The Beast

He looked at the scars and his freezing blood encrusted body again..

they silently described a story of torture, torment and pain..

How he was left there to be torched, churned and burned, wrapped with chains..

his burning, suffering and misery were doused to an extent, by the cold rain...

He lied there naked, almost dead as he breathed reluctantly..

the rain drops and the cool breeze gave some respite as they kissed him gently..

Suddenly his attention went to the broken skulls, he gazed  intently..

As he howled in pain and cursed himself, "If I had done things differently..!!"

NOTE:- The following poem has been written for 100 Words on Saturday, a prompt initiated by Writetribe!

Yet another love story!

Her warm and bruised body melted in his hands as she smiled.

"Please stay!!"

"I can't. 'His' conditions apply."

"Then take me along!"

She leaned closer and stabbed him in heart. The soothing music had faded. They drifted peacefully to sleep...to wake in another world.

The cadre could only lament and bow with respect.

NOTE:- This story has been written for 55 on Friday - 2, for Writetribe under the prompt, "conditions apply".

Liebster Award

People say whenever you are low and demotivated, God helps you stand up and gives you a hundred reasons to smile in some way or another. Well, the reason for my today's smile is Jayanth Busi. Today only i was seeing happy and chirping bloggers who were nominated for this award and i was wondering when would i get one. Just when i needed that extra push, you were kind enough to help me and encourage me, by nominating me for the Liebster Award. Thank you so much. I feel honoured! :)

Now, you must be wondering what a Liebster award is!

"A Liebster Award is given to new and upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It is a token of love, an expression of motivation. The word Liebster is a  German word meaning sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, valued, cute and welcomed. It is much sweeter than it sounds. Liebster award ties up together the blogging community and brings a feeling of oneness and unity."

Before i move on and nominate my nominees for the Liebster Award, i have to answer the questions of Jayanth, the person who nominated me for this award.


1. What is your opinion about yourself, compare it with your favourite fictional character(cartoon).

I am a simple, hard working guy who loves to read, write and blog. I like to watch movies and hangout with friends. The thing that i find in common between me and Goku(my favourite fictional character) is the never give up spirit. No matter how hard the circumstances are, i always try to push myself beyond my limits and achieve whatever i want.

2. What do you earn by blogging? (like casual, not offending) 

I earn love and respect, appreciation and trust from blogging. Nothing more than that! :)

3. What is your favourite music genre? Why? 

Sufi music is my favourite music genre. It relaxes me, soothes my soul and gives peace to my mind.

4. School or college?

Undoubtedly School! :D :D

5. You think someone good must come to politics? If so why? Aren't you good enough?

I think there are already a few good  people in politics. If they are allowed to do their work without any troubles, there is no need for anyone to come in.

6. A confession. 100% truth and unknown! :D

Well i don't have any confessions to make!! :D

7. Your opinion on Indian culture?

The most beautiful culture which teaches and inculcates great moral values in us.

8. Worse thing about you?

My addiction issues.

9. Your three unfulfilled dreams?

1. To have the claws of wolverine! ;) :D :P

          2. To learn some languages.
   
          3. To become a successful magician! ;)


10. Your favourite subject?

Mathematics. No second thoughts! ^_^

11. You happy with what you are studying?

Absolutely!!!

Now. My turn to nominate some bloggers. So here is my pick:

1. Alok Sharma The guy who has been a pillar of support and strength. Whose write ups i cherish more than my own. Always there to help and guide me.

2. Rakhi Her beautiful write ups always graced by her much beautiful pictures!

3. Nishkarsh Sharma Another one of my favourite. A very dear friend, who is fun to be with!

4. Ragini Puri Your marvellous pieces of writing touches a chord somewhere in my heart. One of my motivation source.

5. Fizaah The innocent write ups always bring a smile on my face.

6. Raina Hey Doc. Never got a chance to appreciate your writing before, but i am getting one now. You do write great. Never stop writing.

