Allowed SPACES

You give me a room and I will make Space for anything ranging from Clothes to Books to Shoes.

I have a laptop and I ensure that I secure a Space for all my Memories in it.

My phone has Space for my Dropbox, my Contacts and Useful Applications.

The house where I am currently living in has a pretty Garden where there's lots of Space for growing the Flowers I like.

I set aside a Space for my Better Half each day, to speak to/ listen to/ think about him.

I make some Space for Coldplay almost everyday in my to-do list.

Having said that, NonSense is the only thing I shall strive to never ever make S p a c e for, be it in my life, my work, my family ties.

Turbulotropy: Can it be reversed?

It is actually funny that we get all the so-called "precious" advice (unasked and unwanted actually) these days from couples in early/ mid-30s and/ or married for just about, say, 5 years, who had zero idea about where their life was taking them few years back when they were our age, were in a far worse/ complicated/ turbulent situation than ours right now, that too because of their own misjudgments and bad decision making, all this while pretending in front of the world that everything is going smoothly (posting lovey-dovey pics clicked at international locations..not that I am jealous of them), while it was exactly the opposite if you could peep inside their house (if I take the example of one of the couples, everything can be understood from their present health), were certainly not thinking about whether to start a family then, later or never, and are in another kind of turmoil even today!

They have this pesky habit of literally throwing their opinions in the form of "experience" at you, presenting it in a smartly different way each time they meet you, in the hope that you will someday become frustrated by the constant reminders and ultimately implement what they desire. And yes, when the D-day arrives, they don't even give a damn to it, and very conveniently embark on another mission to show you that "You can NEVER WIN...Ha Ha Ha Haaaaa"!!

Don't know when such people will start empathizing instead of frantically advising, distracting and "confusing" "The Less Informed Ones" all the time, and begin focusing on the chaos in their daily routine.

Agreed, that they have achieved what they thought was necessary for them as per their situation, agreed they have spent more number of years as couples, agreed that they finally have a kid (who is thankfully keeping them busy), and agreed that Avengers: Infinity Wars is an amazing movie (and I am serious about this one)!

However, they must know that the universe is not going to end if they stop acting/ looking "mature and wise" in front of "younger couples" and start thinking about themselves, their families, their children, their careers and their well-being as a priority.

There can be better hobbies than "We-couldn't-make-it-that-way-so-we-wouldn't-let-You-have-it-this-way-either" I suppose. :I :X

The Perennially Tired Girl

I'm so tired of this routine
Of these rules, made for everyone but applicable somehow only to me
Of this monotony that has completely engulfed my existence
Of this train that picks me up at the same station and drops me at the same station everyday
Of people who I believe are not worthy of my company
Of those who remember me only when they are in dire need
And of those who leave no chance to unnecessarily mock at me when it is them who are guilty on the inside, everytime
Of expectations of every possible size, irrespective of whether I'll be able to fulfil them
Of waiting for the moment when I will feel happy and satisfied from the core of my heart, and not just to show it off to other people by putting an empty smile on my face
Of the nervousness when I know for sure that I'll get a cold response which I don't deserve at all
Of the inability to understand why do I always try to bow in front of even those who I know will never ever respect me for who I am or even my perspective
Of all-time pessimists
Of this surprisingly slow life of mine
Of not getting enough sleep, and that too a peaceful one

- Disha

How rotten tomatoes can spoil your appetite

When you go to the supermarket to buy tomatoes, you find that some are lying loose while some are comfortably packed. You reach out for the loose ones, start inspecting them one by one, even like some of them, and just as you are going to pick up the polyethene for the ones you like, your hand stops as you notice that on the side shelf, the packed ones look equally good, and some appear even better.

And suddenly, you think 'Oh! They look so shiny and bright red on the outside, and are not very soft as well! So they will last a few days or even weeks', and although they are slightly expensive than the loose ones, you go for them. In fact you pick up two packets which makes a dozen and then happily go to the counter to pay for them, without observing them as keenly as you did to the loose lot.

You reach home, all excited to cook your favorite meal. You hurriedly open one packet of tomatoes and are pretty satisfied with all the contents. So you cook, eat and sleep.

Two days later
It is time for you to use the tomatoes in the other packet. And when you open it, to your surprise, you find that one out of the six is totally rotten, with its one half white and the other half smashed, and to an extent that you can clearly see it has affected the other five as well. Some are on the verge of becoming too soft, while some have black holes in them, so they as well are not fit to be consumed. You think to yourself- 'I kept them in the refrigerator in the as packed condition, did not open them, even the expiry date is two weeks later and the other ones were just fine.'

Well, it eventually becomes clearer to you then that red tomatoes are not green bananas. They won't ripen as days pass. They will remain red tomatoes.

So you have learnt a lesson now that when you go to a store, you pick tomatoes carefully, because when you are about to make your favorite dish and find a rotten tomato, you won't feel pity for it or the other way round, you won't be sad about the money it cost you at the store, neither will the tomato feel guilty and apologize to you or its fellows, but you will only regret not getting to prepare and relish your favorite meal when you had been waiting for it the whole day, to enjoy the flavor of your chosen tomatoes in it.

