Faltu hai...

तू

2011-11-06T21:16:00.000+05:30

ऐ मेरी कविता की भूमिका, तू सिर्फ कविता में नहीं है |
तेरी आहट से महका है ये गुलशन, तू सिर्फ गुलिस्तां में नहीं है |
तेरा एहसास है हर दम इन साँसों में, मौजूदगी का आलम ये
कि रखूं नयन खुले तो लगे है पर्दा सा, बंद कर लूं तो तू कहाँ नहीं है ?

अजनबी हैं हम, मुलाकातों का सफ़र अभी अधूरा है |

रिवाज़ों की एक दीवार है, समाजों का एक पहरा है |

इस इंतज़ार में कि होंगे शुष्क होठ उन होठों से गीले,
तन्हाई का ये लम्हा और भी हसीन और सुनहरा है ||

ये लम्हे एक दिन गुज़र जायेंगे, दीवारें भी ढह जाएँगी,

जब आप होंगी हमसे रु-ब-रु, तनहाइयाँ तनहा रह जाएँगी |

पतझड़ में भी फूल खिलेंगे, बिन सावन बादल बरसेंगे |
और ये बीते तनहा लम्हे महफ़िलों को तरसेंगे ||

तेरे आने का ही ज़िक्र है हर जुबां पर, और क्या कहूँ?
कि होठ सूख चले हैं, पर मन कहता है कि इन्तहा नहीं है |

"क्षितिज" इतना ही कहूँगा कि अब आजा जीवन में ख्वाबों से निकल कर |
सिर्फ मेरी कविता में ही कैद रहना तेरा दायरा-ए-जहाँ नहीं है ||

Us...

2011-09-28T02:46:00.000+05:30

Smiles all around, may no grieves surround.
Let nothing stop the pace, whatever we may face.
Together we are, together we will be.
Nothing can keep you far away from me.

Whatever may be the situation, whatever may be the condition.
Smiles should always be around, happiness should always find us.
No one should be sad, no one should feel alone.. I know,
you'll hold hands of each other, for it is care for each other that binds us.

(Dedicated to our family and uncleji (this poem is written on his behalf ...)

My understanding of Baba Ramdev Satyagrah!

2011-06-08T20:33:00.007+05:30

" तीर पर कैसे रुकूं मैं ? आज लहरों में निमंत्रण |

.
.

विश्व की संपूर्ण पीड़ा सम्मिलित हो रो रही है,

शुष्क पृथ्वी आंसुओं से पाँव अपने धो रही है |

इस धरा पर जो बसी दुनिया, यही अनुरूप उसके,

इस व्यथा से हो न विचलित नींद सुख की सो रही है || "

-- हरिवंश राय बच्चन

I know at least one person who is not sitting on the shore watching tides silently. He might be a "dhongi" as someone has already called him. He might be a person who is trying to step in politics and this is his political agenda. He might be a person who has prefix "Baba" appended to his name. The prefix that is enough to raise concerns regarding the credibility, specially among the educated, intellectual class of India.

Despite of whatever being said about him, I still believe in what he is doing. India is in dire need of a revolution. A movement that will help all Indians and not just politicians to realize that we need to address the issue of corruption. I do not really care who brings such a movement and how! The issues raised by him are all genuine (we may not agree on the solutions proposed, if at all), so how does it matter who has raised them. Rest of my OPINIONS are as follows:

Priorities of the government: Let us assume that the Baba who has raised these issues is himself corrupt. Then what was the government doing until now ? Why didn't the government take these actions earlier ? This makes me reach to a conclusion (I might be too fast to reach to such conclusion!) that it is OK with the government if a person is involved in corruption, but if someone raises issues against the government so bluntly, that person must be nailed down, no matter by what means. Hence, if so many proven corrupt people are going after "not yet proven corrupt" person then the latter will sooner or later fall into their one of the traps where each and every step of him is being monitored critically. I believe if all (?) of us go through such an extremely high level of scrutiny, some or the other time, we all (?) will end up in jail! All government energy is going on in proving one person wrong/criminal rather than on the main issue. It has taken years to arrest Hasan Ali, they are still nowhere close to Dawood. Raja, Kalmadi, Kasab, etc. all the cases that indeed pose threat to the national security and integrity. How could this baba suddenly become so important from a national security point of view that all government agencies, IB, CBI, etc are after him at the same time ? This shows the priorities of the government!!