7. Sreesha Divakaran Your poetry pieces always leave me spell bound. They are mesmerising! :D

8. Shetall Ramsinghani Another awesome blogger!! Cheeers!! :D

9. Richa Singh One more helping hand. Always kind enough to show me the right direction!

10. Shreya The first of the blogger i came to know!! The issues you highlight needs courage! Bravo!! B|

11. Maniparna Sengupta Majumder The blogger whose pieces of writing, i cherish! They have a voice of their own.

12. Joshi Daniel A motivation source!! Fan of your photography!! :D


Now comes the best part. My questions to you are:

1. Why did you start blogging?

          2. Your best habit!

3. What makes you unique from others?

          4. Your favourite movies?

5. Action or romance?

          6. 3 deep buried secrets! ;)

7. The person you love the most?

          8. Your idol?

9. School or college?

          10. The most mischievous act you have done?

11. What does this award means to you?

!
1. 

mm

A carrot, an egg and some coffee beans

When i was a little kid, i would always wait eagerly for the summer vacations. That part of the time when i could go to my Nani's(grandmother's) house. Each night a ritual followed. My nani would narrate to me a bedtime story. I would really enjoy them. Even now when i think about them, i am still unable to decide, what made those stories beautiful? My nani's narration in her melodious voice or the characters of the story she would weave out of her imagination for me. Of all the stories i heard, there was one of them which i liked the most and is narrated below(In my nani's words)! "A carrot, an egg and some coffee beans!"

"Long long time ago, in a far far land from here, there lived a girl. The girl lived with her mother. Her father was a soldier and was posted in another part of the country. The girl's name was Janet. Janet was always the bubbly, happy go lucky girl, always ready to help others. But she was always surrounded by one problem or another. It seemed her problems never ended.

One fine day Janet came back home and started weeping uncontrollably. Her mother tried to console her but it was of no use. She tried asking but Janet wouldn't stop crying. Finally in broken words and with teary eyes, she uttered "I couldn't make a sand castle. All my friends made such beautiful castles but i can't! I am of no good. I can't do anything!!" And Janet started crying again. Her mother wiped away her tears, stroked her hair gently and hugged her in affection. The feeling of warmth and secureness in her mother's arms made Janet regain her composure and she finally stopped crying.

Her mother said, Janet, come with me dear. She took her hand and led her to the kitchen. There she placed a carrot, an egg and some coffee beans in a plate.

"Come here Janet." 
"Yes mom?"
"What do you see?"
"Well there is a carrot, an egg and a few coffee beans. But why?"
"Touch them and tell me how do they feel!"
"Mom the carrot is hard. The egg is so soft and the beans are so small."
"But mother what are you doing?" 

Janet asked her mother. Her mother just smiled and said pay attention and look closely. She took some bowls and filled them with water. She placed a carrot in the first one, an egg in second and the coffee beans in the third. She put all of them on the stove. After a good 20 minutes when the water was boiling she switched off the stove and took each one of the items out. She asked Janet to look at them.

"Janet. Touch them again and tell me what do you feel?"

Janet came close and after a brief moment said

"The carrot is now very soft mom!"
"Very well. And what about the egg?"
"It has become very hard now"
"And the coffee beans?"
"I can't see them. But the water surely smells of it's aroma!"

Replied back Janet in a much cheerful tone. "Did you see Janet what just happened? I boiled all three of them with the same water, for the same time on the same stove. The boiling water made the hard carrot a soft one, while it made the soft and fragile egg a hard one. And the coffee beans were the unique ones. They just changed the water when boiled."

"Which one do you want to be?" asked her mother. "In the tough times, when life and it's problems knock you down, how will you respond? Like a carrot or an egg or the coffee beans?" Her mother continued, "The carrot who appeared to be so hard and strong went soft in pain and adversity. On the other hand, the fragile egg just hardened in it's shell and thus displayed a tougher spirit. Or are you like the coffee beans which changed the very water who wanted to change it? After boiling, the water smelled of coffee and it's fragrance, the coffee beans didn't smell of water! So always think wisely and decide in a time of trouble which one you are and act accordingly." Janet had now understood what her mother wanted to teach her and this time she raised the bar..! The very Janet became strong and hard like the egg, and versatile like the coffee beans who could adjust in any environment."

This post has been written for Write Over the Weekend(WOW), an initiative by Blogadda!

Enchantress and the Prince

The enchantress roared, "You fool, So you think you know it all?"

You are nothing for me, but a piece of flesh, so weak and so small..

I could take out your princess's soul and put it in a doll..