Instead, you miss the feeling of becoming lost in the aroma that surrounds you when the tomato bits splash inside the pan, start doubting your choices, and the next time you plan to cook that dish again, possibly you may get haunted by just the thought of that one rotten tomato that ruined your appetite for that delicious meal you deserved.

-Disha

Destiny: Just started believing in it

If all that matters is the day after tomorrow 
If all that bothers you is money that is not yours 
If you think there's nothing you can do
Then stand still for a while and take it easy!

Ever wondered why a bird builds its nest in a tree
When another one finds a home inside a burrow
Or why would an ant dig deep inside the earth
When it knows that it has to come out every day

How does a carpenter know
If the job requires a hammer or an axe
Or how does a new-born child differentiate
Between parents and strangers

I am a human like you
We came across the same path 
I chose that path for a living
You took it just for a stroll

There can never be as many reasons
As the countless stars in our galaxy
Just a necessity that acts like a barricade
That makes us ponder upon our own certitude

An onlooker might think it's our own preferences 
I would rather say it is Destiny's call.
     
                                                                                                                  - Disha

                                                                                                                     

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ आँधी और बारिश~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

आज चली है जो

घर से निकल के

पहाड़ों को चुनौती देती हुई

पेड़ों को कुचलती हुई

आँखों में धूल झोंकती हुई

ऐसी आंधी कभी देखी नहीं पहले

खुद पर इतना ऐतबार है

और साथ ही गुरूर भी

सोचती है कि किसी तरह बस रौंध दूँ

उनको जो रास्ते में आते हैं

और उनको भी जो कहीं दूर खड़े हैं

शायद उन्हें भी जो  मुझसे इत्तेफ़ाक़ नहीं रखते

लेकिन एक मुसाफ़िर है

जिसे न डर है न शिकवा

जो कभी भी रोक सकती है

इस कहर को

हाँ वो बारिश ही है

जो उसका नाम मिटा सकती है 

कहने को तो सिर्फ बूँदें हैं

पर पानी भी तेज़ाब बन सकता है 

सैलाब की तरह बरसती है 

जिससे आंधी का वजूद  ही न रहे 

     लेकिन यह बूंदें अंजान हैं कि एक आंधी का विनाश होते ही दूसरी चल पड़ेगी, एक नयी उम्मीद लेके

बारिश का सामना करने

उसकी बनायी दीवार को लाँघने । 

                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          - दिशा

Another Outlook: Try Viewing it from a Different Angle

Life appears to be difficult at times if we view it from a topsy-turvy perspective, a perspective that may not lead to the right path every time.

We want to achieve so much in life that we almost neglect our present, and assume that each day is going to be tough. In search of a perfect lifestyle and an ideal future, we become part of a rat race. We want to constantly keep running and grasp opportunities coming our way, till we reach the destination that we have always dreamt of.

However, it is worth mentioning here that dreams can be misleading, as many a times, they are overpowered by prejudice. 

I want to reach the top of the mountain, so I will pursue as many courses as possible, as they will get me a job with a salary sufficient enough to buy a bungalow and a luxury car (and to make other people jealous). I will change my job when I am tired of working in the same environment everyday and fed-up of the fact that the increment that I receive belongs to the same percentage category every year. Even if I change my job, I will certainly find some shortcomings in my new company, be it the colleagues, my salary or the management. 

In short, am I really aware of what I am doing with my life or what really fascinates me and encourages me to move forward? I want to face every possible challenge but is it that meaningful or even necessary to face them?

We never give a thought to what actually makes us content, rather we spend our entire life in choosing complicated paths to reach that ultimate pile of money with which we can buy stuff that we think would be able to gratify our ever-growing needs and desires. However, even in this so-called modern era, many of us have no clue about how, where or in what quantity should we spend our hard- earned (rather hardly earned) fortune! 

We are never satisfied with, in fact not even bothered about what we possess today, because there is always a yearning for what we can grab tomorrow. Our Life certainly deserves better than what we are leading it to. 

So stop where you are and admire what you have.
Devise some effective techniques to serve your country or to contribute to the environment or to support your fellow people.

Try to jump out of the cage and set yourself free!

As W.H. Davies rightly mentions in his poem-

What is this life, if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

मझधार

काश कि मैने सोचा होता

कि यह कश्ती मुझे कहाँ ले जाएगी

क्योंकि आज जहाँ इसने मुझे पहुँचा दिया है 

वहाँ से ना आगे का रास्ता दिखाई देता है 

और ना ही पीछे का रास्ता मुझे आवाज़ लगा रहा है 

इस नदी के बीचों बीच नाव कि दिशा तय नहीं हो पा रही  

क्योंकि लहरों ने जकड़ रखा है  

इस नदी से बहुत दूर जाना चाहती हूँ 

पर यह मझधार मुझे फाँसे हुए है 

शायद अब मंज़िल का मिलना पहले से भी मुश्किल है 

शायद आँधी तूफ़ान थमने का इंतज़ार करना होगा  

                                                                                                                   - दिशा 

Bending the Rules

Disclaimer: This post is in no way influencing anybody to vote for a particular person. It only gives an insight to the confused state that we as the youth of the nation go through every time elections are about to happen. 