Financial Irregularities(?): This baba has been accused of financial irregularities by the government. Even after putting all their forces behind him it is the sixth day today and they still do not have anything against him. The empire of 1100 crores that they talk about is actually his! Any other person willing to be entrepreneur will do a business out of it. Government has still not found anything concrete to be able to arrest him and put him behind the bars. They want so because the more the fast continues, supporters will grow.

Secularism: Can't RSS and other "secular" organizations be one for a national cause ? Or is it so that there is no issue on which RSS and any other religious organization can share the same platform ? "RSS behind anti-corruption movement: Chidambaram"‎ (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rss-behind-anti-corruption-movement-chidambaram_1552595) What is wrong if RSS supports an anti-corruption movement ?

Violence: This baba talks about the protesters being armed next time and everyone is taking lead to call him "violent". Whereas if a government (The State) becomes violent then it is for internal security!! However unreasonable they might be. Whether that act of "ensuring security" actually harmed its own pupil. The issue of "State generated terrorism" or "state terrorism" is already very wide-spread, I do not need to speak much on it.

Making strategies/plans: Is it a Baba's job to suggest government plans of bringing back the "black money" ? Why does UPSC hire 500 "highly qualified" officers every year ? Why is a "Baba" supposed to give bureaucratic strategies to bring the black money back ? And how could a baba, who has no knowledge of diplomacy or international relations or finance or anything else that might be needed to propose such a plan, suggest some plans ? It is a serious issue and all government machinery need to be employed in order to work out a concrete plan. What are all extremely qualified officers paid for ?

Immorality(?): We are quick enough to always say that women are at par with men. The moment someone hides in a woman dress why should it be treated immoral or unethical (for sure it is not illegal) ? Can we ever justify morality ?

Fan following: Most of his followers are rural and old aged people who have benefited from his yoga and activities in favour of promoting agriculture. Youth (most of them, I believe) probably do not give a damn to his yoga preachings and they are not directly related to the agriculture. Whatever he is doing does not really relate to their bread and butter. This though was true with Anna Hazare as well, but he still received lot of support from the youth. I think this "Baba" should have been more synthetic and concrete in his ideas. But then, you cannot really expect just one person to do everything and be perfect in all dimensions!

Rationality: The intellectual class wants rationality in everything. Which is reasonable, we should be rational, but to what extent ? We forget that rationality itself has limits. The state in which we are living right now does not directly effect us because we are fortunate enough to have all our meals on time and all the luxury we want. Can we expect of those whose basic needs are not fulfilled to really act in a manner that will be rational to all ?

Fraud: If he is a "fraud", big deal ?? How does it matter to have one more in millions ? On the contrary, we would be guilty of not supporting the right guy when he stood for the right cause.

गर उसने हाँ कर दी होती....

2011-05-23T19:05:00.009+05:30

Thanks to AD (Anu Didi), who convinced me to post it. :-)

दिल की एक तन्हा धड़कन दूसरी धड़कन से कहती |

गर उसने हाँ कर दी होती, आज जिंदगी अलग ही होती ||

हाथ में मोबाइल ना होता, ना ही पीछे खिड़की होती |

गुलाबी साड़ी में लिपटी, नजरें झुकी झुकी सी रहती |

सर पे बिंदी आँख में काजल, काले बाल संवारा करती |

ऐसे नज़ारे पे ये नज़रें बस उनको ही "निहारा" करती |

ये भी होता, वो भी होता, जाने क्या हद कर दी होती |

किन्तु यह सब तो तब होता, गर उसने हाँ कर दी होती ||

बूँद बूँद से गागर भरता, राहगीर प्यासा न रहता |

आवारा बादल नदियों की प्यास पर न्योछावर होता |
सब नदियाँ एक धारा बनकर सागर की हैं प्यास बुझाती |
दूर गगन नक्षत्र निवासी, होती काश 'क्षितिज' की प्यासी |
इस मरू भूमि पर भी ओंस की एक बूँद मुस्काती |
किन्तु यह सब तो तब होता गर वो हमसे मान ही जाती ||

सबके साथी, हम अकेले, एक आकांक्षा अपनी भी थी |

हाथों में एक हाथ होता, एक सर होता इस काँधे भी |

चांदनी जैसे नील गगन में, रहती वो भी इस मन में |
सागर के संग जैसे लहरें, और दीये संग जैसे बाती |

इस सूने आंगन में भी एक छम छम सी पायल इठलाती |

किन्तु यह सब तो तब होता गर वो हमसे मान ही जाती ||

क्षमा प्रार्थी जो कहा उनको कि चाहे 'कोई' भी होती |

'किसी' को भी हमने तो बस 'हाँ' ही कर दी होती |

कहत क्षितिज! ऐ नादाँ, गर नादानी न कर दी होती |

ना सिर्फ मेरी, आज तेरी भी ज़िन्दगी अलग ही होती ||

My trips..

