If you are my child..

I want you to always remember this:
1. I love you to bits. But I will make a good human being out of you yet.
2. Discipline is only as important as the air you breathe.
3. Work hard.
4. Remember that the most important thing is - how did you make that person feel. That's all they will remember.
5. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
6. Once every 24 hours, Saraswati is sitting on your tongue, to make an utterance come true.
7. Work hard.
8. There is no substitute for personal discipline. You will thank me later.
9. naam Japo, wand chako, kirat karo.
10. Stay Grounded.
11. Value the person, not his clothes.
12. The world doesn't owe u anything.
13. Be Kind.
14. Always respect ppl who love u.
15. Plant a tree.
16. Smile. Often.
17. Look up at the sky. Now repeat.
18. Do pranayama everyday.
19. Learn to write your thoughts. Then, later in life, when you are confused and don't know how you feel, open your diary/phone/laptop, and start writing. It will all make sense.(PS: This last one is a life hack)
20. Don't be with people who don't make you feel positive. It doesn't matter how important they are.
21. Your self worth comes from you. It doesn't come from your salary, your spouse, or your education. It comes from YOU.
22. You can always do SOMETHING. You just can't think of it right now. But the options exist.
23. Mansa, Vacha, Karmana.. - Your thoughts, your words, your actions.
 

What men must know about courting women over 35

This came up in a chat with a friend.. when we were discussing what we want men to know abt women above 35..

1. If you can't ask for the girl, you don't deserve her.
2. We know the difference between a fling, a FB, a romance, a marriage, and everything in between. So just tell us what you want. Don't beat around the bush. And we will tell u if that works for us.
3. Unlike what most men think, most women above 35 have no time for drama in their lives.
4. We are absolutely ok with our weight, looks and clothes. Anything you say to flatter or provoke, will not work. Don't try it.
5. If its a short term reln, make that clear.
6. You are never going to be our soulmate. Our girlfriends are our soulmates. Unless you have spent 15 years bringing up children with us (you have not), brought hot towels to manage cramps, and held our hand while our child was sick, you are not going to be our soulmates. Don't try it.
7. We don't want to hear about your day, your politics/ sports. Unless we love you (and we don't), we really don't care.
8. Conversation with a woman above 35 is a privilege. You are not likely to be that privileged.
9. We nod when you talk. Its just who we are. We are empathic. It doesn't mean we are interested in you.
10. We don't dress to please men. Or Women. EVER. We might dress to please the kids. SOMETIMES.
11. Don't be cheap, even if we say its all OK.
12. The fastest way to lose a woman over 35, is to take her for granted. Her husband already did that.
13. Don't waste your time giving signals. There are no signals. Read Point 1.

Natural Born Children - the Orphans of our Policy Making

When you go to adopt a child, you have to convince the govt that you are financially, emotionally and physically fit to take care of a child.

You know why the IVF industry is flourishing? One reason could be that when you have a natural born child, you do not have to prove this fitness to anyone. IF they tried, a lot of parents wouldn't be able to prove this fitness.

And that's the thing. If the govt ensures a safe and secure environment for an adopted child, why are natural children the govt's orphans? Why doesn't the govt guarantee the same security to the natural descendants of their parents?
 

Ghazal

Ghazal is not something I dabble in often.. but here's one that might make some sense..

for what its worth..

बड़े दिनों तक परियों पे ऐतबार रहा 
बहुत मसीहा का भी इंतज़ार रहा 

यास तो बाद में बनी राज़दाँ मेरी 
पहले उम्मीद का इंतज़ार रहा 

तुमने मुझसे क्यूँ वफ़ा ना की 
इतना भर उसने बार बार कहा

मुआफ़ करना, और भूल जाना, एक सी बात नहीं  
सीने का खंजर भुलाने में ही करार रहा