Just 6 days to elections, and Dilli meri jaan, aan, baan aur shaan is already feeling the heat and pressure of being the Capital of the world's largest democracy. (On other days, it is neglected just like any other city in India...not that we want other cities to be considered less important!) 

Since posters, writing on walls, banners, cut-outs, flags and hoardings were banned by the ECI, political parties are now left with the option of installing life size advertisements on bill boards attached on bus stops and busy road crossings to attract voters. They are desperately resorting to technology in the form of recorded messages on radio, social networking sites, media, SMS and trumpeting rickshaws to hoard the votes of those who they are supposed to serve after being elected. Their aim is to target all age groups of voters: the young, the middle- aged and the old. But for now, let's just leave out the old and the middle-aged, as I feel that their outlook towards this whole thing called "Election" and "Voting" is already rigid and pretty much pre-decided, rather I would call it sun-baked. 

Focusing on the youth, as per ILO, 66% of India's population is under 35 years of age, which points to the fact that a decent number falls in the 18-35 bracket. Also, as most people are aware, we have student unions in various universities in India, so if your institution has such a union, you get an opportunity to start young and probably have a brighter chance to enter mainstream politics.
Consider this. When a person turns 18, the first thing that comes to their parents' mind is: "Voter ID banwa lete hain iska jaldi se...elections se just pehle tension nahi hogi", which is to be appreciated actually. But weeks before D-day, the elders use various tactics to influence the 18 somethings, to vote for the "party" (not even the "candidate") that they have been vouching for generations. Unfortunately, most of the youngsters are driven into this mad race and they grow up to be adults with no real opinions and little knowledge of the political framework. 

Now there are several reasons for our not applying our brains, despite the inner voice that keeps on telling us otherwise. In decreasing order of significance, here's the reason why:

1) We feel that individual opinion = family opinion.
2) If there is a Student's union in the university (take the case of Delhi), we are influenced by our seniors, and in turn influence our juniors to support a particular group, which eventually leads to the creation of a false image in our mind about the whole system.

3) We are awed by people with great political personalities, who are the talk-of-the-town, good orators and excellent at winning media debates, and suddenly, their "party" becomes our "party".
4) We are way too lazy/ indifferent to look up a genuine source of information that might come in handy to shape our views on politics and to give us a better perspective.
5) We try to make a reputation among our peer group by impressing them with big political words that we pick up from various sources, bragging that we know what's going on and indirectly trying to tell them "Look, I am not a nincompoop!".

By following the above mentioned path, we are falling into an incessant downward spiral and also putting the next generations at risk.

Here, I would like to introduce to the readers an expression called "Practical Wisdom". I came across this phrase through a TED talk given by Barry Schwartz, which I saw on the web. Originally coined by Aristotle, it is derived from the Greek word Phronesis (or prudence). It means that in everyday situations, one needs to have the experience, flexibility and the virtue to pursue what is right. Such a person can be called Practically Wise. 

This phrase was devised by Aristotle when he noticed a group of stone masons replacing a straight ruler with a flexible lead ruler to measure the circumference of columns, which he called "bending the rules". Even today, this simple philosophy that became apparent a long time ago, is applicable. Judges resign when their prudent decisions are challenged, ministers quit when they feel they are being made scapegoats for the wrongdoings of others, employees revolt when they are underpaid. These are but very few examples of practical wisdom.
We, as responsible youth, can apply this simple principle in our daily lives, especially during election season. By using our own intellect, we can take better decisions of whom to vote for. After all, nobody is going to peek through that little space with the EVM inside or grasp your finger and throw you out if you don't follow their commands.

So, once and for all, let's not fall prey to impassiveness, dictatorship or hypocrisy. Let's not believe in the lies of political leaders and fake representations given by workers about their political parties, and instead try to be as well-informed as possible. Use the internet/ newspapers for extracting meaningful details about whatever areas are doubtful to you. Let's not reject that candidate just because he/she is not that cool, is very outspoken or "tarnishes his/her image" by ruining every interview. Let's not get carried away in the debate of whose campaign is more persuasive and effective. Let's not question a candidate's ability to serve the people or accuse him/her based on fabricated facts, without fully knowing his/ her background. Let's not reach to a conclusion just for the sake of concluding.

LET'S BEND THE RULES

Middle Class ka Tag

So finally I got a topic worthy enough to be elucidated in Hindi. Rich people may laugh at it, the poor ones won't have the means to read it ...so that means only the mid cadre folks will be able to read and relate to it...Good luck reading!