2010-09-13T17:30:00.000+05:30

I will be soon posting the experiences of my trips in Europe. The blog will be activated very soon again...

नफरत से मुहब्बत

2009-11-29T00:02:00.003+05:30

मेरा और नफरत का हुआ सामना ,

मैंने बड़ी नफरत से देख उसे बोला,
ऐ नफरत मुझे नफरत है तुझसे |
अंजाम ये कि इस नफरत से भी नफरत है ||

मैं चाहूँ तो भी ये नफरत नहीं मिटती,
मिटाने वाले मिट जाते हैं ये नहीं घटती |
नफरत, जो दिलों के बीच इमारत है ,
नफरत, जो अज सबसे बड़ी तिजारत है,
क्या उसकी इतनी बड़ी रियासत है ?

मुझे नफरत को जहाँ से मिटाना है,
इसकी रियासत को गिराना है,
ये नफरत मिट जाए खुदा से यही इबादत है,
नफरत ना हो तो ये जहाँ ही जन्नत है |

अपने लिए इतनी नफरत देख नफरत बोली,
" जीवन तो दिया नहीं जाता किसी को,
गम तो बांटे नहीं जाते किसी के,
आंसू तो पोंछे नहीं जाते किसी के,
ऐ क्षितिज! कैसी ये तेरी फितरत है !!

ये ना कह कि किसी से नफरत है,
कह हर उस चीज़ से मुहब्बत है,
जो इस कायनात में खुदा की कुदरत है,
और नफरत भी इस दुनिया में उसी की रहमत है || "

एक मौत और.....

2009-06-28T04:39:00.004+05:30

बजी शहनायियाँ, तबले भी करने लगे थे शोर,
शादी का दिन था, थिरक रहे थे लोग |
खुश थे सब, आनंद से थे भोर विभोर ,
दुल्हन की सहेलियां नाचती थीं मनो मोर |
खुशियाँ ही खुशियाँ हर तरफ़ दिखती थीं चारों ओर,
सुख का माहौल था, दुःख का था न कोई ज़ोर |

माँ बाप ने सोचा आखिर उनकी मेहनत रंग लायी |
आज उनकी बेटी दुल्हन बनकर घर से लेगी विदाई |
सपना एक तो हुआ पूरा दूसरे की आस जताई |
किंतु यह क्या? गरीबी उनके बीच में आई |
वर पक्ष ने जो रखी मांग, असमर्थता जताई |
दुल्हन के दरवाजे से बारात लौट कर आई |

पल में सब खत्म हुआ, हो गए चूर सब सपने,
देखे थे जो ख्वाब, हो सके वो न अपने |
गरीबी पर था आक्रोश, किंतु बेगाने तो बेगाने,
हो कर भी जो न हो सके, उस ब्याह को कौन माने?
ऐसे समाज में जीने से तो मर जाना अच्छा,
जिस समाज में जान कर भी कोई न जाने |

थोड़ी देर पहले जिस लड़की को मिलने वाला था 'साथी',
उसी का 'साथ' न पाकर , दे दी अपनी आहुति |
खुशी का माहौल सारा मातम में बदला,
कौन सुनेगा री तुझे बावरी तू तो ठहरी अबला |
जाने कब तक छाया रहेगा अँधियारा, जाने कब होगी भोर |
इस दहेज़ की सेज पर एक मौत और, बस एक मौत और | |

..... and you wish me to smile !!!

2009-06-11T14:25:00.013+05:30

I started a journey all alone, with my soul.
I wished I could complete it without a foul.
The journey is long and the path is rough.
I never realized it would be so tough.

The more I proceed, the more I discover.
There are many mistakes that I should cover.
There are many sins that I should commit.
It is no longer the same Kshitiz, God forbid.

I had taken vows to protect the weak.
These are the days my promises tweak.
I could not keep the promises I made.
One more Kshitiz begins to fade.

My path is now lost, all my destinations gone.
I left my original path, that cannot be now undone.
I wish if I could return, I wish if I could be the same.
But now I am 'smart' enough to call it a part of the game.

