जब ठंडी हवा बदन से चुके गुज़र रही है

तुम टोपी पहन के सुबह सुबह बगीचा में बैठ के
सिसकी लेते हुए चाय पीते मुझे ही याद कर रहे होंगे
वो जो तुम्हारे मुँह से सफ़ेददुआं निकल रहा है
नरमी से मुझसे लिपट के कहता हैं , मई हूं तुम्हारे साथ

मानो ऐसे , जैसे हमारे बीच ये सात समुन्दर की दूरी हैं ही नहीं


तुम्हारे टोपी के नीचे जो बिखरे हुए बाल हैं
शायद हर सुबह मेरा इंतजार करते होंगे
मेरी उंगलियों की आदत सी जो हो गयी हैं उन्हें
जल्द लौटा दो मुझे मेरे वो पल


 हर सुबह अखबार पड़ने से पहले
तुम्हारी चश्मा  छुपाती थी
और बहुत दूर जा कड़ी होती
ताकि तुम बार बार मेरा नाम लो
तुम्हारी पुकार सुन सुन के
आहिस्ता आहिस्ता जिंदगी से मोहब्बत सा हो गया हैं
मेरे वो दिन लौटा दो प्लीज
 


गरम पानी मेरी बोतल में भर के,
मेरा सारा सामान मुझसे पहले मेरी गाडी में पोहोचते थे
इतना प्यार शायद किसीने कि सीसे नहीं किया हो
ये एहसास बार बार दिलाते थे

साथ में सब्ज़ी काटना चौंकना, मेज़ सासजाना ,
आखरी रोटी के २ टुकड़े करके खाना
कितने मस्त थे हम साथ साथ


एक आइसक्रीम का
चाकलेट हिस्सा मेरा, वैनिला तुम्हारी
जन्नत सा लगता था
अब तो फ्रिज भरी पड़ी हैं चोकोबर से मगर वो स्वाद ही न रहा


कब आएं गे फिर वो दिन,
कब हम दोनों सुबह और शाम एक साथ देखेंगे
मेरी wine और तुम्हारी चाय
तुम्हारी whiskey और मेरी coffee
क्या यूँ ही स्काइप  पे चियर्स करते रहेंगे ?
जल्द लौट आना प्लीज

कई अरमान सजाये हैं मैं ने
तुम्हारे लौट आने पे ये करेंगे वो करेंगे
ऐसा करेंगे वैसा करेंगे
हर आहट पे ऐसा लगता हैं

जैसे तुम आने ही वाले हो
बस आ ही गए हो

अब भी  जब ठंडी हवा बदन से चुके गुज़र रही है
न जाने क्यों ऐसे लग रहा है जैसेतुम्हारा दाहिना-हाथ पीछे से मेरे कंधे को दबाते हुए दिलासा दे रहा हैं
मै जल्द आ रहा हूं,  बस थोड़ा और इंतजार करो,  मई जल्द आ रहा हूं

WHY TOASTMASTERS !

My decision to join the toastmaster’s program was based on and influenced by the first-hand account and experiences of a friend. My main agenda was to retire my fear of being on stage and try to invest into my (at best) modest diction, vocabulary and confidence, and collect upon them later.

If the summary of my experiences of the past few months were to be to weighed against that of my expectations, I would say the scale is balanced, and that I have found or learnt everything that I had hoped or wished for.I have gained and yet have lost nothing. 

Akin to a sculptor, chiselling and chipping away at unnecessary rock and stone, revealing the beautiful curves and contours of the hidden statue inside, the sessions and classes of the toastmaster have bought out the confidence in me. It has peeled back the layers of fright and dread covering and shadowing my ability to be loud and clear in front of the crowd. To speak with clarity, and not mumble. To be loud, yet not brash. And to present with charisma, and not falter.

Toastmasters has shown me that one need not possess a creative streak or the skill it takes to be an orator nor be born with an aptitude for the language. These are skills that one can hone. That you can learn through practice and repetition. And I can say with pride I have done so. Never have I ever commanded such control and grip over vocabulary and deeper understanding of the rules and intricacies of grammar.

In Toastmasters, I have found a fraternity sans discrimination. It is a safe space where I see that I can stumble fall and fail, and yet be received back with open arms and encouragement. I have found a college of scholars with an unparalleled cumulative encyclopaedia and an arena with a caucus so fierce to put the halls of Rome to shame. And I am proud to find myself a party and privy to their discussions and debates and to learn and teach more than I ever could.

I want to continue being a toastmaster for a lifetime, being a Hindu by faith, I believe in life after life, making the accumulation of knowledge a continuous process, and a skill learnt will never be forgotten or lost even if the life in one body form comes to an end. It is a blessing that I got introduced to toastmasters the least in the ’40s of my life. I discover a new me every Friday morning, surprising my yesterday’s self which stares at me in unbelievable amusement, that my knees don’t wobble anymore when I hold a mike to address a gathering.

 This is going to be a remarkable journey, a journey of transformation, of evolution, of discovering and rediscovering the multiple shades of a beautiful, confident person lurking inside me.

I am a proud yet humble Toastmaster.

Sangeeta Reddy (0657-2139)

AVATAR  toastmasters club (7521449)

Area 3, Division J.