एक टैग जो पैदा होने के साथ ही लग गया मुझपे
जुड़ गया हो सरनेम से जैसे
निकलेगा नहीं ये पानी, डिटर्जेंट या तेल से
क्योंकि ये है मिडिल क्लास का टैग

कभी कपडे याद दिला देते हैं तो कभी जूते
कभी स्किन का टेक्सचर तो कभी ये अनगिनत मुहासे बोल दते हैं
ये झड़ते बाल और धूप में फीका पड़ता रंग भी एक ही दास्ताँ सुनाते हैं
जायेगा नहीं तुम्हारा ये मिडिल क्लास का टैग

माँ बाप की बढ़ती उम्मीदें और घटता भरोसा
उनका किसी और बात का गुस्सा तुम पर निकाल देना
उनका तुम्हारी खुशियों से मुह मोड़ लेना
भूलने नहीं देता ये मिडिल क्लास का टैग

उम्र हो जाने से पहले ही घरवालों का शादी शादी चिल्लाना
अच्छे कॉलेज में एडमिशन के लिए एड़ियाँ रगड़ना
जॉब लगने से पहले ही टैक्स प्लानिंग करना
और भी पक्का कर देता है ये मिडिल क्लास का टैग

पैसा सेव करने की स्कीम्स ढूंढते रह जाना
कुछ बड़ा सोचने पर अपनी हंसी उड़वाना
कुछ ना करने पर लेथार्जिक करार दिए जाना
ऐसी ज़िन्दगी जीने पर मजबूर कर देता है ये मिडिल क्लास का टैग।

                                                                                                                                                 -लेखिका 

दिशा वाही 

Off to the City of the Golden Temple

Well I'm writing this post on the special demand of a special friend. Also this might be informative for those who have never been to Amritsar before. So here it goes:

I won't go into the background details, as to how in the world did I get the permission to go with an All-Girls group, or how hard I had to convince my parents, or how heavily it was raining the day I was to leave, etc. etc., as that would require a separate post altogether!! I would jump directly to the part where I am about to leave home for the railway station.

"Dhyan rakhiyo..station pe pahunch ke phone karna, train mein baith ke phone karna, train chal jaye tab phone karna, train Amritsar pahunch jaye tab utar ke phone karna, hotel mil jaye tab phone karna, hotel ka address message karna, kahin bhi jao to cab ka number message karna................................Dhyan rakhna"

These were my Father's standing instructions. Grandmother's set of instructions included these and the following:
" .....Ladkiyan ladkiyan hi hain sirf ya ladke bhi hain...ajkal zamaana kharab hai...darr lagta hai...group mein ladke bhi hone chahiye ek do....." (by ladke, she meant bodyguards actually)

About my Mother, she just asked me to take care. So after the whole melodrama, I was relieved and left home happily for the station.

I was accompanied by my friend. Together we boarded the metro and got down at IP metro station. From there we took an auto till Nizamuddin railway station. I must say I have never seen a filthier place in my entire life. Apart from the mess we just got a stare or two from some people both inside and outside the waiting area. Although the waiting room was meant for ladies, still some men were ignorant enough to be there. I tried to visualize the whole scene like a tourist, and the feeling was far from wonderful! After a while, the other girls arrived too, we headed towards the platform and had a brief introduction session. We passed our time clicking photographs, eating chips and patties and chatting. Upon inquiring about the train, we got to know that it was late by 45 minutes, so instead of 8.15 it would arrive at around 9:00 pm, and we regained our activities.

The train arrived, all of us boarded (safely), except one. The rest of us started searching frantically for her. Few of us even got down and looked for her on the platform, but had to go back since she wasn't there. We were relieved, however, to find her when we got inside. She was there all the time, but nobody saw or heard her somehow. (Girls can be silly at times..please ignore)
After we settled down, we ate the paranthas with aam ka achar that my mother had packed for all six of us, as well as some chowmein, as we were hungry after a long day at work. What followed was total craziness. We had dumb charades and antakshari sessions. We drew the curtains (thankfully it was 3AC), sang at the top of our voices, from the deepest corners of our heart, and danced like mad, without caring the least about people who were passing by (and may be even laughing at us) and even some who were trying to get a good sound sleep! (not to forget the heavily snoring uncle) It was past 12:00 am and we were still awake and alive. Then, few of us (including me) realised that we should probably take some rest. So each of us took a berth and made an effort to sleep (except one or two mobile phone addicts :) ). And i think I, being the laziest person in the group was the first to go into slumber.

Next morning, the first day of March (my favorite month), we woke up, feeling the freshness of Punjab, the Land of Five rivers (and much more). Miles of green fields, small mud and brick houses midst the farms, a big kothi here and there, very few motor vehicles (even spotting a maruti 800 was a miracle), turbaned males, ladies in multi-colored bright patiala salwar suits, kids filled with cuteness and innocence...we watched all of this from within our coach. We bought tea from a chaiwala roaming the corridors, and had it along with hide-and-seek biscuits. It was bliss. We saw Stations passing by-  Ludhiana ... Jalandhar ..... Beas and then finally the much awaited station, our destination-->Amritsar.

