Back after a long time with a new poem - FRIEND

 Priya’s Blog

______________________________________________________________________________FRIEND

Friend is a

                        Twin or shadow,

Everywhere she follow

Today or tomorrow.

In her absence

She lives moments

I suffer in silence

Laughter to recreate

We celebrate

A treasure trove made

Others guess meanings

In my sayings

She knows words missing

Amidst the world’s praises

She only criticizes

For she knows my best

Friend is a

Curse, may not be a gift

With a big fall

Down a cliff

Curse brings darkness

Doesn’t see kindness

See I must, before the fall

Sister, mate or mother

Select and be wise

It has to be for life

A few is better than many

One is best among few

My soul, she knew

Trust and care

To tell stories once

Live not like a dunce

Friend is the

One with understanding

Others, ………just playing.

-         Priya Indra

The Shore

Drops, Drops, Drops
Ziillions of Drops
Sea and its Drops

Vast and Deep, Flows
Keeping safe within 
Flaura, Fauna, Pearls

Soft & Foamy its waves
Every now and theres
On their route
Touch the shore
To leave something
To take something

Shore is always there
For the waves here
To touch the shore
To feel secure.
- Priya Indra

The Welcoming Advertisements

One of the latest advertisements caught my attention as it tells a very interesting story about a young man from India who has got a job off-shore. The advertisement is made interesting by the fact that this Indian boy is delighted to see the empty soft - board on the partition his table, where he puts up the photos of his near and dear ones. Having done this, he has a satisfactory smile on his face as if his folks are there with him in the new country very far away from his.

Then, as if opening a big treasure chest, he takes out a small box from his bag. After the box is opened, we find “Maa ke haath ke besan ke laddoo”. Instead of having one himself, he offers one to his colleague next to him (who is not Indian!).

That’s how he welcomes his new friend – to – be in the new country. Isn’t that amazing!!!!

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The Chocolate Factory and the Stereotype

Charlie and the chocolate factory is a very nice book and very well filmed also. Johnny Depp has once again weaved his magic as Willy Wonka. All said and done, but it still leaves a sting, at least in my heart and mind.

Recently, I was watching the movie with kids and noticed that the mindset of westerners regarding Indians is not very appreciable. The Indian Maharaja and His Maharani are depicted as dark skinned!!!!

Why we Indians are always imagined be dark – complexioned? What is it with dark complexion or brown complexion? Is it ugly? Why do we respect APJ Abdul Kalam? Why is Naomi Campbell the highest paid model in the world?

Why Westerners are still trapped in this stereotype?

I will not answer these. I leave it to the readers to answer this question.

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NaMo and Maa

Well, I could not meet Mr. Narendra Modi. May be its like our wish to visit a shrine. You cannot reach the shrine (or start the journey, for that matter), till Gods give their approval and remove all the obstacles in your path; Maa Vaishno Devi in particular.

My dreams of meeting NaMo and visiting Maa Vaishno Devi still remain unfulfilled. Travelling to Kashmir for Maa looks impossible. But visiting the miniature of the original abode of Maa Vaishno Devi (Ahmedabad) is also not happening. The visit got cancelled thrice in this month itself.

NaMo doesn’t know about my existence; but Maa surely does. She has taken care of me and fulfilled my biggest wish without me keeping my promise to her. SHE has ensured that my faith in the HIGHER POWER is restored; THEIR existence comes to my knowledge; and I’m assured of my existence.

 Meeting NaMo

Being Jobless is painful. But, trying to get a job without any success is more painful and demotivating as well. 

After trying unsuccessfully in all the possible areas (according to my qualifications), an idea came to my mind. The idea was to meet our CM Mr. Narendra Modi and seek his help to get hold of a job.

I thought that it was a brilliant idea and my last resort, till somebody crushed it more brilliantly. A few days back we had a couple (as guests) to our place. Now, this couple has been to many places and knows people in the right places. My mother, being a simple lady, informed them (actually!!) that I want to meet Mr. Narendra Modi. And, pat came the reply, “You can’t meet him just like that. He doesn’t meet anyone.”

But, then, how is he running this state, if he doesn’t meet his own people?

To answer this question is beyond my understanding. Nevertheless, I’ll have to device some other way to meet NaMo.

To conclude on a rather funny note – “Noticed something very interesting - the ‘Bhooths’ in the ‘Bhooth World’ were holding mobile phones. Wonder why would they need mobiles over there?  - Bhoothnath Returns

The Marathon

Arjun, a student of a reputed management college, shared good friendly relation with his professor  Srinivasan. Being fitness freaks, both of them enjoyed long runs and some exercises every day. They never missed any marathon in their city. This went on for few years.