District 41.

pm speech after scrapping article 370, on 8th august 2019

Whenever the prime minister decides to address the nation, netizens come up with funny memes and images.
Today was no different, the jokes and caricatures came in as a sigh of relief from the anxiety we suffered while eagerly waiting for his address to the nation.
Though his speech was a little repetitive and jingoistic, it undoubtedly made an impact.
He repeatedly spoke about the rights of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, started the speech by invoking the sacrifice made by Shri Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
In his words ……………….
The country and people were taking things for granted, they have even given up discussing scrapping of 370 and 35a, they stopped believing that change is possible and impossible can be done. He explained that There was on one available to explain the benefits of article370, all it did in past 70 years is help Pakistan in instigating violence in India which led to the death of 42500 innocent people.
He congratulated people on starting this new chapter where people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will have equal rights and responsibilities like any other Indian.
The progress which never happened, the rights which were upheld will now be delivered, he took it as his responsibility to safeguard the future of every citizen of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
No government will make rules which will work against the good of nation, debates and discussions inside and outside the parliament is an ongoing healthy continuous process.
Not everyone will have the same view or opinion on any issue, it is normal to have different ideologies but what matters is once a decision is taken, we all should take it forward and concentrate and contribute in implementing it harmoniously, every citizen of the nation should take part in it.
He spoke for daughters and sisters of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh encouraging them to come and make their society a progressive one.
Elsewhere in India Dalits are protected by st, sc acts, minorities are protected under the minorities act, minimum wages act guarantees minimum wages, there is a reservation system for the underprivileged but no such facilities were extended to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakhi’s for all these years because of article 370 and 35a.
Under the new system, the centre will prioritize on extending all the benefits which central government employees receive like LT, HRA, education allowance, health schemes to the existing workforce of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
A large part of his speech focused on motivating the Jammu & Kashmir police with perks and good words.
Gave an assurance to fill all the vacancies in govt jobs, provide more employment opportunities for local youth in the public sector, private sector, army, paramilitary etc.
Other benefits like Pradhan Mantri scholarship scheme to encourage students to study.
All central government facilities will be extended as Jammu & Kashmir would now be directly under the central rule, good governance, ease of living, new work culture, accountability and answerability.
New institutions like IIM’s, AIIMS, irrigation and power projects, airports, good road transport and a strong effective anti-corruption bureau will be created.
He spoke in favour of voting rights for migrants from East Pakistan, whereas they enjoy these rights elsewhere in India.
He ensured that the people of Jammu & Kashmir can choose their MLA’S, cabinet and ministers and the chief minister like before. The only change is they will be under the supervision of Delhi, which is good for the people and their progress.
If all goes well Jammu & Kashmir WILL BE REINSTATED AS STATE WHEREAS Ladakh will remain a UT forever.
In the recent past panchayat, elections were conducted systematically and the elected representatives have been in direct touch with him since the governor’s rule was established, he often met them and many times at his home to address local issues like electrification of every home and to make their areas open defecation free.
Now after abolishing art. 370 these panchayat leaders will get an opportunity to work in the new system more effectively.
The focus should be on putting an end to Decades of dynasty rule and give the local youth a chance to take up new emerging leadership roles. The dynasts took the weaknesses of earlier governments for granted and assumed themselves to be immune to any intervention.
He focused on converting the crown of India into the world’s largest tourist destination highlighting the Kesar, shawls, and apples of Kashmir, organic products and herbal medicines of Ladakh, urged the members of Bollywood, Telegu and Tamil film industry to come forward and shoot their films in the valley.
Requested the business leaders to Build studios, theatres, IT companies to focus on bringing in the digital technology and science and technology to Jammu & Kashmir’s mainstream
After becoming UT, the progress of people of Ladakh is the responsibility of the central government, with the help of Leh Ladakh hill council, the development work can be taken to every home
Ladakh can become the biggest centre of solar power generation along with being an attractive spiritual and eco-tourism destination.
The local talent will be used without any discrimination on the path to progress.
Only a handful of people who want to disturb the place will encourage terrorists and radicalism backed by Pakistan, but the rest of India will stand by Jammu & Kashmir helping them in integrating with the rest of India.
I reassure you that normalcy will be restored in the very near future, congratulations and best wishes on achieving this and seeing this day.
Government is also ensuring that Eid will be celebrated in a peaceful environment, special arrangements will be made to bring home those living outside the state.
He expressed his heartfelt thanks and indebtedness to my army jawans, state employees and Jammu & Kashmir police for managing the ground situation in stressful times.
Jammu & Kashmir is our crown and to protect it many brave citizens like Shri Maulvi Gulamuddin, Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, Mohammad Usman, Rokshana Kausar, constable Aurangzeb fought for it. Government honoured all of them with various bravery awards and the list of such brave citizens who laid down their lives in the line of duty is unending.
This decision is taken only to help Jammu & Kashmir walk in the path of economic development
The Prime Minister requested every citizen to show to the world that together we can build a new Jammu & Kashmir, together we must build a new brave India.
_____________________________________________
My understanding :
I can personally step into the shoes of a Kashmiri and feel their pain right now, but if I were you dear brothers and sisters maybe I would have given this change a chance to bring in peace prosperity and progress to the region. There is no harm in trusting the expressed noble intent.
Keeping our ego’s and differences aside let us work for harmony in the region, for god's sake let us not allow agents of death to create a rift among-st us in the name of our creator.
We are too small to fight a battle for our Lord and in the process facilitate the killing of innocents on both sides.
Dear Prime Minister if you really want to go down as a brave man in history then this is your opportunity to oversee a smooth transition from the old structure to the new one.
Dear fellow Indians stop mocking, stop celebrating this is no triumph, the real success lies in hand-holding and walking fellow Kashmir’s into Indian mainstream.
Let us be unitedly diverse and diversely united, this is our strength and beware of the enemy who is sitting at an arm’s length, waiting to destroy us and our love for each other.