Amritsar station is just like any other station but I found it less crowded as compared to what I have seen in Delhi. The weather was a bit cold, but after living in Delhi for so many years, I didn't mind it actually. We got down and were surrounded by auto and taxi drivers. Finally, we settled for a shared auto and loaded ourselves and our baggage in it. On our way, I observed that local sanitation is an issue, but otherwise, it's a city full of life.
The auto dropped us right at the feet of Harmandir Sahib. We had already researched on some of the Niwas Sthans or Sarais that are there in the vicinity and also had the addresses of local hotels. It was decided that we have breakfast first so we deposited our luggage in Guru Ramdas Niwas for a minor amount of Rs 20/-. On our way, we spotted Bubby's dhaba, but the neighboring dhaba saw us first and one of the persons approached us hastily. Just then, the guy from Bubby's dhaba spotted us and started reciting the menu. Both of them had a tug of war, until we finally asked them to stop fighting so that we could decide peacefully. Finally, we settled on Bubby's dhaba. Seating arrangement was done for us. Sitting in a dhaba for breakfast is not something that I experience everyday, still I was wondering what my mother was preparing for breakfast. We ordered 3 paranthas (aloo and gobhi) and 4 tandoori kulchas, with sweet and salted lassi (and the sizes of the paranthas, kulchas and lassi glass were huge!). Our meal arrived and the butter clad paranthas and kulchas (with chhole ki sabzi and curd) along with lassi topped with thick cream were gobbled up within minutes (finger- licking delicious!). I had masala tea in the end (to digest the buttery stuff). The bill was not so delicious, so we tried our hand at bargaining with the dhaba owner (by comparing the prices with Delhi's local restaurants), but had no luck.
Having paid the bill, we took back our luggage and went to Guru Arjan Dev niwas sthan. However, the person at the counter told us that since we were a group of single girls and the niwas was meant for families, we could not stay there. Instead, he asked us to go to Guru Ramdas niwas (Caution: If you are a bunch of single ladies, you can stay only in this niwas). But there, the bath area being shared, we dropped the idea and moved to Hotel Temple view, situated right at the backside of the Akal Takht. We booked two rooms there for a tariff of Rs 1250/- per room (13% service charges extra) and in a few hours, were ready to go.

It was 2:30 in the afternoon, and we decided to visit Wagah border first. We were approached by several cab and shared auto drivers, with rates ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 800. Eventually, after a long (unnecessary) discussion we decided to hire a shared auto. It was not a very comfortable ride (especially when it started drizzling and the cold wind blowing straight into our faces...oohhh it was so chilly), though we made it fun by our giggling and bantering in between. 

The driver dropped us at Mehra dhaba (around 2 km from the main border area) and we had lunch there. However, the food was nowhere close to what we had for breakfast. We clicked photos while washing our hands under the handpump, stopping only when we realized that people had gathered around us.

On our way, we were told that we had to deposit our bags (after taking out all valuables like phone, camera, wallet, etc.), which we did. (There is a separate counter for depositing bags. Please don't give it to the dhaba people even if they insist).

The walk towards swarn jayanti dwar was around 1.5 km. But it was worth it. We were running at times, to stay ahead, to get the best seat with the best view.
At the dwaar, there was separate seating for ladies, gents and VIPs.
There we were, right on the border of India and Pakistan.
The other side could be seen clearly, their soldiers clad in black uniforms, their people with immense enthusiasm, similar to ours. 

The ceremony began half an hour later. Our soldiers marched and performed some stunts. 

Then women were called out randomly from the crowd. They were to run, two at a time, while carrying our national flag till the border gate and then come back. Music was being played in the background, all sorts of famous patriotic songs from movies.

Women and children formed a large group and danced in full patriotic fervor. Next, the flags of both countries were crossed and soldiers from both sides met and shook hands.

At that moment, when I thought this ceremony takes place everyday at this very spot, I was awestruck. We were capturing every moment, taking pictures, making videos of the colorful view (although several VIP aunties stood in between like mountains). The event ended and we went back to our sawari.
The auto dropped us at Durgyana temple. It is built on the same lines as the Golden temple, gold plated on the outside, with the main darbar surrounded by a sarovar. Next, we had dinner at Kesar da dhaba. Again, not very impressive as compared to what we had heard. Lots of oil spoiled the mix veg and daal, and raita was no better. We were able to finish it though, thanks to our empty stomachs. The autowala dropped us near our hotel. He took an increased fare however, for keeping him waiting everywhere we stopped. Before going back, we bought punjabi juttis and slippers from the local market, which was not very cheap (we bargained hard). Day 1 ended on a tired note, but I must say that the journey didn't affect our high spirits at all!
Our plans for Day 2 included getting up at 3 am to watch the palki ceremony of Golden temple, which couldn't happen as we had slept late. Anyhow, we woke up at 7:00 am and got ready by 10:00. It was a bright sunny day.