And then feed her to the beasts or hang her in the skeleton hall!

The prince jumped forward, strangled her neck and haul..

But ohh my...! The witch still didn't die..

So he took her parrot and smashed him against the wall..

Seeing all this the princess cried..

The prince replied, "Yes, i know it all, i know it all!"

This post has been written for the Write Tribe's 100 words on a Saturday Prompt, "So you think you know it all"

Interview with Ravana

Today i was searching some stuff and came across this piece of writing. The date read 27-08-2003. I was in 6th standard then! :D :D
Albeit, my mom helped me writing this, but majority of the efforts were mine! :P
It would be great if you try to perceive this from a 11 year old kid's point of view!

DISCLAIMER: DON'T READ THIS POST IF YOU CAN'T DIGEST LIGHT HEARTED COMEDY!!

**Welcome ladies and gentlemen to your very own show: "CelebTalks" ! Each week we interview a famous celebrity and this time on our show we have none other than our very own Ravana! Yes ladies and gentlemen the same Ravana who is believed to be killed by Shri Ram!! So let's welcome him here and start our interview!!**

I: Hello Ravana. It's so good to have you hear. Hope your journey was a pleasant one.
R: Ohh yeah! The journey is always great with my Pushpak Vimana!

I: Hahaha! You brought it here?
R: Hell yeah! I have parked it outside, just in front of the India Gate.

I: I'm amazed. But any ways, my first question of the day to you is, Why did you go from the earth so early?
R: Who says i am gone? I'm still there living among you humans. I just have adopted some different forms.

I: What are those forms Ravana?
R: Well there are many. For example terrorists, corrupt politicians etc.

I: Ohh my god! It means you might be someone sitting in the audience?
R: Hahaha! You never know!

*winks*

I: Why did you kidnap Maa Sita?
R: Just for fun. I wanted to create an atmosphere of fear and terror.

**It's time for a break ladies and gentlemen. We'll soon be back. So stay tuned.**

*curtains rise*

I: Welcome back to the show. Today we have Ravana in our studio. So my next question to Ravana you is, What do you think about the rise in price?
R: Ohh..that's pretty simple. The prices rise because of the increasing hunger of the politicians of your country!

I: You said politicians. But do you know what do they think of you?
R: Yes! They idolise me. They worship me. In some form or another, i reside in every one of them. And i'm pretty sure, in the coming elections, they would make me the Prime Minister!

*hysteric laugh*

I: I can't believe what you said. But moving on to our next question, What are your favourite colours?
R: The colours of corruption, poverty, hunger and terror are my favourite. Though i have a long, long list.

I: Hmm..! At least that's honest. Now my final question to you, Ravana is When are you planning to go back to Lanka?
R: Hahahahahah! Why do i have to go back? I am not going anywhere from here. India is a great place to live and prosper. I'll once again expand my empire and rule your parliament!

*evil grin*

**Well i am must say, all of us are shocked by this interview. But thank you so much Ravana for coming to our show! Have a happy journey and i seriously wish your journey ends in Lanka! That's all for tonight ladies and gentlemen. Time to bid all of you good night now!!**

भारतीय किसान

आज दोपहर खाना खाते हुए मुझसे मेरी छोटी बहन ने पूछा की भैया ये जो दाल, चावल और सब्जियाँ हम खाते हैं, ये कहाँ से आते हैं ? एक छोटी सी लडकी के इस सरल से प्रश्न  ने २ क्षण के लिए तो मुझे भी सोच में डाल दिआ! फिर मैंने उसके सरल से प्रश्न  का सरल और सटीक उत्तर दिया कि इन्हें किसान खेती करके उगाते हैं और बाज़ार में ला कर बेच देते हैं , जहाँ से हम जैसे लोग इन्हे खाते हैं और अपनी भूख  मिटाते हैं ! मेरी बहन के लिए किसान भी नया शब्द था और फिर तो जैसे उसके सवालों कि झड़ी से लग गई ! मेरे लाख टालने पर भी वह ना मानी। और फिर बाल हट तो जग प्रसिद्ध है ! विवश होकर मुझे उसे साधारण भारतीय किसान की  असाधारण कहानी सुननी पड़ी ।

"जय जवान, जय किसान!!! "