तुम लौट आना

तुम लौट आना 

जो यादें दिल में कैद हैं

वो पिगल रहे है , ओझल हो रहे है  

पिगलके मुझे किश्तों में ज़िन्दगी दे रहे  है 

इन  साँसों को बरकररा रखने 

नई  यादें बनाने आजाना 

कुछ लम्हों को अमर करने  आजाना 

मेरी यादें तुम्हारी राह देख रही हैं 

मेरी साँसे तुम्हारी राह देख रही है 

ढलता हुआ सूरज मेरी और देखके 

इशारों में कहता है, कल सुबह उसे लेके आऊंगा 

चाँद बादलों के बीचमें से झांकते हुए
 मेरे ऊपर रात बर नज़र रखता हैं 

हर सुबह पंछी खिड़की पे बैठके

मेरे कमरे में  तुम्हे ढूंढ़ता है 

मेघ गरजते है बरसते है
 मेरे सात सात रोते हैं

बिस्तर की सिलवटे भी तुम्हारी राह देख रही है 

 इस दिल को संभालने , समजाने आजाना 

 हम सब के लिए एक बार आजाना 

नई  यादें बनाने आजाना 

तुम्हारी राह देख रही हूँ 

जल्दी लौट आना 

घना अँधेरा हैं

घना अँधेरा हैं
सुनसान  काली रात है
चारो और सन्नाटा है
 दूर दूर तक कोई आवाज़ नहीं
 सिर्फ मेरे   साँसों की आहट है
 मैं अकेला था घर पे
खौफ  सा लगने लगा
 लग रहा था कोई है
छुपा हुआ है कहिं
पर हकीकत में कोई नहीं है
ये  राज़  मुझे पता था।

तो  किससे  डर  रहा था ?
आखिर  किससे वहशत  हो रहा था
डर का तस्सवुर ऎसे  हो गया 
की सन्नाटा भी शोर मचा  रहा था
कुछ पल  मैंने गौर करना बंद किया
खामोश बैठ गया
खौफ  को समझने   लगा
 सन्नाटे से दोस्ती होगया 
अपने  करीब होने लगा
बेवजह  ही डरा जा रहा था 
 इल्म की रौशनी ने
बहार के अँधेरे को दूर किया 
बैठे बैठे मैंने खुद से
ढेर सारी  बातें की
अँधेरा आइना बनके
मुझे अपने आप से मिलाया
मैंने रात बितादी शब  के साथ
मोहब्बत सा होगया था अँधेरे  से
शब डूब  गया , पर  मैं  जाग गया

इज्ज़त की कमाई

इज्ज़त की कमाई
रिश्तों में उल्झे  रहे
 ज़िन्दगी को लोगों में बांटते गए
उसकी हसीं ,इसकी ख़ुशी में
झलकने के लिए जीते रहे
किसी को खफ़ा  करके
उससे ज्यादा  आंसू बहाये
बेगानों से भी प्यार करते गए
मोहब्बत को सींचने में  पसीना बहाते गए


कल, मर भी जाए  तो कोई गिला नहीं हुज़ूर
किसी न किसी की यादों में , ज़िंदा रहेंगे ज़रूर
बच्चे  मेरे,  कुछ ज्यादा नहीं
बस चार रिष्तें इज़्ज़त के कमाए हैं मैंने
यहीं दौलत होगी मेरी तुम्हारे लिए
५००, १००० के नोटों  की तरह
इन्हें  बरखास्त न कर पायेगा कोई मोदी

अहंकार के हाथों

अहंकार के हाथों
अपनी ख़ुशी की बलि चढ़ाके
रिश्तों के खंडरों में बैठके
न जाने किस बात पे फक्र करोगे
सवेरा भी होगा , रोशिनी भी होगी
लेकिन तुम्हारे दिल
के कई कोणे वीरान रहेंगे


घमण्ड तो प्यार की बलि चढ़ाके
 जीत का झण्डा लहराएगा
जहाँ रिश्तों के कब्र होते है
 वो घर नहीं खण्डहर कहलाएगा
ये जंग तुम जीतके भी हार जाओगे
कब्रस्थान  सा माहौल में जशन मनाओगे!

आँखो ने दिल का साथ दिया

आँखो ने दिल का साथ दिया
अश्को ने बोझ को हल्का किया

रुखसार से होते हुए आंसु 
मेरे अरमान भी साथ ले गए

गम से मेरा नाता तोड़ के
मुझेसे खुश रहने का वादा ले गए

जाते जाते अश्को ने हिम्मत दिया 
लबों से फिरसे, मुस्कुराने को कहा

मन के बोझ  को 

कायनात मे शामिल करके

 वो खामोशी से अपना फर्ज निभा गए 
और बेगरज कुर्बान हो गए

आँखो ने दिल का साथ दिया
अश्को ने बोज को हल्का किया

ऐतबार रखो, कभी खुदा को भी अपना फ़र्ज़ निभाने दो !

