  वो है उतराखंड। वो है उतराखंड । मोक्षदायिनी माँ गंगा की जहाँ अनंतकाल से बहे निर्मल धारा। देवों की यह भूमि है भूमि वीर बलिदानों की जहाँ दयानंद सरस्वती ने राष्ट्रीय चेतना का किया आगाज़। जहाँ गाँधी संग सत्यग्रह पथ पर उमड़ा जन सैलाब। जहाँ कालू महरा , ज्योतिराम कांडपाल व खड़ग बहादूर से जन्मे देश के लाल । वो है उतराखंड । The land of one and all Where gale when blows breaths of eternal equality and harmony, Where Chaste Bodh monastries, Pristine Churches, pious temples and holy Gurudwaras stand ...

Oh! Pain can you tell me why are you so painful ? I know to many the very first line would be no less than nonsense twaddle. But l won't mind and to you pain my question would always be the same. Why pain begets pain? Why can't your topic if taken by someone under your grip be patiently taken by the rest? Why your mere mention makes the people around spin in a competitive race? A quest to prove that more than the one who mentioned your name whole of the world around is in acute pain? Why when you find a new prey, Why when you have a new target, People around can't act as a comforting balm rather than searching for testimony of your presence in your fresh target's medical reports? All fingers are pointed to the credibility of the lab or to the medicine prescribed by the physicist. The person caged in your grip feels as if he has committed a crime and gallows to hang him are readied behind his back. But there are a few diamonds in this world's painful coal mine. It...

Thousands of contact numbers flash on my phone's screen with just a click on contacts list. But, my soul yearns to dial that one contact number whose digits for me  and infact for all are anonymous. That one contact number whose network is nondescript. That one contact number which can never be registered or traced. Often l dial that number when l am lost in sound sleep, Even in sleep it seems my luck plays hard since from the other end no voice is heard as the call goes forever unanswered. That one contact number has ten or more characters how to find ? To which nation or territory that number belongs is Herculean to take hold off. That one contact number whose recipient's sugary voice in my ears always rings but owner of that voice is now faceless. During my ups and downs, Rise and fall, Success and failures, Pains and joys , l yearn to dial that one contact number whose  misty receiver is all over the place, on my every side yet l am so helpless and unable to hear that...

I salute my nation since l am a proud lndian. An lndian fortunate to be born in the biggest democracy. An lndian blessed to tread upon the land of the great hermits and sages. All the above is what we have learnt since infancy. But, don't you agree our India has still a long way to walk , If in terms of meeting the scales of international progress we talk? A question constantly rages and torments us all, When would we greet that golden appointed hour when our great nation would become a super power? Believe me if we dive deep and down, Trust me if we try to delve and draw a conclusion, We would for sure comprehend that lndia our beloved nation has not one but multitudes of obstacles. India our sweet nation has not single but multifarious challenges to brave and erase, To be on top of the pedestal to be one among the super powers. To count a few stumbling blocks, The first and foremost challenge that needs immediate operation is the fact that our nation hosts the biggest army of ill...

The Supersonic Train of our life on the wheels of this world is running on and on. Brightly illuminated stations are now and then arrived at, While musty, foggy stations are somewhere in the horizon left behind. Stations once crossed, stations once passed might howsoever yearn for this Supersonic Train to be back on their corroded tracks would stand neglected and ignored. Since this train once flagged off would never ever turn. It would possibly never ever return. To this train one by one new blazing compartments are added while constantly towards shine and glitter it is headed. Alas! during this upgradation process  even this train can't guess, how many of its old compartments were abandoned or removed on the heartless track of its journey better be addressed as life. The young engine of this train is continuously whistling and is brimming with winsome smiles without realising that it also has a similar destiny or fate, Like the Old Engine one day it will also end up in a junkyard...

Covetous sweet slumber why do you always intend to cuddle mostly when we are going through an edifying process? Envious sweet slumber you have become bitingly bitter by looming, by advancing at this hard-pressed hour.  Right now, we have so much to hear At this instant, we have so much to fear. We have to be there at our duty's beck and call. A third eye is keeping a vigil over us. Brief us how can we be on your soothing swing while ceaselessly we can hear the chime of duty deafeningly ring? This is not the apt time for a nap, Since there is no scope, no road of rest drawn on our life's hectic map. Covetous sweet slumber l have  often felt and heard, You have the power to make everyone's vision blurred. You have the invisible wings to fly. No accursed human form can evade your candid touch howsoever, unheard-of tactics he might try. Envious sweet slumber, You might question and wonder whether l just behave or am genuinely a bipolar? How can l be so dicey? Dicey for addressi...