यह नारा सुनने में जितना जोशीला , जानदार और अच्छा लगता है , वास्तविकता में आज के समय में उतना ही खोखला और अर्थहीन हो चुका है।  भारत जो विश्व के प्रमुख अन्नदाता में से एक है, वहाँ किसानों का जीवन किसी संघर्ष अथवा युद्ध से कम नहीं। ऐसा संघर्षशील जीवन इतनी गरिमा और सच्चाई से केवल भारतीय किसान ही व्यतीत कर सकता है। नवीनीकरण और औद्योगीकरण के  इस युग में हमारे शहरी जीवन ने गोली सी रफ़्तार पकड़ ली है परन्तु इस सब के बीच में हम ये क्यूँ भूल जाते हैं कि जो अन्न हम खाते है, वह उस किसान की देन है जो अपने पूरे जीवन में पुरुषार्थ और परिश्रम का चुनाव करता है , संघर्ष और कठिनाइयों को अपनाता है, सिर्फ इसलिए ताकि हम जैसे लोग खाना खा सकें। ऐसे निःस्वार्थी इंसान को खुद के लिए भी दो वक़्त की रोटी बहुत मुश्किल से नसीब होती है।

एक कृषक का जीवन कितना कठोर होता है , इस कड़वे सच से अधिकतर लोग अवगत नहीं हैं। चाहे वह दोपहर की चिलचिलाती धूप हो, या रूह को ठिठुरा देने वाली जाड़े की ठंड, या घोर वर्षा। एक कृषक निरंतर अथक परिश्रम करता है बिना इन सब बातों से विचलित हुए। किसान गाँव के साफ़ और खुले वातावरण मैं निवास करता है। उसकी वेश भूषा भी उसकी तरह सरल और सादगी भरी होती है।  साल भर मेहनत करके वह एक या दो बार पैदावार उठाता है। पर किसान का जीवन और सुख तो जैसे बने ही आँख मिचोली खेलने के लिए हैं। पहले तो उससे पैदावार को सरकार  को सस्ते दामों में बेचना पड़ता है। जो बचा खुचा पैसा होता है, उस में
भी सेठ और साहूकार अपने अपने हिस्से का क़र्ज़ हड़प लेते हैं। जो थोड़ा बहुत पैसा बचता है, उस से वह अगली पैदावार के लिए खाद और बीज खरीदता है और २ वक़्त की रोटी का बंदोबस्त करता है।

भारत सरकार के लाख़ दावों के बावजूद आज भी भारतीय किसान की स्थिति में बहुत कम सुधार हुआ है। सारी उम्र वह अपना जीवन तंगी और गरीबी में व्यतीत करता है। मुआवज़े या सहायता के रूप में मिलने वाली धन राशी का बहुत ही छोटा प्रतिशत उस तक पहुँचता है। बीच में ही अफसर, अधिकारी, सेठ और साहूकार ये पैसा हड़प जाते हैं। आर्थिक आभाव, खाने पीने और अन्य जरूरतें पूरी न होने के कारण ही आज देश में 
नित दिन सैंकड़ों किसान आत्महत्या करने पर विवश हो रहे हैं।  इस समस्या ने बहुत ही जटिल और विकराल रूप धारण कर लिया है। इस समस्या का अगर जल्द ही कोई समाधान नहीं निकला गया तो भारत में शायद किसान भी विलुप्त हो जाएँ।

प्राकृतिक विपदाएं जैसे सूखा, बाढ़, समय पर वर्षा ना होना या आवश्कयता से कम या अधिक वर्षा होना कृषक की  पीठ तोड़ देते हैं और साथ ही उसके रोज़गार को भी प्रभावित करते हैं। नयी और नवीन खेती के उपाय और विधि भारतीय किसान धीरे धीरे सीख रहे हैं। परन्तु चिंता के विषय की बात यह है कि जिस तीव्रता से किसान आत्महत्या कर रहे हैं, खेती छोड़ कर दूसरे रोज़गार अपना रहे हैं, क्या आने वाले कुछ समय में भारत में इतने किसान बचेंगे भी की सबके खाने लायक पैदावार हो सके ?