जिनके दुआओं का कोई असर नहीं हुआ
उनके  बद्दुआओं का सच होने का डर कैसा

जिन्होंने  कभी तुमसे प्यार ही नहीं किया
उनके खफा होने का खौफ कैसा

मुक़द्दर तो किसी का गुलाम नहीं है
वक़्त के फैसले किसी के मोहताज नहीं हैं

डरो मत , कोई और नहीं , सिर्फ और सिर्फ
 तुम्हारे  कर्म ही तै करेंगे तुम्हारी तक़दीर


लोगों को खुश रखने के लिए अपनी अत्मा पे बोज न डालो
ऐतबार रखो, कभी  खुदा को भी अपना फ़र्ज़ निभाने दो !

नादान ये किसी और का खेल है

नादान ये किसी और का खेल है

ये और कुछ नहीं

बस वक़्त का तमाशा है

न ज़िन्दगी इज़ाजत लेके आती है

न जान दस्तक देके जाती है

तसल्ली के लिए रिश्ते जोड़ते हैं

बनते-बिगड़ते रिश्तों में दिल को उलझाते हैं

नादान ये किसी और का खेल है

ज़्यादा अपनापन न जताना

दिल लगाने की न करना तू कथा

कोई नहीं तेरा यहाँ

अकेला आया है

अकेला ही जाएगा

इसे चार पल की मस्ती समझ ले

ईमानदारी से अपना किरदार निभा ले

अधूरा काम कुछ भी न छोड़

मौत का इत्तिला यहाँ नहीं मिलता

कब खेल खत्म होगा पता भी न चलता

हिम्मत है तो कुछ ऐसा कर

वक़्त पे अपना चाप इस कदर छोड़

भूल न सके ज़माना तुझको

ऐसे साकार अपने जनम को तू कर

बस इसके आगे तेरा कुछ नहीं

हाँ, चाह के भी दुनिया मिटा न सकेगी

तेरी हिम्मत और हुनर का फ़साना

ये और कुछ नहीं

बस वक़्त का ही तमाशा है

न ज़िन्दगी इज़ाजत लेके आती है

न जान दस्तक देके जाती है

सिलीगुड़ी ने टोस्टमास्टर्स लीडरशिप इंस्टीट्यूट (टीएलआई) द्वारा आयोजित पहले प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम की मेजबानी की

टोस्टमास्टर्स इंटरनेशनल (TI) एक गैर-लाभकारी अमेरिकी आधारित संगठन है। यह संचार और नेतृत्व विकास में एक विश्व नेता है।
यह अब 142 से अधिक देशों में पहुंच चूका है।

पहला सत्र टोस्टमास्टर्स लीडरशिप इंस्टीट्यूट (टीएलआई) का हर साल जून से अगस्त के बीच में  होता है।

 इस बार, सिलीगुड़ी ने 27 जुलाई 2019 को डेक, पीबीआर टॉवर, सेवोके रोड पर पहली बार टीएलआई की मेजबानी की।
टोस्टमास्टर्स लीडरशिप इंस्टीट्यूट (TLI) सभी टोस्टमास्टर्स को सीखने, प्रेरणा देने, नेटवर्क बनाने, प्रेरित करने और नए दोस्त बनाने का एक शानदार अवसर है।

इस कार्यक्रम में सिलीगुड़ी, गंगटोक, दार्जिलिंग, नेपाल, जयपुर और कोलकाता के लगभग 75 टोस्टमास्टर्स ने भाग लिया है ।
छात्र, गृहिणी, पेशेवर और अन्य  सदस्य अपने स्वयं के टोस्टमास्टर्स अनुभव को बढ़ाने और एक-दूसरे को प्रेरित करने के लिए एक साथ आए थे।
इस मंच के बारे में अधिक जानने के लिए कई मेहमान भी मौजूद थे, और सदस्यों के रूप में नामांकन के लिए उत्सुकता व्यक्त की।
प्रशिक्षित क्लब अधिकारी क्लब की सफलता के सर्वश्रेष्ठ भविष्यवक्ता होते हैं।
इसलिए टोस्टमास्टर्स इंटरनेशनल , टीएलआई,  आयोजित करता है जो प्रत्येक क्लब अधिकारी के लिए एक निशुल्क प्रशिक्षण है, जिसमें विस्तार से बताया गया है कि उनकी जिम्मेदारियां और कर्तव्य क्या हैं और वे प्रभावी रूप से अपनी भूमिका कैसे निभा सकते हैं।

सिलीगुड़ी ने टोस्टमास्टर्स लीडरशिप इंस्टीट्यूट (टीएलआई) द्वारा आयोजित पहले प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम की मेजबानी की
टोस्टमास्टर्स इंटरनेशनल (TI) एक गैर-लाभकारी अमेरिकी आधारित संगठन है। यह संचार और नेतृत्व विकास में एक विश्व नेता है।
यह अब 142 से अधिक देशों में पहुंच  चूका है।

पहला सत्र टोस्टमास्टर्स लीडरशिप इंस्टीट्यूट (टीएलआई) का  हर साल जून से अगस्त के बीच में  होता है।