The day came, when Arjun finished his course and was to leave the institute and the city. On his Garduation Day,  Srinivasan tells Arjun that though his life will be very busy and hectic, he should continue his running and exercise regime and to continue taking parts in marathons.

Arjun left the city, got a good job, got married and settled in his stressful busy life. Running and exercise were soon forgotten due to hectic schedules and lack of time. Lack of exercise made his mind and body lethargic. On the other hand, Srinivasan, continued with his older routine. He increased the miles he used to run.

After many years, the management college organizes the reunion of the alumni. Arjun took this opportunity to take a break from his busy life. Meeting Srinivasan after so many years sounded more exciting to him than the reunion. After the party, Srinivasan invites Arjun for lunch next day. He insists that Arjun come early so that they can sit and talk. They decide on nine am in the morning.

Next day, when Arjun arrives at Srinivasan’s place, Srinivasan is dressed up in his track suit with running shoes. Arjun is surprised to see his enthusiasm. They go for a run. But soon Arjun is out of breath. Then, they switch to walking.  Srinivasan tells Arjun that he is very disturbed to see Arjun’s health and his lack of stamina. Arjun tells him about his daily routine and busy life. But he marvels on Srinivasan’s stamina and fit body. Srinivasan tell him that he has continued with his running and marathons. This reminds Arjun that he has not taken part in any marathon after leaving the college.

Srinivasan motivates Arjun to try and run for some distance. But after some time, they again switch to walking. They return to Srinivasan’s place around one O’clock in the afternoon. Srinivasan’s wife is very miffed at him and complaints that he has always neglected her for his love for running.

After lunch, Arjun helps Srinivasan’s wife to clear dining table. When they come back with coffee, they find Srinivasan sleeping on the rocking chair with content and peace.

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Falling Apart & Miracle

In Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, we (those who have read it) can actually witness Okonkwo’s life falling apart piece by piece; step by step. There are several reasons in the novel and Okonkwo is not responsible for this alone.

Similarly, at some point in our lives, almost all of us experience or witness lives of others’ or ours falling apart. Sometimes we ourselves are responsible for the calamity or at other times actions of outsiders or situations trigger it.

Some of the lives culminate fatally like Okonkwo’s, while some others manage to sail through misery and calamity by accepting the situations. On the other hand, there are others who not only survive the calamity but gradually turn the tides in their favor.

Why this MIRACLE happens to some people? We all know miracles don’t happen every day and just like that. No one is waving a magic wand at us to make things better for us.

The spirit to do something and get our lives on fast track is there in all of us. The WILL and DETERMINATION to keep this spirit alive is the MIRACLE which puts back the together the fallen pieces of our lives.

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Why Can’t I See GOD?

Where Is GOD?

A million dollar question! But a question bigger and greater than this is – does anyone else exist other than the rich / famous / powerful?

Let’s try and answer both the questions, beginning with the first one.

First Assumption – HE must be in the vaults and offices of the rich and powerful because they are getting richer and mightier day by day, year after year.

Second Assumption – HE must be residing at the so called “Aashrams” of “Babas”. As they have “Peace Gyan” in abundance to distribute among the less peaceful ones.

Third Assumption – Actually this should have been the first. But, it was too clichéd.

As everybody says and loves to believe, is that, HE is everywhere, all encompassing, omniscient. HE is there in every grain of sand; every drop of water; every living being. HE is watching over everybody; HE is listening to everybody.

So, all the three assumptions indicate that GOD does exists!!

But, I don’t belong to the categories mentioned in first two assumptions and the third one is doubtful to me.

Therefore,

If GOD exists, then I don’t. Because I’m not everybody.

As I mentioned in my last blog - "Why do we have History of Mughal Empires and Emperors in our school curricula?  Why are we glorifying the lives of people who invaded and plundered India? Why aren't we including the political and economic history of post-independence India in syllabus? It is time now that a major change in our education system has to be implemented. In fact, it is too late. The change should have been brought about ten years ago.” In lieu of this history we should have history of our "SOCIETY" along with post - independence political and economic history. By doing so, we can make our children aware of how our society functions, what are the pros and cons of it and how the cons should be dealt and corrected. Also, how its pros can be resourced for the growth and development of the society.

All I want to say is that why are we being subjective when it comes to teaching ways of our society. Why can't we generalize things? Why do we shy away from talking about everyday things? On the contrary, we blow isolated events out of proportion and distort the entire issue.
We should sensitize our young boys towards the needs and desires of girls and the importance of identity of an individual. Then only we will have genuinely sensitive, caring and loving men.