Harmandir Sahib was hardly a 5 minute walk from our hotel. Upon entering, we saw huge queues (rather herd) of people waiting for their turn to get inside the Darbar Sahib. After half an hour of struggling and pushing among the crowd, we reached the main Darbar.

The shabad and bani, the granthis, devotees bowing at the Holy Granth, gave us a pious feeling.


We then moved upwards, where the original hand written Granth Sahib is kept.

We caught a small glimpse of it, and even tried to click pictures of ourselves once we came out, but were not allowed to do so. The top portion of the Darbar Sahib is entirely gold plated. According to Indian history, the gold plating was done on the orders of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. We also saw the Dukh bhanjani beri, which is a 400 year old tree, kept alive using nitrogen urea and insecticides.

It is supported by various anchors. We then moved towards the langar area. It is a huge space for accommodating hundreds of people, with a massive task force to perform various chores from cutting and cooking vegetables, to washing and arranging the dishes. The coordination is really commendable. After that we were separated for a short while, so me and one of my friends decided to take a walk around the sarovar, where we spotted beautiful orange and black fish.
Upon return, we booked bus tickets for the return

journey (since there was a wait list for the train and our tickets were not confirmed). We checked out of the hotel, but requested the owner to keep our baggage in the cloak room, to which he agreed. Here, I must say that the hotel staff was extremely cooperative.
Moving on, we went to Jallianwala Bagh. It has been turned into a normal park, but it wasn't so in older times.

We spotted bullet marks on walls, martyr's well, a small museum with photos, narratives, old newspaper clippings and books about the 1919 massacre, and the point from where the bullets were fired. Actually, the Bagh used to be private property of the Jalle family, and that's where it got its name from.

After the park, we decided to explore the local market. From there, some of us bought ambarsari vadiyan and papad. We visited the main wholesale market (pretty expensive..lots of bargaining done here as well) and one of us managed to buy a suit from there.

From the market, we went to a local restaurant and had lunch.
In the evening we visited Jallianwala Bagh once again, for attending the Laser show. However, only the audio part was being played. The story of the massacre was being narrated, which ended with Udham Singh killing Michael O'Dwyer and General Dyer. I felt as if I was watching the whole incidence live. When the national anthem was played, it was a moment of pride.

We then visited a restaurant to have makki di roti and sarson da saag for dinner. Up on returning to the hotel, we took our baggage, and hopped on to an auto, that dropped us at Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra ISBT.
Our Punjab roadways Volvo arrived at 9:15 pm. We left around 15 minutes later, with tired but dreamy eyes.
The bus dropped us at Kashmere gate ISBT, and once again we were encircled by a group of auto drivers, charging from Rs 150 to 200. So me and my friend chose the good old Delhi metro instead. And there, I was back home by 7:30 in the morning.
In all, it was a journey full of fun and exploration, that will remain etched in my memory forever. I am looking forward to more of such journeys, as I believe that India is a land of a thousand mystical places, left unexplored.

December Rain

The December rain makes me feel solitary
It lacks the warmth of the March rain
And the tenderness of its July cousin
Or the freshness of its August sister
It comes unexpected, unlike its September sister
And snatches a part of its November sibling
Just to add more chill to its demeanor.

But I have never seen it complain of its short life span
Or the fact that its existence depends on another season
Which is why I eagerly await it every year
And when it comes, enjoy the solitude that it has to offer.
                                                                                                  - Disha Wahi.

Winter Rain...Once again

The Winter Rain feels like monsoon
The wind reminds me of spring
The wet soil gives a feeling that frogs might be around somewhere
The clouds might clear and reveal a rainbow, even in the dark of night.

You might think I have lost it!
But that is just the beginning of my recovery
And not the end of my insanity....
                                                                                                                 -Disha

The Nature of Fire - In its own words

I tried to be water
Creating my own path
Engulfing fertile lands
Forming breathtaking features on the globe
Encroaching the place where there used to be a villager's hut
Home to a million fish
Hope of a suicidal farmer and his family

But I could not
As I refused to be captured by a concrete dam
Because I cannot lose my dignity at the hands of tons of waste
And because I find my esteem diminishing if the clouds cannot bear my burden
and shower me on barren deserted lands
Where malnourished children await me with eagerness.

I tried to be air
Touching each living and non living soul
Flowing across the leaves of a still tree
Evaporating the sweat off a laborer's forehead
Or the moisture from the strands of wet clothes lined in a queue
Teaching a kite how to fly
Entangling a pretty lady's open tresses

But I could not
Because I don't want to blow dust into a passerby's eyes
Because I have never wished to be controlled by a ceiling fan or a cooler
And I have never wanted to become PA to monsoon or spring

I tried to be earth
Promoting growth of some extremely enchanting daisies and sunflowers
Promising a better harvest of wheat each year
Providing a strong foundation for buildings and structures
Becoming mother to all

But I could not
Because I cannot afford to become a junkyard
Because I cannot manifest myself into so many forms as dust, soil and sand, and still look the same
And because I cannot stand the thought of the rich confiscating me and the needy dying on my surface

So I feel I am satisfied being fire
Enflamed with shades of yellow, red, orange 
If you play with me
Beware! You might harm yourself
If you want to go to war
I shall be your weapon
If you are hungry
I shall provide you with a meal well cooked
If you are cold
I shall give you all the warmth unasked for
If you want to celebrate
I shall light your candles
If you want to die
I will be the one to lead you to God.