 इस बार, सिलीगुड़ी ने 27 जुलाई 2019 को डेक, पीबीआर टॉवर, सेवोके रोड पर पहली बार टीएलआई की मेजबानी की।
टोस्टमास्टर्स लीडरशिप इंस्टीट्यूट (TLI) सभी टोस्टमास्टर्स को सीखने, प्रेरणा देने, नेटवर्क बनाने, प्रेरित करने और नए दोस्त बनाने का एक शानदार अवसर देता है।

इस कार्यक्रम में सिलीगुड़ी, गंगटोक, दार्जिलिंग, नेपाल, जयपुर और कोलकाता के लगभग 75 टोस्टमास्टर्स ने भाग लिया। ऐसे छात्र, गृहिणी, पेशेवर और व्यवसायी थे जो अपने स्वयं के टोस्टमास्टर्स अनुभव को बढ़ाने और एक-दूसरे को प्रेरित करने के लिए एक साथ आए थे। इस मंच के बारे में अधिक जानने के लिए कई मेहमान भी मौजूद थे, और सदस्यों के रूप में नामांकन के लिए उत्सुकता व्यक्त की।

2 leaders in this story , ram and bharat.

I was first introduced to Ramayan when I was 6 years old by my grandfather. He was a writer and the first person to translate Bhagwad Gita into Urdu in the early 50s.

I encountered Ramayan for the second time when I was 11 years old, through the 78-episode series written and directed by Ramanand Sagar. This series aired from January 25, 1987, to July 31, 1988, and captivated the entire nation, sparking the first seeds of leadership lessons within me.

The learnings from those days are deeply imprinted in my memory and soul, and for this speech, I delved into my memories to uncover the leadership lessons from Ramayan.

My first impressions were shaped by King Bharat. Bharat was summoned back to Ayodhya from his vacation after the death of his father. On his return, he was welcomed by a series of rude shocks: father dead and brother in exile. His mother was the cause of both. She misunderstood her son so much that she thought he would be pleased by her machinations. What's worse, the citizens, courtiers, and many other people suspected him to be a co-conspirator along with his mother. Any other ordinary mortal in his place would have died of shock, guilt, and shame. However, Bharat stood up like a leader and decided to make corrections for his mother's mistakes.

When he was repeatedly subjected to false accusations, he could have used royal power to silence the accusers. But like a true leader, he humbly won over his accusers by putting in sincere efforts to convert the suspicion into appreciation.

He did not manipulate or intimidate people to stay in power. He left Ayodhya with the royal priest, chief ministers, three widowed mothers, and a large number of citizens to bring back his elder brother. After a long journey through the dense forest and mountains in Chitrakut, Bharat discovers a simple cottage where Ram, Sita, and Lakshmana are living. He immediately falls at Ram's feet and cries at the cruelty of fate, cursing himself for the hardships his brother is facing. Ram consoles him and inquires about their father. With a heavy heart, Bharata informs Ram of their father's death. Seeing Ram worried about Ayodhya, Bharata requests Ram to come back and take over the throne. Ram refuses, saying that their father's word must be honoured. Bharat says, "Brother, I will stay back in the forest to honour our father's word." Their loving, intense discussion goes on as they try to convince each other to take over the throne. For Bharat, it's a matter of meritocracy, while Ram sees it as a matter of honour. They both wanted to bestow power in the hands of deserving candidates.    Bharat says he hasn’t earned it, so he has no right over it. Ram says he will not take it unless everyone in the kingdom accepts him as a king. But despite the discussion and argument both remained unrelenting.  After Ram made it clear about spending the next 14 years in the forest, Bharat could have accepted the kingdom, as it was dropped into his lap by destiny.  Bharath sat on fast unto death till Ram accepted  to return to  Ayodhya After seeing Bharata's devotion to him, Ram picks up his brother, hugs him, and declares,  "I will accept the kingdom that you are offering me, but I also want to honour my father's word.  So after accepting it, I now entrust you to run it for the next 14 years."  Bharata knew he could do nothing beyond this, so he decided to become a caretaker and not the ruler.  He asks his brother, "Please give me your sandals. I will place them on the throne and sit below the throne until you return."  Ram offers him the sandals. Bharata returns to Ayodhya with them after placing a final request to his brother to return as soon as the 14 years end. Ram assures him that he will return, and Bharata leaves for Ayodhya in tears. Dear audience  Please remember the following text: "In Ayodhya, Bharatha places the sandals on the throne and works as a caretaker king. For the next 14 years, he shouldered all the responsibilities of a king but refused to enjoy the privileges. He spent his time living in a hut outside by adopting the food and lifestyle of his brother in exile. In this story, there are 2 leaders: Ram and Bharat. Power cannot be snatched and one doesn't become a leader just by gaining power and authority. Leadership should be bestowed on an individual by the virtue of meritocracy, love, and acceptance from followers. The Pathways curriculum hasn't mentioned a leader with the above virtues, but I prefer to walk on the path of Dasharath's sons as far as leadership is concerned." I hope this is helpful!

happy 50th birthday bunty

जो बीज हम ने बोए थे
२५ साल पहले
आज वो वृक्ष फल दे रहे है
इस घटबंधन के सबसे मीठे दो taufe
ये हमारे साथ आज खड़े है

हँसते खेलते लड़ते झगड़ते
गिरते पड़ते उड़ते संबलते
कट गया न  ये सफ़र
२४। वर्ष के तुम १७ वर्ष की मई
तब से ही हमें पता था
की आज  इस makhaam पे पोहोंचना है