गांधीजी किसान को सेवा व परिश्रम की  मूरत मानते थे। अन्नदाता और सृष्टिपालक के नाम से उससे सम्भोदित करते थे। पर ना जाने आज वही किसान भीड़ के उन लाखों चेहरों में ना जाने कहाँ खो चुके। भारतीय कृषक के लिए ये कहना उचित और पर्याप्त होगा कि उसका जन्म करमयोगी की तरह मिट्टी से अन्न  रूपी रत्न उत्पन्न करने की साधना में रहता है तथा वह अपना पूरा जीवन इसी करमभूमि में बलिदान स्वरुप न्योछावर कर देता है । 

"कष्ट , पीड़ा  और  दुःख  ही मेरा आराम है ...

 सुख, समृद्धि , खुशहाली तो जैसे मेहमान है ...। 

 मेरी मातृभूमि , मेरी करमभूमि तो ये खेत खलिहान है ...

 हाँ  मेरा  नाम  भारतीय  किसान है ...

 मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ...। 

  बरसता है सूरज अनल , माटी भी भट्टी जैसी तपती है .… 

 चलता है मेरा हल सुबह शाम , अब तो थकान भी अपनी सी लगती है .... 

  पसीने और खून से लहूलुहान  हूँ , अब  तो  इस धरती पर भी  परिश्रम के निशान  है .... 

 हाँ मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ...

मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ...।  

 पैदावार का पैसा  साहूकार के पास है .... 

 भूख के मारे पूरा परिवार परेशान है .... 

 ना जाने किस लोभ से काम करते हम , लेते नहीं विश्राम हैं … 

 अब तो केवल मेरा बैल, मेरा हल मेरी शान  है …  

 हाँ  मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ...। 

 मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ...। 

 क्या धन , क्या जमापूंजी  इसका  ना मुझे कोई ज्ञान है … 

 बस  २ समय का खाना मिल जाए अब तो यही एक अरमान है.... 

 शहरों में बैठे नेताओं , अफसरों और बाबूओं  को कहाँ हमारा ध्यान  है ....

 हाँ मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ... 

 मेरा  नाम भारतीय किसान है ...। "

Goodbye

I felt left out and abandoned by the world,
but you never did anything wrong, did you girl??
I always grab a pen and paper, and write it all down...
about how high i took you..and still you pushed me down..

You tried snatching my few reasons of happiness..
with so much politeness and humbleness..
leaving me with so much of frustration, that at times i even cried..
and i just thought our friendship could have been saved, if only you tried.

That feeling i had, when i felt so exposed..i spoiled my name...
because you were so well known..
so now we are not "friends" and everybody knows...
but what's the point now, i guess i simply let you go..

People whom i even don't know, ask me how did it end...
for them i just have one thing to say "They were all my mistakes, and not that of my friend!! :)" !!

I guess things and time change, so did you!
and i know, i was important, for you too..
you said what all i did was rubbish, and was not to be meant..
ohh dear, finish what you start, or every time like this, it's gonna end..

People do change..so did i..quite than before..
but you were protected, being the younger one..
And now i feel, there's no need to cry..when i know who was right, and who was wrong..
but honestly, "Thank You", for making me so strong...
because now i know, there's one word i have for you and that is "GOODBYE"!! ;)

Birthdays: Kajol's Birthday

"Eeey chal e chal.. aaj tera b'day h naa.. Wish you a very happy b'day Kajol!!" said Rana, Ashish, Nishkarsh and i in unison. An hour of futile attempts and wait had finally ended. The birthday girl was now on line and there was a cadre, the excitement in the air and her sweet chirping.

Birthdays come only once a year and doing anything in halves or procrastinating the plans was not our cup of tea! The plan was ready, task and role orientation had been done. Twice. Our talks with the pretty girl continued for a few more minutes and finally we bid her good night and happy birthday once again!

9:35 AM

There she was sporting a polka dot dress, looking enigmatically beautiful in her own attire. Maybe it was the aura around her today that made her look so lively or her own charismatic presence that had lit up the whole place. The pleasantries were done, greetings were exchanged and a couple of minutes later we were sitting in our respective examination halls being subjugated by our last exam! Yeah. An exam on a birthday. Sounds boring and dull but our hours of happiness couldn't play any more hide and seek with us.