People now ask me why do you cry.
You did your best, whatever you could try.
There is no reason you should be ashamed.
For there is no reason should your soul be blamed.

I told my soul the same, "there are no reasons to be sad".
It replied, you deceived me lad, and said,
" you could not keep the promises even for a while.

... And you wish me to find reasons to smile!!! "

Goddess of Love...

2009-02-14T13:07:00.002+05:30

She never created a human labeled with any of the labels we have managed to put on our foreheads. She never wanted the communal segregation based on whatsoever qualities. We have deceived her. We humans, have managed to deceive God by dividing ourselves in countless islands on this earth with no boats to connect, more importantly, no hearts that would like to connect. The more the wit she gave us, the more destructive we are.

National boundaries serve to let you know where not to attack. Religious boundaries tell you what the national boundaries couldn't, they tell you where could you attack inside the Nation. We were not satisfied with all above we kept on creating, castes, creeds, color, race, ethnicity, language, belief, age, and many more. All these may have positive points too but they collectively pose problems to the one common victim, Love. Love among human beings, love for the earth, love for each other, love for beloved... and the list goes on.

"सिर्फ़ एहसास है ये रूह से महसूस करो, प्यार को प्यार ही रहने दो कोई नाम ना दो।"
-- Gulzar.

Above lines are probably the closest to the "definition" of love. Other conditions are imposed by me because to err is humane, and I am a human being. For those who do not understand Hindi/Urdu, it translates to (probably I should not try to extract out its meaning! ) "Its only a feeling, feel it in your soul, let the love be just love, do not try to name it. " Though I would like to say that in this context "name" means the kind of relationship. What I do is probably very much against it.

I expect in love, I always expect things to go my way. I always expect my beloved to behave in a manner that would please me. Not meeting the expectations mean that she (I am a male) does not love me the same anymore. It immediately implies that I put further restrictions and conditions when I say I love her. I expect my parents to always, support, and care for me. I always expect, always!!

We, humans, have made a mess of what the God wanted us to do. We, I think should reconsider the way we think. We should at least try not to hurt others if we cannot help them heal their wounds. There should be no day when we have communal violence anywhere in the world, particularly in the name of religion. It is then we would stand apart from any other living beings.

Do we indeed want to stand apart? That is the real question!

Selfish me.

2008-10-03T20:21:00.000+05:30

I asked God if he could turn me in something unnatural, for unnatural are the happiest beings. They don't know how to cry, they don't know why to cry for all they know is how to scrafice themselves so that others don't cry. They don't know how to smile, they don't know why to smile for all they care is others should smile. They don't run for an endless thirst because they don't want to run.

The more the natural I am, the more the selfish I am for I know when should I cry and when shall I not, for I have reasons to smile and I always seek them. For I try to steal the moments that take my breathe away. For I wish to feel the warmth of someone who could make me smile and fill my life with her smiles. For I can even smile on the days when some other natural beings have seen disaster. The more I smile, the more selfish I am. Why am I so selfish? I want to ask the God, Why am I so selfish? For I am a natural being? For why can't I cry when people cry, for why can't I be a reason for them to smile.

For I am a natural being I can reason out why shall I be selfish. For I know its an inherent property of a natural being. For I understand. For even if I dont understand, I make myself understand that I must be selfish. I must make my own path by hurting others, hurting those who were heading the path, to claim that I made the path.

Then I saw a disaster occurring on the door step of the God herself!! I saw people died once again. I saw they were running for their lives. I saw they were crying if someone could help them. I saw kids looking for their fathers, wives for their husbands, mothers for their sons, fathers for their sons. I saw. I did see this all. I did not cry. For I could change the channel and now I have a reason to smile. The same old thirst that never gets satisfied. Why do I want to smile so much when stones, even bamboos, even the deads are crying? They are trying every possible bit to help them. May be I could make myself understand that none who died were my relatives. May be I could again make myself understand that, that is the way life is. Yes, even if I could understand, still I wish to ask God. Why did she do this with the people who came for her blessings? I will ask God, why??

She replied harshly "Such a disaster happened. You are still happy. You are still happy for you are still a natural being, all alive." Then I asked God, Do I really want to be turned to an unnatural being? For I am happy hundreds of people died, for I can still smile or even flatter. She then replied smiling, "No you don't."

She then told me that I am selfish, for you believe or not but trust you must.