सपने जो देखे थे हमने साथ में
कुछ आकार लिए है
कुछ साकार हुए है
लेकिन जैसे तुम हमेशा से कहते हो
हर रात सोने से पहले याद दिलाते हो
 सफ़र अभी बाक़ी है
काम बहुत अधूरा है

तुम khwab देखते हो
 राह दिखाते हो
उत्साह भरते हो
हम कर सकते है
ये आश्वासन दिलाते हो
और मैं अंध भक्ति
में उस राहपे निकल पड़ती हूँ
कभी हार के कभी जीत के
जब मैं  घर  लौटथी हूँ
तुम बस यूँ ही मुस्कुराके
गले लगाते हो
पीट थाप थापाके  कहते हो
चल पगली काम अभी अधूरा है
कल सुबह फिर निकलना है

 हाँ सहमत हूँ मई तुमसे
काम अभी अधूरा है
साथ मिलके बहोत कुछ करना  है
 कई अपनीं के घर बसाना है
उनके बचों को राह दिखाना है
और  नये रोज़गार पैदा करना
जानती हूँ मई
 ये विश्राम का समय नहीं
इसीलिए आज फिर  से ये वादा करती हूँ  तुमसे'
यूँ ही लड़ते झगड़ते समझते समझाते
साथ दूँगी तुम्हारा
हमें जीना होगा , अपनों के लिए
इन सब दोस्तों के लिऐ
प्यार के लिए , रिश्तों के लिया के लिए
ज़िम्मेदारियों के लिए
हमे जीना होगा
और ऐसे कई जनम दिन मनाने के लिए

हमें जीना होगा
happy birthday , to the man who embodies a beautiful soul
the man who turned my life into a blessing
to the man who shaped me into who i am

happy 50th bunty  and cheers to many many more to come!

Modi, Raga and Avengers : The show must go on..

Modi, raga and avengers.
___________________

Are you all not exhausted reading discussions on the colour of chaddis, on the chors and chowkidars?
During this election, the most hilarious quotes I heard in my surroundings were in the form of statistics.
Some say “clean sweep”, others say 300 plus.
And then the old man whom I sat next to in the flight declared 220+help of allies for NDA will be the way forward to form a new Sarkar. He explained in detail during the 55-minute journey on why he believes in BJP not winning more than 220. He presented the report state wise. It was like a thesis paper supported by facts and figures. I wish he knew so many details about his wife side relatives.
Every street corner has an adda, a discussion, an opinion, a perspective a judgment and a strong conviction.
It is a good thing in democracy to have the freedom to discuss debate and chose one’s representatives.
A section of the crowd is lamenting on INC not choosing Priyanka Gandhi to fight MODI, while others declare her as trump card not to be wasted for a single-seat, but use her to maximize the number.
If ISIS did not take responsibility for Sri Lankan bombings may be a section of media would have attributed the same to MODI. And a couple of leaders like Omar Abdullah, Mehboob mufti and few other too might have jumped in to seize the opportunity.
If there are incidents of bombings resulting in deaths of innocents, all of us should come out united and condemn it openly rather than blaming America.
If we do not take a stand against terror and indulge in whataboutery, believe me, someday not very far from today we or our loved ones too will be at the receiving end, and then it will be too late to even condemn.
In the same breath, I want to add, please do not alienate Muslims in your neighbourhood from the dialogue and discussion based on what an XYZ person of same faith has done elsewhere.
Inclusiveness is the only way forward and the only road to peace. There are good and bad people in every REGION, RELIGION, CASTE AND COUNTRY Instead of generalizing, Judge a person based on what he or she personally stands for.
Vandemataram, abinandam, airstrikes, Pulwama Ghar mein ghus ke maara, mai chowkidar hoon : nice catchphrases … full marks to the campaign designers
Rafael, GST, jobs data, nyay scheme, sister as brahmastra and demonetization: good homework well done
The biggest dilemma for a voter who doesn’t want to vote for Modi is the perception of not having an alternative.
Rahul Gandhi couldn’t successfully create an image of being a prime ministerial candidate in the minds of the voter and that is also helping Narendra Modi.
If we keep all this election discussion aside for a minute and try to take a breath, then there is this sudden influx of data from all the angles on AVENGERS – END GAME.
When I confessed to not knowing a word about it, I got glimpses of being a cavewoman.
The daughter started whispering in the father’s ear something, then he picked up the phone and they booked 2 tickets to watch the movie. I said thank you for sparing me from that multicolour nonsense, I feel blessed to have complete control over all the remote controls in the house for 3 full hours. The dogs too remain disciplined in their absence.
I prefer a kalank not "kalank - the daag " but kalank the movie over avengers any day.
I come to work to close some important issues but I find a euphoria on many faces, on prodding they revealed like prize winners on how they seized the tickets for first day itself through a very competitive and tedious booking process, few crazy guys are going to watch it back to back on Friday Saturday and Sunday.
The talk centred around this movie though came in like a breath of fresh air but in retrospect I find the election debates more tantalizing and entertaining.
Modi or raga …avengers or kalank
The show must go on!