"Mom , please tell me ten synonyms of the word 'ire'." Thirteen year old Juhi pleaded with her mom Ragini, an English teacher by profession. "Juhi, l have told you tons of times not to expect any assistance from me while it's about your home task. You better consult a thesaurus or a dictionary." "Okay mom."Juhi sprang up for her mom's cell phone. "Don't you dare Juhi. Your eyesight has already become poor. Go take dictionary from my bedroom cupboard."Ragini's stern tone made Juhi reluctantly look for a dictionary out of so many English books. Ragini had treasured almost every literature and language related book since she was herself in matriculation. Juhi was baffled to pick one out of more than a dozen dictionaries of different sizes that were arranged according to size by her mom. She selected for herself a black stiff covered dictionary having the title'The New Advanced Oxford Dictionary.'  "Mom , who is R...

यह भूमि आर्यों की यह भूमि भारत की  जन जन का जहाँ हो  कल्याण।  मानव जीवन का  हो जहाँ उत्थान। यह भूमि आर्यों की यह भूमि भारत की  भौतिक से पहले हो जहाँ अंतधर्यान। खुद से पहले अतिथि का रखते हैं जहाँ ध्यान। यह भूमि आर्यों की यह भूमि भारत की अतिथि देवो भवः और ऊँ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः   मूलमंत्र है जिसकी संस्कृति की पहचान। यह भूमि आर्यों की यह भूमि भारत की जहाँ ज्ञान की बहती निश्चल धारा। जहाँ हरपल अँधियारे मिटाते अमर अजर वेद पुराण। यह भूमि आर्यों की। यह भूमि भारत की। जहाँ जन्मे  दयानंद और हंसराज से रत्न महान। यह भूमि आर्यों की यह भूमि भारत की जहाँ सदियों से ऋषि मुनियों ने ध्यान और योग अपनाया।  तन मन का किया योग से श्रेष्ठ निर्माण  जिसे माने आज विज्ञान। यह भूमि आर्यों की यह भूमि भारत की जहाँ यज्ञ,ध्यान और योग का नित डी. ए.वी. देते ज्ञान जहाँ 'स्वस्थ हो भारत का' हर डी.ए.वी. में नित बजता है आलाप। पूर्व हो या पश्चिम  उत्तर हो या दक्षिण अब हर और योग है छाया। आर्यों की यह है पहचान। विश्वपटल पर योग का है परचम लहराया। तो आओ मिलकर सुबह शाम करे हम योग...

'Did you get your first dose? Have you received your first jab? Did you get your registration done? Have you been injected?' have become the common sentences of everyday greetings. How to get registered? How to book a slot ? Was something really difficult to find. For those who are able to manage that it's fine. But tragedy is for people like mine. It's second year in fear since deadly virus is everywhere in the air. That's the reason why Everyone wants to try that pricking sensation on top of their arms. Filled with the elixir from a glass voil.  The World seemed heavenly few months behind Since there were three more years left for me to be forty five. But on April 1, l realised to think that way l was the real April fool. I am sure you want to know 'how?' Since vaccination was open but only for those who were forty five and above. Here l must point that l know a few Who were surprisingly  from just plus thirty five suddenly turned out to be forty five. Day...

Oh! Young fisherman's boy, haven't you paid heed to the weather alert,the warning issued to run towards the shore? Then why do you wish to venture offshore? Oh! Young fisherman's boy, Why have you rolled up your sleeves? Can't you see all seasoned boatsmen have already securely anchored their boats? Aren't you afraid of drifting due to high currents? Oh! Young fisherman's boy, Your arms are quite brittle to row a boat in a vehement gale. Espy discreetly it's not a replica, the wooden toy that your angler father might have given you. Oh!Young fisherman's boy, look at the dreadful murky overcast skies. Can't you realise it's not the right moment to be near the foggy sea? Didn't your elders preach you that you can't fish when the sea is seething and turbulent? Didn't your elders teach you to guard yourself from being caught like the fish in the whirlpooling net of the agitated sea? 'Ah! Of course l can see that today isn't the ri...

Today you are eighteen, Eighteen is not just a number, It is not just another day,date or year. My son, my pride,my lifeline eighteen is an alarm to make you awake, to make you aware that you have crossed that line from where you should be discreet enough to choose what is for you best and fine. Eighteen is a warning bell that now on it's you and your ways which are going to make your life a paradise or a living hell. Eighteen is a digit that proves now you are much sturdy,  That now you are  stronger , bolder and ripe enough to carry the loaded basket of responsibilities christened LIFE on your shoulders. Eighteen is a year, when you need to gear, gear up to hold the reins of your life and brace yourself to bear each and every struggle and strife. Eighteen is the boundary line that once you cross, you have to bid adieu to your childhood,to your tantrums,to your whimsical wishes and fancies. Since, from now you are going to hold, you are going to control, The reins of your pre...