My nature might be fiery,
Crude, raging or passionate
But you might be misleaded if you think that I am brutal
And if you are still afraid of me
Then you are free to go my friend
But do not return with an intent to change my nature
As I might char you in the process
Just as you would do if I would try to change your nature....
                                                                                                                      - Disha

Tracing hidden lines

It's the story of every young, urban middle class Indian girl, whose ultimate dream is to make a mark and to prove her worth to everybody around her, since the day she's born. It's the journey of her life.
I hope most of the readers, especially the girls, are able to relate to it.


Where did she go?
That bubbly little school girl with two little pigtails
Carrying a bag twice her weight
Happy that she will get to eat ice cream when she returns home in the afternoon
Excited about the summer vacation and the drama classes
Memorizing her lines for the Annual Day function
Studying hard to get good marks
Fares well in +2
Worried about admission to a respectable university
She wants to make her parents proud.

Where did she go?
That young college girl in her first semester
Happy that she could get through the entrance exams!
With a jhola on one side and a drafter on the other
She likes traveling to her college everyday
Cellphone, laptop and books are her companions now
Friends have become an essential part of her life
Struggling to get her focus back on studies
Amidst the numerous fests and events
She manages to steer through her last semester with good marks
Gets a well- paid job even in the time of recession
And that makes her think she is happy.

Now that she has finally achieved everything in life
Has tasted corporate life
Has put on stake everything she has got to reach there
Has learnt to thrive in a society that wants her to get married....

She embarks on a journey, backwards-
"Something was missing....Something is missing", she feels
And that something will always be missing....
Because that Something is her own footsteps
She has been walking on her own feet all this time, that's true
But it's amazing that there are no marks left behind to remember or to be remembered by
No records of the existence of her soul
No dreams, no fulfilled wishes
So her journey cannot be traced anyhow, anymore.....

In The Park- Another evening of hope and nostalgia

This time it's the rain,
Makes me nostalgic once again,
In these moments of loneliness,
Comes a rush of feelings like a smoke billowing train.

Memories, sweet and sweeter,
Circling my head like a roller coaster,
Engulfing me in their charm,
Remind me of that farm and that rooster.

I still remember how we used to make paper boats,
Frogs croaking at the edge of their throats,
Those roads filled with muddy water,
But now it's just umbrellas and raincoats.

Dripping from the edge of the roof, those little droplets,
Appeared to me like a dancer's anklets,
The wings of that sparrow all drenched,
While it was trying to rush to its nest.

The numerous ripples in that lake,
What a sight they often make,
Floating on the surface, that lotus and that lily,
Like cherries on a cake.

The sun used to play hide and seek among the clouds,
That sound of thunder, so loud,
And when the rainbow used to come out of its abode,
The soil in the water emerged as a dry sand mound.

                                                                                              - Disha Wahi

A Day in the Park

It's a beautiful day
Blue sky, green grass
I have a lot to do today
But alas!

The wind has begun to blow
Reminding me of another land
I do not hear the sound of that crow
For this is not my sand.

Skaters and cyclists are all I see
Children and their mothers are all I can hear
I wonder where is that tree
Oh! I wish it were near.

So much to see
Yet I crave to go back
To listen to the buzz of that bee
To see that night, that colour so black.

Hours becoming days
Days becoming weeks
The pendulum, slowly it sways
I can almost hear the emptiness speak.

The noise is not the same
Nor is the silence
But they are not to blame
For it is my own inner turbulence.

Now as I am about to leave this park
Flashes of that neighbourhood come, yet again
Where is that dove, that dog's bark?
Where is that sun, that crowded lane?

                                                                                                            - Disha Wahi

The Plague

All of us have listened to stories of all kinds during childhood. Some of them managed to inculcate moral values in us and left a huge impact on us. Through this poem, I have tried to rejuvenate those days of storytelling. It talks about a king who, due to his arrogance and malevolence, lost the only thing dear to him.

It was an era of kings and queens

A time of coins in bronze, gold and silver

When the globe was just blue, brown and green

With spotted deer on the banks of every river.

I narrate the story of a king and his kingdom

The king being a miser as well as a dictator

With less prudence and lesser wisdom

He was a ruthless ruler.

The land was often barren

And the peasants were often starving

But the royal treasure was always laden

With pearls, jewels, necklaces and rings.

Seasons came and seasons went

But there was not even a hint

Of that wet, earthy, promising scent

That would give the dry patches a healthy tint.

The poorest of the poor apprehended-

" The Rain God is angry with us."

The average peasant retorted-

" It is just a temporary phase; Don't make a fuss!"

The rich zamindar affirmed-

" No worries, I have an everlasting stock."