sunderbans - the most sundar trip

This was long overdue girls. An ode to our friendship and our maiden holiday together.
Vishika, Preeti, Nita, Simmi, Renuka and Aparna.
We are a group of 7 friends, call ourselves saptarishis, 7 stars.
2 of them moved to Kolkata at the end of 2018 as their husbands were posted out.
Aparna’s husband took charge as SP Baruipur.
And colonel Renuka and her husband colonel Sameer too were in army headquarters in Kolkata.
We all were missing each other, as it has been 4 months since we departed.
Aparna invited us to take us on a tour of Sunderbans. Renuka too insisted we spend a night with her in Kolkata at fort William and then the 7 of us go to Sunderbans together.
We wanted to spend time together on valentine’s day, but as 14th Feb was midweek we couldn’t afford to take leave and go on a trip.
One among the 5 of us had a daughter preparing for class 10, so Simmi had to stay back in Siliguri for her daughter.
The 4 of us packed our bags and 3 babies and set on a voyage to Sunderbans via Kolkata.
We reached Kolkata around 8 pm on 15th February, col. Sameer received us at the airport (Renuka's husband) and drove us to his house.
The 5 of us set the house on fire. The guest rooms booked in fort William were waiting for us, but we refused to leave home, so Sameer had to leave making the space comfortable for us.
We fed the babies rocked them to sleep and then had long chat till 3 am.
This was the next day of Pulwama attack, Renuka's leave was cancelled so she had to drop out of the vacation to Sunderbans. we decided to cancel the trip and stay back in Kolkata with Renuka, but Aparna has already sent a vehicle for us to go visit her and then head to Sunderbans.
Unwillingly we decided to leave but, on a condition, that none of us will sleep that night. It was 3 am, ALAM the driver who was sent by Aparna to pick us from Renuka's place started calling to locate the address. Renuka guided him.
It was 4 am by the time Alam reached, we had coffee and Renuka packed sandwiches for us to have on the way.
So, Sameer and Renuka bid goodbye to us on a condition that we will spend the night with them on our return journey too.
We promised and hit the road with droopy eyes.
I usually sit in either of the 2 front seats.
If I am not behind the wheel, irrespective of who the driver is I always prefer to ride shotgun.
For courtesy sake, I ask the accompanying men and women their seat preference, if given a choice I would never abandon the front seats.
On that day too I and Alam were in the front seat.
In the next row were nita, Preeti and Preeti's son Nirvan in the third row was Vishika with her 2 little munchkins.
We started the journey towards baruipur, Alam was quite all along, just the occasional small answers to our questions on traffic, RTA’s and citizen discipline on the road.
I have this habit of interrogating drivers as they are the right people to explain geopolitical dynamics,  with elections around the corner, I thought he will have some juicy stuff to share but He kept his tongue tied, made no-lose comments, criticised none.
Alam was a lean muscular man in his late fifties, he had a thick dark mane, was wearing a khaki shirt, regular brown trousers and sports shoes. The uncoated thick glasses in a black sheath frame could partially distract one from the early onset of wrinkles on his cheeks and forehead, they made him look older than his age. The muscular hands exposing the veins on the forearm and the lean erect posture were indicative of the hundreds of hours he put behind the wheel. During his career span of 3 decades, he drove around officers, criminals, memsahibs, arms and ammunition all around the state.
We reached Aparna’s place in the next 2 hours. While on the road enjoyed the sandwiches grilled by team Renuka, but all along it was the invisible Mukesh giving us company. Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam haseen, Humein darr hai hum kho na jaaye kahin , Suhana Safar...
It was our first all-girls trip and it brought us closer than ever before. We took A small break at Aparna’s place, fed the kids and started our journey towards Sunderbans immediately. We were missing simmi and Renuka all along. Out of the 7, only 5 of us could make it to that beautiful boat ride in tranquil waters of Sundarbans.
30minutes into the journey we found fresh fruit stalls lining up the roads in the small villages leading to Sundarbans.
On enquiry, Alam told us that they were fresh local produce. We stopped to snack on the fruit. Alam took a special interest in picking up the best fruits, got them cut into same size pieces, seasoned with local spices. He handed us one portion each and hopped on to the driver’s seat.
I offered him a portion of guava from my share, he took the piece and said thank you. I realized later that offering him fruit was the inception point of the Naughty ideas and thoughts in the minds of my girlfriends watching us from behind.
Both sides of the road were lined up with drum stick trees. When we asked about why only drum stick trees here…. He got into a chatty mode.
If you want to pull a Bengali into the conversation, talk to them about the following 4 things food, music, literature and politics. One of the topics will click with everyone. Food and politics clicked with Alam. He explained about local flora and fauna, answered every question patiently. He narrated 8 recipes with the combination of fish, potatoes and drumsticks. I started making notes mentally of every word he spoke. When we were chatting, for me, only the Car,  the road, Alam and the music existed.
The girls started taunting in English, one said “is this love per sq. feet? “, the other said “wish you belated happy valentines’ day”, the third said this holiday will be the most memorable one only and only for one person … they went on and on only in English assuming he will not understand.
I replied saying stop burning girls, you will all rot in hell one day for not accepting fellow woman’s happiness.
I will not exchange this seat with anyone of you even for a million bucks. They set the discussion on fire and we laughed like crazy all in Alam's presence.
He dropped us at the pickup point and left immediately. We all got down from the car, Aparna’s army was ready to escort us to the private launch. We took snacks, water, nariyal pain etc tugged in the kids and walked towards the banks of the delta of Ganges. One by one we got in and started settling down, that’s when I noticed a smiling man in a t-shirt waving at us, I asked Aparna who is that man waving at us? she said our driver Alam. He looked young and interested in that t-shirt. We waved back to him.