I bow before you  humanity's invisible foe. I know you have stealthily entered my and my dear ones' abodes. Door, window or some crevice which one was your entrance is quite cumbersome to know ? But for some time l know you are going to stay. I know during this fortnightly unwelcomed stay you are  Gradually taking roots and are about to grow But eventually you have to go. You came in some indiscernible disguise  Making futile everyone's careful attempts to prove themselves wise. A little more caution, A little more precaution, A little more care and concern, Where did all that little more go wrong? Bitten by you ,all your vulnerable preys are holding their ever spinning, churning heads in their scared, feeble hands pondering over were they fools to consider themselves strong? The invisible line that separated us from multitude of those gasping for breaths, That separated us from lakhs of those who are queued up outside dilapidating ,full to twice than their capacity, buil...

श्री राम ही जाने कैसा समय का यह फेर है? जिधर देखो हर ओर अब हेर-फेर है। जब "मैं" बहन तो भाभी बुरी । जब "मैं" भाभी तो ननद चालाक-चतुरी। ना जाने कौन सा कलयुग का यह दौर है? देखकर आज भाई- भतीजे अब क्यों अकसर बहनों के दिल जले? सदियों से मायका था वीर का। पर फिर आज जो भाई-भाभी का घर बसे तो लुटेरे और साँप की तरह कुडंली मारने का उन पर कलंक चुभे तीर सा? ससुराल में बेटी -बहन बोझ और मायके में कभी खत्म ना होने वाली ज़िम्मेवारी। वर्षों जो भाई  ज़रूरत पड़ने पर बहन का हाथ थामे जो वक्त आने पर देखकर बहन के सिर पर सुख की छाया अपने परिवार का रूख करे तो भी अँगुली उसी पर उठे। तो भी उसे दुआएँ क्यों ना मिलें? कानून का लेकर सहारा ना जाने कितनी बेटियों ने है अपना मायका बिगाड़ा? झूठे आँसू ,झूठी दलीलें एक बार ईमानदारी से जो मतलबी बहनें अपनी तिजोरी, अपना बैंक बैलेंस गिन ले तो शायद वह कर पाएँ समय पर पश्चाताप। पुश्तैनी संभाल कर सोना भी जिनके भाग्य में ना हो चैन से सोना, ऐसी बहनें रखें याद भाभी के भाईयों और मायके से जिनको है जलन बस एक बार,बस एक बार मायके में उसका भी देख लें चलन। जो जान जाएँ भाभी की तरह ...

On March 28, seven decades ago Pre-eminent Lord with His pious hands plucked an angelic, the purest, the brightest star from His supreme galaxy which had long adorned the crest of paradise and made him go. Made His angelic star go and glow the earthly abode of a saintly couple. Years rushed by and in that abode the heavenly star with his aura created his own galaxy. Little did the angelic star realise that he was the sole reason of bringing smiles on the countenances of his companion and four little twinkling stars of his own galaxy. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes,famines or draughts of this myriad, evitable world he always bore on his back shielding his little ones. All hot gusts  bound towards his home The heavenly  star would bore quietly everytime loosing a little lustre. Always aspiring to make sure that his four stars would enjoy the bliss of cool breeze. The angelic star would superficially bloom constantly while subjected to the greed, jealousy, heartlessness,cruel...

There was no hurry or worry after a tedious back breaking month. There was nothing pending at my work place. And, as far as my home front was concerned there wasn't any laundry mocking. Mocking to be tended nor there was any superficial household chore to curb my spirits any more. Realising well that ,that break, that leisure was not ever lasting but was like a miniature refreshing afternoon nap. Realising well that in a week there was going to be another U-TURN  and I won't find easily any nap or gap to give vent to my heartbeats by jotting down something , by removing my creative Pen's cap. My mind was blank as if my writer's instinct was in a famine  In the writer's soul there was a complete void or in terms of science there was a giant black hole. There was neither motivation nor imagination, there was no hint or clue from where to begin, there were no flowers or petals to make a garland, There were no beads to create a string. It was then when one of my dearest...