And the brave soldier declared-

" Food or no food, I am as tough as a rock!"

The talks reached the king's ears

And as expected, he said-

" Let them starve! Who cares?

They are as good as dead!"

One fine day, little Ravi went running 

With tears in his eyes, to the old physician

"My brother is very ill, he is whining.

Please come and see what can be done."

The physician examined the two year old

With experience and the instruments he had got

"Holy God! Lo and behold!

This boy here is plagued!" and left his body to rot.

One went down, others followed suit

The kingdom became the Land of the Dead

The plague became an epidemic, constantly spreading its roots

Devouring all in the family, from the child to the head.

But the king was unmoved by the catastrophic event

Became deaf to the loud wails of the folk

On his ego, he was hellbent

While the land and its people were broke.

Then a day came, when in his own palace

A shriek went thundering through the walls

For now it was his own daughter in the maze

Trapped by the Devil itself, above all.

Oh! What a pitiful sight it was!

And Oh! How the king shed tears!

And Oh! How he broke all his laws!

And Oh! How he cried- "Don't leave me, my dear!"

But the disease would not leave her

Even after the king offered his own soul

And the entire realm watched in despair

Its own downfall, with the plague taking toll.

She died, leaving behind a remorseful man

But her end taught him a lesson

That The Plague never belonged to another Clan

It was within him all the time, lurking there in the form of a Demon.

                                                

                                                                                                  - Disha Wahi

Declared a Girl

Note for the readers: This post does not refer to a particular girl's life. It is a common observation made by the author, keeping in mind the kind of circumstances that some girls still have to endure, whether in a large city, in a sub- urban area or a village. Also, the emphasis of this post is on the small things or instances that make difference to a girl , rather than the larger aspect of it.

So here it goes......


I write a story here and now,
A story of a girl, like you and me,
I happen to know it by heart, don't know how,
But I guess it was meant to be.

The day she was born, born a girl,
Some were happy, most were not,
Some were indifferent, some were in a whirl,
"What about all those gifts we bought?"

"You are not supposed to go there. It is dangerous."
"You can't be sitting idle when there is so much work in the kitchen."
"Why don't you smile? Is it too tedious?"
Were words she was being subjected to since, God knows when!

"Leave it! Your physical strength does not permit you."
or
"It is out of your brain's scope to solve it."
Were the words, that to her, started sounding true,
And one fine day, she said to herself, "I Admit."

She ignored what was best for her,
Not caring to grab what all girls her age had,
At times trying to calm a lonely tear,
Trying to forget the disparity between good and bad.

Nevertheless, she sustained, she grew,
Like a lotus in a messy bog,
With people's foul sayings clinging to her like a flu,
She survived the constantly hovering fog.


Where did she go.......

I suppose she still manages to live in some corner of the world,
Where she eagerly awaits the 'Flag of Choice' to unfurl,
But one question remains unanswered-
In a race, when people are declared winners or losers, Why was She Declared a Girl?


                                                                                                            - Disha Wahi.

Flashback archived

Its been quite a long time since my last post. So I have decided to dedicate this post to some "relevant topic"...and by relevance I do not mean relevant to my nation (like Anna's fast unto death or the 2G scam or Kanimozhi's arrest, as much has been written and telecast about them..but I might write about them in my next post), or relevant to my family (my parent's worries about my brother's admission in a college, due next year). Relevance here implies relevance to me...so here it goes..............

The initial three months of the last semester proved to be the best, reason being my first job, my birthday, two of my friends' birthdays, a cousin's marriage, roaming about the markets of Janpath and Sarojini Nagar, a smooth tension- free life and much more. I shopped till I dropped, be it kolhapuris (or something very close to kolhapuris), kurtas or T- shirts (before this, I had always doubted my shopping potential!). After that, life around me suddenly started getting the better of me, but in the process made me a better person. 

Midst the final year project, continuous trips to Bahadurgarh and Karol Bagh, posting innumerable forms for post graduation, witnessing companies coming for on- campus placement and giving vivas and presentations, a very different flavor of life came out in the open. It captivated me completely (both literally and figuratively!!).

People who were just classmates before became close companions (courtesy: 'project'). We braved the heat stroke together, crossing all barriers of distance and time, so engrossed in the project work, that appearing for exams seemed to be a formality, a ritual that we had been performing for the past seven semesters (what more can one expect from final year students?). But then hard work pays. Our project was selected for the inter- college competition, and we brought laurels to our college by winning the first prize. No one was expecting an all- girls team to give such a spectacular performance at this level, but then they could not deny the fact that our concept was feasible and more importantly, we thoroughly knew what we were saying and what we had fabricated, and that's the way the cookie crumbles (Copyright: Bruce Almighty)!!

Then came the end term examination. At first, it seemed that this is the last exam of my life, but there are many more exams yet to come. But one thing that I am going to miss for sure, wherever I go, will be my college- IGIT, and every single being, living or non- living,  associated with it.


Well now, there is a whole new horizon ahead and an entirely diverse world beckoning me towards itself!!