Aparna ensured that we get the best hospitality in our 8 hours launch ride. Served us breakfast and multi-course lunch, we had vodka with us which we mixed in coconut water and drank on sly. Those 8 hours will remain frozen on my soul forever. The sunset, the water, the greenery at both the horizontal ends, the homecoming villagers mostly tribal with a mobile phone in every hand, fellow tourists in various launches, the occasional spotting of animals, the awesome food and most important the company of people who mattered the most to me. We had so much fun sometimes chatting, sometimes just sitting silently; other times clicking pictures, taking turns in babysitting, eating, drinking, watching sunset….
We decided not to spend the night on the island as we had small kids with us who may need medical attention in case of an emergency, so we decided to turn back and head towards Kolkata. Aparna got the bookings cancelled.
Alam was waiting for us on the banks of the delta back in his khaki shirt. We disembarked the boat and headed towards the car. It was going to be a long journey back home. We were lagging in sleep by one night, totally exhausted by now but the company of each other kept us going.
On the way back there was a big candlelight march taken out by one political party in the honour of Pulwama martyrs.
There was another group which came in from the opposite direction leading to an altercation and then riots, right in front of our eyes. Aparna came to the rescue she called the local police station and ensured that we were removed from that spot as fast as possible.
While stay put on the road I decided to get down and go see what the fight was about and who the miscreants were? I carried my phone to record the clashes if it may help police nab the culprits. Unwanted heroics I must say.
As soon as I got down Alam starting shouting don’t go, it is not safe, why are you going…. I didn't care to listen …. when our loved ones are not with us, we become adventurous, if I had my daughter travelling with me, my first worry would have been to reach her to a safe location, here I was independent and free to explore the option of seeing a riot live.
I recorded the fight and came back to the car, Alam was angry now for leaving the car without his permission putting myself at risk. The girls started again in English “see how concerned he is about your wellbeing “, “you and only you surely mean something to him” “he felt hurt after you disembarked the car without his permission” … they went on making naughty comments. We all laughed like crazy sitting amidst a riot, posing a danger to our lives.
We all planned to abandon the car walk backwards to reach the nearest police station and take rescue in it for time being or maybe a night long too. Vishika was readily positioned with her Baby Bjorn in place. Preeti held nirvan tight and we all were in the position to jump off the car and run at a moment’s notice.
But Alam assured us that he will not allow any harm to come our way. He took his lathi got down from the van and started guarding the car against all the 4 sides. His favourite catchphrase was dandha maarke, Thanda koredega, he hurled this at everyone within a meter’s distance from the car.
Meanwhile, a large police battalion arrived, thanks to Aparna she was relaying the information live from the spot to her husband. After an hour of lathi charge tear gas etc the mob dispersed slowly, and our car was escorted out safely from the scene. Alam displayed pride in rescuing us and I praised him to the sky for the same. The girls, as usual, were ranting from behind. we ensured that all our dialogue was only and only in English so that he (Alam) will not get any inkling of how we were twisting the storyline.
We dropped Aparna at baruipur and headed towards Kolkata to a resort at 9 pm. It was another 2-hour drive. Now Alam was on a different high so he was little rash and heroic on the road which wasn’t making the kids seated in the last row very comfortable. He would slow down only when we requested him to. He drove us through one-way lanes, breaking traffic signals. On the way, he ordered someone to get a parcel of fresh fruits packed for us from a nearby village.
As we were nearing the end of the road trip with Alam, the girls started making fun of us even more. Like how he was doing everything to impress me etc. even I joined them in making fun of alma’s heroism behind the wheel.
At 11.30 pm we reached the resort, we all got down from the car, the housekeeping staff collected our bags and left. It was time to bid goodbye to Alam. each one of us took turns in thanking him.
I was the last one to speak to him.
I said thank you very much Mr.Alam, you will be remembered forever from here on.
He extended his hand out for a shake. Holding my hand, he said. Madam, I graduated with English political science and economics from a reputed college in Kolkata. I was the topper in English during that year. I understood every word of your discussion today, I know I am not fortunate enough to be the “date: to anyone of you, but believe me, this ride will stay with me too till my death.
Did I say with the expression of pleasant surprise   "hey Alam a graduate and a driver?"
He said I had 12 siblings, I lost my father at a very young age, it was my responsibility to run the family, so I picked up the first job which came my way without waiting.
Maybe I would have become an English teacher at the most or maybe a proofreader in some publication for getting a distinction in English. That’s all good English can do for us, so let us not take pride in speaking great English. It is just another language, a mode of communication, not even our own, but a borrowed one.
I draw more salary, more perks, and more powerful connections than my contemporary who picked up the job as a school teacher.
……… just because I am a driver doesn’t mean I cannot speak English.
At that moment I saw a Shahrukh khan in him saying “do not underestimate the power of a common man “
We were dumbstruck and at the same time ashamed too of our behaviour, nevertheless, we overcame it in a moment and praised and thanked him once again.
Back in the resort at the dinner, we lamented for not taking his ph. number.
Our Sundarbans holiday will be the most memorable one forever, what say, girls?
All thanks to Alam that he made our maiden holiday the best holiday.
I had to record this for all of us and leave a copy of it here. 2 decades down the lane when we go on a holiday again, we will open this and read then….