"Prapti ,dear give me two capsicums if you have? My children want to have noodles for lunch and we have missed Saturday fresh veggies market." as always Avika entered her best friend cum neighbour Prapti's house. Their friendship had known no bounds since last seventeen years ,when duo had come into neighbouring houses as the newly wedded daughter-in-laws. Life for Avika was like a smooth sail so far while Prapti's world had witnessed many whirlpools. She had come in a joint family where her husband had an extended family with five siblings. Soon after her wedding Prapti had won admiration in the vicinity due to her extremely devoted and homely nature. But mostly her devotion was ignored by her immediate family who took her for granted. Round the clock she would grind her bones for her in-laws. Avika on the other hand enjoyed a blissful life and stepped out of her home to join her husband's business. With in three years of her marriage Avika attained motherhood tw...

You were,you are and you will always be there, In the sunshine, In the sunshade, When day breaks and when the day is called off. You were,you are and you will also be there, Behind my smiles, Behind my tears, In all my joys and sorrows, During all my ups and downs. You were,you are and you will always be there. At times near, At times far, appearing and disappearing in fancies and fantasies, in thoughts and memories, You were, you are and you will always be there. Incarnation of the Almighty As parents,as siblings,as my kids As friends,as well wishers As my soulmate,as my life mate You are like Him the Prime Mover great You were, you are and you will always be there. Always giving ears even to what l don't say, Always doing even those things for me for which l don't ask for, Always forgiving and ignoring mistakes that l commit. You were, you are and you will always be there. Always there to hold me even before l fall. You who are as chaste and pure as fresh snow flakes. You who...

Oh! Little lamb Where have you strayed ? You don't know unknowingly you have ended up into the circle of darkness. Were you enticed by some mirage or it was verdure that had forced you to cross your bounds? Innocent sheep's vulnerable baby your delicate ,cute lamb skin for hyenas and hounds in ambush is no less than a delicacy. If by chance you dodge and from them you survive , there is that supreme horrible animal on two legs, whose brain walks faster than his feet. For whom your shiny fur, your delicate skin is the best leather for designer bags and wallets, In case you are rejected by his dining plate. How unwise you have been in not displaying esteem by giving a gentle ear to the prudent herd leaders who were around you to guide and cheer? Why did you enter into the circle of darkness? Rulers of darkness the predators have no praise for your soft heart, elegance and grace. How could you leave your gregariousness? Your meek bleat is too feeble to pierce this circle of darkne...

On surfaces friendly faces, Full of envy replete with evil jealousy. When they fail to follow your trail Thousands of flaws and faults in your work they trace. The poet wants to scream," l am not a part of your rat race." "You can't do this, you can't do that" This is what they would publically yell. The higher your flight the more they fright. At any cost stooping down to mean levels They intend to erase your being by clipping your wings and crippling your soul. For them you and your back breaking ventures turn out to be stumbling blocks, Which by hook or by crook they intend to crush and pierce, Using their biting tongues The moment your back is turned towards the flock. Your spirits are being crushed, Your confidence is being shaken, Your creativity is being murdered, Your heart is being broken. Mostly by those whom you trust the most. Beware, by chance if you stand for yourself and Give voice to your bleeding soul. You will for sure be blamed by them and...

Oh! Little bird It's not time to fly or fright. See, your little nest an eagle has eyed. How could you be so carefree and novice? When the one hovering over your sky was so toxic and vile. Picking adroitly on the best sticks, leaves and twigs You had flown sky-high to prepare your roost on a towering Cedar. No one can deny that you were sane and prudent, When to procreate you had flown the way top to your little seed bed. While you were not around, Your little sweet home she had spied. The honeyed sound of life from your nook Was strong enough to entice that crook. Notice , that grisly eagle has got ready to pounce like a puma , To wipe off your tiny, vulnerable,innocent cradle from the face of the earth. Alas! Your little ones' whimper is too feeble to cast any effect on the cold-hearted vulture. Behold, how pathetically the crown of the benevolent Cedar is shaking. If it could gaze then l am damn sure it would have cried its eyes out for you. You for whom strewn twigs and lea...

Advent of January When the Empress winter is in her full form, When with her invisible magic wand She wraps the hills and the northern plains with a bone chilling wave, With a cold ringed circle of deadly fog. When even a cock won't sing its customary alarm song Or a bird would chirp before it's long past dawn. Two blank eyes were glued one evening on a small cardboard. His glare was fixed on a small pole outside a grocery stall. Lost to the world Both his poor, bare hands were busy with a Mehendi keep filling the colours devotionally in the visage of the Goddess Durga, an epitome of power and strength. Majestic were his strokes while giving shape to the Deity's eyes. But then why that Mehendi artist was all drained out? Why and what was tormenting his dampened soul? The weekly vegetable market around him had hauled the reluctant inhabitants out of their snugged abodes. While all were busy stuffing green, leafy, fresh veggies in their vivid,lively bags and sacks. Why he had...