12:30 PM

"Rana truffle cake hi better lag rha h bhai..!"
"Haan bhai yahi le lete h..!"
"Chal theek h. Done."
"Aurr woh cap b leni h?"
"Hehe! Yeah cap b daal do bhaiya..!"
"And candles bhi!!"
"Aurr haan ek bottle champagne b! :D ;)"

Here i was acquiring all the essentials to make her birthday, "A Perfect and Memorable Birthday!" KC, one of my closest friends, being an absolutely incredible individual, the always happy go lucky girl had just entered the mall. My mind had a flashback and my memories were in front of me. The first time i had talked to her, she seemed to be so much different than what everyone perceived of her. After spending a few more weeks together, sharing a few more laughters together and having luncheons together my mind had leveraged me that i had delineated her correctly. If not completely, then to quite an extent.

"Challen bhai?"

I just came back to reality and left for our first destination of the day!

1:15 PM

Rana had just parked the bike. I had the cake in my hand. My enthusiasm was now exorbitant. The feeling of seeing happiness on a friend's face, the satisfaction in her eyes and the never miss contagious smile was enough to tell me how the rest of the day would turn out to be. And to know that we would be the reason for all this, for all her joy and pleasure made me wiggle my toes. We proceeded ahead (Me and Rana) and were soon inside McDonald's.

1:20 PM

The candles had been put. The caption and the name adorned the cake. The birthday cap had been put on  it's righteous place and the knife was there where it belonged. Finally she blew the candles. We sang the birthday song, another round of greetings, cheering and hugs followed. Pieces of cake were stuffed in her mouth! (Ohh really..?? :P )
Pictures were now being clicked and soon the balloons had joined the party too! (Yeah, yeah.. I know they were late..!) Funny and different poses leveraged a vacuous smile on my face. After all that's how each of us celebrated our birthday. With our parents, siblings and friends, the people we were closes t to, the people whom we loved and trusted. Birthdays are always special. No matter what kind of a person you are, everyone eagerly awaits there birthday and their friends more intractably than them. That's the feeling of friendship and feeling of being loved. Being wanted. To know that you do matter for people. And it's my cogent thinking that there is no feeling greater than this.

1:40 PM

The first surprise element of the day came out. "The champagne bottle." She couldn't keep her masquerade for  long and burst into laughter. 40 seconds later the empty bottle was in her hand with each one of us, gulping down a few sips of it. The mischievousness in our eyes spoke for us. The happiness couldn't be hidden any more. Maybe because we had a million, billion or trillion reasons to be happy.

1:50 PM

We departed for the last and final part of our today's fun filled journey. A local eating joint. The excitement was still there, though it had been subdued a bit by sense of satisfaction.

2:45 PM

Lohia presented her the gift that she had been hiding behind her back.

*AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW*

KC screamed. Yes. Come again. Dude she screamed so loudly, that for a moment i was left perplexed that whether it was a pleasant or a sad scream. But the "Hair dressing kit" (Good Choice Lohia ( Y) ) had made her day. Maybe there was nothing more now that she could wish for today. Ohh yeah.. Of course apart from our company! :P
The food was as good as it was promised by a good guy!(This time it's me! ;) ) Our senseless conversations made all of the time more memorable. The sheer happiness of being together was so much that everyone ate almost twice their capacity!! :D

Finally it was the time of our departure. Affectionate hugs were shared once again. We had bid everyone good bye and so did such a pleasant day.. Birthday of Kajol! Naah.! It couldn't. Not without this post or the poetry following this!! :P

Whatever we do, how big we become, our birthdays and special occasions(even the tiniest one's) are always incomplete with our friends. Our friends hold such an important place in our life that it's unimaginable to think our survival without them!! They are our life support system and most importantly the people that matter! (KC, this whole post is for you, but this part especially :P )

"Today is a very very special day..
 I'm privileged to have a friend like you, that's all i can say..!
 I wish every year this day, i be with you, till your hair turns grey..
 Happy birthday.. Happy birthday.. Happy birthday..!! :D :D

 May god shower you with all the wealth, success, happiness and joy..
 you be the source of inspiration and never encounter a decoy..!!
 Every time this day comes, we would be there to sing...
 and just pray to god that you be the best one..you be the queen and you be the king..!!"